Academy of Ancient Reflexology

Reflexology Certification Programs and Workshops

The Role of Reflexology in Treating Autoimmune Diseases

Your immune system plays a key role in keeping you healthy. It safeguards your body against infections and diseases by blocking pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and parasites from entering and wreaking havoc in your body.

But what if your immune system turns on you and begins attacking your body instead? This is the reality of those who have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease.

The Basics of Autoimmune Disease

A properly functioning immune system would be able to tell the difference between invaders and your body’s cells. An autoimmune disease, however, causes your immune system to mistake healthy body cells as foreign ones. Thus, it attacks your body by producing proteins called ‘autoantibodies’ that impair the body’s tissues.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences notes that there are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases that stem from an interplay of genetics and environment. Some of the most common ones are type 1 diabetes, lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Celiac disease. Typically, medication is prescribed to help ease the painful symptoms of an autoimmune disease. From oral medication to injections the kind of medicine depends on the condition. There’s still no cure for them, but their reaction on the immune system can be managed with immunosuppressants — medications that weaken the immune system’s activity.

Researchers still cannot pinpoint a clear reason as to what causes an autoimmune disease to develop. What’s more, Parsley Health reports that a worrying 20 million Americans currently have some form of autoimmune disease — but most don’t even know. Unexplained rashes, body aches, fatigue, and hair loss are just some subtle but common signs you may be suffering from an autoimmune disease. If these are symptoms you experience, it would be best to consult with a medical professional to check the condition of your immune system.

Reflexology’s Role in Treating Them

Tracing its roots as far back as ancient China and Egypt, the art of reflexology is a form of therapy where pressure is applied to the hands, feet, and outer ears. Reflexology has healing effects like providing deep relaxation, decreasing body pain, and strengthening nerve stimulation, which was previously shared on the Academy’s post ‘The Real Benefits of Reflexology’.  So, how can reflexology help aid those with autoimmune diseases?

Living with an autoimmune disease can be extremely stressful, as the bodies of those diagnosed will most likely be attacked by their own immune system for the rest of their lives. Fortunately, a study published in the Journal of Education and Health Promotion found that anxiety, depression, and stress in women with multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disorder, significantly decreased thanks to reflexology treatments. This is because its relaxation techniques have the ability to release muscle pain, which has severe implications on both a person’s physical and mental health.

More than just a massage, the pressure applied to the body part touched by a reflexologist can reach different body systems, such as the digestive system, the endocrine system, the nervous system, and the circulatory system. This, in turn, can help bring balance to an immune system that’s not functioning properly. By stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system that helps calms down high-energy functions in the body, reflexology lowers the amount of stress-inducing hormones while helping the body harmonize and relax.

Although autoimmune diseases are complex conditions, the simple power of touch can make all the difference for the pain they cause.

Holiday Gratitudes

The holiday season officially starts tomorrow in the United States. For me, that’s Thanksgiving, Winter Solstice and Christmas. I’m excited! I LOVE this time of year. Lots of socializing with friends, yummy food and exchanging thoughtful expressions of appreciation.

Me

Annually, I mark the beginning of the season with a two-mile Gratitude Walk along Saint Augustine Beach with two of my Amigas. This year, one is going to be out of town, so we are adapting. Two of us will walk and take turns sharing things for which we are grateful. We will also take turns reading from a list supplied by our missing friend. It’s a great way to start the day and the season.

This year, I have even more for which to be grateful. After three years of dreamin’ and schemin’, including 10 months of being homeless (but not on the street, don’t worry!), and six months of designing and building, I have moved into my forever home! And, I love my new home!

As I write this, I sit amid chaos, but enjoying the energy of what I have manifested – with the help of many, many people, who extended generosity, hospitality, advice, and encouragement!

You

As a way to express my gratitude and appreciation to you, I wish to repeat the same gift idea that so many took advantage of last year.

With this solution, you will simplify your holiday to-do list, eliminate the stress of holiday shopping AND look like an angel to the people in your life. Buy everyone in the Saint Augustine vicinity a reflexology gift card! And ta-da! YOUR SHOPPING IS DONE!

Order these beautiful gift cards for your friends and family at the tremendously low price of $30 for a 30-minute hand or foot reflexology session!

Give REFLEXOLOGY!

* the gift of health and relaxation

* the gift that fits perfectly into the sensible practice of giving ‘experiences’ rather than ‘stuff’

* the gift that keeps on giving

* the gift they’ll be talking about for quite some time

Although I don’t usually give 30-minute sessions, I am offering them for the low price of $30 because I realize that not everyone’s budget can include multiple gift cards for the regular $85 70-minute session.

Let me know how many gift cards you would like, and we’ll determine the fastest way to get them to you.

LET THE HOLIDAYS BEGIN!

Different Approaches to Knee Pain

Years ago, I was called to give a reflexology session to a woman awaiting knee surgery. Her pain and dysfunction had progressed to the point that she was relegated to a wheelchair to navigate her own home.

I arrived at her home and after an in-depth assessment suggested a traditional Thai reflexology session. I explained that this particular model of reflexology acknowledged the muscular relationship between the feet and lower legs and extended the hands-on work right up to and including the knee. She agreed.

We were both ecstatic that she was able to get up and walk on her own following the Thai reflexology session. She managed to move about her home during the final week leading up to her surgery with only the aid of a cane.

Since that time, I have used both traditional Thai and conventional western reflexology to assist people with knee pain and restrictions and immediately following knee surgery. I have found reflexology to be very helpful in supporting people with the very real challenge of ambulation when living with knee pain.

I recently read a study that pitted another natural approach for knee pain against one of the leading pharmaceuticals drugs, diclofenac. You may enjoy reading it.

Have A Body? Then You NEED Bodywork!

Many people believe that the only time to visit a reflexologist is if you have foot (or hand) pain. That is so far from the truth!

If you have a body, then you need bodywork! It’s that simple.

Yes, reflexology can help with foot pain, but you are missing out from improved wellness, if that is all you think reflexology is good for.

Slaying a Dragon

 When I attended massage school, we all operated under the assumption that it was our mechanical manipulation of the soft tissue that relaxed the muscles we were working on. However, the latest research indicates that not to be true. It turns out that it is contact with the nerves that relays messages to the brain that then sends back signals to the muscles to ‘let go’ or ‘hang on’. The brain is what relaxes the muscles, not the massage techniques!

Which is one reason I love reflexology. There is no ‘middleman’. No matter the complaint, we talk directly to the brain for assistance and support. And get it!

The most important thing we can all do for our health in this wild and crazy world we live in is to reduce the negative effect of unwanted chaos and stress on our bodies and minds. Quite often it is our response to daily stressors that is what creates muscle tension, pain and substandard organ functioning. Making relaxation the first line of attack against the stressors life throws at us makes it possible to live a healthy life. Relaxation is the basis of health.

What To Do

 There is a lot you can do. Here are a few suggestions:

1. Remove or reduce the number of stressors you have in your life.

* Cut out activities that add to the stress in your life. Choose only activities that bring you joy and do not rob you of necessary ‘downtime’.

* Consider carefully with whom you spend your time. Choose friends that are positive, supportive and do not regularly seduce you into unhealthy activities.

* Get adequate sleep. With the right amount of sleep under your belt you will be less likely to respond to challenging events in a way that elevates the stress hormones in your body. Being well rested makes it possible to ‘go with the flow’.

2. Learn to say “No.” I used to be guilty of this one. Someone would mention something coming up that sounded like fun, or asked if I would help out with something (that I valued), and I would immediately say, “Yes!” Later, I would feel stressed by yet one more commitment I had made. Now, I stop and think about whether or not I realistically have the time to devote to it.

3. Incorporate stress-reduction techniques on a regular basis.
There are so many to choose from. The most important thing though is to just do something!

* Meditation. Even 5 minutes will help you to learn to still your mind and slow down your responses to external events.

* Take time in nature. Just be in nature though; not on your phone while in nature.

* Yoga or Tai chi. Not only are you moving your body, working on balance, and practicing intentional breathing, these two activities are fantastic at reducing stress.

* A luxurious bath. Dim the lights. Even put on some relaxing music, if you want. Lock the door and do not emerge until you have soaked for 20 minutes and then lovingly anointed your body with a body butter or cream.

* Structure regular bodywork into your life. If you are one of the people who think you don’t need reflexology because your feet or hands don’t hurt, I invite you to run an experiment: Schedule a monthly session and see how you feel in three months. Together, we can set a goal and then support your body to reach it.

P.S. The added benefit of regular reflexology is the support it gives to all the internal systems. Poor digestion and/or elimination, sleep issues, chronic headaches, high blood pressure, hormonal imbalances – all these, and more,

So, that is why you need reflexology on a regular basis, not just when your feet or hands hurt!

Explaining Reflexology

I wrote the following to enclose with gift cards people purchase. I figured that some people receiving the gift certificates might not know what reflexology is and therefore hesitate to redeem their amazing gift. And that’s not good!

Please feel free to use what I wrote. 

REFLEXOLOGY

For thousands of years, cultures all over the world have known how to positively influence the body’s complex physiology through the feet and hands. The earliest record of therapy on the feet and hands was documented in the form of hieroglyphics in the Physician’s Tomb at Saqqara, Egypt during the early Sixth Dynasty (about 2300 BCE).

In the modern day, the intentional, therapeutic touch of the feet and hands is known as Reflexology.

Today, the effectiveness of reflexology is recognized worldwide by various national health institutions and the public at large as a distinct complementary practice within the holistic health field. It is commonly used to relax and support people facing challenges that threaten the quality of their lives.

Reflexology has grown over the centuries into a protocol of unique manual techniques applied to specific reflex areas predominantly on the feet and hands. These techniques stimulate the complex neural pathways linking body systems, supporting the body’s efforts to function optimally.

People choose reflexology when they are experiencing:

  • high levels of stress, resulting in sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, etc.
  • pain in the feet and/or hands from overuse, arthritis, plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, excessive text messaging, injuries, gout, etc.
  • less than optimal functioning of a body system, manifesting as respiratory allergies, digestive problems, headaches, diabetes, reproductive issues, dementia, weight gain, ADHD, cancer, etc.

Although hundreds of case reports and research studies have been and continue to be executed proving the efficacy of reflexology, the proof is really ‘in the pudding.’ Try it for yourself. Whether you choose to receive reflexology because your feet and/or hands hurt or to enjoy an increase in well-being of your overall health, I think that you will find reflexology a great way to relax, rejuvenate and restore.

Reflexology And Gout

Gout is an acute form of inflammatory arthritis that occurs in joints and their surrounding tendons. Initially, it affects just one joint, and usually the metatarsalphalangeal joint of the foot. (This is the joint between the great toe and the rest of the foot that, in reflexology, corresponds to the shoulder line in the first zone.)

‘True gout’ results from hyperuricaemia, a big word that basically indicates an increased level of uric acid crystals in the blood. The build-up of uric acid crystals (a by-product of protein metabolism) develops unrealized over years, until such time as the crystals literally cut through the synovial fluid sacks surrounding the joints, releasing the synovial fluid, and leaving the joint unprotected.

Pain can be excruciating and is accompanied by redness, swelling, and heat, and the inability to bear weight due to pain. Imagine trying to walk! A person experiencing a flare-up would not allow you to touch their foot, it’s that painful.

‘Pseudo gout’ refers to a build-up of calcium pyrophosphate crystals from the breakdown of purine proteins found in organ meats, sardines and anchovies. Although labeled ‘pseudo’, it too is very painful.

What Causes Gout?

There are a number of situations that can precipitate hyperuricaemia and the resulting painful attacks on the joints, and much that can be done to prevent and manage an existing diagnosis. I know from my own clinical experience that reflexology can play a notable role in assisting those suffering from this swollen, red, hot, shiny and extremely painful condition.

One to two percent of the western world is said to suffer from gout. A doubling of the number of cases since the 1990’s is mostly due to the dietary changes in our society that have led to an increase in metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome, also known as insulin resistance, develops from what has been termed the ‘rich man’s lifestyle’: a diet high in alcohol, sugar products, meat and seafood, and low on physical activity. Use of diuretics, niacin and aspirin are also associated with the development of gout. Excess weight, dehydration and an acidic diet are also known to contribute.

Why The Foot?

So, why does gout tend to manifest in the feet or the hands?

In an attempt to protect the vital organs, the body will make every attempt to push toxins externally, away from the body’s core.

What To Do

Left untreated, hyperuricaemia can lead to kidney stones and “tophi”, nodules that result in deformity.

A dedicated multi-factorial approach is necessary to overcome gout, beginning with dietary changes.

Doctors recommend avoidance of alcohol, fructose-laden foods, and weight management. Exercise, vitamin C, and moderate consumption of coffee and dairy products are known to decrease the risk of insulin resistance and subsequent attacks of gout. Restoring a healthy digestive tract through dietary changes and the use of herbs designed to keep urates soluble provide big benefits to sufferers. During an attack, icing the joint for 10 to 20 minutes, three times a day is suggested.

Since gout attacks occur more at night, when the body’s temperature has dropped and is tired, sufferers might also want to look at their sleep habits. Get plenty of regular sleep; go to bed before you’re exhausted and keep the body warm.

A Reflexology Approach

Reflexology can decrease the pain associated with inflammation, support the taxed adrenal glands, help to flush the body of excess urates and relax a hyper-stimulated body fighting an attack.

During a bout of gout, the individual will not want you near the inflamed joint. So, if the foot is affected, work the hands. Work the adrenal, kidney and all the lymphatic reflexes thoroughly. Following the Law of Similars, work the metacarpalphalangeal joint on the corresponding hand, including range-of-motion movements. Between attacks, work the affected extremity.

Please note that reflexology will assist in the recovery of gout. It is not a substitute for the lifestyle changes absolutely necessary to overcome this painful condition.

Do you suffer from gout?

Have you ever provided reflexology to clients with gout?

What were the results?

Digestion And The Emotions

In 1883, Dr. William Beaumont published the first piece of research on the connection between stress and digestion. The subject was a man who had been shot in the abdomen.

The article I read stated that although the man’s gunshot wound had healed, his abdomen had not yet closed up. Dr. Beaumont fed the patient directly through his abdominal opening and then observed the process of digestion.

One thing he noticed, in addition to the process of breaking down food, was the effect of the subject’s emotions on his digestive system. When the patient was angry, the lining of his stomach turned very red; when he was frightened, it turned a blanched shade. In those instances, his digestive system did less than an adequate job of metabolizing and assimilating the nutritional substances fed him.

Dr. Beaumont’s study revealed how our daily food includes all of life’s experiences, not just edible substances. The digestive system judges whether our intake, in all its forms, is acceptable, comfortable and usable.

Think about all the common expressions in the English language that pair digestion with emotions:

▪ He has so much gall.

▪ You give me a stomachache.

▪ What’s eating you?

▪ I’m starving.

▪ I’m dying of thirst.

▪ She’s a pain in the gut.

▪ Everything I eat goes to my hips.

▪ I’m so fat.

▪ I can’t seem to gain/lose weight.

▪ She’s hungry for knowledge.

▪ It’s just easier to swallow my emotions.

Perhaps we should pay attention to the messages we are giving our digestive system.

Perhaps we shouldn’t eat when we’re upset or anxious.

Perhaps the practice of holding hands and bowing our heads to say a prayer of gratitude before we eat also serves the purpose of settling us into our bodies and the present moment; calming our minds and our gut.

When training to teach reflexology, I made it a point to learn a lot about the digestive system – in fact, it was one of the two systems I taught as part of the evaluation process I went through. As a young person, I did not have the best elimination and I wanted to understand why and to correct it.

It was my own personal interest in how what we take into our bodies in all forms affects our digestive system, and ultimately our entire health that led to my discovery of how powerful reflexology is in supporting proper functioning of this system. I always pay close attention to these reflexes when giving a session.

If you would like to learn how to relax and calm the digestive system and help it to do its job better, consider joining us for an upcoming workshop! Click here to see what is scheduled.

 

Why Your Feet Are Talking To You?

If you’re wondering why your feet ‘talk to you more’ as you are aging, AARP has a lot to report from studies it harvested for a recent article.

The article began with the facts that about 24% of people over 45 suffer from foot pain; by age 70, that number is closer to 50%. That’s half the adult population living with foot pain! Yikes!

According to the authors, here are some of the reasons:

* As we age blood flow to the feet diminishes, which can worsen any foot issue. As an example, they cited less blood flow to a tendon as contributing to tendonitis.

* Slower nail growth along with a weaker immune system can lead to stubborn nail fungus, athlete’s foot and/or cracked skin. By the time we hit our late 60s and 70s, the skin thins out and the fat pads on the bottom of the feet also thin.

* If you are dealing with mobility issues, such as being able to reach your feet, it makes more difficult to keep up proper foot hygiene, which can exacerbate other problems.

* By the time we reach 70 years of age, our feet need twice as much stimulation for the brain to sense it. REFLEXOLOGY ANYONE?

Some advice from the AARP authors:

* Check your shoe size. Up to 72% of people wear shoes that don’t fit, linked with the development of corns, bunions, contracted toes and pain.

The reason for this is that people often erroneously think that their shoe size is determined and fixed once they have reached adulthood. Wrong! As we age, gravity causes our arches to drop, lengthening the foot. Check every time you head out to make your next shoe purchase.

* Before getting out of bed in the morning, raise one (or both) of your legs in the air and make 20 ankle circles in one direction and then the other. Repeat with the other leg. Make your circles as big as you can, and do slowly. I do this every morning before getting up.

* Go barefoot as often as you can – especially on the earth’s surfaces. Stuffing your feet in shoes all day deprives them of the sensory stimulation they need to help your body move. Barefoot exercises such as Pilates and yoga count.

* Roll the bottom of your feet over a tennis or golf ball every evening. Sit around wearing toe separators while watching television.

Simple things that can make a BIG difference!

Digestion, Immunity and Reflexology

When I sat down to write this blog a memory surfaced from a few years ago when I presented a short class on emotional self-regulation through reflexology to eight, nine and 10-year olds. Their teacher was a client of mine and she was concerned about their well-being; they all lived in impoverished and less than optimal home environments.

I started off asking them to trace their feet and then draw in the arch of their feet what they typically ate for dinner. I was shocked and saddened to see that most drew in slices of pizza and/or chicken nuggets. Not one vegetable or fruit.

So, here’s the point:

ALL organs and systems of the body rely on the health of the digestive tract. It’s that simple.

And the digestive system is designed to break down and absorb FOOD. Real food; nothing else. Vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and high-quality protein.

The digestive system prepares food for consumption through five activities:

  • Ingestion
  • Movement
  • Digestion – the breakdown of food by chemical and mechanical processes
  • Absorption/Metabolism
  • Defecation

A high level of functioning is essential for the body to absorb and utilize the nutrients it needs. Without food to sustain them, the cells – and ultimately, the organs and glands – are unable to function. A slow decline in the ability of the cells to operate leads to a complete breakdown…..

A breakdown that the body’s immune system is unable to restore.

Immunity

Scientists are discovering that the strength of the immune system is largely influenced by the health of the digestive system. It turns out that 75% of the cells necessary for the immune system to function effectively are connected to the gastrointestinal tract.

Reflexes

Most of the digestive reflexes lay between the diaphragm line (just under the heads of the metatarsals/metacarpals) and the pelvic/iliac crest line. On the foot that would be the arch; on the hand the palm.

The digestive reflexes on the feet and the hands are some of the easiest to reach and work. The tissue is soft and there’s plenty of it to sink into. The hand just seems to naturally wrap around the foot’s arch or the hand’s palm.

Inquire about your client’s digestive function. Pay attention to the digestive reflexes when giving a reflexology session. And then inform them of  how much better digestion will operate when a person is relaxed from a reflexology session.

REFLEXOLOGY > RELAXATION > IMPROVED DIGESTION > STRONGER IMMUNE SYSTEM.

Love it!

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 1900s, when Dr. William Fitzgerald, often referred to as the “father of modern reflexology”, introduced zone therapy into his medical practice. Dr. Fitzgerald successfully used reflexology to anesthetize his patients for nose and throat surgeries. One of Dr. Fitzgerald’s many research findings showed 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, 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 to a bearable #2, until such time I could get home to have it attended to. All of that without any medication!

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 industries, and especially now that we have recognized the dangers of using opioid drugs to alleviate pain.

If you haven’t already, maybe it’s time you joined those of us who have dedicated our lives to helping others live a life of quality? 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.