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Apr 04 2011

New Research Brings New Awareness to Reflexology

For most of the time that reflexology has been practiced in the west, reflexologists have operated under the hypothesis that the “crunchies” found in people’s feet are metabolic waste products (specifically uric and lactic acids) that have accumulated at the nerve-endings in the feet. These crystals have been credited with causing pain and impeding the flow of nervous information within the body.

Sounds reasonable, but now scientific evidence from Europe is suggesting something quite different.

At the invitation of Massage Magazine, a leading national publication, I wrote a short article describing the results of over 70,000 case studies completed in Spain that basically refute the existence of those “crunchies”.

I invite you to read the article now. It’s just been published.

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

Mar 22 2011

Reflexology: Recreation or Healthcare?

There seems to be a growing trend in the United States to offer reflexology at settings other than a healthcare or wellness facility. It started out west, drifted eastward, and has recently debuted in my home state of Florida.

Practitioners are promoting an evening of foot massage or reflexology, along with enticing hydrotherapy services; all delivered in a tasteful salon setting. Guests lounge in comfy recliners (often leather) in a relaxing den-like decor, along with other folks enjoying foot treatments. Marketing materials invite you to “make a date of it”; to bring your best friend, mom or “main squeeze” – and a bottle of wine. The idea for these new ventures began with the need to create more revenue, and includes the goal of encouraging “healthy” dating.

That led me to recall a delightful Friday evening a few years ago at a famous hydrotherapy facility out west. When my friends and I walked into this very popular spa, I was surprised to see so many people relaxing in the common areas. Some were fully dressed; most were lounging in thick, fluffy bathrobes provided by the facility. People were rehydrating themselves with exotic non-alcoholic fruit drinks following their bodywork or “tub”. Everyone seemed to be having a good time. The owners had very successfully built a reputation as a healthy date destination. Guests received their bodywork in private rooms; hydrotherapy soaks were available communally for groups of friends or privately for couples.

At the same time as I was pondering these business models, I learned that the state of Utah has just replaced the word “therapeutic” with “recreational” in its scope of practice for massage therapists. (Reflexology is governed by the massage therapy act in Utah.)

The synchronicity of these events got me thinking about the direction of reflexology. Do we want to create more of a “social” atmosphere (including an association with alcohol), or do we want to continue to set our goals on being recognized as a bona fide “healthcare” modality? Can both models exist compatibly?

I think this is an important dialogue for those of us interested in the field of reflexology. Should the economic market and/or our culture’s insatiable need for social connection and multi-tasking dictate who we become? What do you consider to be the benefits of reflexology and how are they best delivered? These are critical questions, the answers to which will determine the path we take in the years to come. What do you think?

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

Feb 15 2011

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.

When a muscle engages, i.e. contracts, it shortens. A spasm is an involuntary static state of contracture in a muscle; ie. a muscle that will not willfully relax.

Muscles spasm when the normal balance of potassium and sodium (electrolytes) in the muscle cells is disturbed for a longer period of time than the muscles can withstand.

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

1. Dehydration, from inadequate fluid intake or excessive sweating.

2. Vigorous exercise, especially when stretching before and afterwards does not occur.

3. Potassium and/or calcium deficiency.

So why does a cramp occur during a foot reflexology session?

Muscles that have been overly taut for a period of time, such as those of the lower leg or sole of the foot, tend to 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 simple. 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.

If someone on my table cramps up, 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 flexor muscles and lengthens the extensor 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 (usually three to eight repetitions).

An acupressure method can be added to the stretch protocol above. While performing the movements described, ask your client to apply pressure with her index finger between her lip and nose, two-thirds of the way up. She holds that point firmly until the cramp subsides.

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.

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

Jan 03 2011

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.

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

Dec 08 2010

Reflexology Rugs

That’s what past students in the Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification program named these fun and hugely successful creations of theirs.

Reflexology Rugs are short “run-ways” that bare-footed (or socked) clients walk before a foot reflexology session. Easily constructed with items of varying textures, they provide a stimulating sensory experience to prepare the body for focused reflexology care.

Here’s how they’re made and what they look like when completed:

1. Purchase heavy-duty canvas about 18” wide and as long as you care to make your “run-way”. My students chose 6 feet. (Marine stores cover a wide selection of colors and thicknesses.)

2. Scour the dollar stores, toy stores, craft stores and landscaping nurseries to pick up various appliqués. Use your imagination! Some items you might consider: colored marbles (flat on one side for gluing, rounded on the other for walking), flat river rocks (no sharp points!), packing materials, ropes, pot & pan “scrubbies”, rug scraps. Choose a variety of textures including soft, firm and scratchy. Awaken those senses!

3. Purchase a reliable adhesive. We used Weldbond Universal Adhesive that I purchase from monstermosaics.com. Weldbond is non-toxic, free of fumes and cleans up fast. It’s a wonderful, reasonably priced craft glue that dispenses easily and dries clear and fast. (You can find it in some hardware stores, as well.)

4. Lay out your appliqués in some sort of creative design. Start and end with softer surfaces. Test it out before gluing. Walking the mat should feel invigorating and stimulating, not painful.

My students laid out their reflexology rugs so as to lead their clients directly to their massage table. It was beautiful to see! Clients removed their shoes upon entering the clinic room and walked barefoot to a tub of warm water infused with pure botanical oils in which to enjoy a luxurious soak before their reflexology session. Guests really appreciated and enjoyed their own individual “red carpet” and the clinic looked so special.

Have you ever made a Reflexology Rug? If you have, please share with us what items and textures you used.

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

Oct 31 2010

Baby’s First Reflexology Session

I heard from two recent graduates of the Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification this month. Both honored the entrance of new family members in a unique way.

Within a couple of hours of her debut, Brian celebrated the arrival of his first grandchild by giving his pride and joy her first reflexology session. “Grandma” came by to show me pictures and report how Brian gave his new granddaughter a blow-by-blow verbal explanation of reflexology as he lovingly touched her precious little feet. (He also promised her a position in his newly-opened clinic should she care to follow in her grandpa’s footsteps!)

Earlier this month I heard from Katy, who had been blessed by the smooth and easy birth of  her sweet healthy daughter five days earlier. Katy discovered she was pregnant when she was in her reflexology training earlier this year; with her belly growing monthly in front of my eyes, I almost feel that I know this little cherub already. How lucky for Raya Luna to have indirectly received reflexology sessions throughout her entire development in her mother’s womb. Within the first days following her entry Raya Luna received two reflexology sessions from her proud and happy mom.

I built my reflexology practice in Canada years ago working with pregnant women. The above stories remind me of the powerful benefits that reflexology can offer pregnant women, babies as they are developing within the womb and newly arrived little ones.

I remember watching little feet and hands kicking against a mother’s abdomen as a reflexology session would begin, and then to see the activity stop as the little one felt the effects of the work calm them. I remember how much easier the pregnancies and deliveries were for the moms and how much more relaxed the babies were once here.

I’ve often read that the process of being born is one of the most traumatic events that humans experience – how fortunate, following a baby’s successful journey into this world, to be able to ease the transition, to smooth out the “edges” with reflexology.

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

Oct 17 2010

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!

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

Oct 09 2010

What To Do In An Emergency

In the September issue of Reflexology World I read how a reflexologist responded to the shocking observation of her right arm involuntarily floating out in front of her body, with no feeling in it whatsoever.

The inspiring story of her level-headed, informed responses to this scary event reminded me of the time when I was faced with a woman falling into adrenal shock right before my eyes.

Three specific actions helped stabilize both these women so that they lived to tell their stories.

The slight tingle in her face, coupled with the “floating” arm, immediately warned the first woman that she might be having a stroke. Her first course of action: take a couple of long deep breaths to move herself away from a sense of panic and fear.  The seconds she stole to do that effectively shifted her traumatized nervous system towards the healing parasympathetic state. In addition, deep breathing sent oxygen to her brain that allowed her to perform the second important action: think.

She quickly assessed that a right-sided stroke indicates left brain damage and immediately began to vigorously work the reflexes to the left side of her brain. She worked the points intermittently until she felt her right arm jerk. She continued to use reflexology, massage and exercise all morning and over the next four days until normalcy returned.

Her doctor confirmed her symptoms to indicate a Transient Ischemic Attack, even though carotid artery and heart scans and a brain MRI showed no sign of a TIA!

Years ago I noticed a usually attentive student turn away and curl up on her massage table as I was giving a demo on another table. Out of the corner of my eye I saw this woman shaking and wrapping herself in a blanket. I called over as to how she was. She didn’t respond. I went immediately to her side and saw that she was perspiring, shaking, rolling her eyes back into her head and unresponsive to my queries.

Recognizing immediately that something serious was occurring I first instructed myself to take a few breaths and think. I instructed her also to focus on her breathing. I then asked someone else in the room to call for emergency medical help as I grabbed both her feet and started applying deep pressure alternately between her solar plexus points and pituitary gland reflexes.

Once at the hospital, I continued to work those reflexes without stop while we waited for medical assistance. Slowly, she began to relax, was able to communicate intelligently again and regained normal body temperature. By the time doctors were in attendance her symptoms had almost disappeared. Their examination and interview confirmed what I suspected: adrenal shock.

I share both these stories to underlie the importance of these points:

1. In an emergency, first focus on breathing. Breathing will abort a panic attack and send much-needed oxygen to the brain. You must think quickly and clearly in situations like this. Someone’s life (maybe your own) may depend on it.

2. The power of reflexology when applied immediately in medical emergencies is not to be scoffed at. (There are many more success stories such as these two.) In no way, do I mean that reflexology is a substitute for medical attention. Call for help and then do your best to relax the scared and traumatized individual as you wait for an emergency team to arrive.

Remember: breathe, think and act calmly.

Have you ever used reflexology successfully in an emergency situation?

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

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