Reflexology and the Kidneys

There’s been a lot of buzz around reflexology these past few weeks. In part thanks to a recent segment on the Regis and Kelly TV morning show.

It seems that Regis, a great proponent of reflexology, recently experienced a pain that was reminiscent of years ago when he had kidney stones.

As Regis tells the story, he was awaiting surgery to remove the stones, when a reflexologist came to the hospital to work on his feet.

The session was an hour and a half, and nothing (other than pain relief and comfort) happened during or immediately after. But, later that night, he actually passed the stones and his surgery for the next day was cancelled.

As the story goes, he was very happy and very impressed with reflexology, believing it’s what actually helped.

A few weeks ago on his TV show “Regis & Kelly”, he revisited reflexology and once again felt that his recent reflexology session was instrumental in relieving a considerable amount of his current discomfort.

I’ve included the link to the TV segment below, but first you might want to know more about why the kidneys play such an important function in our health and wellbeing.

Kidneys

These dark-red and bean-shaped organs are at the posterior aspect of the torso and sit close to the waste-line. One side of the kidney has an outward bulge (convex) and the other side is indented (concave). At the indented side of the kidney (the renal pelvis), there’s a cavity where the ureter is attached.

The ureters are long thin tubes (from 10 – 12 inches long) that connect the kidneys to the bladder. The waste from the kidneys (urine) is moved from the kidney to the bladder via peristaltic contractions. The bladder, which is located behind the symphysis pubis, is the reservoir where urine is stored before it leaves the body via the urethra.

Known altogether as the “renal” or urinary system, this system affects all parts of the body by keeping the fluids in balance, removing wastes, regulating electrolyte balance and blood pressure, and stimulating the production of red blood cells.

Function of kidneys

Removal of waste: This is the main function of the kidneys – the removal of waste products and excess water from the blood. Even though the kidneys process about 55 gallons of blood (filtering all your blood approximately 19 times per day), they only eliminate about two quarts of urine daily.

Hormones: In addition to the above, the kidneys also release three important hormones:

1. erythropoietin, or EPO – which stimulates the bone marrow to create red blood cells

2. Another hormone produced called rennin – it regulates blood pressure

3. And, calcitriol – the active form of vitamin D, which helps to maintain normal chemical balance in the body and calcium for bones.

Regulation of salts: A function that is critical to the regulation of the body’s salt, potassium, and acid content is performed by the kidneys. This happens when the kidneys produce the hormones and vitamins that affect the function of other organs. As mentioned above, one hormone produced by the kidneys stimulates the production of red blood cells. In addition, another hormone produced by the kidneys help to regulate your blood pressure, while others help control calcium metabolism.

Urine formation: There are a series of highly complex steps the kidneys use in the processes of producing urine for excretion.  Other elements are also processed for re-absorption into the body. Both are important processes and necessary to maintaining the body chemicals in stable balance.

Kidney Diseases

Kidney Stones: When urine chemicals crystallize they gather to form a kidney stone. Even though they begin small (smaller than a grain of sand), they can gradually grow larger (a quarter inch in diameter or larger). But, the size of the stone doesn’t matter as much as where it is located.

Some of the symptoms of kidney stones include: intense pain, sweating, nausea and vomiting  (all of which are fairly common with stones).

Emergency treatment for kidney stones includes an intravenous line that’s used for hydration and for the administration of medication, which may include an anti-inflammatory drug, and narcotics for pain control.

Nephrotic Syndrome: This can be a further complication and is a kidney disease where there’s abnormal leakage of protein. Symptoms are low levels of proteins in the blood and swelling in other parts of the body. Treatment of nephrosis includes control of the disease by finding and treating any underlying medical conditions that may have caused it. Commonly drugs, including a diuretic to reduce swelling and antibiotics to treat infection, are used along with medications to reduce the output of protein.

Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) Glomerulosclerosis: Sometimes scar tissue will form in the tiny blood vessels (called the glomeruli) inside the kidneys. The glomeruli are comprised of miles of vessels that filter urine from the blood. Dialysis, kidney transplantation, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are nonspecific agents that reduce proteinuria. One of the approaches to relieve this is through modifications that are made to the diet.

Home Remedies

• If, it’s been said it once, it’s been said a hundred times – drink plenty of H2O. Being well hydrated and keeping the urine diluted will help prevent kidney stones from forming
• Additionally, drinking about three to four quarts of water daily is thought by many to be the best cure for treating kidney infection as well other internal infections.
• And, don’t forget your Vitamin C it’s also said to be good in treating kidney infections. Food sources such as salmon, almonds, oranges and dairy products are rich in Vitamin C.

How Can Reflexology Help?

In oriental medicine, the Kidney Meridian and specifically the first Kidney Meridian point (K1) is thought of as the “Source of Chi”.

And, the Kidney Meridian is located very close to our own reflexology Kidney Reflex!

The location of the kidney reflexes are on both the left and right feet and begin at the level of the “waist-line” or close to the base of the 2^nd metatarsals.

Just like in the body, the kidney reflexes are found lateral to the spine. (Note: the right kidney sits under the liver and is slightly lower that the left).

Because of its multiple functions for the body, it’s always a good idea to give some extra attention to this important organ reflex when giving a reflexology session (don’t forget that this includes self-help too).

I always detail the kidney reflex if it has the feeling of a “change in tissue texture” on the foot. This is a detail that calls for thumb-walking to occur in more than one direction. If I do the first passes on the vertical, I’ll do a second round on the horizontal or diagonal directions as well.

And, don’t forget about all of the urinary system reflexes. It’s a small system and easy to detail in its entirety.

If you go to this video clip – you can hear Regis Philbin tell how reflexology helped him, and his kidneys… in his own words.

Regis tells his Reflexology Story –

1. Go to: http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/regisandkelly/host_chat.html?bcpid=959373459&bclid=28549562001&bctid=45928380001

2. On the Right Side MENU Bar click onto: OCTOBER 22, 2009

3. Once the video starts to play, move the fast forward bar at the bottom of the video to approximately 4 minutes into the play time.

4. Enjoy Regis’ reflexology story.

Now, as a practitioner, how about adding this detail into every one your reflexology sessions? Even better, be the client and get a reflexology session yourself. Ask your practitioner to detail the urinary system reflexes and feel for yourself how powerful the energy balancing is.

Spend some quality reflex time with the “Sole Source of Chi” – the kidney reflexes. You’ll be support your client’s health and don’t be surprised if they have to excuse themselves to go to the bathroom either during or right after the session. I think of that as reflexology at work.

Enjoy your wonderful reflexology skills and explore how beautifully reflexology supports us body and soul.

Here’s to your good reflexology health!

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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.