Academy of Ancient Reflexology

Reflexology Certification Programs and Workshops

Archives for September 2012

The Hand Fitness Trainer

Looks like a bionic hand, doesn’t it? It’s actually a device that slips on like a glove and has elastic bands that strap to each fingertip, providing resistance as you open your hand. The trainer (a recipient of the prestigious Medical Design Excellence Award) strengthens the extensor muscles in your hands, wrists and elbows, helping to reduce the painful symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow and tendonitis. It also claims to slow down the progression of osteoarthritis and mitigate the effects of repetitive-strain injuries in the hands.

Google hand fitness trainer to locate various retail outlets. Costs about $29.95

Another option to prevent and reduce symptoms of repetitive strain injuries: join me in Orlando on October 13 & 14 for the Reflexology for the Hands workshop. In addition to learning how to give a therapeutic hand reflexology session, you will learn stretches and strengthening exercises for the hands and forearms that you can use yourself and teach to others.

 

Curious About Reflexology?

I get lots of phone calls and emails from people expressing an interest in learning conventional reflexology. They have either experienced great success from receiving treatments themselves or have heard about the positive results others have enjoyed.

The question, “What course should I take?” inevitably generates questions from my end before an answer is forthcoming. That’s because it is necessary to first uncover what their interest in reflexology is, for there are three different paths from which to choose.

To begin with, is your interest in working with the feet, hands, or both?

Is your goal to provide deep relaxation for a client overwhelmed by responsibilities and non-stop thinking? If that is your target market, then you can learn enough from a two-day course in either hand or foot reflexology to do just that.

Do you want to help people find solutions to health issues that plague the quality of their lives, such as sinus congestion, diabetes, digestive issues, depression, constipation or menstrual imbalances? A full certification program of at least 200 hours can provide the training necessary to work at this level. In addition to learning specific hand and foot reflexology protocols for about 50 different pathologies, you will learn coaching skills that can empower your clients on their road to wellness. Certification will set you on your road to earning a reputation as a therapist that gets results.

Are you a facial specialist or nail tech wanting to add a little WOW to your current services? If you are, then a weekend course in either hand or foot reflexology will help you to stand out in the crowd.

Or do you what to help relieve people’s pain, either in the feet, hands or other parts of the body? Foot reflexology can go a long way in eliminating discomfort from plantar fasciitis, gout, sprains or other traumas to the feet. Hand reflexology can do the same for carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis or various overuse injuries. Reflexology added to massage therapy sessions almost always increases results, and with less effort too.  A strong foundation of skill is required to bring about long-lasting results when people are in chronic pain; a certification program can provide this level of in depth training.

Not sure yet what your level of interest is? Then start with a weekend course. It’s a small investment of time and money to decide how you want reflexology to fit into your life.

(foot) Reflexology weekend courses (only one left this year)

Reflexology for the Hands weekend courses (two left this year)

Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification (begins March 2013)

 

High Five For Our Hands!

People most often think of the feet when they think reflexology, but there are so many conditions of the hands themselves that can be helped with hand reflexology. And that’s in addition to the overall health benefits to the rest of the body. Here are five:

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the injury that probably springs to mind first. CTS is a narrowing of the tunnel on the palmar surface of the wrist through which the nerves and vascular tubes run.  Entrapment results in pain, loss of strength and motor function for approximately 250 million Americans. Although CTS can stem from a variety of conditions, a common source is repetitive activity that puts the wrist in extension and adduction (like massage, typing, cutting hair, carrying large restaurant trays).

TMI

In an earlier blog post this year I spoke about the latest repetitive strain injury to earn its own acronym: Text Messaging Injury. More than five billion texts are sent daily, and 40% of texters complain of repetitive strain injuries to the tendons and muscles of their thumbs. Not good.

Trauma

Another time where people benefit from detailed specific work on the hands is when in recovery from breaks, strains or surgery. I recall a client years ago who came to me after the cast had been removed from his broken hand and arm. He was a classical pianist and orchestra conductor who really needed a quick recovery, so as to be able to resume his touring schedule. I love working with people who are motivated and committed like this man was. Weekly hand reflexology sessions and simple daily home strengthening exercises got him back to work in just one month.

Arthritis affects 40 million adults in America, to the degree that simple activities of daily living – like brushing the teeth or picking up items with confidence – become a painful, frustrating and sometimes-risky action. Soothing hand reflexology and some simple home self-care practices can do a lot to bring function and relief back.

And lastly, deQuervain’s syndrome, a debilitating condition of the common tendon sheath of the hand that can bring a person’s career to a screeching halt and bring devastation to one’s personal life, has also been shown to respond favorably to hand reflexology. You can read about Terri Bishop-Brahen’s experience working with a massage therapist suffering with deQuervain’s here. Terri completed a four-week study with a colleague as part of her training for the Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification.

There are only two dates left this year to learn Reflexology for the Hands:

Orlando, Florida – October 13 & 14

Gainesville, Florida – November 17 & 18