By Irene Mykoliw, OTR/L

If I am to summarize my experience in learning and practicing Reflexology in one expression it would be “wow and how amazing”, referring to the overall make up of the human body and of its own miraculous recovery process.

Background information:

I have a license to practice Occupational Therapy (also known as OT), an Allied Health Profession concerned with helping people of all ages to better perform those tasks that occupy their time. For children, this typically means playing and learning, as well as eating, dressing, grooming, relating and learning.

The OT objective is to assist in improving a child’s overall ability to attend, develop play, gross motor/visual/fine motor skills progressively, preparing them for academic challenges as they grow older…

When I ventured in working with the pediatric population, from 1993 ages 2 – 8 at a center based special education program until now, I noticed that children who had significant sensory processing interferences, due to a particular diagnosis, responded well to compression applied to their joints (one of the techniques OT use) and massage techniques to their feet and legs. They evidenced less agitation and increased calmness allowing some kind of therapeutic intervention to be done.

I attended a weekend reflexology workshop in 2002… finishing in March 2008 and what an enlightening and rewarding experience.

I began applying my learned reflexology techniques with my current young population (ages 2 to 3 ½ years) and thus experienced a profound inner change beyond my wildest dreams, especially with one little girl I will call Jay.

A Heart warming and moving Story:

From the time Jay arrived at the center all we heard were cries…

Jay has a compromised sensory processing ability. She had difficulty in transitioning from her parents, from one task to another, one place to another displaying crying and avoidance behavior, (either by closing her eyes, sliding down her chair, running to the door, or simply plopping her body to floor).

In the therapy room, Jay would cry and run from one area to another and to the door making displeased sounds.

I began trying basic [reflexology] relaxation techniques in November, which she seemed to tolerate for about 1 minute, when she allowed me to touch her feet with a playful approach of singing “tickle, tickle feet”, with a combination of other words.

-2-

Practicing Reflexology with Special Needs Children: A Life Transformation

I continued to work on Jay for about two minutes incorporating joint compression techniques at the hips and knees. It was in 3rd week of February of 2008 that a shift began to occur. One day I heard her cry for most of the classroom time (1 hour and 1/2), because of a different program trial application the teacher was enforcing. She was scheduled to see me before leaving for home, the remaining half hour.

I looked at her and she looked very tired from her ordeal. Jay was brought to the therapy room and I placed her on a large round pillow. The only recourse I had was applying reflexology relaxation and thumb/finger walking techniques.

She allowed me to work on her, beginning with relaxation techniques without fidgeting. I noticed a change in her facial expression with a curious gaze and progressed with thumb walking doing a general session, tolerating 3 minutes.

I sensed tenderness in adrenal glands on both feet and eased up the pressure. She stopped crying and presented to be less agitated, by standing and walking around as well as interacting with toy[s] I presented.

The next day, I made a point to ask the staff how did Jay perform with her trials and they replied more responsive than ever.

I began to incorporate at least 5 minutes to both feet each time I saw her, 2 x weekly for approximately 6 minutes depending on her tolerance) for another 3 months and for 7-10 minutes the remaining months until August 29th when she graduated from this program.

The outcomes were amazing.

For 7 months I would know when Jay came into the building, hearing her unique crying sounds. One afternoon I did not hear her and asked a teacher in passing whether Jay was in. She was. And so, the next remainder months no signs of her crying were heard when she arrived.

Jay’s initial behaviors:

Jay presented with minimum eye contact, difficulty in transitioning from one place to another, from one task to another, avoidance by closing her eyes, sliding down her chair and/or running to the door, crying and resisted to sit for table top fine motor tasks.

Behavioral changes noted:

Jay made great eye contact, smiled, initiated climbing on obstacle course, allowed to be directed to tasks at the table and fine-motor activities, grasping markers and briefly scribbling, stacking shapes, tolerating sensory overload in a crowded room.

One day, she walked toward divider doors adjacent to another therapy room, pushed the doors ajar, walked into that room and looked at 2 therapists present.That is an incredible feat for her. (I can describe it like a person who is afflicted with agoraphobia opening the door to take a walk around the block without fear).

The ultimate highlight was at her graduation day at the end of August (she aged out from the Early Intervention Program and onto the next level, Preschool). With the little ones presenting a rehearsed song to their parents, Jay sat and took in all with a smile at first and then a punched looked due to sensory overload from all the happenings in the room. When the ceremony was finished, it was time for her session with me.

I no longer needed to guide her to begin an activity. She immediately went to a suspended swing sat down and slowly moved herself with her feet. As a therapist, I interpret this as self-regulating skill, ability to calm herself. (Prior all the calming was adapted externally by the team with various strategies). I sat down and began to apply reflexology techniques, but she pulled away gently, as if to savior her quiet moment). I respected her cue. (The room was quiet. I experienced such gratitude for this added tool to use in my profession, which Jay clearly benefited from).

Both parents presented a Thank You card reading: “Your work with Jay has made such a difference for her. We love the way she is so much more aware and interactive with people and the environment and ready to explore and be adventurous. It’s Wonderful to see. Many thanks”….

Summary:

This experience has impacted me deeply, witnessing improved behaviors and responses from other “little” clients. One child who had difficulty sitting still and attending, showed calmness for 2 minutes immediately and every session lifted his foot for me to work on his feet. He followed directions and sat for fine motor activities until it was time to leave.

The stories go on.

Although, sensory integration techniques serve the children therapeutically, I have observed that the effects of applying reflexology facilitated a quicker calming effect.

Without getting too technical, the children I work with evidence developmental delays due to a compromised nervous system for one unknown reason or another.They experience a high stress level, showing anxious behaviors and evidence being in a “fright or flight” mode, (the function of the sympathetic nervous system).

In applying reflexology techniques over a period of time, a change in their response to environmental and program demands are noticed by staff, eliciting a calming and attentive state (the function of the parasympathetic nervous system), which opens up for the learning process to occur.

My advanced studies in reflexology added another dimension in understanding the body mechanics, how the systems work, communicate with each other has sharpened my skills as a clinician. Reflexology is certainly complimenting my OT training contributing to a sense of being well rounded. The experience is priceless to observe the little relaxed expressions during their reflexology session and the growing changes that occur along the way.

I end this article with gratitude.

November 1, 2008

Wendy’s note:

All I can say is “wow and how amazing”. Thank you Irene.

Enjoy your wonderful reflexology skills.

Wendy Coad – Online health and reflexology expert and the “Reflexology Professor” publishes the popular “Reflexology Secrets, Tips and Techniques” weekly email newsletter to subscribers from around the world. If you’re ready to enjoy health, express creativity, gain knowledge and skyrocket your reflexology or holistic health career, get your FREE tips now at http://www.reflexologyprof.com and join us at the top right corner.

To your reflexology success -

Reflex, Live Long and Prosper,

Creator of the Mega Reflexology Training

“THE FOOT FACTOR PROGRAM”

Reflexology and Children with Developmental Delays is a post from: Reflexology Success

Last week I wrote Part I of this article “Reflexology and Carpal Tunnel”

If you want to read Part I go to: www.ReflexologySuccess.com where past articles are available.

It’s what every reflexologist needs to know and included:
- Anatomy

- Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome

- Causes

- Risks associated with the disease

- Diagnosis

This week I’ll continue with:

- Treatment

- Non-surgical treatments

- Exercise, and

- What Can Reflexology Do?

Part II

Treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome vary and should begin as early as possible, under a doctor’s direction.

Underlying causes such as diabetes or arthritis should be treated first.

If there is inflammation, applying cool packs can help reduce swelling.

Non-surgical treatments

There are a couple of homeopathic creams that might help the symptoms:

Brands like Traumeel (a calendula and arnica based ointment) and Topricin (with 11 homeopathic ingredients) have both shown effectiveness and are available in many health food stores.

In special circumstances, various drugs can ease the pain and swelling associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. NSAIDS such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonprescription pain relievers, may ease symptoms that have been present for a short time or have been caused by strenuous activity.

Alternative support therapies – Hand Reflexology, Acupuncture and Chiropractic care have benefited so me patients. (The problem could be caused or exaserbated by even a slight misalignment of the carpals)

Exercise – Stretching and strengthening exercises can be helpful in people whose symptoms have abated.

Doctors will sometimes suggest that one wear a wrist splint (can be purchased at most drugstores) to keep the wrist in a neutral position at rest. Splinting is usually tried for a period of 4-6 weeks.

What can Reflexology Do?

As a reflexologist, why would I even care about carpal tunnel syndrome if it’s not my job to fix it? Well, I do care, but my primary considerations are the reflexes.

Remember, if you or anyone you know even thinks they have this problem – it’s very important they get the appropriate medical attention.

And, I’m repeating myself here too – with any illness, stress is always a factor. Rest is important and the stress relief that Hand Reflexology brings is a wonderful component to any health maintenance regime.

If carpal tunnel is acute (meaning it hurts or it’s active now) you won’t want to work on the area directly.

There are a lot of things to know and even more to think a bout. Be very careful with any nerve impingement.

I’ve learned this from my own experience – nerves do not like to be irritated – because it just make them, well, crankier. Not good.

If you’re trained in Hand Reflexology you know that there are some very specific strategies to support the body in its own healing process.

And, what about the reflexes?

Good point. There are specific reflexes in the area and as a good reflexologist, you need to also be focused on the systems of the body.

Be curious about these reflex area – does the client also have sciatica? Do they have any reproductive or digestive issues?

Inherent in the Hand Reflexology techniques (I can’t say what others teach… maybe – not this much) are techniques that will let you work safely to relax the hand.

And, what if you don’t have this specific training? – I suggest that you work the good hand and the opposite foot – or the ears.

The benefits of reflexology can be nothing short of amazing.

And, it’s never been more apparen t than in the UK where an British media article from 2004 reports that; “According to a survey conducted on behalf of Yellow Pages…, the number of high street greengrocers has declined by almost 60 per cent in 10 years, while the number of reflexologists is up over 800 per cent.”

I rest my case.

As always, there’s so much more I’d like to share with you. I’ll be adding more great reflexology info
rmation in future newsletters.

Here’s to your good session (and business) health!

Enjoy your wonderful reflexology skills.

Wendy Coad – Online health and reflexology expert and the “Reflexology Professor” publishes the popular “Reflexology Secrets, Tips and Techniques” weekly email newsletter to subscribers from around the world. If you’re ready to enjoy health, express creativity, gain knowledge and skyrocket your reflexology or holistic health career, get your FREE tips now at http://www.reflexologyprof.com and join us at the top right corner.

To your reflexology success -

Reflex, Live Long and Prosper,

Creator of the Mega Reflexology Training

“THE FOOT FACTOR PROGRAM”

Reflexology and Carpal Tunnel – What Every Reflexologist Needs to Know! Part II is a post from: Reflexology Success

You’ve heard me say this over and over again – reflexologists don’t treat, don’t prescribe and don’t diagnose. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t know what’s going on.

Clients often hope that reflexology will be a magic bullet to their health woes. I can’t say it will be, and I can’t help but smile too.

Why? Because, most people report a reduction in pain and/or symptoms (for just about any condition in the body) with Hand Reflexology. That’s true for local issues on the hands too – even though they’re not our intended destination.

This is important – let me explain.

Carpal tunnel syndrome has probably been around since the beginning of time. It’s hallmark is pain and discomfort in the hand and even weakness in the forearm. The most likely cause is a nerve that’s being compressed in your wrist. As a medical condition, it can lead to numbness, wrist pain, parasthesia and weakness in the area.

There are 3 nerves that cross the wrist into the hand, but only two move through the carpal tunnel. One is the median nerve, which is responsible for sensation to the palm, the thumb and next three fingers (but not the little finger). This important nerve controls impulses to the muscles of the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to coordinate their movements.

Common causes of carpal tunnel syndrome are from irritation or thickening from injury or swelling in the wrist which narrows the tunnel. When this happens, it can cause the median nerve to be compressed.

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome

Most often the symptoms of carpal tunnel will occur only in the parts of the hand supplied by the median nerve which include the first three fingers and half the fourth but not the little finger. This is useful to know because if the little finger is not affected, this may be taken as a positive sign for carpal tunnel syndrome, and not ulnar nerve compression.

Reports are that symptoms start gradually and are described as a burning sensation or an itching or numbness in the palm of the hand and the fingers. The thumb, the index finger and the middle fingers are also implicated.

Some symptoms to watch out for are:

Pain in the fingers (less commonly in the palm), weakness, numbness or tingling in the hand

Forearm, wrist or palm pain

Pain or numbness that intensifies more at night than during the day. Some have reported that the pain will wake them from sleep and require them to shake out their hand or rub it to get some relief.

An increase in pain the more the wrist or hand is used

Difficulty gripping things

Thumb weakness

Fact: The incidence of carpal tunnel is three times more likely to occur in women than in men (possibly because the carpal tunnel in women may be smaller).

Causes

The causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are thought to be due to repetitive motions, work conditions or a number of other underlying medical problems.

Other causes that could lead to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome are:

Inflammatory diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis at the wrist

Diabetes or other endocrine disorders including hypothyroidism

Pregnancy

Wrist injury or fracture

Even alcoholism

Risk associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The following are risk factors associated with the development of carpal tunnel syndrome:

Intense or direct pressure to the wrist

Repetition

Compression or a blow of high force

A joint position that is awkward

Too much or prolonged vibration

Working for too long in a constrained position

Poor ergonomics

Diagnosis

If you, or your client has some or all of these symptoms – unless you’re a medical professional you cannot diagnose it.

In fact, when a client tells me they have carpal tunnel syndrome I always ask who made the diagnosis. It makes a difference whether it was a doctor or a specialist – or their aunt Betty or someone at the local gym.

There are a few simple tests that can be done to check general function of the wrist (you’ll learn those in the Hand Reflexology Workshop and more). This will help emphasize the importance for your client to seek the appropriate medical help.

Of course, early diagnosis and treatment are important to avoid risking damage to the median nerve (which at some point may become permanent).

A doctor will examine the neck, shoulders, hands and arms to see if the patient’s complaints are due to an underlying pathology or to activities.

In addition to examining the wrist for signs of swelling, tenderness, heat or discoloration each finger will also be tested for pain and sensation and the muscles at the heel of the hand will also be tested for strength and examined for signs of atrophy.

The routinly used laboratory tests and X-rays can be instrumental in revealing underlying issues such as fractures, arthritis and diabetes.

Treatment… to be continued next week.

As always, there’s so much more I’d like to share with you. I’ll be continuing with more great Hand Reflexology information in the next newsletter.

Or, take the last spot in my 2012 Hand Reflexology Workshop.

Here’s to your reflexology health!

Enjoy your wonderful Reflexology skills.

© Wendy Coad
Wendy Coad – Online health and reflexology expert and the “Reflexology Professor” publishes the popular “Reflexology Secrets, Tips and Techniques” weekly email newsletter to subscribers from around the world. If you’re ready to enjoy health, express creativity, gain knowledge and skyrocket your reflexology or holistic health career, get your FREE tips now at http://www.ReflexologyProf.com and join us at the top right corner.

To your reflexology success -

Reflex, Live Long and Prosper,

Creator of the Mega Reflexology Training

“THE FOOT FACTOR PROGRAM”

Reflexology and Carpal Tunnel – What every Reflexologist Needs to Know! is a post from: Reflexology Success

It was called “The Foot Book” by Dr. Seuss.

It’s a delightful little book and I recommend it as an addition to your reflexology library.

Well, this quote is not actually from the book I mentioned above, but I think that Dr. Seuss had a lot of wisdom to add to the feet and this is a great example.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the guy who’ll decide where to go.”

- Dr. Seuss
Enjoy your wonderful reflexology skills.

Wendy Coad – Online health and reflexology expert and the “Reflexology Professor” publishes the popular “Reflexology Secrets, Tips and Techniques” weekly email newsletter to subscribers from around the world. If you’re ready to enjoy health, express creativity, gain knowledge and skyrocket your reflexology or holistic health career, get your FREE tips now at http://www.ReflexologyProf.com and join us at the top right corner.

To your reflexology success -

Reflex, Live Long and Prosper,

Creator of the Mega Reflexology Training

“THE FOOT FACTOR PROGRAM”

Dr. Seuss Foot Quote is a post from: Reflexology Success

My first offering will most likely be my full Reflexology and Meridians workshop.

It takes a lot of time and effort to put everything into a video format, but I think that it’s well worth it, especially with a fascinating subject like meridians. It’s a subject, like reflexology, that has ancient roots.

And why would a reflexologist want to study the meridians?

Well, for one reason half of the 12 pairs of meridians in the body, begin or end on the feet and the other half begin or end on the hands.

Whether you know it or not, when you give a reflexology session, you are also covering many meridians.

If you’ve ever learned an oriental exercise (chi gong, tai chi) or bodywork technique (shiatsu, acupressure, anma) you know that the foundation of all of them, in their theory and practice includes the meridians.

Have you ever wondered, as you practice your reflexology, why you’re noticing something (especially on the top of the foot) that just doesn’t match your reflex map?

Welcome to “Meridian Land”.

You can ignore it and continue to do great reflexology, but by paying attention, you can combine the best of both worlds and offer even greater results to your clients.

And so, why wouldn’t you? The meridians are already there ready to access and add yet another layer of healing support to your session.

To give you an example, one of my favorite meridian points is “stomach 41”. It’s located at the mid-point of the dorsal ankle crease.

For a long time I felt that there was more to the “fallopian tube/vas deferens reflex” because so many clients who had no issues there, still responded to the reflex. Until I connected it to the meridians it remained somewhat of a mystery.

What does the meridian “stomach 41” support? Abdominal disorders, cramps, dizziness, headaches vertigo, ankle joints… for starters.

Now, you may already have some background in oriental medicine. I’ve had many acupuncturists take my reflexology classes and I will always acknowledge that the meridians and all that surrounds them runs much deeper and much more complicated than what I’m discussing here.

You can study the meridians and oriental medicine for years and still just be touching the surface.

But, I do believe that with the knowledge we have about the reflexes, and with some understanding of the meridians that are found on the hands and the feet, we can elevate our skills even higher.

And, that’s what I love about reflexology.

Enjoy your wonderful Reflexology skills.

© Wendy Coad

Wendy Coad – Online health and reflexology expert and the “Reflexology Professor” publishes the popular “Reflexology Secrets, Tips and Techniques” weekly email newsletter to subscribers from around the world. If you’re ready to enjoy health, express creativity, gain knowledge and skyrocket your reflexology or holistic health career, get your FREE tips now at http://www.ReflexologyProf.com and join us at the top right corner.

To your reflexology success -

Reflex, Live Long and Prosper,

Creator of the Mega Reflexology Training

“THE FOOT FACTOR PROGRAM”

Reflexology and Meridians is a post from: Reflexology Success

The condition targets athletes mostly, but can also come from wearing high heels – - my mother does/did neither.

The podiatrist fitted her with an orthotic – basically a glorified metatarsal pad – which she was told to wear for a month before she felt relief.

Relief never came.

A shot was next. Again, no relief ever came.

Upon doing research for a more holistic approach to treating this seemingly unresolved condition, I came across an anti-inflammatory enzyme which yielded amazing results for other Morton neuroma sufferers: serrapeptase.

After checking with her pharmacist and primary care doctor, my mother began a dosage of one pill every morning. Having already been a patient of acupuncture, she went two times a week for three weeks then down to one time a week thereafter with the focus being on the neuroma.

In conjunction with these approaches, a weekly reflexology session began. The following maps out the protocol used:

Week 1:

Regular session, avoiding any pressure other than a gentle touch on the neuroma and any warm up techniques involving the metatarsal heads on affected foot. Emphasis on the spinal and sciatic reflexes.

Week 2:

Regular session with emphasis again on spinal and sciatic reflexes. This week applied a moderate pressure by a thumb walk around the neuroma, not directly on it.

Week 3:

Repeat of previous weeks on session. Moderate pressure by thumb walking around the neuroma. Moderate pressure on neuroma, with circular motion with light pressure.

Week 4:

Repeat of preview weeks on session with emphasis more on neuroma since more pressure can be had without much pain from client.

Thumb walked entire neuroma with vertical and lateral thumb walks. Thumb walk around the neuroma, then thumb walk diagonal and horizontal towards the lateral aspect of the foot.

Moderate pressure with a hook and back-up for several repeats, depending on pain tolerance. Finished with gentle circular motion and a thumb slide towards the lateral aspect of the foot.

Week 5 – Forward:

Regular session with more emphasis on the neuroma. Neuroma sequence as follows:

• Thumb walk neuroma with upward and medial and lateral side walks
• Rotation on the neuroma point (the very center of the neuroma) with pressure tolerable to a 3. Pause on point for a count of ten. Rotate on point for a count of ten. Repeat five times
• Butterfly around neuroma (thumb walk with both thumbs walking on point alternatively – - fluttering effect)
• Butterfly on neuroma in a lateral and vertical fashion with as firm pressure as tolerable
• Thumb slides towards heads of metatarsals
• Thumb slides towards lateral aspect of foot
• Thumb walk neuroma
• Medium to firm pressure on neuroma point for count of ten
• Inversion – Eversion

Each week past the fifth week, the pressure used was more firm and became increasingly more tolerable by the client. The neuroma size began to shrink and may have moved to the fourth metatarsal, bordering the fifth (the possible effect of thumb sliding towards the lateral aspect of the foot).

Along with the daily wear of an orthotic shoe, my mother’s holistic approach of the reflexology as sequenced above, the daily dosage serraptese, and acupuncture began around November 20, 2011 and had the following results:

*By December 10, the burning sensation common with Morton’s Neuroma had subsided greatly, along with the feeling of walking on marbles. My mother, who had previously been unable to walk a mere two blocks to the supermarket, was at this point able to walk and do some grocery shopping.

*By January 1, 2012 she was able to take the train into Manhattan and walk around with very little pain at the end of the day in her foot.

*By January 29, I felt the neuroma “moving its’ way out” between the 3rd and 4th metarsals and felt smaller in size.

*On February 23, after a check-up with her podiatrist she was prescribed to “keep doing what you’re doing” – though he equated her healing with the orthotics and suggested she be the poster child for them. Ha!

- Elizabeth B.

Professor’s note: Thanks for sharing this with all!

© Wendy Coad

Enjoy your wonderful reflexology skills.

Wendy Coad – Online health and reflexology expert and the “Reflexology Professor” publishes the popular “Reflexology Secrets, Tips and Techniques” weekly email newsletter to subscribers from around the world. If you’re ready to enjoy health, express creativity, gain knowledge and skyrocket your reflexology or holistic health career, get your FREE tips now at http://www.ReflexologyProf.com and join us at the top right corner.

To your reflexology success -

Reflex, Live Long and Prosper,

Creator of the Mega Reflexology Training

“THE FOOT FACTOR PROGRAM”

Reflexology and Morton’s Neuroma is a post from: Reflexology Success

When and if you get a moment could you say something to me about fallen arches (…the left one).

… discovered it was the author of that whole on-going adventure in December with my.. knee. Is there hope?

- Barry

Hi Barry,

Glad to hear that the mystery is solved, sorry about your foot though.

I knew someone with flat feet who got his arches back through exercise. As I recall the exercise centered around toning the “tibialis anterior” (toe raises) and lengthening the “peroneous longus” (rolling onto the outside of your feet).

There’s a lot implicated in fallen arches. Bones cannot stay in or out of place without the help of the ligaments, tendons and muscles that surround them.

Ligaments, once overstretched don’t often go back to their original length, tendons maybe a little bit, but muscles have a lot of potential because of their elasticity.

I think that’s your best bet – exercises and also check for trigger points in the “peroneus longus” which is along the outside (lateral side) of your calf.

He did say that this was a daily exercise an that his arch stayed intact throughout the day, but if he had a particularly long day on his feet that his arches would again be flat by the time he got home in the evening. He did swear by this technique though.

If you don’t already have Clair Davies book “The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook” – time to get it, along with a tennis ball.

Also, if the [person] that helped you discover this problem is a physical therapist or kinesiologist, get them to help you with the whole picture. You can see that there might be other issues further up the system.

In my opinion, there’s definitely some work that can be done here to reduce the effects.

Best,

Wendy

I didn’t go into detail in my response, but the “peroneus longus” and the “tibialis anterior” both attach to the base of the 1st metatarsal and come from different directions.

They come together they form a “stirrup” on the plantar arch that helps support the integrety of it’s structure.

As my reflexology client, of course I’d be mostly curious about his digestive system and if there have been any change in patterns there.

© Wendy Coad

Enjoy your wonderful reflexology skills.

Wendy Coad – Online health and reflexology expert and the “Reflexology Professor” publishes the popular “Reflexology Secrets, Tips and Techniques” weekly email newsletter to subscribers from around the world. If you’re ready to enjoy health, express creativity, gain knowledge and skyrocket your reflexology or holistic health career, get your FREE tips now at http://www.ReflexologyProf.com and join us at the top right corner.

To your reflexology success -

Reflex, Live Long and Prosper,

Creator of the Mega Reflexology Training

“THE FOOT FACTOR PROGRAM”

Flat Foot Boogie is a post from: Reflexology Success

1. First, get a glass or bottle of water from the stewardess and settle in. Dehydration is one of the main factors contributing to airplane discomfort and jet lag! My favorite seats on an airplane are the aisles because I continually drink liquids (especially important on long flights).

2. Carry a small bottle of lotion (less than 3 ounces so I can take it through security). Take out the lotion and apply a small amount to the hands as part of the “warm-ups”. I work the lotion onto the dorsum, up the forearm, between the fingers and into the webs. This alone will get the blood flowing.

3. Next, work the fingers with alternating thumb and finger walking – like a pinching motion on either side of the digit. I prefer working from tip to base, again to support the “venous” return. I detail the area around the nails and finger tips.

4. Starting on the palm, thumb-walk in any direction – the one that has the most ease. I’ll definitely work more on the reflexes to the immune system; spleen, thymus and lymph (both axillary and groin) reflexes.

5. Last but not least, the dorsum. I work with a one finger-walk technique around the knuckles and then combine several fingers to “walk” the last few passes across the metacarpals an up the wrist.

Finish it up with a cradling of each finger in the opposite palm. This technique is used as a calming sequence for all the digits. To end, I hold the solar plexus points.

In the past, I’ve written about giving a woman, who was sitting next to me on a plane having a debilitating PMS attack, a soothing hand reflexology session. (You can go to my reflexology blog www.ReflexologySuccess.com to find the article and others that are archived there.)

I must confess that I’ve even given myself a foot reflexology session (working through my socks) while flying the friendly skies. Not to be done by the very shy – it did generate some lively interest from my fellow passengers. One person said that they’d become a client if they lived closer to me and all the stewardesses swooned each time they passed by.

(I too became the client of reflexologist who was giving someone foot reflexology in the public mineral-water pool at a national park. Talk about a great way to demonstrate your skills, I booked a session with her on the spot and go back regularly when I’m in the area.)

Once the plane reaches its cruising speed and the computers come out, I often look around at the business people with their laptops open, crunching the numbers as the plane soars.

I think about how lucky I am to be a reflexologist. I too am conducting business analysis, but mine is such a pleasure and so good for my health. In addition I carry all the tools I need with me where ever I go. There’s really nothing better.

© Wendy Coad

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Enjoy your wonderful reflexology skills.

Wendy Coad – Online health and reflexology expert and the “Reflexology Professor” publishes the popular “Reflexology Secrets, Tips and Techniques” weekly email newsletter to subscribers from around the world. If you’re ready to enjoy health, express creativity, gain knowledge and skyrocket your reflexology or holistic health career, get your FREE tips now at http://www.ReflexologyProf.com and join us at the top right corner.

To your reflexology success -

Reflex, Live Long and Prosper,

Creator of the Mega Reflexology Training

“THE FOOT FACTOR PROGRAM”

Airplane Reflexology is a post from: Reflexology Success

Lots of people ask if Reflexology can do anything to help Hammertoes. Remember, as Reflexologists we don’t treat, diagnose or prescribe. Having said that, I always respond to any such inquiry…YES, absolutely!

Why would I be so bold? Because I firmly believe that Reflexology can help just about anything.. Remember that Reflexology is never a substitute for medical treatment. If there is a medical problem they should go for medical help.

For my clients, I integrate all my great relaxation techniques for the toes and detail them in my session sequence. I might be curious whether they experience headaches or sinus congestion too!

Here’s what else I do. I have my client stand on a piece of paper. Have them hold onto a chair so they’re stable and have them put their full walking weight on one foot.

Then I draw the outline of that foot with a pen held at 90 degrees from the paper. Once the outline of each foot is on the paper, I’ll put one of their shoes over the paper and align it with the foot.

Usually you can see that the foot is larger than the shoe, especially at the toes.

Next, I send them to a good shoe store and tell them to take the paper with them.

The store will fit them to shoes that are a bit wider and half and inch longer than their foot. They should be snug and the heel will be low.

Try it. Your feet will thank you for years to come.

I hope you’ve enjoyed your Reflexology newsletter… tell all your friends so they can benefit from it too.

© Wendy Coad

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Enjoy your wonderful reflexology skills.

Wendy Coad – Online health and reflexology expert and the “Reflexology Professor” publishes the popular “Reflexology Secrets, Tips and Techniques” weekly email newsletter to subscribers from around the world. If you’re ready to enjoy health, express creativity, gain knowledge and skyrocket your reflexology or holistic health career, get your FREE tips now at http://www.ReflexologyProf.com and join us at the top right corner.

To your reflexology success -

Reflex, Live Long and Prosper,

Creator of the Mega Reflexology Training

“THE FOOT FACTOR PROGRAM”

The Headache of Hammertoe is a post from: Reflexology Success

I have my preference and I’m sure that you have yours. But why? Is it better to start on the left foot or start on the right?

Right away, I can tell you that the reflexologists who work both feet alternately do not have this dilemma. They do a bit of work on one foot and then they quickly move to the next, and back and forth they go. They may still have a plan for where to begin, but it won’t hold the same import as those of us who work the first foot entirely before going on to the next.

Did I hear an audible gasp? As a profession, reflexologists tend to be attached to their reflexology protocols. To many, the way they learned is the only way it’s done. Okay, if it “ain’t broke”, don’t fix it.

It would be easy to say that I start on one foot because that’s how I was taught. And, that it’s worked for me and countless others. Thousands and thousands in fact because my instructor taught for many years, I’ve been teaching for almost 20 years and many of my teacher trainees are now teaching my method.

But really, I think that the best explanation for choosing the starter foot is, preference.

Let’s look at the options – there are only two.

Starting with the right foot (as many do), since most of us are “righties” (meaning right-handed), it’s this side of the body that often holds the most tension. So, why not start of the side that may need the most attention? Good plan.

In Indian and Asian healing practices, the right-side of the body represents the yang energies, the masculine, the outward reaching, the upward moving.

And, the left side of the body represents the denser yin energy, the feminine, the inward and downward moving.

Now, I know I might be comparing apples and oranges here because these concepts are found in the eastern philosophies of both Ayurvedic and Oriental healing modalities and are not inherent in reflexology.

But, I’ve studied both Ayurveda (via Polarity Therapy) and Oriental Medicine (via Acupressure and Shiatsu) and they have definitely influenced my practice. So, when giving a reflexology session, I usually do start with the left foot, the “inward moving” or “receiving” side.

Do I always start on the left? No, not always. There are clients who have so much going on on the right side of their body that I will begin the session on the corresponding foot because I feel that the work is needed there the most.

The beauty of reflexology is – it’s not brain surgery. The body gets what the body needs. Unlike Ayurveda and Oriental medicine, where direction, and calculations rule most everything, in reflexology there is no absolute right or wrong direction, no right or wrong foot, no right or wrong protocol.

I’m not saying that how you work doesn’t ever matter. I’m saying that changing the order won’t hurt, negate or compromise to the point of negligence, the reflexology session. The one thing that I’ve learned through studying thousands of hours of different bodywork techniques is that reflexology is uniquely different. It simply and exquisitely taps into the body’s inherent wisdom so that the body can use the support it receives from reflexology to heal itself naturally.

My best advice is to say: follow your instincts. The body will get from reflexology what the body needs. I trust that above all else because that’s what I’ve observed over and over again with countless clients, students and even myself.

So pick a foot and get started.

Happy New Year from the Reflexology Professor!

Enjoy your wonderful reflexology skills.

Wendy Coad – Online health and reflexology expert and the “Reflexology Professor” publishes the popular “Reflexology Secrets, Tips and Techniques” weekly email newsletter to subscribers from around the world. If you’re ready to enjoy health, express creativity, gain knowledge and skyrocket your reflexology or holistic health career, get your FREE tips now at http://www.reflexologyprof.com and join us at the top right corner.

To your reflexology success -

Reflex, Live Long and Prosper,

Creator of the Mega Reflexology Training

“THE FOOT FACTOR PROGRAM”

The Reflexology Two-Step is a post from: Reflexology Success