The occasional occupational hazard comes with therapist Victoria Monkhouse's skills: her clients can drift off into blissful sleep, overcome stress or jet-lag, or occasionally get the giggles so much they kick her in the head.

"It can happen if people are very ticklish," she admits. Not surprising, really, when the treatment involves kneading, pulling and pressing a client's feet and their 40 energy points. Reflexology is a style of foot massage that works by using the feet or hands as maps linked to the organs and natural systems of our bodies.

The therapy's users vary and it's suitable for most people, including children and those doing any kind of sport or exercise, including walking. But I'm just seeking help to get over a bout of jet-lag and a head and neck pain that may be associated with the flight back from New York.

"I use a variety of pressures, and target points I feel need attention, but we don't diagnose illness," explains Ms Monkhouse (34).

"Many people come for a treatment for pure relaxation -- you don't have to have something wrong with you to benefit," she says.

Reflexology works by stimulating the organs and systems of the body, mirrored on the feet.

The treatment starts by cleaning the feet with a surgical wipe, and then carrying out a general rub and massage, including rotating the feet around to loosen them up.

Since I'm a foot person, I don't mind the rubbing and pressing -- it's easy to drift off into a pleasant state in the quiet treatment room at the Dublin Holistic Centre on South William Street.

Ms Monkhouse picks up on the jet-lag without me telling her.

"It feels like your body is working hard, but just waiting for you to stop and relax. Drink plenty of water and have a good rest," is her diagnosis.

Now that's a treatment that would keep most of us on our toes.