You Have The World At Your Feet

Our feet are incredible! Not only do they contain many acupressure points through meridian channels and are a hologram of the whole body, as seen through Reflexology, they also relate to the major chakras.

Most of us are aware these major chakras connect to the spine but they also connect to the chakras in the feet.

The chakras on our feet allow direct messaging with the Earth Star chakra to communicate directly with the major chakras via channels in the legs. They help us assimilate energy from the earth by acting as transformers to regulate the energy from the earth into our light body.

One of the main functions of the feet chakras is to discharge excess energy that has been accumulated in the major chakras each day, by sending it into the ground.

When the feet and rest of body is in harmony there is a constant connection between our energies and the earth energy grids via our feet chakras.

The Base Chakra is on the heel foot.

As our heels touch the ground first with every step we take, this chakra helps us feel grounded.  The Root Chakra, located at the base of the spine, governs our sense of security, stability, and connection to the physical world. It is deeply connected to the feet as they serve as our foundation and primary contact point with the Earth. Activation and balancing of the Root Chakra often involve grounding practices that encourage a strong connection with the Earth’s energy, which is facilitated through the feet.

The Sacral Chakra corresponds to the little toe.

The Sacral Chakra, situated in the lower abdomen, is associated with creativity, passion, and emotional well-being. While it is not directly connected to the feet, imbalances in the Sacral Chakra can manifest as issues related to movement and flexibility, which can affect the feet indirectly.

The Solar plexus Chakra Big Toe.

The Solar Plexus Chakra, located in the upper abdomen, governs our self-esteem, personal power, and confidence. While its connection to the feet may not be as direct as the Root Chakra, a balanced Solar Plexus Chakra contributes to a sense of balance and coordination, which is essential for proper foot posture and movement.

The Heart Chakra Second Toe.

The Heart Chakra, situated in the center of the chest, is the seat of love, compassion, and emotional balance. While not directly connected to the feet, a harmonious Heart Chakra fosters a sense of connection and empathy, which can influence how we perceive and treat our feet, as well as how we connect with others through activities such as walking or dancing.

The Throat Chakra Third Toe.

The Throat Chakra, located at the base of the throat, governs communication, self-expression, and authenticity. While its connection to the feet may not be obvious, imbalances in the Throat Chakra can manifest as issues related to posture or gait, which can affect the feet indirectly.

The Third Eye Chakra is related to the fourth toe.

The Third Eye Chakra, situated between the eyebrows, is associated with intuition, perception, and inner wisdom. While its connection to the feet may not be direct, a balanced Third Eye Chakra can enhance our ability to trust our instincts and make decisions that support our overall well-being, including choices related to foot health and care.

The Crown Chakra is related to the sole of the foot.

Sole=Soul!  It is the most important foot chakra as it has 6 secondary points which directly reflect the minor chakras in the head.

The Crown Chakra, located at the top of the head, is the highest energy center in the body, governing our connection to the divine and higher consciousness. While its connection to the feet may not be apparent, a balanced Crown Chakra fosters a sense of spiritual alignment and purpose, which can influence how we walk our path in life, including how we care for and connect with our feet.

By nurturing and harmonizing these subtle energy centers in our feet, we can enhance our connection with ourselves, the Earth, and the cosmos, paving the way for holistic health and spiritual growth. So, let’s take a step forward and connect to our feet by massaging them, anointing them with beautiful oils and decide which colour socks to wear based on which chakra we want to give extra energy to that day!

Can Reflexology help with Insomnia?

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is characterised by difficulty getting to sleep and/or not having good quality sleep.  Most people believe that insomnia is the inability to get off to sleep but the symptoms can go far deeper than this and may include any of the symptoms listed below.

Do you:

  • Wake up tired and unrefreshed?
  • Sleep so lightly that a slight noise wakes you up?
  • Lay in bed for more than 30 minutes unable to get to sleep?
  • Wake up during the night and then have difficulty getting back off to sleep?
  • Have times during the day when you feel so lethargic and tired that you could easily doze off?

It is recommended that we need about 7 to 8 hours sleep per night to help our body rest and regenerate.  However, the actual number of hours varies with everyone.  For most people, our system is self-regulating as most are sleepy of an evening and our body awakens in the morning.  However, some people are unable to fall asleep easily or have a good quality sleep.

There are many factors involved with lack of sleep.  These may be:

  • anxiety
  • depression
  • grief
  • work stress
  • family issues
  • constipation
  • health problems
  • and the list goes on

How can Reflexology help?

  • may improve sleep patterns
  • may induce relaxation
  • may calm your anxiety

Reflexology treatment sessions may help to regulate sleep patterns for all ages. A good bedtime routine is essential, along with lifestyle changes such as diet, light conditions in the bedroom and room temperature.

After taking a full health history, a reflexologist will then prepare an individual treatment plan for each client.  It is important to remember that everyone is different with varying factors contributing to their insomnia. The reflexologist will concentrate on key reflex points to assist each client with these contributing factors.

As an example, if digestion is a factor, a reflexologist will work on these reflex points and if anxiety depression or grief are factors, other reflex points are worked for these conditions.  The natural regeneration of our body happens in the relaxation mode, and sometimes we need a little help to do what’s good for us and have all systems working in harmony to bring the body into homeostasis.

Most clients receiving reflexology report that their sleep patterns improve after regular reflexology sessions.

A foot reflexology session may induce relaxation and may assist with preparing the mind for sleeping.  Reflexology is not just a foot massage; a skilled reflexologist can stimulate the reflexes in the feet via the nervous system.

The ancient technique of reflexology is one of the most popular and powerful non-invasive natural treatments available.  For example, in Denmark, reflexology is a patient’s first choice of therapy.

Reflexology is not a cure for insomnia, but it may help prepare and relax the mind for sleep and the effects may take time to work with a course of sessions.  The benefits of reflexology are relaxing the body to aid and prepare for sleep and to assist the body in the renewal and, more importantly, the self-healing process.

Joints, managing pain and inflammation as you age outrageously well

For many people as they age, aches and pains seem to be part of the equation. Sometimes it’s a result of earlier sporting greatness on the netball court or football field and other times it can be a result of poor posture, long years of physical work and more recently too many hours of sitting in front of a computer screen.

Regardless of the cause there are a few options that will assist in reducing the aches and pains. There are diet and lifestyle strategies which can make a big difference as well as bodywork treatments.

First priority in improving joints and probably the most important area to consider is exercise, generally this is the best researched area to reduce pain and improve mobility. Importantly if you have a particular area of concern it’s a good idea to work with someone to build a graded exercise program and gradually build up strength and flexibility. Options could include pilates, yoga, physiotherapy, or specific programs such as Better Bones. Pilates semi-private classes usually involve a small group and may give you additional support in ensuring you are doing exercises safely.  Other alternatives could be working with an exercise physiologist or a physiotherapist to design a programme.

If you haven’t exercised much historically one of the easiest options to start with is walking. Start with a ten minute walk round the block or around an oval and then gradually increase the distance you are walking. Even small increases in activity building to 4,000 steps a day will assist in reducing inflammation and the subsequent aches and pains.

Second pillar of supporting your joints is improving your diet and including foods and supplements to provide you with the nutrients needed. Many people talk about fish oils and turmeric for inflammation and pain. For the quantity needed from fish oils you probably need to be including four to five fish meals a week. It can be quite difficult however having trialled a six week period of eating tuna every day for lunch (and you really want more variety) it did improve my skin as well as my overall health, so this one is a great option from diet. Turmeric needs the equivilant of 5g a day so its more difficult to include and its usually recommended you look for a good quality supplement.

In addition to the good quality essential fatty acids and turmeric reviewing your diet to see if there are foods which make your joint pain worse is very helpful. Typically you need to be including a minimum of three cups a day of vegetables as well as a small amount of good quality protein to provide yourself with the nutrients to heal and repair. Some foods can make joint pain worse and it can be surprising options for people. For example if you are prone to gout, foods high in purines (shellfish, asparagus and mushrooms) can be problematic. Ideally track your diet for a week and record symptoms to see if there is a correlation. Usually increasing the amount of fruit and vegetables in the diet and decreasing processed food will see an improvement in the levels of aches and pains as well as your overall health.

Depending on the issue with your joints the addition of either collagen as a supplement or regular intake of bone broth can also see significant improvement. Traditional bone broths are made by boiling bones with aromatic vegetables, water, apple cider vinegar and a little salt. This extracts the collagen, glucosamine and chondroitin from the bones. Making bone broth from the bones and connective tissue is a good way to ensure that all of the animal is utilised for those who choose to eat animal products.

Good bone broth or stock is often the base for soups and stews but it can also be drunk as a warm drink daily for joint and gut health.

The third area to consider is some form of supportive bodywork therapy. Generally if the problem is structural its ideal if you can be assessed by a chiropractor or osteopath. They support patients with manual therapy interventions including exercise prescription and education to improve movement and reduce pain. They can also recommend appropriate treatment going forward whether its remedial massage or some more gentle therapies such as lymphatic massage, reflexology and craniosacral therapy.

  • Lymphatic is a gentle style of massage which works on the superficial lymph structures that sit below the skin. This is ideal for anyone recovering from surgery or an injury with significant swelling. The gentle flowing strokes can assist to improve the flow of lymph and reduce swelling and pain.
  • Reflexology involves working on the feet and may assist with pain management through pressure on the soles in areas related to the underlying source of pain. Reflexology assists with circulation and increases the flood of blood and nutrients around the body.
  • Craniosacral therapy is a type of bodywork that relieves compression in the bones of the head, sacrum and spine. It’s thought that through the gentle manipulation of the bones in the skull, spine, and pelvis, the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the central nervous system can be balanced which then improve the body’s ability to heal.

To really address aching joints its important that you know what has created the issue and then gradually implement the strategies discussed above. Dietary change is probably the most affordable step, followed by a graded exercise program and then if budget allows add in some supportive bodywork.

Reflexology Therapy for Stress – And Many Other Benefits

In recent decades, reflexology as an ancient form of natural healing, has become increasingly popular in the mainstream. If you’re wondering what’s behind the rise and rise of reflexology as a complementary kind of holistic therapy, it’s because of its many modern-day benefits.

From irritable bowel to insomnia to stress, a reflexologist accesses energy pathways in your body by working with your feet or hands to help improve your overall health and wellbeing.

And because reflexology is non-intrusive, low risk, and without known side effects, it’s easy to understand why so many people try it out and then choose to continue with this natural therapy for months, and even for years.

What is reflexology?

With a history dating back to ancient Egypt to Chinese medicine to modern Western practice, reflexology is in today’s mainstream as a specialised form of complementary therapy.

The basic principle of modern reflexology (also known as zone theory or zone therapy), is that by applying pressure to various reflex points in your feet or hands, a reflexologist is able to remove energy blockages. This promotes health in corresponding parts of your body or organs, rebalancing your nervous system and releasing endorphins so you’ll feel energised and rejuvenated. For the best results, reflexology should be done on a regular basis (which is something your therapist will guide you on).

And while a reflexologist won’t give you medical advice, reflexology can help support traditional medicine as a complementary treatment. Reflexology is also proven to be an alternative natural option for non-life threatening chronic conditions.

Reflexology is not…

In understanding all that reflexology is, it’s key to know what it is not.

Reflexology is not a foot massage. It is a highly specialised form of holistic treatment, accessing problem areas in your body through pressure points on your feet or hands.

Reflexology is also not a medical solution. Although it often provides an alternative approach to mild health issues reflexology doesn’t replace mainstream medicine for acute conditions. Although a highly skilled reflexologist will be able to pick up on things and provide treatment for ailments and disorders.

The many benefits of reflexology

Reflexology has many known benefits which can help in various ways. While each case is uniquely different, a reflexologist can help with:

  • Digestive problems
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Hormone imbalance
  • Muscular spasms
  • Tension

Additional benefits of reflexology include:

  • Treating arthritis
  • Sinus issues
  • Migraines
  • Easing back and nerve pain
  • Boosting the immune system
  • Enhancing overall wellbeing and mood
  • Improving quality of life

What to expect in your treatment

To start, your specialised reflexologist will get a full understanding of your medical history, lifestyle and specific requirements. As a compassionate and natural healer, your reflexologist will assess and then treat conditions through your body, applying pressure using thumbs and fingers on certain reflex points on your feet or hands which correspond to different parts of your body or organs.

Sessions are generally 30 or 60 minutes. Wear comfortable clothes (which you’ll keep on), just removing shoes and socks. While reflexology can be soothing, it is sometimes painful – which means your reflexologist is getting to the core of the issue – a positive step towards whole-body healing.

By balancing your body, reflexology promotes overall wellbeing from toe to head. To find out how we can help you, or to learn more about our specialised reflexologists and their customised approach make contact or book now.

Reflexology for Nursing Home Residents with Mild Dementia – Information for carers and nursing staff

Young hands holding old hands

About 36 million people live with dementia worldwide and the World Health Organisation predicts 66 million will have dementia by 2030 and more than 115 million in 2050, which will impact on all health systems worldwide.

What can Reflexology offer to make a positive difference to someone living with dementia? There are a growing number of research studies and trials in relation to reflexology. One paper by Nancy A Hodgson RN PHD CS, and Susan Andersen, B.S., C.H.E.S The clinical efficacy of reflexology in nursing home residents with dementia, The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2008;14(3) indicated “the findings support preliminary evidence that reflexology treatments may be beneficial in the management of distress in nursing home residents with mild to moderate stage dementia”.

Nancy’s results demonstrated a significantly greater decrease in symptoms of pain, depression and physiologic measures of stress for the residents given reflexology treatment, than for those in the control group. The conclusion was that “these clinical findings support the use of reflexology in nursing home residents with mild/moderate dementia.”

Dementia can also include Alzheimer’s disease and every condition experienced can have the potential to respond favourably to a therapeutic and loving touch.

My experience is that there are many stages of dementia. Some patients are aware of their slow decline in cognition while other patients experience a rapid decline. Some can suffer audible or visual hallucinations and delusions, causing severe fear and anxiety. Some confabulate and truly believe what they are recalling. Some may not communicate at all.

There is nearly always an underlying depression or anxiety as well. As the disease progresses, simple communication can be difficult. Patients can also become disorientated, agitated, non-compliant and unsettled.

If you work in a nursing home, are caring for a loved one with dementia or are a massage therapist, you should consider this wonderful therapy for people living with dementia.

As a Reflexologist, I can attest to the efficacy of calming the emotions of a dementia patient in a nursing home environment.  Recently I had a moving experience with my 89 year old father-in-law when visiting him in the nursing home.  When we arrived he was upset, confused, extremely agitated and non-compliant with nursing staff. After 10 minutes of giving him the loving touch of hand reflexology he was settled, calm with eyes closed, then sleeping.  Nursing staff were amazed at the change in him in such a short period of time.

Foot Reflexology or Hand Reflexology?

Confused older people living with dementia may become distressed if their shoes and socks are removed for foot reflexology.

The hands, however, are a natural option to comfort and massage, especially if a carer or relative is involved.

Why?

Hand Reflexology is the better option, rather than foot reflexology and is much gentler for the dementia patient. Reflex points on the hands can be worked frequently and without side effects.  It can be gently introduced to the patient as no items of clothing or shoes need to be removed. This treatment is non-invasive, and this loving touch is very relaxing and therapeutic for the elderly. It may even calm the mind and emotions, especially for patients suffering from anxiety.

A reflexologist can discretely work all the systems of the body whilst performing gentle and specific reflexology massage. It may also relieve any aches and pains they have. This will give them a better feeling of wellbeing, which may in turn lift their mood. Never underestimate the power of therapeutic touch.

Deborah offers short training sessions on hand reflexology for therapists, relatives, carers and nursing staff. She demonstrates simple but effective hand techniques, together with methods of helping relax and calm a person living with dementia.

Some relatives feel powerless when visiting their loved ones who do not respond or communicate easily. Nursing staff may gain valuable techniques to use in various situations, when the person may become distressed, anxious or agitated.

Dementia is one of the greatest medical challenges of the 21st century and I believe that the complementary therapy of reflexology should be considered, alongside other modalities and treatments. It offers valuable support to dementia patents and those who care for them.

References:

  1. Booth, Lynne HMAR Reflexology and Dementia paper boothvrt.com
  2. Hodgson, Nancy A, RN, PhD, CS: Andersen S The clinical efficacy of reflexology in nursing home residents with dementia The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2008; 14(3)

Your health and wellbeing through the eyes of a Reflexologist

Reflexology treament

In combination with exercise and a healthy diet, regular Reflexology treatments may be a natural path to restoring and maintaining optimum health and wellbeing.

Reflexology is great for all ages and if your body is out of equilibrium, then reflexology is good for you. You don’t have to be sick to receive the benefits of reflexology. It is a great way to help maintain your body’s health and wellbeing.

Reflexology is based on the principle that reflex areas in the feet and hands correspond with all parts of the body, including organs and glands. By stimulating or relaxing these reflexes, a response is initiated via the nervous system. It is a gentle non-intrusive touch therapy applied to specific areas of the feet and hands.

Reflexology will stimulate the body to activate its own healing abilities. The intention of a reflexologist is to bring about harmony and balance and a state of wellbeing to the person, to improve what was out of balance or homeostasis.

The human body is highly intelligent and has a remarkable built-in self-correcting system. The goal of reflexology is to re-educate, re-pattern and re-condition nerves so that the body can heal itself by using that self-correcting system.

Some of the benefits of reflexology:

  • Affects and enhances all body systems
  • May relieve pain
  • May reduce stress, relaxing the body and mind and balancing the nervous system
  • May improve circulation
  • May boost the lymphatic and immune systems
  • May increase the body’s natural healing processes
  • Works well with all natural therapies

It is important to remember that a reflexologist does not diagnose or prescribe health conditions.

I’d like to share some interesting foot facts in the hope of you gaining a little more respect for your feet. We use our feet every day, yet we pay very little attention to them or pamper them until something goes wrong and you start to experience pain.

The amount of wear and tear that our feet have undergone depends on factors such as lifestyle, age and choice of shoes. A 10-year-old car that has been used to commute 80km 5 times per week over busy roads full of potholes will suffer more wear and tear than a similar car used infrequently and mostly for highway driving.

Interesting Foot Facts:

  • Our foot takes 10,000 steps per day
  • In our lifetime, we walk approximately 185,000 km which is about 4 times around the world!
  • Every step you take jolts the body 3 times your body weight
  • Aging, tight fitting or incorrect shoes and weight gain contribute to the wear and tear of our feet
  • There are approximately 7,000 nerve endings in each foot

If you take good care of your feet, they will give you a lifetime of pain-free service.

Your feet tell a story to a reflexologist. Common conditions including calluses, corns, cracks, bunions, hammertoe, blisters and indicators such as foot colour or temperature of your feet and your gait are part of that narrative. A reflexologist will then tailor a treatment plan to address any inflammation, congestion or circulatory problems connected with the above.

It is a misconception that reflexology is a foot massage. Massage works the muscles and associated tendons and ligaments of a particular area of the body. Reflexology specifically utilises ‘reflexes’ in the body’s extremities (feet and hands).

Do yourself a favour, contact an accredited reflexologist in your location and start your journey to improved health and wellbeing in combination with a healthy diet and exercise.

Don’t forget to ask about any special offers that may be available during Natural Medicine Week.