You've finished a long day of work, cleaning, schlepping the kids around, you name it, you've done it. You've been on your feet a lot and you would give your right arm for a foot rub. A ten minute foot rub is the ONLY thing standing between you and heaven. But is that foot massage beneficial? Is your husband really a master of reflexology and you just didn't realize it? 

Let's talk about the the differences between reflexology and the foot rub you bribe your husband to give you.

As we've said in a few previous posts, reflexology is all about aligning the body, while relaxation happens to be a pleasant side effect. In a simple comparison, a foot rub (a REAL one) focuses on stress reduction and pain relief of the foot, so more of a local treatment.

Reflexologists understand the anatomy of the body. They know the specific areas of the body to massage intensely through the feet to promote a healing response. It is specific and can only be done by a trained professional. 

A foot rub can do wonders, but reflexology can work miracles!

So what is plantar fasciitis? It is one of the most common causes of heel pain. It involves pain and inflammation of a thick band of tissue, called the plantar fascia, that runs across the bottom of your foot and connects your heel bone to your toes. It commonly causes "morning foot" which is a stabbing pain that occurs with the first few steps you take in the morning. Sound familiar? There is an actual diagnosis and even better, a way that we can treat the symptoms through reflexology!

Risk factors for plantar fasciitis are obesity, arthritis, flat feet, high arches, running or walking long distances, being a dancer and wearing high heels on a regular basis. Essentially anyone can have this problem. If you are in good shape because you are a runner or walker, you are at risk. If you are in bad shape because you aren't a runner or a walker, you are at risk.

While reflexology is subtly aligning your body, it is also triggering hormones that reduce pain and stress throughout the body. It also stretches the areas the cause plantar fasciitis, relaxing the ligaments and muscles of the foot and calf. This increases circulation and flexibility which reduces pain and inflammation. It is a cycle and reflexology can help break it!

Join us again to learn exercises you can do at home to help prevent plantar fasciitis!

Fall is in the air. You can almost tell the exact moment when it hits can't you? You walk into the grocery store to grab a gallon of milk while it is still Summer and walk out into Fall. If the crisp air, pumpkin spice lattes and colorful leaves haven't given you the tip, chances are your sinuses have. What a time to have to slow down. It feels so good, you actually want to be outside. School is in swing, tailgating for football is a must and that fall festival is getting closer and closer. The good news is that you can take your sinus issues into your own hands, literally!

We've mentioned it here before, but the hands, like the feet, are a map to every organ in your body and by gently massaging individual pressure points, you can provide the balance you need to thrive. 

So what about those sinuses? As you can see, the sinuses (in bright green on the diagram) are located at the tips of the fingers (and toes). When we are feeling the pressure, we like to gently massage the tips of each finger alternately as well as giving our lungs a little extra power by running our thumbs along the base of the fingers. It is so easy, you can do it while cooking, cleaning, watching tv, going for a walk outside, enjoying a tailgate, you name it!

Regular reflexology treatments are beneficial in regulating the hormones involved in the reproductive system. This is demonstrated not only in successful pregnancy, but also in improvements in PMS, heavy or irregular periods and painful menstruation, with patients reporting positive feelings, better relaxation, deeper sleep, improved sex drive, regular cycles, better flow and of course, in some cases, pregnancy. 

"That is all fine and great," you say, but it doesn't apply to me because I have (insert a reason here). On the contrary, studies that have been conducted on reflexology and infertility, did not take the finest of women, who were most likely to become pregnant anyways. The studies include (and some done solely on) women with polycystic ovaries, recurrent miscarriage, annovulation, dysmenorrhoea, unexplained infertility and hostile cervical mucus. And guess what? Balancing the body, releasing toxins from reproductive organs and clearing energy pathways through reflexology can help not only relieve the symptoms, if not eliminate problems altogether.

Let's talk about babies and how they get into this world. No, this isn't th ebirds and the bees talk. Watch enough television and you can have that figured out. Today we are talking about reflexology and the effects it can have on pregnancy as well as labor and delivery.

the changes a woman's body endure while pregnant, can often be overwhelming. Luckily, maternity reflexology has been effective in treating morning sickness, lack of energy, pain and discomfort, digestive disorders, heartburn, indigestion, fatigue, swollen extremities, backache, cramps and incontinence.

Studies have shown that continual treatment during  pregnancy reduced heartburn, hypertension and swelling by a sweet 50 percent. The study also used reflexology as an alternative for labor inducing drugs with much success.

In another study, first-time mothers between the ages of 20 and 25 who received reflexology regularly during their pregnancy had an average labor time of just five to six hours (with some lasting two to three hours). Many of these women did not require anesthetics during or after delivery.

Be warned that maternity reflexology is an art and should only be performed by professionals who have their certification in maternity reflexology. Without proper training, one could induce labor far too early on accident.

Lucky for you, I have my certification and have seen first-hand the benefits of reflexology during pregnancy!

Join us on Monday as we talk about reflexology and infertility!

When dealing with achy joints and painful movement, these are the areas of the feet to focus on! Refer to this foot map for the exact placement of the corresponding areas.

Arthritis is one of those things that we recommend regular treatments for. it is much easier to keep under control when the reflexes are worked often! Be Well!

The number one tell-tale sign of years starting to pile up is arthritis and joint pain. It is a constant reminder, especially in the mornings, of just how many times we have threaded a needle or ran a mile. Things that were once easy and painless are now activities we avoid at all costs because of the pain! But there is hope, symptoms can be manages and your quality of life can be improved tremendously through reflexology.

There is quite a bit of information on the subject of reflexology and arthritis, pain and stiffness, so erring on the side of caution (we never want you to get bored), we will discuss the benefits of reflexology this week, and the actual practices next week. We have to keep you coming back for more!

Want to know ways you can supplement at home in between sessions? Check back on Monday for all the details! Be well!

When you think of meditating, what do you see? Someone sitting on the floor, crosslegged, hands posed on their knees saying "OMMM" with incense burning in the background, right? And thats just TOO weird. So you don't meditate, you don't quiet you mind and you miss out on all the benefits.

Getting the most out of a reflexology session is so important. Most of us don't have sessions every day, or even weekly, so we are wanting deep, lasting results. Mindfulness Meditation (MM) is a big part of this.

MM is simply the act of being aware of what you are doing, or rather, being in the present. Simple right? It sounds simple, and really it is, but with our fast-paced lives, it can get tricky. Our days tend to look more like this: In the shower you are thinking about breakfast and getting the kids to school, while at work you think about cleaning the house and your son's baseball practice, at baseball practice, you think about what is for dinner, and during dinner you think about all the things you need to get done before bed. It is rare that we stop and think about what it is we are actually doing, and it is a shame, because that mindset leads to the rushed feeling we all struggle with!

Reflexology sessions are already designed to be a calming and relaxing experience. By approaching the session as a way to relax even more, you are going to benefit longer and more deeply.

When most people start doing reflexology they may notice that their mind wanders, thinking about things that have happened during that day, or things they need to do. It is a natural tendency, but we must work to re-focus on the reflexology session we are experiencing. Quieting the mind and spirit during reflexology adds these meditation benefits to the long lists of reflexology benefits.

Who wouldn't want this? We are so thankful for such a simple step towards complete and total health!

It's Monday! Tired? Weekend too much? Or are you energized now but know around 4 o'clock you will be wishing your desk was a pillow?

What is it all about? Say it with me. BALANCE. Do I sound like a broken record yet? But really, if you think about it, your body is telling you something when you are exhausted. Why is it that one person can work full-time, have three kids, keep a clean house, cook dinner from scratch every night, all while writing a New York Times Bestseller?  A maid. Well, maybe they do have a maid, maybe they don't. It is clear however, that they have a lot more energy than someone who can barely make it through a day without needing a nap. Try these three reflexology points to rebalance your body for more energy!

Long-term stress can fatigue the adrenal glands. Stress causes the adrenals to release adrenaline and cortisol and if you’re always stressed, your adrenals are working overtime. (Remember our talk about adrenals and weight gain?)

The reflexology point for the adrenals is located right below the pad of your feet at the top center of your soles. To massage this point, use the knuckle of your index finger. Press into the point and then twist your wrist back and forth as if you’re turning a door knob. Massage for 15 to 30 seconds at a time, up to a total of 2 minutes two to three times a week.

The Thyroid 

Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones, slowing down your metabolism. Low thyroid function can cause people to feel tired, sluggish and depressed.

The reflexology point for the thyroid is the curve just below the ball of your foot. To massage this point, use the knuckle of your index finger. Start at the top of the ball of the foot just under the point between the big toe and the second toe. Press into this point and follow the curve of the ball of your foot with your knuckle until you reach the inside edge of the foot. Then repeat. Massage for between 15 to 20 strokes.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Kidneys are considered “the root of life.” Essentially everything that can feel like depression, tiredness, weakness, lack of energy can be attributed to the kidneys.

You’ve got a kidney reflexology point on each foot. It’s located on the sole of the foot. To find this point, imagine a horizontal line dividing your foot in half from the tip of your big toe to the base of your heel. It is located right below the adrenal pressure point.

To massage this point, press it with your thumb and rub up and down. If you feel extra-sensitive spots, press deeply and massage in small circles. Alternately, you can use your knuckles to rub in an up and down motion.

There is no "quick fix" for energy, unless you buy it in a bottle, and those are worse for you than having no energy at all! Keep practicing. Day by day your body will feel more and more energized. You will surprise yourself with how much you can accomplish when your body is balanced!