Academy of Ancient Reflexology

Reflexology Certification Programs and Workshops

Reflexology, Massage and the Central Nervous System

It seems that the massage community is beginning to recognize the role of the nervous system in determining muscle tone. Reflexology, however, has always taught that it is through the nervous system that we affect all the systems in the body, including the musculoskeletal system.

To confirm those early theories regarding reflexology’s relationship with the central nervous system, Dr. Jesus Manzanares of Spain conducted EEG (electroencephalogram) studies a few years ago that compared the changes in brain wave amplitudes with subjects receiving foot reflexology. The EEG showed the movement of the autonomic nervous system through the various wavelengths; from beta (the waking, alert state) to alpha to theta and delta (deep sleep). Dr. Manzanares’ study confirmed what other research had shown, and that is the direct effect of reflexology on the central nervous system’s autonomic system function.

And now, the massage industry is discovering the role of the nervous system in muscle tone. As Til Luchau reports in the 2018 July/August edition of the ABMP magazine:

“Massage, bodywork and manual therapy probably don’t work in the ways we thought they did. It’s becoming clearer that these modalities produce many (some say all) of their beneficial effects via the nervous system and the brain, and that they probably produce far few direct physiological changes (such as reducing lactic acid) or structural changes (such as permanently remodeling connective tissues) than we previously thought.”

This is certainly contrary to what I learned attending massage school back in 1989! We were taught that it was the direct manipulation by our trained hands that was manually coercing muscles to relax. Today, modern science is demonstrating that it is the nervous system that directs muscles to contract or relax, not so much direct manipulation with our hands.

It makes sense then to go to the source – to talk to the brain – and let the body’s incredibly wise nervous system direct impulses to the muscle fibers to return to a healthy tonus.

As Luchau continues, “We can be me even more effective in our work by better understanding the ways our hands-on work interacts with the brain and nervous system.”

Thankfully, reflexologists have a head start on that conversation. And, I think it would behoove our industry to learn and teach even more on this critical point, don’t you?

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

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

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

Migraine Headache or Migraine Syndrome?

For years, that intense one-sided debilitating pain in the head that can strike at any time has been labeled a migraine headache, whether or not other symptoms occurred.

Medicine now classifies the condition as a syndrome (a group of symptoms that occur together and characterize a particular condition or abnormality).

I’ll admit that I am very grateful for the fact that I don’t live with migraine headaches or migraine syndrome. The pain I have witnessed in others’ faces when in the midst of a migraine incident is enough to make me count my lucky stars.

Migraines are classified as a primary headache disorder because they occur independently, in that they result from changes in blood vessels, nerves and muscles, not as a secondary response to disease or injury. A basic migraine headache is described as intense pain at the front or one side of the head. The pain generally throbs and can last as little as an hour and up to many days and nights.

The headache can develop into a syndrome when one or more of the following symptoms occurs. The more symptoms, the more severe.

* sensitivity to light, odors and or sound

* nausea

* vomiting

* blurred vision

* temporary loss of vision

* temporary loss of consciousness

I have, on many occasions provided reflexology to people experiencing the beginning symptoms of a migraine. (Someone in the throws of a syndrome would not be capable of driving anywhere.) What I’ve learned is that everyone’s needs are both the same and different.

Most people will want the room as dark as possible (Pitch black is preferred.); absolutely no scents or odors (They can exacerbate the situation.); no sound or conversation (that means no music).

Pressure is where people can differ. Some people will want the pressure on the feet to be very light and others want it quite deep. This is true also if you are doing massage on the head. No matter what the depth though, the pace needs to be very slow.

Perhaps the most important thing to bring to the session (even more so than a focus on the head and diaphragm reflexes) is an intention to model peace. I try to stay focused on my own relaxed breathing, to calm my own thoughts, to really connect with the energy, and envision my client in perfect health.

What has been your experience either living with migraines or working with people who are suffering?

Distinctions Between Reflexology and Massage

REFLEXOLOGY MASSAGE
 
Objective Relaxation; support system function; help body achieve homeostasis. Relaxation; reduce pain in musculoskeletal system; realign structure.
 
Focus Reflexes. Physiologically based (function). Muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments. Anatomically based (structure).
 
Application To reflexes on feet, hands and outer ears. Only bare hands or feet required. Techniques applied to entire body or areas of complaint. Clothes usually removed.
 
Techniques Small muscle movements of the hands and fingers unique to reflexology, such as thumb-walking, rotating-on-a-point, press & roll. Large muscle movements of hands, forearms, elbows and/or feet to perform specific techniques to work particular areas of soft tissue. Small muscles movements may be used.
 
Benefit To all body systems. To musculoskeletal system.
 

 

Here’s a pdf, if you want to print out. Distinctions Between Reflexology & Massage

Reflexology and Lymphedema

Could reflexology help someone who has lived with insufficient venous return for over 20 years?

2017 Academy grad and advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP), Roberta Cirocco, decided to test whether a combination of hand and foot reflexology could positively affect a 68-year-old woman with diagnosed lymphedema who has been living with venous insufficiency for 20 years. You can read the results here.

image courtesy of medicinenet.com

 

What Makes Your Nose “Run”?

I see a lot of people walking around these days sniffing and blowing their noses.

The main culprit responsible for a blocked and runny nose is not excess mucus but swelling and inflammation.

If the nose becomes infected, or an allergic reaction is triggered, the immune system produces large quantities of chemical messengers that cause the local blood vessels in the lining of the nose to dilate. This enables more white blood cells to enter the area, helping to combat the infection, but it also causes the blood vessels to “leak”, allowing fluid to build up in the tissues.

The allopathic approach to this situation is decongestant medicines. Decongestants contain a chemical that’s similar to adrenaline, which causes the blood vessels to constrict, stopping them from leaking. That suppresses the uncomfortable symptom of a blocked or runny nose but does nothing for the reason causing the situation.

The natural approach is to encourage and support the body in its efforts to fight the infection. Nasal saline washes, salt gargles, plenty of hot fluids, reflexology focused on the sinus, cervical lymph and adrenal reflexes, and lots and lots of sleep.

The choice is ours to make.

The Effects of Hand Reflexology on Chronic Hand Pain

Having gone through a couple of months myself with a chronic pain in my hands, I can sympathize with the subject of this study. As an artist having to use her hands in so many ways all day just to keep her business alive, well… it couldn’t have been easy.

Read how recent Academy grad, Annalisa Derryberry tackled this troublesome issue.

Pins And Needles

We’ve all experienced it. The numb sensation of an arm or leg ‘going to sleep’. Not fun when it happens while receiving a reflexology session. Afterall, reflexology is supposed to increase circulation, right? Not cut it off!

This event occurs when pressure is exerted on nerves and squeezes the insulating sheath around the nerves. This ‘shorts out’ the nerves and blocks neural transmission. When the pressure is released, the nerves suddenly all begin firing at one. This jumble of uncoordinated signals is a mixture of pain and touch, hot and cold all mixed together, which is why it feels weird and sometimes hurts.

Interestingly, people sometimes report their arms ‘going to sleep’ while receiving reflexology and are perplexed by that since reflexology increases circulation of blood, lymph and neural communication. This can occur if the person has bent their arms to lay across their body, and in doing so, has cut off the communication of the median nerve.

Simple fix: straighten out the arms and lay them alongside the body.