National Board Certified Reflexologist (American Reflexology Certification Board [ARCB]).
Board Director of the Reflexology Association of America (RAA)
Advanced Professional Level II diploma from Seattle Reflexology & Massage Center
Hundreds of hours of additional post-graduate training (see section below).
Licensed Massage Therapist (NY)
Former Vice President of the Washington Reflexology Association (WRA) and Representative for the Reflexology Association of America (RAA) Delegate Assembly
Director/Owner, Reflexology Academy NW
Recipient of the 2024 National Excellence in Education Award
Featured Presenter at the May 2024 Reflexology Association of Canada Conference
Certified by The National Council for Reflexology Educators.
Rated 9.5 out of 10 by former students.
Former Program Director/Principal Instructor,
Reflexology Certification Program,
Northwest Academy for the Healing Arts
Former Principal Instructor, Reflexology Certification Program, Bellevue Massage
Advanced Professional Member of the Reflexology Association of America (RAA)
Washington Reflexology Association
Reflexology Association of America (RAA)*
*currently serving as a RAA Board Director 2022-2025
Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals
International Council of Reflexologists
These organizations accept only trained, credentialed reflexologists as members. To avoid being worked on by untrained and possibly-exploited persons, always ask those advertising reflexology where they trained, the # of hours of coursework, and the professional organizations they are members of.
Round About Fascia with Touchpoint
Ap 2024 14 CE hours
FingerFree Reflexology with David Wayte
Oct 2023 14 CE hours
Orthopody (Anatomy Trains on the feet) & Dupody with Annie Trigg & Sue Alma Evans Cardiff, Wales 5/23, 32 CE hours
3 Cadaver Anatomy classes with Tom Myers 13CEU's plus numerous body readings of the Anatomy Trains 6+ CEUs + 17 addt'l CEU credits for NY LMT license renewal
Advanced Ear Reflexology with Stefanie Sabounchian Tacoma, WA March 2023 14 hrs
Natural Foot Health Institute Certification with Portland Podiatrist Dr. Ray McClanahan 16 hrs
Reflexology for Chemical Dependency with AAR founder Bill Flocco, Seattle, WA 7 hours
Gentle Touch Reflexology for Babies & Children Practitioner & Instructor Certification with founder Sue Ricks, Baltimore, MD 28 hrs
Structural Reflexology Level II with founder Geraldine Villeneuve - Baltimore, MD - 17 hours
The stress response: a sympathetic, hormonal and immune challenge with
Nico Pauly. P.T.; M.T.; M.N.T.
& Griet Rondel: P.T.; M.N.T.
Seattle, WA - 14 hours
Achieving Natural Foot Health with Dr. Ray McClanahan, sports podiatrist and creator of Correct Toes - Seattle, WA 8 hrs
Structural Reflexology: Integrating Reflexology with Foot Function with Geraldine Villeneuve Chicago, IL 14 hrs
Advanced intensive in reflexology for those with arm and hand conditions with Danish master reflexologists Dorthe Krogsgaard and Peter Lund Frandsen of Touchpoint Advanced Reflexology Workshops Seattle, WA 14 hrs
Dr. Jesus Manzanares, MD of Barcelona, Spain, Seattle, WA 10 hrs Total hrs of study with Dr. Manzanares: 82 CE hours.
Two day intensive in Neuro-Endocrine Integrated Foot, Hand and Ear Reflexology with William Flocco, founder of the Integrated method and the American Academy of Reflexology in Los Angeles (June 2017).
Two day intensive with German Naturopathic physician and creator of Reflexotherapy Hanne Marquardt (Mar/Ap 2017, Kilkenny, Ireland). Hanne predominantly teaches her method to doctors, nurses, dentists and physiotherapists since reflexology is often prescribed in Germany.
Third 3-day intensive in the Manzanares Method of reflexology with Dr. Jesus Manzanares, March 2017. Total # of hours in Manzanares Method to date: 72 hrs. Manzanres has used reflexology for the past 38 years to complement allopathic methods in his medical practice in Barcelona, Spain.
Cadaver anatomy for licensed healthcare practitioners, at Bastyr University with Dr. Rebecca Love (Feb. 2017)
Advanced intensive in reflexology for those with heart conditions with Danish master reflexologists Dorthe Krogsgaard and Peter Lund Frandsen of Touchpoint Advanced Reflexology Workshops (Oct. 2016, Seattle, WA)
Advanced intensive in reflexology for those with hip/knee/sciatica issues with Danish master reflexologists Dorthe Krogsgaard and Peter Lund Frandsen of Touchpoint Advanced Reflexology Workshops (Oct. 2016, Hood River OR)
2 day training in Pathologies of Feet & Hands with American Academy of Reflexology instructorLisa Chan
3 day training in Vertical Reflexology Techniques [VRT] with founder Lynne Booth (Aug. 2016)
2-day intensive in Reflexology Lymph Drainage [RLD] with founder Sally Kay (May 2016)
Two 3-day intensives in the Manzanares Method of reflexology with Dr. Jesus Manzanares (3 days in Nov. 2015; 3 days in May 2016)
2-day intensive for Foot Hand and Ear Reflexology for Stroke, Diabetes, Parkinson's, Fibromyalgia, and Cardiovascular Diseases with clinical reflexologist Paul Harvey at American Academy of Reflexology (Dec. 2015)
Two 5-hour foot-pain tutorials with Tina Bystrom, RF, NBCR (2015 and 2017)
Advanced ear reflexology training with world-renowned auriculotherapist Dr. Terry Oleson through American Academy of Reflexology (Dec. 2014)
Advanced intensive in reflexology regarding the immune system with Danish master reflexologists Dorthe Krogsgaard and Peter Lund Frandsen ofTouchpoint Advanced Reflexology Workshops (Oct. 2014)
4-day hand reflexology intensive withLaura Norman Wellness (March 2015)
As I practiced massage professionally, I came to see that health was about more than just the physical. Moved to learn something of the role our minds and emotions play in our wellbeing, I began reading into and taking workshops in various “schools” of psychology: Gestalt, Hawaiian Huna, the work of Assagioli and Jung, Neurolinguistic Programming [NLP], and more.
When it became clear to me that the physical and psychological/emotional still fell short of wholeness, I journeyed into an immersion of the spiritual aspect of self. I was profoundly impressed by Huna, the ancient psychospiritual system of Hawaii. In Huna I saw traces of Judaism, Christianity, NLP and other traditions. It was lovely to encounter such a web of interconnections.
I studied Taoism at Vermont College and that moved me to seek a community in which I might engage in meaningful conversation about some of the larger “issues” and mysteries of life. I found All Souls Unitarian Universalist [UU] church in Manhattan to somewhat fulfill that yearning.
When I moved to Colorado Springs, I was elected into lay ministry at the UU church there. I was deeply enriched by the process of putting together and delivering Sunday services when the minister was absent. Some of those services I conducted solo, and some with a team that consisted of a psychotherapist and a ministerial student.
Simultaneously, I spent a year in studies and services at a Reform Judaism synagogue in The Springs. I was drawn to Judaism by its call to justice and to mending the world (Tikkun Olam), as well as by what I understood to be an encouragement to question what one was being taught. Fortunately for me, Rabbi Hirsch seemed to love evolving his understanding of “truth” as much as I loved wrestling with and evolving mine. I had many “aha” moments at the Springs’ Temple Beth El, and I lament in hearing that this profound time-honored tradition isn’t practiced as much nowadays.
After 12 years as a massage professional, I embarked on a new career in publishing sales and management, which enabled me some years later to return to college to finish my Bachelor’s degree.
Destinations are great, but so are the journeys.
I selected the Evergreen State College for its “seminar” process of deep exploration into -- and discussion of – ideas. In my final quarter, I took on Evergreen’s offering to engage in an "independent study" of creating one's own course curriculum. In bi-weekly consultation with Dr. Stephanie Kozick,
I envisioned, wrote, and researched on a subject I called Brain Laterality in Education and Culture.
After graduation, I returned to publishing. Then the events of September 11, 2001 made weekly commuting by plane onerous and undesirable, and raised in me a desire to learn something of world affairs – a subject I knew less than little about.
That immersion brought me to into the sphere of human and civil rights, and from there into politics, where I learned that democracy is not something to simply inherit -- but to be actively engaged with for life.
These are some of the threads that have woven the tapestry of who I am today.
I am so happy to have come full circle back into the realm of Complementary Medicine -- this time using reflexology as my primary hands-on modality to help myself and others to achieve better health and wholeness with reflexology.
I would like to see reflexology more widely integrated into America’s medical system [25% of all Danes, for example, use reflexology for better health, and in Germany physicians often prescribe reflexology as part of one's treatment], and one of my personal/professional goals is to help make this happen. The fact that our National Institute of Health is funding studies in reflexology for breast cancer and for diabetic neuropathy is an encouraging step in that direction. For those who'd like to introduce their doctors or other medical practitioners to reflexology, I've added a page to this site specifically forMedical Professionals .
I hope you find reflexology as remarkable and powerful as I, and so many others, do. Please see my“Testimonials”page for some of my clients’ personal experiences with reflexology, and please also visit the “About Reflexology” page on this site for links to some of the hundreds of studies that illustrate how reflexology has helped with a variety of symptoms and conditions. For a snapshot of reflexology research, click on the drop-down tab titled "Research Highlights".
All sessions are by appointment only. Best to phone me at 253 576-9541to schedule.
If you prefer to email me, please allow 36 hours for a response
Linda@ReflexologyforBetterHealth.com
UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS
Reflexology for Better Brain Health FREE 1-hr Online for Marlens's Market & Deli Tues, June 11 @ 5 pm to register https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYudemhpj0oGtCjBdmYROsz6SMXIa3536o3
PRINT ARTICLES:
My newest article, based on my research:
A Reflex for PTSD and Long Covid?
pp 18-21
Exciting New Reflexology Research
pp 23 & 24
Pain Release: three books & a workshop reprinted from the Reflexology Association of America's Winter issue of Reflexology Across America
Getting Relief From Foot Pain about the four characteristics of shoes that are wreaking havoc on not only feet, but knees, hips, and backs. This article was written for Natural Choice Directory, and appears on LinkedIn with permission of the Directory editor.
The Future of Integrative Medicine May be in Your Hands on the Integrative Practitioner blog
Click here to read my article about the problem of human trafficking into some of the "foot massage" salons in WA state, and how the legislature instituted law in 2013 to regulate reflexology and thereby help to protect the public as well as exploited workers
RADIO:
Copy and paste this url for my 2018 radio interview on KKNW radio https://1150kknw.com/episode/choices-finding-your-joy-with-paula-vail-06-12-18-guest-linda-frank/
Radio interview about Integrative Medicine with Naturopathic Dr. Anna Columbini and host Martha Childress on KKNW 1150AM program aired 3-1-16
Click here for my interview about reflexology with Paul Vail on VoiceAmerica internet radio (Paula's show is ranked in the top four on VoiceAmerica's Health and Wellness channel).
https://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/87574/reflexology-for-better-health
TELEVISION:
Here is Part 1 of the video of a 30-min taped interview on Paula Vail's Choices: Finding Your Joy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOPBPEJrFjA
And here is Part 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAk4j92t3co
Click https://www.king5.com/article/entertainment/television/programs/new-day-northwest/reflexology-for-stress-anxiety-and-better-health/281-140117162 to see my King 5 New Day Northwest tv segment "Reflexology for Stress, Anxiety and Better Health" with Margaret Larson. (It's missing a lot of information that I normally would have conveyed because I was waiting for the host to ask the question-"prompts" I'd submitted at the behest of the Producer prior to the show! Unfortunately, the Producer hadn't seen my email til after the show. That taught me to make sure to insert vital details whether asked about them or not!)
PRESENTATION ARCHIVES:
For the Reflexology Association of Canada: Addressing & Avoiding Foot Pain
1.5 hr presentation May 5; 3.5 hr class May 19, 2024
A Key to Physical & Mental Health 10/25/22
Link to YouTube recording coming soon.
Your Fascinating Heart.. Link to YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZrsWWUK4G0
Addressing & Avoiding Foot Pain Naturally,
July 23, 2019 6:30 pm, A by-donation fundraising event for, and at, Mt. Tahoma Sanctuary.
"Empowering Children to Self-Regulate with Reflexology" at the 27th Annual Conference for Early Childhood Education & Teachers of Tomorrow May 2018 and June 2019
Bastyr University, 6-hour introduction to Reflexology for Naturopathy, Acupuncture, et al students enrolled in the Bastyr-Bellevue Massage School Summer massage program. July 2018
Reflexology & Our Immune Systems Sept 2017
Reflexology & Men's Health June 2017
Reflexology & Women's Health May 2017
Reflexology For Better Heart Health Feb 2017
1 hr introduction to Reflexology, Everest College Tacoma, Massage Therapy Program Feb 2017
Stroke Support Group, Tacid Building at Tacoma Community College Jan 2017
Multicare Cancer Support Group, Puyallup, March 2017
Featured presenter for the 28th annual Northwest Women's Show , April 2016
Featured presenter, South Sound Healthy Living Expo Jan 2016
Spring Ridge Assisted Living & Memory Care, August 2015
Featured presenter, Pierce County Cancer Survivorship Conference at the University of Puget Sound, convened by Franciscan Healthcare, Multicare, and the American Cancer Society, August 2015
New York State-licensed Massage Therapist
Graduate of the Swedish Institute College of Health in NY [500 hour program] Reiki Master
Jin Shin Do Bodymind Acupressure certificated practitioner status [250 training hours with founder Iona Teeguarden et al]
Certified in NLP [NeuroLinguistic Programming]