Academy of Ancient Reflexology

Professional Therapeutic Reflexology

Plantar Fasciitis – Start Taking It Seriously!

Why, you might ask, should I take plantar fasciitis seriously? Most early symptoms are not much more than an inconvenience, a dull annoyance in the heel.

Although the condition is referred to as an “itis”, plantar fasciitis is actually a form of tendinosis; a condition that results in necrosis. Necrosis refers to tissue death, and plantar fasciitis is a degeneration of collagen that leads to eroding and death of the fascia. The tissue is not just hurting; it’s dying! And that’s why we should pay attention.

The plantar fascia is a strong thick, broad, inelastic band of longitudinally-oriented connective tissue that runs from its origin on the medial tubercle of the calcaneus to its insertion on the proximal phalanges and flexor sheathes. Healthy plantar fascia serves as a shock-absorbing bowstring to support the longitudinal arch of the foot.

Plantar fasciitis is a degeneration of this fascia, characterized by pain, thickening and sometimes inflammation in the early stages. It develops from overuse and stress, resulting in fatigue and micro-tearing of the tissue.

The classic symptom reported by sufferers of this stubborn condition is “morning pain”: intense, sharp, stabbing, burning pain in the heel upon weight bearing after extended rest.

There are so many factors credited to the development of plantar fasciitis that it can make your head spin! To make matters worse, some of the contributing forces listed in medical journals seem to contradict themselves. As an example, the following are named as “root causes” of plantar fasciitis: high arches/low arches; tight calf muscles/loose calf muscles; supination of the foot/pronation of the foot; going barefoot/wearing shoes. Add to that: weight gain, sudden increase in activity level, excessive external rotation of the hip joint (while walking), laterial tibial torsion, age, gender, heel spurs, knee pain, bone tumors, and/or femoral anteversion (leading to internal hip rotation), and you have a very complex picture of biomechanical explanations from which to determine the cause. The biomechanical variables are not even limited to the foot and lower leg. They continue right up to the lower spine.

Regardless of the cause, the most important treatment strategy for plantar fasciitis begins with a committed daily home regime of rest and ice (lots of both) and stretching. Over the many years I spent working with people with plantar fasciitis (and recovering from my own bout with it), I found that even the most stubborn of cases responds favorably and quickly to a combination of reflexology (either conventional or Thai), stretching, and release of impingement of the peripheral nervous system along the S1 nerve pathway.

Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of foot pain for which professional care is sought. The success my clients received from my customized session (combined with faithful observance of their “homework”) actually changed the direction of my clinical practice. I became known as the “go-to person” in my town when your feet hurt. I built an entire practice around helping people with foot pain due to plantar fasciitis – and you can, too.

In the training Plantar Fasciitis: Prevention and Protocol participants explore the predisposing factors and causes of plantar fasciitis; learn the assessment skills necessary to rule out other common foot pathologies; determine a successful course of action based on individual client history and symptoms; practice a 60-minute hands-on session based in foot reflexology; develop a self-care program to repair and prevent further occurrences; and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of medical interventions such as NSAIDs, corticosteroid injections, ultrasound, prolotherapy, extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) and surgical fasciotomy.

There is one training available still this year in Gainesville, Florida on July 9th and 10th. Beginning the end of August, I will fly to Canada to present the plantar fasciitis workshop in Vancouver, Regina, Toronto and Halifax.

 

 

 

Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification

I am excited to announce the dates for next year’s Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification. I know lots of you like to plan way in advance, so I have posted the 2012 schedule.

I find that my certification program appeals to two general groups of people:

• Individuals experiencing a major life change who are looking to develop a new and fulfilling career, whether full-time or part-time.

• Therapists wishing to enhance an already existing healthcare practice.

What these two groups have in common is a passion for reflexology and a strong interest in personal growth and development. They are young, elderly, healthy and not so healthy, confident and not so confident.  They share a sincere desire to heal themselves and through that process to touch the lives of as many other people as possible, to help them improve the quality of their lives.

The Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification:

• qualifies you in the therapeutic application of hand and foot reflexology.

• inspires you to work confidently with nearly 100 reflexes.

• prepares you to design session protocols to address 50 pathologies.

• takes place over 25 classroom days, taught in five 5-day segments, between February and September, 2012.

• offers very reasonable on-site beach accommodations for those traveling a distance.

• is always taught within a small class format.

• offers a number of convenient payment plans.

Full details, including a description of the course content, learning environment, dates, times and tuition are available here.

May Workshops

There are only two weekend workshops scheduled for May, so don’t miss out.

The first is May 14 and 15 in Naples, Florida. This should be a really fun event; the workshop will be held in a private studio on a large piece of property just off I75. Easy to get to, lots of parking and a restful location surrounded by nature. This class is perfect for someone wanting to provide Foot Reflexology for the purpose of relaxation, and/or add it into a massage session to increase desired results.

And to sweeten the deal, our host has graciously offered a free reflexology poster to every attendee, so act now!

May 21 and 22 will find me in Gainesville, Florida to teach the two-day training in Thai Foot Reflexology. This is always a popular class, so I recommend you register sooner than later.

Spring & Summer Foot Reflexology Trainings

Some people claim that of all our body parts, our feet tend to suffer the most. I don’t know if that’s true, but I do know that there’s nothing worse than sore feet; and sore feet are guaranteed if neglected. These trusty servants carry our full body weight and 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.

Knowing how to intentionally work the feet – beyond a relaxing foot massage – can also provide a solid foundation on which to build your career. Check out your interest in making reflexology a part of your life; attend one of only three remaining opportunities in Florida to study foot reflexology between now and the end of the summer.

For those who live on the gulf-side of the state plan to attend the workshop scheduled in Naples next month on May 14th and 15th.  For those on the east coast of Florida: it’s July 16th & 17th in Jacksonville. A final option would be to attend the 3-day Restorative Reflexology training in St. Augustine June 10th though 12th, at which you will learn how to give both a hand and foot session for the purpose of relaxation.

First four people to register for any of the above-mentioned trainings receive a free colorful 38” by 22.5” foot reflexology poster. Florida and National massage continuing education credits are provided. The Restorative Reflexology training also provides ARCB credits.

Reflexology Certification

Are you ready to take your love of reflexology to the next level? If you have already checked out whether the Academy’s Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification is the right program for you, the next step is to determine if our curriculum meets your goals.

The Certification offers you in-depth practical training in hand and foot reflexology designed for both relaxation and pain management. You will learn how to specifically address over 50 pathological and non-pathological conditions within a reflexology session and assist clients to create a self-directed wellness program.

You will leave this training with a 230-page manual, book guide and numerous resources for related information and products.

Topics covered:

  • location of nearly 100 reflex points in the hands and feet, and techniques to effectively palpate these reflexes on yourself and others
  • 12 physiological systems of the body, and the role reflexology plays in maintaining optimum functioning of these systems
  • over 50 homeostatic imbalances and how to create a reflexology session to address those conditions
  • theories and benefits of reflexology
  • zones of the feet, hands and body
  • zone therapy
  • anatomy, physiology and structural pathology of the feet and hands
  • history-taking skills
  • hydrotherapy
  • aromatherapy
  • marketing
  • professional ethics
  • therapeutic communication skills
  • the role of genetics and epigenetics in health and disease
  • legalities of practice
  • self-care and ergonomics

Attendees will:

  • create and operate professional reflexology clinics, using health history forms and documentation charts designed specifically for reflexology
  • offer an in-service to the staff of a major national bodywork publication
  • complete a self-chosen directed independent study to support their knowledge of reflexology OR design and implement a community outreach program offering reflexology
  • plan and execute an outcome-based research case study on a health condition of their choice

This year’s certification begins February 10th. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will be awarded a 315 hour certification in hand and foot reflexology. Complete details are available here. Continuing education credits are awarded to Florida-licensed and/or nationally certified massage therapists.

Pain Management and Reflexology

Although many people are aware of the relief massage therapy offers musculoskeletal pain, many folks are surprised to learn of the long history that reflexology enjoys in this area. Some people even think that reflexology holds an advantage over massage in addressing pain disorders, because reflexology can address both pathological and non-pathological musculoskeletal pain, while massage addresses only the latter.

In North America, reflexology’s association with pain management began in the early 1900’s, when Dr. William Fitzgerald, often referred to as the “father of modern reflexology”, introduced zone therapy into his medical practice. Dr. Fitzgerald successfully utilized reflexology techniques to anesthetize his patients for nose and throat surgeries. One of Dr. Fitzgerald’s many research findings also taught us that “when pain was relieved, the condition that produced the pain was also generally relieved”.

In my reflexology practice I can think of countless times that my services resulted in long-term relief of both somatic and visceral pain: headaches, neck and low back pain, plantar fasciitis, TMJ dysfunction, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, sprains and menstrual cramps, to name a few.

In my own life, I can recall many occasions as well. One in particular stands out, when I had driven out-of-town to teach a weekend workshop. Rather suddenly I found myself with an excruciating toothache. During the workshop I worked constantly on the teeth reflexes on my hands, and was able to reduce my #9 pain level to a bearable #2, until such time I could get home to have it attended to. All of that without any medication!

Like massage, reflexology is divided into the relaxation model and the pain management model. Because I personally believe that relaxation is the basis of health, I choose to include instruction for both protocols in the Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification. In the program, students learn how to specifically address well over 50 pathological and non-pathological imbalances that cause acute and chronic discomfort and pain. When they have completed their training, these folks are well-equipped to help people seeking their assistance.

Some economists believe pain management to be recession-proof. That makes sense. People In pain will go to any length to find relief from their discomfort. They will look high and low for someone who can provide hope, answers and a plan that can restore function and ease. No matter the cost.

Those same economic researchers tell us that manual therapy is the fastest growing segment of the service industry. If you haven’t already, maybe it’s time you joined those of us who have dedicated our lives to helping others live their best life? The true reward for a reflexologist is having happy clients return to say they are living pain-free.  Success like that is both gratifying and lucrative for any manual therapist.

What’s been your experience with pain management and reflexology?

Only Three Days Left

There are only three days left to receive a $100 discount off this year’s Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification training.

If you register and pay your entire tuition by January 10th, you can automatically subtract $100 from your investment. Your personalized tuition is determined by applying any of the three discounts for which you qualify to the base price. Although credit hours have increased from 250 to 315, the cost remains the same as it has for the last five programs.

Classes begin February 10th in St. Augustine, Florida, with specific days of classroom study every second month until the beginning of October. With six different payment options, the Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification is accessible for everyone. Visit here for details and/or registration.

An Invitation

This is an invitation to those of you who want to be able to help the desperate folks who call for relief from foot pain associated with plantar fasciitis.

According to recent studies, plantar fasciitis affects at least 10% of the population and is the most common cause of foot pain for which professional care is sought. An intense burning pain experienced with the first morning steps (or middle-of-the-night trips to the bathroom) is what ultimately motivates an individual to seek help.

You can learn how I eliminated this painful condition from my own life (and that of many clients) without all the research, trial and error and expensive training that I invested. The protocol I created can significantly reduce the recovery time for people suffering from this stubborn condition. After developing this session, word-of-mouth successes magnetized people to my door begging for relief from plantar fasciitis!

The session takes two broad approaches: foot reflexology and relieving nerve impingement along the S1 nerve root. Attention is first placed on specific reflexology techniques (either Thai or conventional) and then shifts to a focus on the root cause of the condition.

I will offer this as a two-day training only twice this year (in Florida) and in four locations in Canada. (Anyone who attended the one-day class last year is invited to repeat the training at a reduced price. Please call me for details.)

Heads up: 2011 is a license renewal year for Florida massage therapists, so as the year moves ahead classes fill up quickly. The January Plantar Fasciitis and Thai Foot Reflexology workshops in St. Augustine will be the most spacious.

Choosing the Right Program

I’m thinking of registering for a reflexology training soon, and was thinking about the thought process I go through in choosing classes for myself.

I’m very selective when it comes to spending my precious time and money  – and I suspect you are, too. In the area of education, I expect my money’s worth; I want to leave the class feeling personally enriched and armed with information and skills I can incorporate immediately into my life. I want to be in the presence of instructors who, not only know their “stuff”, but also know how to “teach”; how to get the information across clearly, and inspire and empower those of us looking to them for guidance.

That led me to think about conversations that typically occur when people call to inquire about the Academy’s certification training. I realize that in calling you want to get a sense of me as much as you want to know what you can expect from the program. Naturally, you want to know if we’re “on the same page”, if you’ll feel welcomed and accepted. You want to know if the material will meet your goals, and if the program format matches your learning style, and if you’ll know how to introduce your new skills and knowledge to your community once the training is over.

I want you to make the right decision for yourself, so call with your questions and concerns. Before you pick up the phone, you may want to read a short questionnaire I created to help people determine whether or not the Academy’s program is right for them. Your answers to the questions will go a long way towards informing you whether you are in the right place or not. (My phone number is 904/553.4067 EST.)

The 2011 Therapeutic Hand & Foot Professional Reflexology Certification begins February10th.

Reflexology Certification – More for Less in 2011!

I am very excited to unveil the re-vamped Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification. Beginning with the 2011 program, credit hours will increase from 250 to 315; and although I had planned the tuition to reflect the additional hours of training, I have decided, in consideration of the economic situation in this country, not to increase fees for 2011.

Another change that will help everyone financially, especially those people who fly in from other states, is a new scheduling format, which creates more time between modules. This new schedule also makes it possible to complete most of the required outside documented sessions within the scheduled timeframe of the classroom dates.

Beginning in 2011, the reflexology certification will commence every February in historic St. Augustine, Florida. The new scheduling allows participants to enjoy winter, spring, summer and fall in the country’s oldest  city. (I know – some people don’t think we have seasons in Florida, but we do!)

All the details, including dates, tuition and payment options, are now available on the Academy website. Take a peek!