LIE back, relax and think of nothing!

That's all you need to do when you go for a course of reflexology - one of the latest ancient therapies resurfacing in holistic medicine.

Citizen health reporter Gill Atherton visited reflexologist and former nurse Margaret Dorgu to find out why it's becoming so popular for pain relief, stress management, digestive problems, and a whole range of conditions.

Margaret practises from her home in Watling Street Road, Fulwood, as well as helping out at St Catherine's Hospice in Lostock Hall once a week and Vine House Cancer Help day care centre in Ribbleton.

Many of her patients are chronically ill and in a great deal of pain. She doesn't claim to heal them, but Margaret believes that through reflexology, she can teach them to manage the pain. So how does it work?

Gill lay down and let Margaret twiddle with her toes as she explained what was happening.

"Reflexology is the gentle manipulation of the feet," Margaret said: "With light pressure you stimulate nerve endings and channels of energy called meridians.

"Each part of the foot represents a structure or organ of the body, for example, the webs between the toes represent the gums and teeth."

She added: "It brings your body to emotional and physical balance," she said and recounted some of the conditions it can alleviate: "Migraine, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome.

"It's so wonderful, it's so simple and there's nobody it doesn't benefit," she enthused.

As Margaret worked her hands over Gill's aching feet, our reporter felt all the tension of the day drift away. She could easily have dozed off - and Margaret confessed that many of her patients do!

Day patients at the Hospice and Vine House have six sessions and towards the end Margaret invites a close friend or relative along to learn how to do it for them.

She doesn't want a monopoly on the therapy and tries to ensure each patient benefits as much as they possibly can from it. Reflexology is just part of the treatment which Margaret has developed. She also uses music and crystals to relax her patients to a state where their bodies can start healing themselves.

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