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Archives for 2018

Jul 18 2018

Sick And Tired Of Headaches?

I feel fortunate – fortunate because I am not one of the 45 million Americans that experience chronic headaches.[i] For that matter, I barely make the club of nearly 90% of the population that experiences occasional headache pain.[ii]

So, let’s get this straight – a headache is not a disease. It is the loud and persistent and painful voice of a body living with chronic stress, toxic blood, physiological imbalances and/or trauma: ie. a body crying out for help. It turns out that there are many bodies crying out for help in the United States – people seeking treatment for headache pain account for 8 million consultations with physicians annually.[iii] Migraine headaches alone account for an estimated 157 million days lost from work.[iv]

Cephalgia (a headache) is defined as pain in the head and/or neck, and is classified as either episodic or chronic. Episodic headaches are triggered by a specific episode of stress; chronic headaches are frequent or even daily, associated with ongoing stress.

Headaches are categorized according to their symptoms, the area of the head that is afflicted, the frequency and intensity of the episode. The International Headache Society lists 200 causes of headaches. They separate the causes into three main categories that the United States National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (part of the National Institutes of Health) simplified into two: Primary and Secondary. Unfortunately, many people experience more than one type of headache.

Primary Headache Pain

Primary headache disorders are said to occur independently, in that they result from changes in blood vessels, nerves and muscles, not as a secondary response to disease or injury. The most familiar primary headaches are associated with stress: migraine, cluster, and tension. A rebound or MOH (Medication Overuse Headache) is considered primary. Massage therapy and reflexology are very effective approaches to stress-related headaches, because both modalities will help restore optimal circulation and relax both muscular and nervous tissue.

Secondary Headache Pain

Secondary headaches are actually symptoms of underlying disorders or diseases, such as high blood pressure, injury, dental infections, earaches, sinus infections, psychiatric problems, chronic constipation, hormonal imbalance etc. Pain is the body’s way of communicating that something needs attention. This is the area in which reflexology really shines, since reflexology works to support the health and functionality of the body’s organs and systems.

I was shocked when I first learned the above stats, and decided that I wanted to reach out to people in my community who were sick and tired of living with headaches, and who preferred to do something other than take drugs that were only masking their pain. In other words, people who were ready to take charge.

I created a community class that helped people identify what triggered their headaches (from a list of over 60 possible causes) and what type of headache they suffered from. Without this knowledge, it is very difficult to design a targeted session of reflexology or reflexology and massage protocols and/or to establish lifestyle changes to bring about lasting results.

I realized that I could actually help more people if I made this class available to licensed bodyworkers, who could in turn provide either one-on-one coaching or lead small classes themselves in their communities. Thus was born the 1-day, Say Goodbye to Headaches continuing education class.

You will learn how to transform the lives of people living with head pain, and transform a sluggish practice into a thriving, focused business. In addition to designing individualized hands-on session protocols utilizing reflexology, massage, hydro and aromatherapy, you will leave with the materials and skills needed to coach one-on-one or offer small classes in your community to those people who are sick and tired of living with headaches.

[i]RealAge.com 2012

[ii]RealAge.com 2012

[iii]RealAge.com 2012

[iv]RealAge.com 2012

Written by Karen Ball · Categorized: Foot Reflexology, Hand Reflexology · Tagged: Foot reflexology, Self-care, Business, Hand reflexology

Jul 11 2018

You Don’t Have to Live With Headaches

With media reports as prevalent as they are for headaches, you’d think there must be an increase in people affected. That turns out not to be true. In the United States at least, the statistics have held pretty steady over the last decade: approximately 12 million people visit doctors annually seeking relief from headaches. At least one-quarter of that group suffers from severe chronic tension or migraine headaches. So, why the increase in reported headaches then?

A little investigating uncovers two reasons:

  1. Advanced diagnostic machines;
  2. A more-informed and assertive patient population.

Those two factors have led to a doubling of tests being performed in the last 12 years.

Advanced testing procedures are not without drawbacks though. They are expensive, can lead to additional and often unnecessary procedures (like biopsies) and increase exposure to radiation.

And it turns out maybe not the best course of action.

New research has shown that lifestyle changes often have the biggest impact on reducing the incidence of headaches, and particularly those associated with sleep. According to one study, for example, 50% of people reporting chronic migraine headaches also disclosed poor sleep habits. A change in sleep habits made a significant difference for these subjects.

Scientists now believe that it makes sense to approach headaches first from a self-care strategy, leaving a medical consultation as a follow-up in the event that lifestyle changes aren’t the solution. I agree with that line of thinking; most – not all, but most – headaches result from habitual practices that sabotage our wellbeing. And that is why I created the Say Goodbye to Headaches class.

The challenge to living headache-free is three-fold: first to identify the type and classification of headache, secondly, the behaviors that contribute to head pain, and thirdly, find agreeable substitutes for those behaviors.

In the Say Goodbye to Headaches class, attendees learn how to help clients to identify their headache triggers from a list of nearly 70. They learn how to coach clients in creating lifestyle changes they are willing to make and how to offer a hands-on reflexology session designed specifically for that client.

I hope you will join us. This class always garners some of the best follow-up responses from therapists when they head home to help their community. With 12 million sufferers in the country, I figure you must know a few you can help!

Migraines and Insomnia

Lifestyle Change for Headaches

Written by Karen Ball · Categorized: Foot Reflexology, Hand Reflexology · Tagged: Foot reflexology, Self-care, Hand reflexology

Jun 27 2018

Diabetes and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

I was surprised to learn recently that diabetes mellitus is recognized as a risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome. [i] Couple the high numbers of people living with diabetes [ii] with the increased use demanded of our hands for laptops, smartphones and tablets, it’s just a matter of time before more and more people present in your office with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Although the reason for the correlation between diabetes and carpal tunnel syndrome is unclear, the fact remains true according to 36 different studies conducted over a 65-year period. [iii]

What Is Carpel Tunnel Syndrome?

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is defined as a medical condition that causes tingling, numbness, burning and pain in the wrist, hands and all fingers, except the fifth. Although those symptoms may sound merely like an inconvenience, those sensations, if left unattended, lead to debilitating agony and the loss of ability to use the hand(s).

The condition results due to continual pressure on the median nerve as it travels under the transverse carpal ligament through a narrow path between the wrist bones. Repetitive actions, especially when the hand is extended and abducted, can cause swelling in the area that puts pressure on the cramped nerve. Certain professions and activities increase the risk of developing CTS – think massage, hair stylists, typing, using a mouse for a computer.

Impingement anywhere along the median nerve’s long route from the brachial plexus to the palm of the hand can cause the symptoms named above; however, true carpal syndrome is a result of pressure on the median nerve in the tunnel between the carpal bones (wrist bones) of the hand.

A number of other conditions can cause similar symptoms, and explain why many people are misdiagnosed. Some doctors can be quick to blame CTS (carpal tunnel syndrome) when the cause may be something totally else. My father was a great example of this. The pain in both of his hands had progressed so much that he was barely able to use them. Surgery for CTS provided no relief. Blood work ultimately showed he had rheumatoid arthritis.

In addition to RA and diabetes, CTS-like symptoms can arise from impingement of the median nerve at the brachial plexus, nerve compression at C5-C7 in the neck, wrist injuries such as a fracture or ligament damage, or long-term use of birth control pills or pregnancy, both of which cause a depletion of vitamin B6 in the body.

Tests

Following a detailed medical history and physical examination, a doctor may conduct the following two tests to determine whether CTS is evident:

* Tinel Test

The doctor will vigorously tap the median nerve in the wrist, either with her fingers or a reflex hammer. Tingling in the fingers or an electric shock-like sensation indicate a strong possibility of carpal tunnel syndrome.

* Phalen’s Maneuver

The patient presses the backs of his hands and fingers together with the wrists flexed and fingers pointing downward – for two minutes. Tingling or numbness in the fingers indicates CTS.

Reflexology and CTS

Reflexology for the hands is very helpful for people with carpal tunnel syndrome, especially if they are following through with a committed self-care program.

Make sure to include lots of gentle range-of-motion of the wrist and the digits. Traction the bones of the hand away from those of the forearm.

If your jurisdiction allows you to perform massage therapy, and you are trained in the art, then do connective tissue massage on the muscles of the forearms.

Self-Care

Different things work for different people, so you or your clients will have to experiment.

* Some people find that gently flexing and extending the hand while soaking in warm water three or four times/day helps. Others find icing the wrist for about 10 minutes a few times in an hour helps.

* Wearing a wrist brace to bed is reported by many to be very helpful, since people often end up bending their wrists while sleeping.

* Take breaks often and stretch your hands. Use only as much force as is necessary for a task, and use both hands to complete tasks, not just your dominant.

* This one is very important: Stop or correct whatever it is that is causing the carpal tunnel syndrome. Make whatever adjustments you need to make to improve work ergonomics and body mechanics. Keep the wrist straight!

* Do wrist curls with light weights (one to 3 pounds); both flexion and extension. As above, keep the wrists straight!

If you know any other strategies for addressing carpal tunnel syndrome, either as a practitioner or sufferer of the condition, please share. That way we can all learn from our collective experiences.

 

[i] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22628597

[ii]According to the most recent numbers form the US Centre for Disease Control (2012) there are 29 million people living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes in the USA, and 2 million in Canada.

[iii]  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26173490

Written by Karen Ball · Categorized: Hand Reflexology · Tagged: Self-care, Hand reflexology

Jun 20 2018

Muscle Cramps

Whether you call it a muscle spasm, a charley horse or a muscle cramp – it hurts! A muscle spasm can wake you in the middle of the night, interrupt a tennis game, reward you after a long run, or surprise you in the middle of a foot reflexology session.

There are a number of situations that are generally referred to as a cramp:

* Tic or twitch – not usually painful

* Tremor – a quivering that usually precedes a full-on cramp

* Spasm – what most people refer to as a cramp – an involuntary state of contracture in a muscle; ie. a muscle that will not voluntarily or willfully relax.

Muscles spasm when the normal balance of electrolytes in the muscle cells is disturbed for a longer period of time than the muscle can withstand.

Causes

There are a number of things that can contribute to an imbalance of these electrolytes:

* Dehydration from inadequate fluid intake or excessive sweating.

* Muscle fatigue from a prolonged position or vigorous exercise, especially when stretching before and or stretching/adequate cool down afterwards do not occur.

* Lack of minerals including sodium and magnesium; potassium and/or calcium deficiency being the most common.

* Decreased oxygen delivery to muscle tissue due to poor circulation in the legs.

* Drug effects. Diuretics, statins and many other medications can cause muscle spasming.

* Spinal cord injury.

Muscle Spasms and Reflexology 

So why does a cramp occur when someone is receiving reflexology?

Muscles that have been overly taut for a period of time, such as those of the lower leg or sole of the foot, relax during a reflexology session. That sets up a disruption of the electrolyte balance, causing the muscle to cramp.

If this happens when you are giving a session, don’t panic. The solution is as simple as switching an on/off button. Two actions – reciprocal inhibition and digital pressure will change the neural signal to a muscle, allowing it to relax again.

To relax any muscle in the body, you actively engage the antagonistic (opposing) muscle, which will increase circulation to the affected muscle and allow it to lengthen and relax. This is known as reciprocal inhibition.

If someone on my table cramps in the bottom of the foot or in the calves, I immediately place the palm of my hand on the dorsal side of their foot and ask them to strongly pull their foot towards their face (dorsi-flex). At the same time my hand resists their motion, attempting to pull their foot towards my face (plantar-flex). This combined action engages the foot extensor muscles and relaxes the flexor and intrinsic foot muscles. The hold is held for a couple of seconds and then both the client and I relax our efforts. We immediately do it again, and continue to repeat the sequence of engagement and relaxation until the cramping stops. Applying massage to the muscle bellies and pressure in the muscle spasm will also help.

Preventing Cramps

Adequate hydration, regular foot reflexology, massage of the muscles prone to cramping, a diet high in potassium and calcium, and daily stretching can prevent the re-occurrence of muscle cramps.

Drink before you’re thirsty. Restoring an adequate level of hydration in your body will take a few days. It’s kind of like pouring water on a super dry plant and expecting the soil to retain the moisture; the water just pours out the bottom. It will take a few days for the minerals to recirculate and invest your tissues. Evian water is a good water to drink for a few days if you are dehydrated. It contains a higher salt content than regular drinking water.

I don’t recommend relying on Gatorade as a general source of hydration. It’s great for an acute situation – think triage – perhaps after a strenuous exercise activity. It’s too high in sugars and chemicals to be good for you as a regular habit.

Do any of you have other strategies for dealing with foot and leg cramps?

Written by Karen Ball · Categorized: Foot Reflexology · Tagged: Self-care, Reflexology

Jun 13 2018

How Did We Get Here?

This is a very different post for me to share, but I hope you will allow me the space to unload some thoughts and feelings that have stubbornly taken up residency inside me these days.

* Annual suicide deaths in the USA now outnumber deaths from auto accidents.

* Twice the numbers of people die in the USA from suicide than from murder.

* Between 1999 and 2016 (latest figures), suicide rates in the USA have increased by at least 25%. In some areas of the country it has reached 30%.

* More females commit suicide than males. Between 1999 and 2016, the incidence of suicide committed by white females between the ages of 45 and 64 rose by a whopping 80%.

* Two thousand teens commit suicide annually in the USA.

Professionals who work in fields related to suicide agree that almost all suicides result from severe depression and/or mental illness. So, how is it, in a country that boasts a quality of life better than anywhere else in the world, that so many people are so out-of-balance that they feel the only way out of their emotional pain is to terminate their lives?

How did we get here?

More importantly, how do we move towards a culture of understanding and compassion that commits to providing care, support and direction to the thousands more just steps away from their self-induced demise?

How many more senseless deaths will it take before we recognize that, even if not evident by physical disability, depression and mental illness are real – very real. And like any other unattended illness, left to its own, guarantees a poor outcome.

This seems like a national crisis to me, more so than the influx of parents and children from other countries trying to carve out a safer existence for their families.

Retail therapy distracts us – for awhile – from the pain and emptiness that result from a lifestyle detached from self and others. Social media tricks us into believing that we are connected – when we’re not.

When I hear of another pointless suicide or murder I have to work hard not to resort to anger or despair. I struggle to understand the choices people make; I’ve never experienced those levels of hopelessness. How do we stop this madness?

My early life – a critical time in everyone’s development – was blessed by loving parents, grandparents and siblings, and a stable, safe home-life. There was no violence, substance abuse, absenteeism or poverty.

My early childhood taught me the importance of others in my life. Throughout my entire life, I have always surrounded myself with friends that made me laugh, stood by me when I cried, called me out when needed, and are just plain ‘there’ for me – and I, them.

Later, massage school taught me to connect with myself and how to create a safe environment in which to invite others to do so. Beyond helping people with chronic foot pain or headaches, I think the power in the work that I offer is the opportunity for someone to experience herself as safe and deeply relaxed. To get out of the ‘talking head’. To feel stress-free – if only for an hour.  To connect with self and maybe with another  (me) in a meaningful way.

I’m so grateful for the path I have been led to follow. It has given me opportunities, through my reflexology practice and teaching, to connect with others and to witness people ‘falling into themselves’. It’s those moments, in addition to my friends and family that remind me to give thanks. Self-care, connection, love, friendship – that’s how I got here.

Written by Karen Ball · Categorized: Deeper Thoughts

Jun 06 2018

Are You Up For A Challenge? I Was.

I doubt there is a reflexologist who hasn’t encountered the client who reveals upon arrival that she or he is extremely ticklish on the feet. I admit that it sometimes confounds me that someone who is uncomfortable having his or her feet touched would book a reflexology session to relax – but that’s a thought to pursue some other time, perhaps.

That was not the case though with the man who walked into my office recently – the most extreme and novel case of ticklishness I had ever encountered.

I have always been able to work past the ticklish issue with clients using slow and firm movements. Historically, by the time I reach the second foot, the person is usually in la-la land.

The Challenge

This 30 plus year-old man was so ticklish he could not touch his own feet, especially the toes. They were off-limit. (He couldn’t even handle a sheet touching his toes.) He obviously was not coming to relax; he braved the appointment because of painful plantar fasciosis in both feet. He was desperate. Doctors were talking surgery and he did not want that.

I decided to do a little research to better understand what sets the situation off, hoping that it would help me figure out how to deliver my protocol for plantar fasciosis without too much discomfort. Here’s what I learned:

What’s Going On?

There are two classifications of tickling (Who woulda thunk!):

  1. Gargalesis – Coined by psychologists Arthur Allin and G. Stanley Hall, this is what most people think of; the kind that causes squirming, laughing and sometimes takes your breath away. It happens when you are lightly touched by another person on certain parts of the body, such as the armpits, ribs, neck, inner thigh and/or the feet.

One theory on how/why gargalesis developed is that it is an evolutionary mechanism against unwanted touch of vulnerable parts of the body. We squirm to get away from non-violent touch such as being tickled by a feather or someone’s fingers as a method of self-defense; to teach ourselves how to protect ourselves from touch that could injure or harm.

Why we laugh though is a mystery. And why does someone experiencing gargalesis laugh when touched by another but not when they touch themself?

Dr. Anthony Komaroff, a renowned medical doctor and researcher, has doubts about the theory that claims that the lack of surprise is what negates the sensation if we touch ourselves. He cites evidence that even without the element of surprise or with the full knowledge that you will be tickled by someone, some people still laugh as a response.

Another theory posits that it is a form of bonding, which is why we only laugh if the tickler is someone we are familiar and comfortable with, not a stranger.

Like I said, it’s a mystery.

  1. Knismesis is very light stimulation of the skin that produces a tingling sensation that produces an itch, or makes you want to rub an area and/or move away from it. It rarely produces laughter and can be brought on by someone else, by a crawling insect or the self.

I believe the latter is the form of ticklishness that my client lives with.

My Strategy

I’m thrilled to report that other than a brief couple of seconds the strategy I conjured up worked! My client was pleasantly surprised that he was “okay with it”, and was just as surprised perhaps to learn where the root cause of the plantar fasciosis likely lay.

Here’s how the game plan played out:

* First off, very clear and ongoing communication. I relayed what I proposed we do, got his buy-in, and then continued to communicate throughout the entire session as to the next step I was going to move on to. There were no surprises.

* I start all my foot reflexology sessions with a foot soak and an exfoliation with a ‘scrubbie glove’. In this case, I asked him to put his feet in the water and gave him the option to scrub his own feet or just remove them from the water and dry them off himself. He chose not to scrub.

* I then instructed him to put his socks back on and lay supine on the table. I explained that I would grab hold of his foot firmly and showed him on my own hand how I would, again firmly and slowly, knuckle walk the bottom of his foot and thumb-walk along both sides for about 15 minutes per foot. I informed him that the conventional reflexology techniques would begin to relax his nervous system and communicate with the other parts of his body involved with plantar fasciosis. I assured him that I would do nothing ‘light or fluffy’ nor would I touch his toes. He even accepted my offer to place an eye pillow over his eyes! I think the slow, repetitive movements helped him to be able to receive this part easily. No surprises. The next segment was the trickier part of the session.

*  Now we were going to move into some different techniques to address plantar fasciosis. He removed the socks and turned over onto his stomach while I applied nitrile gloves. I was hoping that the gloves would provide a bit of a barrier between his skin and my hands, just as the socks had done on his feet.

I applied the techniques to the lower leg with no problem – not his feet, right? And then I had to apply some lubricant to the bottom of his feet before proceeding. That was very uncomfortable for him, and fortunately lasted but a couple of seconds. We were both pleasantly surprised that he was able to lie still to receive the various remaining gliding strokes on the bottom of his feet.

He reported that his feet felt better when he got up to walk, which pleased me to no end. I felt satisfied with the session and had enjoyed the extreme focus it took not to inadvertently move in any way that might aggravate the situation.

Whether gargalesis and knismesis are the result of reflex actions or a learned behavior, no one seems to really know. I guess it’s just not one of those conditions high on the list of needed research. I’m just glad that I was able to help this man and hope he is comfortable enough to return to knock this plantar fasciosis to the curb!

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

May 30 2018

Our Amazing Liver

The largest internal organ in our bodies is the liver. It is our chief chemical factory, producing about 1000 enzymes, and the protector our internal environment.

This large, meaty, multi-purpose organ weighs about three pounds and sits on the right side of the abdomen. It performs close to 600 functions.

The liver is responsible for regulating our entire internal condition by actions on the blood, with its most important duty being that of filtering out impurities and contaminants. As blood carrying the contents processed by the stomach and intestines winds through the liver, it’s purified and returned to the body for removal through the kidneys, bowels and skin.

The liver is the body’s EPA system responsible for neutralizing toxins and poisons. It also stores excess glucose as glycogen, produces proteins and vitamins, controls fat storage, regulates elements of blood clotting, aids digestion, produces hormones, processes drugs, manufactures cholesterol and produces bile, a liquid that looks like motor oil, that acts as a detergent to break down fat for digestion.

An organ with that much responsibility deserves our love and respect!

Reflexology and the Liver

In reflexology, the liver reflex is given a lot of real estate. It occupies the entire area between the diaphragm line and pelvic line on the plantar surface of the right foot, and extends over a little into the first zone of the left foot. It’s an easy area of the foot to work, with the tissue in the arch generally being the softest. Thumb-walking both vertically and horizontally will reveal any adhesions, congestion and or tender spots to stop and give additional attention to.

Think of working the liver when people complain of lethargy and chronic tiredness.

Trivia

Here’s a little trivia for you regarding your liver:

* 1/3 of your blood passes through the liver every minute – twice as much as what is sent to the brain.

* The liver is the only organ where a portion can be removed and it will still function to keep a human healthy. The liver cells will actually re-grow themselves over several months, depending on how much was removed. While most organ donations are harvested from the deceased, it is now possible for family members to donate portions of their liver to a close relative, after which their own will re-grow.

Now that’s pretty amazing! Let’s hear it for our LIVERS!

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

May 23 2018

Blue Light

I watched a program with Katie Couric last night that I had recorded from part of The American Experience series. It was about the influence of technology on our lives now and in the future. Fascinating program if you can find it – it aired a couple of weeks ago.

One point that she did not touch on was the affect that light – all forms of light, both natural and artificial – has on our circadian rhythm (our body’s internal clock). I’d like to share a little info on that today.

When Light Hits Our Eyes

When the photosensitive cells in our eyes detect light, they send this information to the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) – a group of nerves in the brain that controls our circadian rhythm. When the SCN detects light, it triggers alertness and delays the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps us to fall sleep.

Maybe that is why we just automatically want to dim our lights in the evening when sitting around relaxing, compared to the bright lights we blare during the day when in the kitchen or at our desks.

Blue Light

It turns out that the cells in our eyes are particularly sensitive to blue light, the shortest and highest frequency of the light waves detectable by the human eye with a wavelength of around 480 nanometers. Studies have indicated that longtime exposure to blue light can cause serious harm to our eyes, such as retinal damage and macular degeneration, greater risk of certain types of cancers, diabetes, heart disease, depression and obesity. And guess what! That is exactly the light wave our smart phones, tablets and computers emit! (Blue light sources also include the sun, fluorescent lights and LED lights.)

Exposure to blue light in the hours before bed has been proven to suppress melatonin levels, making it very difficult to get to sleep.

Never fear! The device manufacturers have found a way to keep us glued to our screens and still get some sleep. Here’s what to do:

Go to the Settings on your smart phone or tablet and look under Display and Brightness. You will see options to filter out the blue light. You can schedule a Night Shift/Blue Light Reduction between certain hours so as to automatically filter out the blue light. Slide the bar that appears for Color Temperature more to the warmer side.

Here’s An Idea

Better still – turn off those devices a couple of hours before sleep! Just read a physical book by lamplight, or mediate, or do some gentle yoga, or give yourself a moisturizing, relaxing reflexology session; anything other than staring at a screen. Give some extra love and attention to the reflexes of the eyes, pituitary and pineal glands, brain and diaphragm muscle.

And, if your eyes are sore from too much time in front of the screen during the day, or time spent outside in the direct sun without protection, lay down on your back with cool herbal-infused eye pads** covering cleaned eyes, while working the eye reflexes on your hands. They are found on the palmer side of both hands in the second and third digits in the most proximal of the three phalanxes. Simple, relaxing way if your eyes feel tired or sore – and a nice way to wind down before bed, too.

** Visit this link and scroll down to the description of Pharmagel Eye Pads. These are the ones that I use personally and with clients in our student clinics.

Written by Karen Ball · Categorized: General · Tagged: Foot reflexology, Self-care, Hand reflexology

May 16 2018

The Foundation of Consciousness

According to ancient yogic scriptures and time-tested models of medicine, the human body developed from and is controlled by electro-magnetic fields or energy centers. Although there are over 100 energy centers in the human body there are seven primary ones known as chakras.

The chakras are energy vortexes, and are linked with the bodies’ two major communication systems, the central nervous system and the endocrine system.  Each chakra aligns with an endocrine gland and specific nerve plexus in the body, and like a cyclone operates as a pulsating orb that both draws energy in and pushes energy out. Each of these spinning wheels exhibits a different quality of energy assigned to the function and process of life governed by that center and its corresponding endocrine gland, ranging from basic survival to vastly expanded states of awareness.

Interestingly, although there is one primary chakra on the feet (the Bubbling Spring), all seven primary chakras are represented on the soles of the feet, matching the seven in the body.

The lower portion of the heel is the Root chakra (muladhara); the higher portion of the heel is the Sacral Plexus chakra (svadhishthana); the arch of the foot between the pelvic line and the diaphragm line is the Solar Plexus chakra (manipura); the Heart Chakra (anahata) covers the heads of the metatarsals between the diaphragm line and the shoulder line; at the base of the big toe, just distal to the shoulder line, is the Throat Chakra (vishuddha); the pads of the toes, the fifth chakra (ajña), or the Third Eye Center; and the tip of the toes, the Crown Chakra (sahasrara).

Since the chakras connect us to our higher self – our soul – our higher consciousness – the soles of the feet are often said to be directly connected to the human soul.

Our feet are the foundation of consciousness.

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

May 09 2018

Disrupt the Concept of Aging

When I turned 50 I didn’t see myself as over the hill. On the contrary, I felt like I was standing on the top of a mountain – my mountain. Years of life experience, schooling, relationships, ups and downs, and highs and lows had brought me to a place of heightened clarity, reflection and wisdom I hadn’t enjoyed before. Life felt easier. It was time to soar; to reap the benefits of having made it this far.

I know that when I was a teen and younger, 30 seemed ancient. But, somewhere in my own upward climb I abandoned that thinking. I never bought into the belief that aging was pathological, a downhill slide into the grave.

In a recent article, AARP wrote a strong statement addressing the topic of aging:

“People 50 and older are still living in ways that reflect the attitudes, activism and aspirations of the boomer generation – the desire to live life on our own terms, to make a difference, to change the world.”

And Wendie Trubow, MD, a wonderful functional medicine doctor who spoke at the recent conference of the Reflexology Association of America, shared a challenge that really stuck in my brain:

“Reject the conventional wisdom of discrepancy as you age.”

Just like Uber disrupted the taxi industry and Airbnb the hospitality industry, I challenge myself – and you – to disrupt the concept of aging!

Believe me, I don’t have my head in the sand when it comes to aging. I know that genetics and luck play into how we age, and I’m fully aware that my aging body needs more and more, and sometimes different, attention than it did in my younger years. But, I also know that the bigger part of how I feel is a consequence of my thoughts and beliefs, not a number. Add to that the incredible amount of information that is available these days regarding self-care and there’s no excuse for me not to live my best life now. All that stands in the way is negative self-talk.

As the AARP article continued: “The negative stories we tell ourselves and one another about aging lead to negative behaviors that, in turn, create a negative reality of aging. The view of aging as decline becomes a self-fulfilled prophecy.”

 “Instead we could look at aging as a process of continuous growth. Aging is just living. Some aspects of life get a little tougher as you go along, and some get a little easier, but it’s all part of being alive.”

 It seems that the magazine editors are on the same page as Jane Fonda, who gave a short TED talk regarding the ‘third act’ of her life that absolutely knocked me out.  She challenges us to re-imagine this new phase of our lives; to recognize that no matter the number, I am still me and you are still you – and maybe even more so now than ever.

I leave you with the above thoughts to ponder, and invite you to share your beliefs around aging.

And here’s the link to Jane Fonda’s inspiring talk.

Written by Karen Ball · Categorized: Deeper Thoughts · Tagged: Self-care

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