Flat Feet

Flat feet are a condition where the arch of the foot appears flattened. This causes the foot to roll inwards as it contacts with the floor in support of the weight of the body, and is the main clinical feature of excessive pronation. A flat foot is a condition in which the foot doesn’t have a normal arch. It may affect one foot or both feet.

Most people have a gap between in the inner side of the foot and the ground when they are standing. This is referred to as an “arch”. Feet that have a low arch or no arch at all are referred to as flat feet or fallen arches (pes planus) and the foot may roll over to the inner aspect.

Types of Flat feet:

• Congenital flat foot is a condition that one is born with.
• Acquired flat foot, develops over time, rather than at birth and is likely to cause pain and other symptoms – sometimes including the development of arthritis in the feet.

Causes of Flat Feet

• It may be hereditary, i.e passed on through generations.
• In most cases it is caused through a biomechanical complaint (abnormal walking) such as Fore Foot Varus. This is a condition in which the subtaler joint in the foot over pronates (rolls in too much).
• A ruptured tendon (tibilias posterior) can lead to a flat foot.
• Cerebral palsy, spins bifida and muscular dystrophy can also lead to a flat foot condition.
• Trauma or injury from sports and even improper footwear can influence the foot towards pronation and eventual flattening.

Signs and symptoms

• Your feet tire easily or become painful with prolonged standing.
• It’s difficult to move your heel or midfoot around, or to stand on your toes.
• Your foot aches, particularly in the heel or arch area, with swelling along the inner side.
• Pain in your feet reduces your ability to participate in sports.
• You’ve been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis; about half of all people with rheumatoid arthritis will develop a progressive flatfoot deformity.

Prevention

Many would say that there is really no way to prevent flat feet. However, the field of pedorthy and podiatry would probably disagree and recommend that orthotics be used to minimize the  speed at which the feet move further into pronation.

Treatment of Flat feet

• The most important aspect of treatment is determining the exact type or underlying cause of flat feet that you have, and this can be examined through clinical examination and special imaging studies (e.g., x-rays, CT, and/or MRI).
• Conservative treatment is used in the vast majority of flat foot cases, and consists of treatments such as orthotics, shoe recommendations, anti-inflammatory measures and special strengthening exercises.
• Commonly called foot orthotics, these are interchangeable among your shoes and may provide more support because they’re molded to the contours of your feet. Orthotics come in three types: rigid, semi-rigid and soft.
• Surgery is rarely required, and is reserved only for the most severe types of flat foot that do not respond to conservative therapy

Facts about flexible flat feet

• Flexible flat feet are a common, usually painless condition that is often normal.
• Corrective shoes or inserts do not “create” an arch.
• Flexible flat feet will not interfere with a child’s ability to learn to walk or play sports.
• Shoe salespersons may tell you expensive shoes will help you walk better. This is not true. Regular, inexpensive shoes may be worn too, if they offer good support.
• If you have questions about shoes, always check with a professional.

Home remedies for flat feet

Wear good shoes. This is the most important remedy. Make sure that they are comfortable and fit properly.

Can reflexology help?

Since reflexology has a relaxing and beneficial effect to the whole body, and because our techniques are applied to the feet, they are definitely the beneficiaries of the soothing relaxation reflexology offers.

Although the focus of reflexology is the whole body, sore aching feet will appreciate what a great reflexology session can provide in terms of stress relief and therefore pain relief.

It’s important to remember that because we don’t treat, the benefits to the feet are a bonus – but one which everyone can enjoy.

As with a lot of pathologies or deviations from the norm, flat feet may not begin with the feet, unless the condition is congenital.

As we age there is a tendency for the feet to pronate, but most of us who have healthy arches will likely keep them, as long as we don’t abuse our feet.

Unless there are deformities in the bones that do not support the structure on the arch – the only thing that will create it or remove an arch is the tissue that surrounds it. Bones can’t keep themselves in place without a collective effort (cranial bones may be the exception because of their intricate system of interlocking sutures).

So what keeps the foot arch in shape (or out of shape)? Ligaments, tendons, muscles and connective tissues.

Let’s look at which of these supports the arch…

Firstly, ligaments connect bone to bone, and there is a lot of ligamentous attachment around the arch of the foot to keep it stable.

Next, we have 2 very important muscles whose tendons both attach to the base of the first metatarsal. One comes from the outside and the other from the inside (front) of the leg and together they form a stirrup that supports the medial arch of the foot.

The “peroneus longus” is the outer muscle and the “tibialis anterior” is the inner one that form a “continuous” support because they both attach, at their distal ends, to the same bone: metatarsal #1.

So if the foot is flat, one of these muscles is probably weak and the other is possibly in spasm or at least tight.

At this point you might refer your client to a massage therapist, however, many are not familiar with, nor trained in the intricacies of the feet.

An osteopath is likely your best recommendation (or a chiropractor). Most in the medical profession will defer to the use of orthotics to correct the misalignment.

Orthotics can support the structure and relieve a degree of the pain, but they’re not aimed at correcting the cause of the problem.

Both an osteopath or a chiropractor should be able to take a look at the structural alignment, or rather misalignment and offer treatment and exercises to recalibrate the back, or hips, or legs, or whatever the cause is found to be.

I’ve personally met someone with flat feet who gave themselves an arch. As he described it, he did exercises that lengthened his peroneus longus muscle and toned or tightened his tibialis anterior muscle.

Admittedly, he had to exercise every day, and if he didn’t (or even if he stayed on his feet for more than 8 hours) his pronation would return.

A simple exercise to strengthen the tibialis anterior is to stand with both feet on the ground and lift only your toes (extension).

A way to lengthen the peroneus longus is to stand with both feet on the ground and roll your feet onto their outside edge (supination).

By doing this daily, he swore that his arch would remain elevated throughout the day and that the pains he felt in his back, legs and feet were alleviated.

Of course this is just one person’s approach and may not work for everyone. That’s because there can be many different reasons for flat feet.

Reflexology is a complementary modality that will work well in conjunction with just about any medical treatment. It’s been found successful in relieving the pain that accompanies many pathologies and treatments. Flat feet are just one of many.

Think of your client’s highest good and join forces with other professionals so that the best results can be achieved.

Their feet will thank you for it.

In addition, don’t forget that with reflexology, the magic is in the details. For structural issues, I pay attention to the reflexes to all the spinal reflexes in addition to the reflexes to the legs, hips and knees, arms and shoulders.

1. Be attentive and listen for what your clients needs.
2. Be clear about your reflex location.
3. Never work beyond your client’s pain threshold.
4. Hold the healing space as sacred.
5. And, enjoy your wonderful reflexology skills.

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Reflexolyogi!

Submitted by Wendy Coad on August 27.

Well here’s a match made in heaven.

We’re all familiar with the benefits reflexology, so imagine what will happen if you add yoga. Yoga is the traditional physical and mental exercise discipline that originated in India.

In the present time, more and more people, especially in the US (and you’ll see it just about everywhere, around the world), are resorting to Yoga to find a solution for chronic health problems as well as a practice in attaining peace of mind. And those who don’t practice it already are curious about knowing what exactly Yoga is and what’s included in it.

Although many of us are well aware of the health benefits of the physical activity, not everyone knows about the origin and exact definition of Yoga.

It’s a popular belief that Yoga merely includes stretching and warm up exercises. Of course, yoga involves stretching, but includes many other things beyond that. Yoga’s aim is to unite the mind, the body, and the spirit.

Branches of Yoga

The major branches of yoga in Hindu philosophy include Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Hatha Yoga. There are many more that you commonly see including Iyengar, Kripalu, etc.

The Goal of Yoga

The goal of yoga may range from improving health to achieving Moksha (within Jainism and the monist schools of Advaita Vedanta and Shaivism the goal of yoga takes the form of Moksha), which is liberation from all worldly suffering and the cycle of birth and death (Samsara), at which point there is a realization of identity with the Supreme Being.

I’ve always thought of yoga as an exceptional health practice – after all, it’s our responsibility to take care of our own health and well being. Yoga is not a religion but rather a encourages a state of being present that is based on awareness of your body and mind in order to fully experience your wonderful (and wondrous) existence here on earth.

Benefits of Yoga

The most important benefit of yoga is physical and mental therapy. The aging process, which some think is largely an artificial condition, caused mainly by autointoxication or self-poisoning, can be slowed down by practicing yoga. By keeping the body clean, flexible and well lubricated, we can significantly reduce the catabolic process of cell deterioration. To get the maximum benefits of yoga one would do well to combine the practices of yogasanas (exercise), pranayama (breathing exercise) and meditation.

Yoga is not only a great form of activity but it also massages all the internal glands and organs of the body. Tai Chi can also offers these benefits, but it is a different exercise and philosophy altogether.

Yoga acts in a wholesome manner on all of the various body parts. It is thought to help in the flushing out of toxins from every nook and cranny which in turn may help to facilitate nourishment up to the last cell.

The benefits – delayed ageing, increasing energy and offering a remarkable zest for life (see list below)!

Therapeutic uses of yoga

Yoga is highly therapeutic. Some of the ailments proven to be relieved, reversed and even healed through the practice of Yoga are acidity, allergies, Alzheimer’s disease, anemia, anger, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, back pain, bronchitis, cancer, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue, colitis, common cold, constipation.

Some other benefits of Yoga are

• Dexterity skills improve
• Reaction time improves
• Posture improves
• Strength and resiliency increase
• Endurance increases
• Energy level increases
• Weight normalizes
• Sleep improves
• Immunity increases
• Pain decreases
• Steadiness improves
• Depth perception improves
• Balance improves
• Integrated functioning of body parts improves

How can reflexology help?

If you look at the previous statement: Yoga acts in a wholesome manner on all of the various body parts. It is thought to help in the flushing out of toxins from every nook and cranny which in turn may help to facilitate nourishment up to the last cell… I could say the same for reflexology.

As a reflexologist, I have clients report to me every day that they have seen improvements in their health. And they attribute those improvements in part or in whole to reflexology.

I love to see my clients and they enjoy their sessions but there is a lot more that can be done between sessions that will help to maintain health or may even accelerate their healing process.

Before I go further, I want to tell you that I am not a yoga instructor or expert. Thankfully that’s one less thing I have to do because there are plenty of them all around. (I live in an urban area, but for those of you who don’t have any classes nearby, there are many good videos and books out there.)

I often recommend yoga classes to my clients who want to work on their health between reflexology sessions. I think it’s excellent just as an exercise program, and it also offers support for the life-style changes that will serve you well in the long run.

Hopefully there’s a class that will suit your speed, but if you’re a little older and have gone to a class with a room full of 20 year olds with buff bodies – do not despair. You can do half the poses that the instructor is offering and still reap the benefits.

But referring to a class is not all that I use yoga for. It’s easy to recommend some simple stretches for the toes. A favorite of many is –

1. Hold onto a chair or a table and place both feet on the floor.

2. Bend one foot so that the toes are flat on the floor but the heel is lifted high off the ground.

3. Rock the foot (heel) from left to right so that the toes remain bent and on the floor but the metatarsophalangeal joints and the flexor tendons get a nice stretch.

4. Change the direction of the toe bends from extension (curled up) to flexion (curled under). Make sure it’s comfortable and if your toes don’t bend well in this direction – don’t strain to do so. But if they can bend under, you can again

5. Rock the foot (heel) from left to right so that the toes remain bent and on the floor, but the metatarsophalangeal joints and the extensor tendons get a nice stretch too.

Client’s love it and so do I.

Note: It’s recommended that you check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program.

There have been numerous students who have come to train in reflexology because they have either had a yoga instructor do a little foot compression at the end of the class, or they’re a yoga instructor who has gotten rave reviews from giving a little foot compression at the end of a class and they want to know how to do more*. (*Note to those who want to market their reflexology!)

One or 2 of my former students have actually incorporated reflexology into their own practice, creatively working on their feet as they relax into certain poses.

As I said before, it’s a match made in heaven and you should consider suggesting it to clients as a great tool for health in between sessions – or learn it yourself – you too could become the next Reflexolyogi!

Enjoy your wonderful reflexology skills and explore how beautifully reflexology mixes with any healthy modality. It can work for everyone.

Here’s to your good reflexology health!

@ 2009 The WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR NEWSLETTER OR WEBSITE?

Wendy Coad, the “Reflexology Professor” helps reflexologists and aspiring reflexologists learn dynamic skills that attract clients and increase sales.

If you liked what you read today and want to learn more or refresh your skills, you’ll love Wendy’s www.thefootfactorprogram.com.

The Reflexology Professor has been sharing holistic health and “Reflexology News, Tips and Techniques” in classes, trainings and a weekly email newsletter to students and subscribers from around the world.

You can learn more about Wendy and her programs at www.reflexologyprof.com

Reflexology & the Lymphatic System

Most of us have experienced ’swollen glands’ at one time or another. But many people don’t understand what glands are, or what they do. Properly called lymph glands – or to be really accurate lymph nodes – the glands are part of a network of tiny vessels known as the lymphatic system.

What the lymphatic system is…

This system is rather like the system of blood vessels that supplies all parts of the body. However instead of blood, the lymph vessels carry a clear, straw-colored fluid – lymph. This fluid originates in the bloodstream and seeps through the walls of tiny blood vessels. It bathes and nourishes the body’s tissues. It collects in the lymphatic vessels and eventually returns to the bloodstream.

The lymphatic system serves as one of the body’s defenses against infection.

Lymph glands

Along the lymph vessels are small bean-shaped lymph glands or ‘nodes’. You can probably feel some of your lymph nodes.

There are lymph nodes

• Under your arms, in your armpits
• In the groin area (at the top of your legs)
• In your neck

There are also lymph nodes that you cannot feel in

• Your abdomen
• Your pelvis
• Your chest

Other organs that are part of the lymphatic system are:

Spleen – The spleen is under your ribs on the left side of your body.  Some important functions of the spleen are to produce white blood cells and the filtering of lymph fluid.

Thymus – The thymus is a small gland under your breast bone.  The thymus helps to mature white blood cells.  It is usually most active in teenagers and shrinks in adulthood.

Tonsils – The tonsils are two glands in the back of your throat. The tonsils and adenoids (also called the ‘nasopharyngeal’ tonsils) help to protect the entrance to the digestive system and the lungs from bacteria and viruses.

Adenoids – The adenoids are at the back of your nose, where it meets the back of your throat.

What the lymphatic system does

• to collect and return interstitial fluid, including plasma protein to the blood, and thus help maintain fluid balance,
• to defend the body against disease by producing lymphocytes,
• to absorb lipids from the intestine and transport them to the blood.

How does lymphatic system works

The lymph nodes (glands) are collections of tissue along the lymphatic vessels. They contain large numbers of cells called macrophages and lymphocytes. These cells act as scavengers, killing and removing harmful invaders such as bacteria and viruses.

When this happens the number of cells in the node increases rapidly. This may cause the node to swell, become tender and, sometimes, red.

The main areas where this is noticeable are the neck, groin and axilla (armpit). Thus an infected finger might result in swollen glands in the armpit on that side. The very obvious swollen glands in the neck of a child with tonsillitis are a common sight for many parents.

As well as dealing with infections, lymph glands also trap cancer cells, reducing their spread through the body.

Sometimes the lymphatic system itself is the primary target for cancer. A disease called Hodgkin’s disease is a common form of this type of cancer and shows up with persistent and quite hard swollen glands.

Swollen glands are common. If they ‘come and go’ there is usually nothing to worry about. But if glands remain enlarged for a week or more, with no obvious cause such as a local infection, ask your doctor to look at them, in case they are a sign of something more serious.

Diseases of the lymphatic system

Lymphedema is the swelling caused by the accumulation of lymph fluid, which may occur if the lymphatic system is damaged or has malformations.

An estimated 170 million people develop lymphedema, which progresses in three stages:

Stage 1: Pressing the swollen limb leaves a pit that takes a while to fill back in. Because there is little fibrosis (hardening) it is often reversible. Elevation reduces swelling.

Stage 2: Pressure does not leave a pit. Elevation does not help. If left untreated, the limb becomes fibrotic.

Stage 3: This stage of lymphedema is often called elephantiasis. It is generally only in the legs after lymphedema that has gone long untreated. While treatment can help a little, it is not reversible.

Some common causes of swollen lymph nodes include infections, infectious mononucleosis, and cancer, e.g. Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and metastasis of cancerous cells via the lymphatic system.

Lymphatic System, Exercise & Yoga

Most people take their lymphatic system for granted.

What “media/press” the lymphatic system does get often appears when it causes an unpleasant side effect called lymphedema – a potentially disabling condition that can sometimes arise following a mastectomy.

As per theory of Yoga “Lymphedema is not something you can cure, you have to manage it. Doing yoga every day helps undo the effects of sitting and standing for long periods of time.”

Doctors in exercise physiology, explains that any form of exercise that incorporates major muscle groups and deep breathing will encourage lymph flow.

Muscle movement squeezes lymph vessels. The fluid is then moved toward the subclavian veins near the heart. One-way valves in the lymph vessels prevent the fluid from moving backwards, away from the heart.

Deep breathing is especially beneficial because breathing muscles squeeze the lymphatic thoracic duct, which dumps most of the body’s lymph into the bloodstream.

One form of exercise that seems especially beneficial for the lymph movement is rebounding, which involves jumping or jogging on a mini-trampoline.

And, don’t forget that walking, plain and simple, is one of the best forms of exercise – that just about everyone can do.

What Can Reflexology Do for the Lymphatic System?

Well, I’ve long been a believer in the benefits of reflexology to the body and especially the lymphatic system.

While the only other organ system of the body with miles of vessels is the circulatory system, it’s advantage is the heart which acts as a pump to move it’s fluids throughout.

The lymphatic system has no such pump and relies largely upon muscle movement to keep things moving.

And the flow of the lymphatic system’s fluid does not move in a circle. As mentioned above, this system is comprised of “dead-end” or one-way vessels that rely on tiny “flap valves” (on the inside of the vessel), to keep the flow of lymph moving only one-way – towards the heart.

There is no pump anywhere in the lymph system, and the fingers and toes are the furthest distances for the fluid to flow back to the heart.

However, it’s inherent in our gently thumb and finger walking compression to support all the fluid tides, including the lymph.

I say inherent, because the focus of reflexology is not to move fluids, it’s just another fringe benefit of our techniques.

Imagine what a great help this would be to anybody, and especially to a body that’s involved in working on its own system defense.

As a reflexologist, I will always be careful not to treat, diagnose or prescribe.  And, if someone is ill and they have not seen a doctor, make sure they are referred to a medical practitioner.

When a client has a lot of sensitivity at any of the immune system reflexes – the spleen, the thymus, the axillary lymph or the groin lymph reflex points – I might ask them how they’ve been feeling and if they’ve recently experienced any seasonal colds or flu’s.

That’s such a great and general question because it will get the conversation started based of what they tell you and not what you tell them (which would be a diagnosis).

Conversation or not, I’ll still detail the reflexes to the specific area of sensitivity (but within the client’s pain threshold) and will almost always include detailing on all the lymphatic system reflexes.

Remember, the lymphatic system is a large part of the immune system and maintaining both is optimum for health and well-being.

And, yes, I believe that reflexology profoundly supports not just the lymphatic system, but all the organs and systems of the body.

Again, be curious about where the body is “calling for energy”, and know that reflexology will support the body in its own healing processes – the never ending impulse towards homeostasis.

Reflexology offers the whole body relaxation, and the effects of our work can be helpful on so many levels.

Reflexology with Heart

I notice more and more that people are experiencing varying degrees of pain in the heart reflex area.

Can reflexology answer the question – why?

From the moment it begins beating until the moment it stops, the human heart works tirelessly. In an average lifetime, the heart beats more than two and a half billion times without ever pausing to rest. Like a pumping machine, the heart provides the power needed for life.

This life-sustaining power has, throughout time, caused an air of mystery to surround the heart. Modern technology has removed some of the mystery, but there is still an air of fascination and curiosity.

Your heart is about the size of your fist. As the body develops, the heart grows at the same rate as the fist. So an infant’s heart and fist are about the same size at birth.

(And, maybe that’s why there’s such a great connection to the heart through Hand Reflexology!)

Anatomy

The human heart is primarily a shell. There are four cavities, or open spaces, inside the heart that fill with blood.

Two of these cavities are called atria. The other two are called ventricles. The two atria form the curved top of the heart. The ventricles meet at the bottom of the heart to form a pointed base which points toward the left side of your chest. The left ventricle contracts most forcefully, so you can best feel your heart pumping on the left side of your chest – where the strongest part of the heart muscle is.

The left side of the heart houses one atrium and one ventricle. The right side of the heart houses the others. A wall, called the septum, separates the right and left sides of the heart. A valve connects each atrium to the ventricle below it. The mitral valve connects the left atrium with the left ventricle. The tricuspid valve connects the right atrium with the right ventricle.

The top of the heart connects to our largest blood vessels – the aorta, or main artery – which carries nutrient-rich blood away from the heart.

Another important vessel is the pulmonary artery which connects the heart with the lungs (carrying blood away from the heart and to the lungs) as part of the pulmonary circulation system.

The largest vein that carries blood into the heart is the vena cava. There’s a superior vena cava, located near the top of the heart. The inferior vena cava is larger and located beneath the superior.

The heart’s structure makes it an efficient, never-ceasing pump. From the moment of development through the moment of death, the heart pumps. The heart, therefore, has to be strong.

The average heart’s muscle, called cardiac muscle, contracts and relaxes about 70 to 80 times per minute without you ever having to think about it.

As the cardiac muscle contracts it pushes blood through its chambers and out into the vessels.

Nerves connected to the heart regulate the speed with which the muscle contracts.

You’ve probably noticed that when you run, your heart pumps more quickly, and, when you sleep, your heart pumps more slowly.

Considering how much work it has to do, the heart is surprisingly small. The average adult heart is about the size of a clenched fist and weighs about 11 ounces (310 grams).

Located in the middle of the chest behind the breastbone, between the lungs, the heart rests in a moistened chamber called the pericardial cavity which is surrounded by the ribcage.

The diaphragm, a tough layer of muscle, lies below. As a result, the heart is well protected.

Listen to the Lub-Dub

When you go for a checkup, your doctor uses a stethoscope to listen carefully to your heart. A healthy heart makes a lub-dub sound with each beat. This sound comes from the valves shutting on the blood inside the heart.

The first sound (the lub) happens when the mitral and tricuspid valves close. The next sound (the dub) happens when the aortic and pulmonary valves close after the blood has been squeezed out of the heart.

Pretty Cool – It’s My Pulse!

Even though your heart is inside you, there is a cool way to know it’s working from the outside. It’s your pulse. You can find your pulse by lightly pressing on the skin anywhere there’s a large artery running just beneath your skin.

Two good places to find it are

• on the side of your neck
• The inside of your wrist, just below the thumb.

Plus, we have 2 pulse points on the feet. One is on the dorsum, close to the crease of the ankle and the other is behind the medial malleolus (your ankle bone).

You’ll know that you’ve found your pulse when you can feel a small beat under your skin.

Each beat is caused by the contraction (squeezing) of your heart. If you want to find out what your heart rate is, use a watch with a second hand and count how many beats you feel in 1 minute. When you are resting, you will probably feel between 70 and 100 beats per minute.

Factoids

• Your heart will beat an average of 100,000 times per day. In that time, it pumps more than 4,300 gallons of blood throughout your entire body.

• A human heart is about the size of your fist

• “Athlete’s heart” is a common term for an enlarged heart associated with repeated strenuous exercise. Athlete’s heart will beat as few as 40 times per minute. The average number of beats per minute in a non “athlete’s heart” is 70 beats.

• Menopause increases a woman’s risk for heart disease.

What about Heart disease?

There are many types of heart disease. About 25% of all Americans have one or more types of cardiovascular disease.

The major types of heart disease are atherosclerosis, coronary, rheumatic, congenital, myocarditis, angina and arrhythmia.

Heart disease can arise from congenital defects, infection, narrowing of the coronary arteries, high blood pressure, or a variety of other disturbances.

What do some people recommend for a healthy heart from heart-healthy diets and “Grandma’s home remedies”

• Regular exercise is probably the most important thing for a healthy heart.

• A well balanced diet containing fruits, vegetables and cereals with natural fiber is highly advisable.

• Daily use of lemon may help prevent heart problems as it avoids the accumulation of cholesterol in the blood vessels.

• Beet juice is measured the most effective for heart ailments.

• Parsley is successful remedy that keeps the heart in a healthy condition. Parsley tea can be a healthy beverage.

• Fresh grapefruit might be very helpful in the treatment of heart disease as it’s thought to tone up the heart.

• Apples have heart-stimulating properties and fine in heart care. Apple juice and apple jam can be taken for care of heart.

• Vitamin E is thought of as useful to supporting the oxygenation of the cells.

• Smoking raises the chances of heart diseases so avoid smoking.

• Intake of more salt should be avoided.

• Excess intake of alcohol should be restricted for heart care.

What can Reflexology do?

Before you even think of anything else, if you have a heart disease or you think you might – go and see your doctor.

Reflexology is never a substitute for medical treatment.

Also, if you are not sure if reflexology will be helpful for someone who has a heart disease, you must first check with their medical professional.

Now, the reflex to the heart is found on the head of the first metatarsal, bilaterally. (The reflex area also includes the base of the proximal phalanx of the hallux and the metacarpalphalangeal joint – the MPJ.)

The reflexes to the lungs sit next to the heart on the heads of metatarsals 2-4. The heart and lungs are often grouped together because they work together to get oxygen, the fuel of the cells, into the blood.

And, pain is sometimes experienced in this area on the foot. Does that mean there are problems in the organs?

No… not at all. We’re not in the business of diagnosing and it’s dangerous to assume what you don’t really know. (That’s true in life as well!)

When my client experiences pain in a particular reflex area, yes, I am curious. But I know the body operates on many levels and that things are going on simultaneously on the physical, the emotional, the mental and the spiritual levels.

Even though 1 out of every 4 people have a heart disease, there are many more who have experienced a “heart ache” or whose “heart goes out to everyone”.

Regardless of the “cause”, I do what reflexologists do. I detail the area and I stay within the client’s pain threshold.

If you’re providing the type of reflexology that’s most helpful to stress relief (western), it’s very important to create a session that is soothing and will be relaxing by inducing the parasympathic nervous system response.

Be firm, yet gentle with that heart reflex. Our hearts are heroic and hard working organs and they’re due the utmost respect – even on the distant reflex area.

But what if there’s a corn or a bunion on that reflex area?

Reflexology is not in the business of addressing foot pathologies either, that’s best left to others whose job it is.

Having said that, my experience based on what clients report (as a byproduct of the reflexology even though), I’m not treating the foot, many aches and pains dissipate or disappear completely.

Do their “heartaches” disappear too?

I can’t speak for them, but clients do report comfort. And, I’m sure that the presence of a compassionate person, whose main goal is to “listen to the feet” and to hold the space for healing to occurs, can have a profound impact on the body, mind, spirit.

Be kind and patient with the heart and nurture your own, it is working tirelessly on your behalf.

I invite you to try this – bring your hand to your heart right now and tell it how much you love it. If that’s seems too silly or hard to do – ask yourself why.

Is reflexology good for the heart? Yes, and if you check with a physician in cases of advanced or debilitating illness and they give you approval to work, absolutely.

Healing occurs on many levels and reflexology can be a gift to all.

Reflexology for the Cold & Flu

Reflexology can help relieve the symptoms of the dreaded cold and flu.  Check out this video to learn more:

A Lesson from Mr. Spock

If you’d told me a year ago that I’d be writing about an “obscure” little point like the Eustachian tube reflex, I might have laughed out loud.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always known how powerful all the points around the bases of the toes are.

So important, in fact,  that I’ve designed a new technique, or at least one that I was never taught or had never seen done before, just to detail this incredible reflex area.

You know where I’m talking about… at the base of and in between those little toes. Who but a reflexologist would even go there. It’s where sock bunnies live and other squishy things that we sometimes just have to avoid.

But deep in those crevices, around and between the toes, are some of the most populated reflexes known to humankind.

I suppose I’m more sensitive to their effects because this area contains the reflexes to the parts of my body that give me the most grief: the neck, the sinuses, the lymph, the trapizeus muscles, the eyes and ears and… the Eustachian tubes.

What a list, and at any given time, on any given person there will be cause to work there, to detail this reflex or that, for the sheer relief that our reflexology techniques can bring through relaxing the body and connecting to all its systems and parts.

I could spend a good amount of time on any one of the reflexes mentioned above, but I want to focus on just one… the Eustachian tube reflexes.

What are the Eustachian tubes anyway? When was your last conversation about them? Can you even spell the name without looking?

Most reflexologists know that the Eustachian tube is the fine tube that connects the middle ear to the outer world.

One function of the Eustachian tube is to drain excess fluid down, and eventually, into the throat. Other functions allow ventilation and the equalization of the middle ear and atmospheric pressure.

Think colds, sinus build-up and congestion – plenty of not so wonderful things that can benefit from the draining effects of a wonderful little tube.
Now, this tube is small, it’s thin and delicate – and that’s just in adults.

Babies have tiny little parts and the Eustachian tube is one of them. If anything gets clogged or congested in the body, it can cause discomfort and worse.

I want to remind you that reflexology is never a substitute for medical attention, so if you or anyone else has inflammation or infection, you must seek medical attention.

I’ve long taught the joys of holding the Eustachian tube reflexes, either steadily or with a playful alternating stroke, to calm and sooth fussy babies.
And, everyone who has tried it, and has reported back to me, describes an experience that has had some measure or a calming or soothing effect, especially on babies.

For some it has “worked like magic” to quote one or two very relieved parents.

Mothers are such naturals… healers and all. When they play this “little piggy went to market”, they are, in reflexology terms, stimulating the CNS reflexes – the brain.

And when they tweak between the toes they’re detailing the neck, shoulder, lymph, sinus, eye, ear… and Eustachian tube reflexes.

How do you find the Eustachian tube reflexes.

Think of Spock… Mr. Spock.

He’s the Vulcan guy with the big ears on Star Trek. He gave a special signal that opened to the Eustachian tube reflex of the hand.

That’s it, in the web of the hand or foot, between the third and fourth digits.
“Go forth and prosper”, I think he said.

I say, hold on and reflex.

Try it and let me know.