On the job with ...Carlos Mendez

Carlos says health care should be a team effort, and reflexology is not meant to replace a medical doctor. A reflexologist is not a doctor, so he refers to those who come for treatments as clients. 

“You may go to a chiropractor, or have a massage, or to a medical doctor all for different reasons,” he says. And he believes that a reflexologist should be a part of that team.  

“It is a way to help your body help itself,” he says. “The goal of reflexology is relaxation and to reduce stress. People are so much under stress, which is not good, and it is important to reduce the stress.” 

Carlos can identify those stress points, which connect to the nerves in the body. He sees that the result is often a lessening of pain and stress, and better sleep.

Reflexology is not foot massage, but reflex action techniques are used that involve a more direct application to the sensory nerves of the feet and hands, which results in the release of essential chemicals that the body utilizes for health and well-being. Reflexology has been studied for the science behind it, and the techniques and specific procedures of are very complex.

“If you have a neck or back problem, you should ask the question, 'Why?' Where is it coming from. You will find in the foot where some area in the body is under stress. This is a complete body approach, not for a foot problem, but works through the nervous system which contributes to the whole health of a person.” 

Reflexology affects the body in three ways – mentally, emotionally and physically. 

“Balance in these three areas is the goal,  because they are all interwoven.”

Some of the benefits attributed to reflexology are that it reduces stress and anxiety, produces relaxation, improves circulation, improves emotional health, sharpens mental alertness, reduces pain, and improves sleep. 

“People have physical problems, then may think so much about it that it becomes an emotional or mental problem. Clients come here for relief. Some end up sleeping, snoring, or even crying during the treatment. This is an emotional release, and that is ok.” 

Carlos is from Chili, where he met Melanie Lange when she attended a Bible Convention there in 2003. They were married in Bagley in 2006.

 It is quick to see that Carlos' wife, Melanie, is a strong support and cheer leader for Carlos, and very proud of his accomplishments. Carlos says Melanie is very important support to him in his work.

Melanie is from Gonvick, Minn., the daughter of Lugene and Beryl Lange. They owned a charter bus company there for many years, and now have retired and live in Bemidji.

Carlos  found this calling in life after an injury ten years ago when a fork lift ran over his foot where he worked. He could no longer do the kind of work he was doing there as he was on his feet all the time. A concerned cousin who knew about reflexology thought this might be a direction Carlos could pursue in order to find a new occupation. 

Melanie, who is an integral part of his business, started researching the field, and they traveled to Rockford, Illinois where Carlos completed a 300 hour course which included class attendance, practice, and home study in order to become certified. 

“He passed his test with flying colors, and he is good at what he does,” says Melanie. “He has an instinct, how he can find those points of stress,” she says. “This is a proactive approach to health.” 

Carlos has a Spanish accent and this can be challenging, but it does not seem to hinder him in his work. Melanie says he is very patient, and Carlos and his clients work together to communicate. That helps him make connections with his clients. 

“I see that I need to communicate to connect with my clients,” he says. 

“For foot reflexology to be effective, it is not a one-time treatment. To increase being healthy, you need to spend time. It can help in severe trauma such as from a car accident or a fall,” according to Carlos. 

“It can help the emotional stress also,” Melanie adds. “The feet do not lie.”

Carlos became certified in the Eunice Ingham Method of Reflexology in 2011. In 2012 he studied with a doctor from Spain who researches the science behind reflexology.

Cranio-Sacral Reflexology, which Carlos is currently learning, was developed by a medical doctor in England, who Carlos began studying with in 2014. This method is very precise, and a lot of attention is given to the toes, which represent the head and brain in reflexology. The training for this has been in New Mexico and Canada. He will be taking the test to be certified in this method in the spring. 

Carlos says he has been told he is gifted in this field of learning how to identify points of stress in the feet which point to various areas of the body through the nervous system. He adds that it is also important to get exercise and do some walking everyday, and more as people improve. 

Carlos works in Bagley, Bemidji, Grand Rapids, St. Louis Park, and St. Paul where he sees clients. He is in Bagley three days a week at Studio One

“Have an open mind to other therapies and to different approaches. It is hard to make changes,” but Carlos emphasizes, “reflexology is a way to help your body help itself.”