BIOGRAPHY: SPIROS DIMITRAKOULAS
Spiro’s journey in Reflexology and complementary therapies began in 1992 when he trained and became the assistant of a general physician in Athens, with whom he worked with until the year 2000. After that Spiros started working for himself and continued training in various other complementary methods like Acupuncture, massage, Su Jok, but also acquiring a deeper knowledge of Reflexology by training with the best.
He has been a Reflexology instructor since 2008 in Athens, and since 2011 he has been offering training around the world on Hippocrates and Ancient Greek Medicine through the training Orthopedic Reflexology of which he is the founder.
Spiros has a strong interest in chronic pain, and from 2011 to 2013 he offered treatments in the pain clinic of the Aretaieio University hospital in Athens, but also in other clinics and hospitals. Currently he teaches a hand Reflexology course to patients of the Psychiatric clinic of the Argos general hospital.
He has lectured and offered clinical workshops around the world at Reflexology, Medical and Physiotherapy conferences. His articles have been published in Greek and foreign magazines and newspapers.
Spiros has taught Reflexology in the environment of a prison in Greece but also in a kindergarten.
He also has a lot of experience in the area of high performance sports, which he gained as the team leader of volunteer therapists of the Authentic Athens Marathon, but also working with many clubs and athletes in various sports. At the moment he is the Reflexology therapist of the Greek National Men’s Handball Team.
He maintains two Reflexology offices in Nea Smyrni and Argos since 2005 and 2011 respectively.
Contact: spirosreflex@gmail.com
MAKING REFLEXOLOGY MAINSTREAM – THE GREEK MODEL
“What has been done and, and how?” … and, “My favorite area on the foot”
In 1992 fate had it that I work as a driver for a general physician who practiced Reflexology in his private practice. Fortunately, soon after, I became his apprentice. In the year 2000 I started working on my own and was faced with the challenges of creating a Reflexology clientele in a society where CAM and especially Reflexology where just introduced. Very soon I understood that my professional evolution and progress went hand in hand with that of Reflexology. During my presentation I wish to share with you my experiences on the following activities many of my Greek colleagues and I pursued to make Reflexology mainstream. I was fortunate to coordinate the following examples of Reflexology integration and blessed that many of my colleagues believed and supported them.
10 years supporting with Reflexology the athletes of the Athens Authentic Marathon. The biggest sport event of the year for Greece.
- Integrating Reflexology into the Pain Relief and palliative Care Unit – of the University hospital Aretaieio
- Reflexology for the parents, the caregivers at the Children’s Oncology Unit Marianna Vardinogianni ELPIDA
- Teaching in a kindergarten setting a peer-to-peer reflexology and massage as part of an anti bullying program
- Training prisoners in Reflexology. A pilot program at the Tyrinth Agricultural Prison as part of a Educational and vocational training
- Reflexology in the world of High performance sports and the National Mens Handball team of Greece
- Reflexology at the office as part of Corporate Wellness Programs
Finally, I will take you on a journey in foot anatomy, Greek mythology, and Reflexology.
There is a bone in the human foot named navicular which means boat, because it resembles a boat. We will begin from this bone a journey to visit a nearby area on the foot that I have noticed many Reflexologists already work on constantly and naturally. It is also my favorite area on the foot, and I think this area is very special and stands out. This area has been called by anatomists “zone of confusion” or “The Bermuda triangle of the foot” and I want to show you why and how not to get lost.