Academy of Ancient Reflexology

Reflexology Certification Programs and Workshops

Chronic Back Pain Anyone?

Studies document that chronic pain affects more people in the United States, and incurs greater costs than cancer, heart disease, and diabetes combined. I’ll repeat that: Chronic pain affects more people in the United States and incurs greater costs than cancer, heart disease, and diabetes combined. There are an estimated 100 million people in the United States living with chronic pain, most of the back, headaches or arthritis. [i]

To compound the problem, opiates and other drugs do a poor job of relieving much chronic pain and can result in serious risks, including addiction.

Two participants in last year’s Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification decided to research whether regular reflexology would help two women who have suffered from back pain for years.

Read Eleanor Miles study here and Rebecca Tate’s here.

[i] Scientific American, December 2014

Are We A Good Match?

When I was in the process of registering for a reflexology workshop recently, I paid attention to 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 – as 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 knowledge 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 clearly get the information across, and inspire and empower those of us looking to them for guidance.

That led me to think about the 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”, and if the material will meet your goals, and if the program format matches your learning style, and if you’ll be shown how to introduce your new skills and knowledge to your community once the training is over.

Click to learn more about the Therapeutic Hand & Foot Professional Reflexology Certification . If you have some questions, please do call. My phone number is 904/553.4067 EST.

I promise to answer your questions honestly and help you to determine if becoming a certified hand and foot reflexologist is the best move for you right now. I will not try to talk you into anything; I am not interested in having people in my program who are not excited and passionate about being there.

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. The answers to the questions will go a long way towards informing you whether you are in the right place or not.

Do Not Disturb!

Finding sanity and enjoying your life is sometimes more than just a matter of choice; it’s a necessity. When the world bombards you, unplug the phone, retreat to the bathroom and lock the door! Light candles. Put on some relaxing music, and fill the tub with water. Nothing can heal a stressed mind like time out.

Did you know that the ancient Greek word “to bathe” translates to ”to drive sadness from the mind”? So, don’t just clean. Cleanse. Water is perhaps the most powerful solvent for cleansing not just our physical bodies, but our mental/emotional/psychic ones as well.

8 things to do in the tub

  1. Scan your body for signs of tension. Start with your feet and work up. If you feel tension anywhere, stop and take a full breath. Imagine the tightness dripping into the water as you exhale. Do some gentle reflexology on your own hands while relaxing. Focus on the reflexes corresponding to the body parts in which you feel tension.
  1. Add salts to the water. Mineral salts, dead sea salts and Epsom salts will help pull out toxins – physical and psychic – while you just lay there doing nothing. Make sure to have a cool glass of water or cup of herbal tea to sip so as to avoid dehydration. (Resist the urge to pour yourself a glass of wine. Alcohol and hydrotherapy don’t mix well.)
  1. Give yourself a face-lift. Pull your hair off your face with a headband or shower cap and clean your face with a gentle exfoliator. Apply a facemask, sink in and relax.
  1. Practice breathing. Breathing is the key to relaxation.
  1. Give your eyes a treat. Remove the tea bags from that cup of tea you’re sipping, squeeze the excess liquid out and let cool a few minutes. Then lay back with the tea bags resting on your closed eyelids and let them do their magic.
  1. Watch your thoughts like clouds rolling by. Don’t hang onto any one of them. Just watch.
  1. Take an invigorating shower to rev up for the day or get a second wind before a big night out. Use tepid water, not hot. If you’re able to adjust the showerhead use the strongest pressure. Pour your favourite body wash or scrub onto a loofah, wash mitt or ayate cloth and massage vigorously over the skin to energize and slough off dead skin cells. Your skin will glow and you’ll actually feel your blood circulating.
  1. Don’t dry off completely. Pat yourself dry and apply your favourite body balm or lotion. If you can, rest for awhile after leaving the warmth of the tub and bathroom.

How To Talk To Clients About Reflexology

IMG_0211Eleanor Miles, a student in this year’s Therapeutic Hand & Foot Reflexology Professional Certification, wrote an informative document to share with her massage clients intended to answer their questions and peak their interest in trying a reflexology session. She has graciously allowed me to share it with you.

Reflexology – What Is It?

Reflexology is a protocol of manual techniques, such as thumb and finger walking, hook and backup and rotating-on-a-point, 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.

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.

What does that mean? It means I will apply manual pressure to points in the feet and hands which correspond to the entire body.

It also means that reflexology is different from massage. It’s actually closer to acupuncture. There are massage therapists advertising reflexology which turns out to be just some extra attention to massaging the feet. There is nothing wrong with extra attention to the feet. It feels lovely, but it does not address the specific reflex areas.

An actual reflexology treatment involves using the thumbs and fingers to walk the entire surface of the foot or hand. When the therapist feels congestion or the client reports sensation, that area or point is worked more specifically with deeper pressure. Also, points will be worked that correspond to individual organs or areas that were identified by the client as needing attention.

Does a reflexologist diagnose disease? No. Congestion may indicate that a body part is stressed. If this seems to support symptoms you have been experiencing, I will encourage you to see your doctor. If not, it may just show some temporary stress in the system.

Does a reflexologist treat disease? Again, no. The point work stimulates the nervous system and supports the body’s efforts to function well. I believe that deep relaxation is where healing happens, and reflexology facilitates deep relaxation.

During my student clinic experiences, my five classmates and I set up in one big room. I worked with five clients over two days and audible snoring happened with all five. When we were practicing on each other that session, I was so relaxed that I snored. I took a little bit of teasing over being the “snoring queen”!

Does reflexology hurt? There is disagreement among practitioners. I have heard of clients who were told the treatment had to hurt to be effective. I do not believe this. More pressure does not mean more healing. Yes, there may be tender spots and point work may feel intense. If it does not feel good to you, always speak up and a good therapist will adjust the pressure.

How does reflexology work? There are several theories: that it affects energy such as Chi, that the rest, repair and awareness provided during a treatment stimulate healing, or that the physical point work affects nerves and chemicals directing the body’s workings. There is no scientific evidence of how reflexology works.

But let me be very clear – there is ample scientific proof showing that reflexology does work. There are hundreds of scientifically performed studies available online showing a measurable change in disease conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson’s or sinus issues.

Will you like reflexology? Try it! If you don’t like having your feet touched, consider having your hands worked.

I believe that health can always be improved. Our job is to support our body as it does its work. We do this by getting medical attention when needed, and providing the nourishment and rest our body needs. Reflexology will help you rest and heal.

The Body Electric

the-body-electricChanging the polarity (electrical charge) of nerve fiber endings, so as to restore balance in the autonomic nervous system (usually moving from sympathetic to parasympathetic), will reduce the percentage of nervous tissue and increase the availability of vascular elements within the tissue.

This is important to consider since we know, from research completed in Spain under Dr. Jesus Manzares’ supervision, that sensitive, congested reflex points contain more nerve fibers than healthy ones.

With a focus on balancing the body’s polarity we have the possibility of creating a different internal environment.

Less nervous tissue – less inflammation.

Less inflammation – less Substance P in the tissue.

Less Substance P – less pain.

Less pain – more blood flow.

More blood flow – increased delivery of oxygen and other nutrients to the cells and improved removal of waste products.

In plain English – restore balance in the energy body and we remove a cascade of obstacles preventing our body from doing what it was designed to do.

Reflexology is such an effective and enjoyable way to balance and restore homeostasis in the body. The physical action of reflexing is also very effective at breaking down Substance P in the nerve fibers.

Sometimes I like to think it’s not any more complicated than that. Just reflex my own feet for a few minutes daily and receive an hour session from a professional on a regular basis. It’s pretty simple to give my body the support it needs – and deserves.

Scrub Your Way to Better Health

green scrubbyCold mitten friction is a simple washing with cold water accompanied with friction from mitts, towels and/or a loofah.

You may be surprised to discover how much value (and very little cost) this simple addition to a reflexology session offers.

What It Does:

The application of cold initially sets vasoconstriction (constriction of the blood vessels) into play, quickly followed by vasodilation (dilation of the blood vessels), which together increase the circulation and elimination of excess heat in the superficial tissues and blood vessels, resulting in a decrease in visceral (organ) congestion.

Rapid movement of stagnant blood allows fresh blood to flood the area, bringing along with it much-needed oxygen and red and white blood cells. Tissue tone is enhanced and metabolism is stimulated.

Application:

I like to add cold mitten friction therapy to my hand reflexology sessions.

Following a reflexology session, I will quickly submerge one hand in a basin of cold water and remove immediately. Holding the hand over the basin I will then briskly and quickly scrub the hand with a “scrubbie glove”. They can be purchased at dollar stores, drug stores, big box stores and of course, Amazon. I will have submerged my gloved hands into the water first to soften the glove fibers and get the glove wet. (Added bonus to these gloves, they can be re-used. Throw in the washing machine; air-dry. Simple.)

You may choose to add in an exfoliation agent such as an essential oil-infused salt or sugar scrub. Just put a little on your wet, gloved hand and scrub away. Remember, that you are not doing massage. The action is quick and vigorous, not slow.

Once done (it only takes a couple of minutes), quickly submerge the hand in water again, to cleanse off any scrub agent you may have used. Dry thoroughly with a thick, dry towel.

Repeat with the other hand and then massage some soothing lotion into the now baby-soft exfoliated hands. Your client will love the feel of their new skin and soon afterwards experience warmth in their body as enlivened blood is coursing through their arteries and veins.

When to Consider Adding:

  • as a way to finish a hot stone treatment or when the client exhibits and/or complains of feeling hot
  • client complains of low energy
  • poor circulation in the extremities, indicated by cold hands and/or feet
  • diagnosis of anemia
  • depression
  • nervous exhaustion

Points to Consider First:

  • warm the feet or hands first; this is easily accomplished by giving a hot foot soak and a reflexology session
  • watch for signs of chilling, such as shivering
  • skin lesions; do not offer cold (or heat)
  • contraindication for cold, such as Raynaud’s Disease
  • aversion/intolerance to cold; never force a client to endure a cold or cool application if they don’t want it!

We will be adding in a few hydrotherapy applications in the upcoming Reflexology for the Hands workshops. I hope you will join us and learn how to give one of the most relaxing and healing sessions available.

As one of our previous attendees stated, “If you don’t mind turning into Jello, and learning how to do that for others – this workshop is for you! Learn how to massage the body from the palm of your hand. I’m amazed actually that I feel completely ready to do a session fully after just a weekend.”

Reflexology for Migraine Headaches

Vice gripIt would be surprising if you didn’t know someone who suffers with migraines. It is a common disorder affecting at least 28 million people in the United States and millions more around the world. The statistics are frightening; the reality of living with migraines crippling.

Julie Wesling, AAR grad, decided to see if a combination of foot and hand reflexology might help a 43-year-old woman who has suffered with migraine headaches for half her life. You can read Julie’s protocol and the results here.

Every Breath You Take

Respiratory reflexesIt’s more than just a great song from Sting!

Have you ever considered what a lifetime of poor breathing does to your body? Or conversely, the vast implications of properly executed breathing?

Each breath either balances the acid/alkaline levels in the body (keeping cellular pH at its optimal level) or sets off a disruption in that homeostasis. When you breathe deeply and correctly from your diaphragm, your body chemistry is kept in balance.

It only takes five or six poorly performed breaths to start to push your pH levels towards imbalance. If not corrected, this disruption of pH has the potential to affect every chemical reaction in your body as well as the efficiency of your metabolism.

Breathing incorrectly for three minutes is enough to decrease the amount of oxygen to the brain and heart by 30%. Doctors and scientists tell us that if we breathe shallowly from our chests for years, we pre-dispose ourselves to a range of chronic illnesses – from heart disease to asthma to chronic fatigue.

I take every moment I can to just stop and inhale deeply a few times throughout the day, allowing my lungs to expand in all directions like a bellows; letting the diaphragm drop and my belly to expand outwards; my rib cage and lungs to push outwards, both in the front and back; shoulders relaxed. And then to just let it go….nice and easy.

Whenever I’m stopped at a traffic light when driving; waiting in line somewhere; walking the beach in the early morning; before I begin to eat; in the morning before getting out of bed and again at night before drifting off to la-la land. Everytime I remember to. To feed my body the food it needs to keep me alive and ticking.

Those seconds of deep breathing (most times with my eyes closed) also give my body a quick respite from the crazy momentum of my mind’s thoughts and my life.

When working with clients – particularly if the focus of the session is the respiratory system – I encourage my clients to take deep, noisy breaths (so many people don’t want you to hear them breathing!) from time to time. Sometimes, I’ll breathe deeply myself to signal their bodies to do the same.

I’ll give extra attention to the reflexes of the diaphragm, lungs, sinus and solar plexus, and watch my client’s breathing change as their body lets go into deep relaxation and natural breathing patterns resurface.

It’s so easy – if we just remember to.

Brain Development and Stress

bigger neuronsData from a Princeton University study adds still another reason to reduce stress in our lives.

Prior to Professor Elizabeth Gould’s research, modern neuroscience was predicated on the hypothesis that all brain neurons emerge during prenatal and early postnatal development; that brain cells were thereafter fixed. Brain development was believed to be determined by effort and determination.

Her research demonstrated two important findings to the contrary:

1. The primate brain (that includes ours!) is always creating new neurons.

2. The structure of the human brain is largely influenced by its surroundings, not by individual effort and determination. The research proved that chronic stress halts the production of brain neurons. This groundbreaking study revealed that the brains of stressed primates literally stopped creating new cells and neural pathways. In addition, evidence showed that existing cells retreated inward. (The brains were said to “disfigure.”)

Gould’s research carries monumental implications when we consider, not only our personal health, but also a society in which stress factors continue to mount.

Fortunately, there is much we can do with reflexology for our clients and ourselves when it comes to both combating stress and encouraging brain development. Reflexology is a modality proven to shift the autonomic nervous system from its “flight or fight” response to stressors to the healing state of “rest and repair”.

When people request a stress-reducing session from me, I immediately focus in on the reflexes of the central nervous system and the solar plexus; add in the adrenal reflexes to support those busy glands in their efforts to respond to excessive stimulation and the diaphragm reflex to aid in deep, relaxed breathing and improved oxygen delivery to the brain.

It’s nice to know, isn’t it, that both stress reduction and brain development can result from something as simple as a soothing session of hand or foot reflexology?

Please join us for an upcoming Reflexology for the Hands workshop or (foot) Reflexology workshop and learn more!

Baby Boomers’ “Healthstyles”

baby-boomers-healthstyles
I’m one of them!

The baby boomers – those of us born between 1946 and 1964. We make up 26% of the US population: 70 million people strong.

We’re the group that vowed to change the world – and we did! And fooled ourselves into believing we would never get old, or sick. Surprise!

A study conducted by the Merrill Lynch financial management company identified four baby boomer “healthystyles”:

Lucky, but Lax – 10%. This group may have been blessed with great genes and a healthy start to life. Because they have enjoyed a relatively healthy life so far, they lack interest or motivation in maintaining their health as they age. They don’t see the need to change anything that so far has worked just fine.

Healthy & Proactive. Twenty-nine percent (29%) engage in exercise & proper nutrition; maintain a positive attitude about their health and future. They recognize that self-care is health-care.

Course-correcting and Motivated – Another twenty-nine percent (29%) are starting to realize the importance of vital health, and taking steps to make up for past bad health habits. This group is eager to learn.

Challenged and Concerned. The largest group – 32% of baby boomers – are facing health challenges. These folks are not practicing good health habits, and are worried about their health.

Identifying to whom you are talking is necessary if you want to recommend someone receive reflexology on a regular basis. Each of these populations has different physical and psychological needs that must be met.

The Lucky ones can be encouraged to maintain their optimum health status by supporting all the operating systems of their body through a weekly (or even monthly) session designed to sustain their good luck.

The Proactive members are more likely to be taking advantage of – or, at least, open to – bodywork, yoga, meditation, etc. These people will appreciate knowing that you can focus your sessions to offer extra attention on certain systems or organs.

The Motivated group will see results from focused sessions as well, and will benefit from experiencing the results of deep relaxation. These folks will be grateful for referrals to other practitioners, educational literature and other resources that will support their decision to improve their health.

The Concerned category needs to relax. Start there – relaxation is the basis of health. Work on reflexes to the central nervous system, diaphragm, solar plexus and adrenals. The experience of deep relaxation might interest the client in learning other ways to feel better in their body and less anxious about the future. Be a resource; a coach to any in this group who want to make changes.

And what about you? What piece of the pie do you find yourself occupying?