Reflexology

I’m noticing that interest in self-care is growing. It seems more and more people are taking their health into their own hands. Perhaps it’s a result of the increase in positive media coverage regarding natural health care benefits, or the rising cost of western medicine, or the economic environment, unwelcome side-effects of allopathic approaches, or the failure of conventional medicine’s promise to cure people’s ills. Maybe all of the above?

I’m also seeing an increase of complaints regarding foot pain and headaches. Leads me to wonder if both are somehow related to the stress of living in a tough economic time? Headaches for sure. And the feet – well, those trusty servants carry both our body weight and our identity every day of our lengthy existence here on earth. They provide a foundation upon which we “take a stand”, and allow us to move forward in life. If we fear for our future – or the present – then yes, there is a relationship.

These thoughts led me to create two new classes this month that I think can serve the general public and therapists looking for ways to help more people. Read more…

TMI

Do you text? Do you text a lot? If you’re under a certain age, you probably do. Afterall, you’re of the generation that was sprung from your mother’s womb clutching a smart phone, those cute little thumbs flapping in the breeze!

Hand injuries reported from texting are growing – a lot; enough so to have earned their own acronym: TMI (in this case, “text message injury”, not “too much information”). The popularity of this method of communication is causing alarming repetitive strain injuries to the tendons and muscles of the thumb. That’s NOT good. The thumb is involved in about 40% of your hand’s functioning!

In the Reflexology for the Hands workshop, participants learn how to give a relaxing and therapeutic session of reflexology, and maybe more importantly, how to take care of the hands and wrists through ergonomics, body mechanics, stretching, strengthening and more. With the rise in carpal tunnel syndrome and TMI, this may just be the most important workshop you could attend – for yourself and your business.

Some Facts:

- More than 5 billion text messages are sent every day.

- 40% of “texters” suffer from repetitive strain injuries to their hands.

- Americans text more than they talk on the phone.

- American teens text 60 – 100 times a day.

That says to me that there are a lot of folks out there that could use some good hand therapy! Are you one of them? Or do you know someone who texts and types a lot?

Read more…

We all know that lubricants moisturize, soothe and seal tissue. Do you know that they can also “feed” your feet and your body (through the feet) with beneficial nutrients? We’ll look at three exceptional ones here: an oil, a butter and an ester.

Castor Oil:

Castor is a pure vegetable oil obtained from the seed of the castor plant, and in its natural state is a pale yellow liquid with a mild odor (as opposed to the adulterated, “stripped-clean” white versions often found in drugstores).

Castor has long been recognized for its ability to soothe dry, cracked tissue. A high preponderance of ricinoleic acid (a powerful anti-inflammatory) makes it a perfect remedy for red, itchy feet and undecylenic acid, another active ingredient in castor oil, is widely acknowledged as an effective anti-fungal treatment. Last, but not least, castor oil has been proven to have analgesic (pain-reducing) effects, according to a study published in the Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery.

Because of castor’s thick viscosity, it is best massaged into spot areas, rather than as a lubricant for the entire foot.

Jojoba

Although often referred to as an oil, jojoba (pronounced ho-ho-ba) is actually a liquid ester wax derived from the seed of the Simmondsia chinensi plant. What makes jojoba particularly sweet to work with is the fact that its molecular structure closely resembles that of the body’s own sebaceous secretions and therefore absorbs easily into the skin. It contains high amounts of the alpha, delta and gamma tocopherols, natural forms of the anti-oxidant Vitamin E. It is non-allergenic and non-comedogenic (does not clog pores), and because it contains no fragile triglycerides, which easily break down and oxidize, jojoba does not go rancid or stain linens. I love it.

Shea Butter

This luscious butter – another of my faves – is cold-processed from the seed of the karite tree (Butyrospermum parkii). In addition to being a great moisturizer, one attribute for which it is highly reputed is that of soothing conditions of heat in the tissue, such as eczema, psoriasis, diaper rash, dermatitis and burns (including sun-damaged skin). The list of benefits of this traditional African-derived butter is a lengthy one.

Pure shea butter is pale yellow in color. Beware of white shea butters; they have been treated with hexane (a toxic solvent) to remove both color and the butter’s natural nutty scent. Shelf life is a minimum of one year.

Quality

If you add up the number of times in a day that you put lotions and creams on your hands – you will realize the importance of using chemical-free products. Always purchase organic. You’re worth it.

If you add essential oils to your carrier, choose GC/MS tested oils so you know what you’re getting. Choose oils specific to whatever condition is being presented and you will have a doubly powerful adjunct to your hands-on work.

What do you massage into your clients’ feet at the end of a reflexology session?

In my 29 years (gasp!) of practicing reflexology, I am regularly asked if there is a reflex point for weight loss. How I wish there was! If there was one spot on the feet or hands that could deliver a desired weight, I would be a very wealthy woman!

In lieu of that imaginary “point”, may I suggest the single most important thing you can do to lose weight? The magical action to which I refer costs less than Weight Watchers, gastric bypass surgery and a year’s membership at the gym. Here it is:

Drink water! Pure alkaline water. Lots of it. If you want to lose weight, I’m talking 1 liter for every 40 lbs you currently weigh. Drinking that much water alone will do so much to help you reach your desired weight goal. Imagine the results if you combine that with conscious eating, regular movement, adequate sleep, encouraging self-talk and relaxation?

When it comes to balancing your weight, drinking plenty of alkaline water will:

• metabolize stored fat. Your body creates additional fat cells and mucous to protect itself from attack from excess acid in the body. Dehydration makes it impossible for the body to reduce the accumulation of acid that contributes to arteriosclerosis, bone density loss, muscle atrophy, inflammatory conditions and unwanted pounds.

• aid kidney function. Water is the best antidote to fluid retention; the more you drink, the more your body is flushed of excess fluid and acid.

• reduce hunger pangs. In many people, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger! Drink plenty of water throughout the day and watch your cravings disappear.

• improve digestion. Water is essential to your body’s ability to break down food into usable nutrients.

• relieve constipation. Never mind laxatives; adding more water to your day is the first thing you should do.

But back to reflexology… There are actually specific points to work that will assist someone in their concerted strategy to reach a healthy weight. Read more…

Got your attention, didn’t I?

So, here’s the deal: I’ve created a business page on Facebook and I want you to join. So, to entice you to “like” me, I am going to run a random draw for the next five days. Each day I will draw the name of one person who liked me that day and send that person my detailed, colorful foot reflexology chart as a thank you.

The 22.5 x 38 inch chart displays and labels 90 recognized reflexes (hence 90 reasons to like me!) found on the plantar, dorsal, medial and lateral aspects of the feet. In addition to being a beautiful interpretive work of art that may be proudly displayed in your clinic, the chart will assist you to create individualized sessions for your clients presenting with homeostatic imbalances. So, go ahead and like me now!

http://www.facebook.com/AcademyofAncientReflexology

If you’ve not had the pleasure of attending a live class in reflexology yet, you may be interested in watching a video I made for the Florida School of Massage in Gainesville (where I teach an introduction to hand and foot reflexology).

In it I explain a little about the theories behind reflexology, the longitudinal and horizontal zones, the reasons people seek out reflexology, and more. You’ll see a demonstration of a foot reflexology session too.

We filmed this video early last year and I had totally forgotten about it. It was fun for me to watch it months later. People always comment about my voice when I’m teaching, and I just got to experience it myself!!

If you’d like to get a closer look at the foot chart featured in the video, you can do so here. A significant price reduction this year is even more reason to consider one for your office.

My intention today was to write something on reflexology, as well as remind you that you still have time to register for this year’s Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification beginning February 2.

I considered Parkinson’s disease, hammertoes, menopause, phantom limbs, colds & flu – some of the many conditions that certified reflexologists commonly and successfully address. And then, in one of my many moments of distraction, I came across a blog post that so totally captivated my attention that all other possible topics faded away.

The article has nothing to do with reflexology or massage, so consider yourself warned, my friends! Hopefully though, like me, you are prompted to reflect on how you choose to respond to what’s coming at you in your world. Let’s face it; life does seem to be happening at warp speed these days, with impending events often heralded by predictions of gloom and doom.

You can read more here, if you’re interested.  And, by the way, I will write on those other topics at some later date in the future!

I came across a book recently that I really loved. I want to share it – as my holiday gift to you.

The book is called “365 Thank Yous” and was written by US lawyer John Kralik. The book reprints 365 thank you notes Mr. Kralik sent – one every single day for a year – during a very difficult time in his life.  What happened as a result of his decision is so heart-warming (especially the first note sent to his son) and inspiring. You can watch a short interview here in which Mr. Kralik explains his motivation and some of the surprising results arising from his decision.

For many years, I have believed that gratitude is the quickest route to happiness, and have regularly made my appreciation tangible in a daily gratitude journal and verbal expressions to others and myself. “365 Thank Yous” has inspired me to kick it up a notch, to write a thank you note, not every day as the author did, but once every week over the next year. And I’m starting with this one to you:

Dear Readers: Thank you firstly for reading my blog posts. I love the process of selecting a topic and then reaching inside for words to share that I hope will have some usefulness or meaning for you.

Thank you also for posting your own thoughts and opinions, both through this blog site and my personal e-mail. I am touched by the fact you take time from your busy schedule to do so.

And finally, thank you for sharing your hands, heart and intelligence to help others heal their lives. I acknowledge your desire to further your education, and to contribute the best you have to the world. As Wayne Muller once stated: To dedicate a single act to the healing of others is a day well lived.

I wish you a joyful, peaceful and safe holiday! Until next year…

A number of years ago, a friend who ran an antique business, decided to specialize in a particular line of authentic dinnerware that was very popular and difficult to locate. With access to a substantial catalog of products, she was able to advertise a large inventory of hard-to-find items for would-be collectors. Her results taught me a big lesson.

What I learned from her smart business decision was that narrowing services and products an organization offers actually increases, not decreases, business. I had always thought that specialization would limit one’s market, but as I learned from subsequent research and other people’s success stories – the opposite is true. By choosing specialization over diversification, a business actually gets to claim a bigger piece of the pie.

Let’s look at the field of bodywork, as an example.

During the final module of the 2011 Therapeutic Hand & Foot Professional Reflexology Certification classes, the interns completed two full days of combined foot and hand sessions with the public. One of the recipients asked a question following her session, and it initiated a wonderful discussion amongst the three of us.

As background, the woman who posed the question is an experienced receiver of reflexology and many other forms of bodywork, and is herself a Polarity therapist.

Our guest commented that, for her, the positive effects of reflexology far outlast those of massage or any other form of bodywork. She was curious as to why.

She shared how she was always surprised by how so many parts of her were affected by a reflexology session, not just her nervous system (experienced as deep relaxation). She reported how she enjoyed a sense of balance and safety, decreased muscle pain, improved sleep and digestion – and for days following a reflexology session. As I listened to her, I marveled – once again – at the incredible drive for wholeness and order with which we humans have been gifted.

I then recalled how much of our scientific understanding of reflexology is owed to the Brits, who focused much of their scientific research in the late 1880’s on documenting the human reaction to the environment (including touch).

● In 1883 an English physiologist, Marshall Hall, introduced the concept of “reflex action” in the body.

● The scientists of that day conclusively proved the neurological relationship that exists between skin, tissue and internal organs, and charted the reflex action between skin sensitivity and internal disease.

● Sir Charles Sherrington, who with Edgar Adrian earned a Nobel Prize for his work on the physiology of the nervous system, proved that the entire nervous system adjusts to a single stimulus in its effort to coordinate all the activities of the organism. (author’s emphasis)

I suspect that it is that interconnectedness of the parts of the body, set in motion by the stimulation of reflexology points, that provides the longer lasting and diverse effects that our guest spoke to. As the reflexologist works to restore function and balance within an individual organ and/or system, ultimately the whole organism adjusts; reaches for homeostasis.

How about you? Have you felt responses following reflexology sessions that feel  seemingly unrelated?