Academy of Ancient Reflexology

Reflexology Certification Programs and Workshops

Menu
  • Home
  • Education
    • Which to Choose?
    • Certification
      • Introduction
      • Course description
      • Is this program right for you?
      • Dates, times, and location
      • What grads had to say
      • Learning environment
      • Credits
      • Investment
      • Requirements for completion
      • Refund policy
      • Apply now
    • Workshops
      • Descriptions
    • Video and Audio
    • Close
  • Clinic
    • Therapeutic Mission
    • Why Feet and Hands
    • Services
    • What Clients Say
    • Gift Certificates
    • Close
  • About
    • Educational Mission
    • Team
    • CE approvals
    • Close
  • Reflexologist directory
    • Academy grads
    • Others
    • Close
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Questions
    • Contact
    • Video and Audio
    • Products
    • Recommendations
    • Links
    • Research
      • Grad case studies
      • Other research
    • Laws and credentialing
      • Licensing
      • Certification
      • Professional associations
    • Peacocks
      • Peacocks and the Academy
      • History and myth
    • Close

Archives for 2015

Jan 21 2015

You’ve Heard of Carpal Tunnel, But …

Tarsal-tunnel.001what about carpal tunnel of the foot?

Known as tarsal tunnel syndrome, this condition refers to neuropathy (nerve disorder) of the tibial nerve as it runs under the flexor retinaculum at the medial ankle.

Symptoms sound similar to that of its cousin, carpal tunnel syndrome, and include:

 

  • sharp pain
  • paresthesia (tingling, burning, pricking, or numbness) radiating up into the lower leg and/or to the hallux and first three digits
  • weakness in plantar flexion of the toes
  • swelling
  • hot and cold sensations
  • gait abnormality (over-pronation or limp)

Tarsal tunnel syndrome is caused by any of the following:

  • physical trauma to the tibial nerve
  • compression on the nerve from a lipoma, bone or cyst
  • systemic diseases (diabetes, HIV, hypothyroidism)
  • medications
  • impingement along the S1 nerve root

Pain worsens and spreads with standing for long periods of time.

As with many other situations of chronic foot pain, misdiagnosis is easy if one is relying only on a verbal description of symptoms. Fortunately, there is an easy and simple assessment that can rule out other disorders.

Tinel Test

In a seated position, with the foot of the leg in question placed across the thigh of the other in the classic tailor’s position, firmly tap repeatedly under the medial malleolus (where reflexology points are for the lower back muscles). A positive Tinel test will produce sharp pain, pointing towards a likely case of tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Allopathy

The common medical approach to this condition is either steroid injections to reduce pain and swelling or surgery.

Tibial nerve decompression surgery involves making an incision at the ankle and then cutting the ligaments surrounding the tibial nerve, so as to relieve the pressure on the nerve.

Recovery depends on the severity of the case and the condition. Some people recover, after two or three weeks of immobilization, with no loss of motion in their feet or ankles; some never recover full sensation.

I like it when I can offer a non-invasive approach to try out before resorting to surgery. In the case of tarsal tunnel syndrome there is a manual procedure (accompanied by homework) that is very successful at relieving the symptoms of tarsal tunnel syndrome.

Manual therapy

It involves a session combining reflexology to the reflexes of the low back muscles, lumbar spine, sciatic nerve, hip, thigh and knee reflexes, followed by specific manual techniques applied to the feet and lower legs to release impingement along the S1nerve root.

In the How to Relieve Chronic Foot Pain workshops, participants learn the above protocol (also effective for plantar fasciosis and peripheral neuropathy) and how to help people dealing with an additional 18 other foot ailments.

I hope to see you at one of these events! So far, I’m scheduled to be in Gainesville, Florida, Vancouver, British Columbia, Fargo, North Dakota, Seattle, Washington and Lindsay, Ontario to give this workshop.

 

Written by Karen Ball · Categorized: Foot Reflexology · Tagged: Foot reflexology

Jan 14 2015

New Year’s Affirmations

don’t work.

That’s because most people just don’t understand how affirmations and the law of attraction work.

It seems that every January we see affirmations posted everywhere by well-meaning, sometimes frustrated, people hoping to make big changes in their lives. I thought I would throw in my two cents!

If, for example, you are wanting to increase your income or lose weight, sitting in front of the mirror every morning reciting something like, “I now earn $5000 (or whatever amount) a month” or “I am healthy and slim” just won’t work. Your psyche knows it’s a lie.

Your subconscious mind runs the show – not your conscious mind – and your subconscious mind knows what the truth is.

If you affirm that, “My income will increase in 2015” or “I will reach my desired weight in 60 days” you have just confirmed the current lack in your life (income/desired weight) and your affirmations will continue to manifest that lack. Your subconscious mind operates only in the present moment, so affirmations must be phrased in that way. Write in present tense. Future tense implies absence of. All you do is re-enforce the absence.

The other point to understand about affirmations is that their power really comes from the emotions that they stir. If your affirmations don’t get you excited and passionate enough to bring a big smile to your face and get your blood pumping, then nothing will happen. The law of attraction works on the principle of e-motion – energy in motion. It’s the powerful draw of emotions that delivers what our heart desires, not words.

Here are some examples of what to affirm instead:

“I am actively pursuing my dreams and enjoying the process of increasing my income while doing it.”

“I am in the process of building the successful reflexology practice that I envision.”

“My daily actions are moving me closer to the state of health and weight that I desire.”

Did you notice that the above phrases feel different to state than the ones at the beginning of this article? It’s because they are true; they’re not lies you’re telling yourself.

Now here’s how to say them:

  • Stand up!
  • Start your day with affirmations. Set the tone for your day’s experience.
  • Say out loud and with ENTHUSIASM.
  • Tap into the emotion that living your desired outcome sparks. You’ve got to FEEL it.

Here are some other opening phrases that will keep your affirmations in the present moment:

  • I love knowing that ….
  • I love how it feels when ….
  • I’ve decided…
  • More and more…
  • I’m excited at the thought of…
  • I love the idea of…
  • I love seeing myself…

Remember that the universe re-arranges itself to accommodate your picture of reality. The law of attraction is unfolding and orchestrating all that needs to happen to bring you your desires.[i]

Go forth, my friends, and make 2015 the year you create the life you want!

 

[i] Adapted from “Law of Attraction” by Michael. J. Losier

Written by Karen Ball · Categorized: Deeper Thoughts · Tagged: Business

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6

© 2019 · The Academy of Ancient Reflexology · Designed by SunCloud Design
Gravityscan Badge