"Move over, back. At spas these days, it's all about the feet. More spas have introduced specialty foot treatments, and the offerings go far beyond basic reflexology. And while many may sound gimmicky, the demand for spa treatments that focus on the feet are increasing." Check out this article which was featured on Good Morning America in its entirety by clicking the link below. Healing Hands Reflexology is all about the feet as well. We have treatments that focus solely on your feet, others that focus on feet & hands. While the focus is on the feet, these treatments directly benefit the entire body. Go to: http://healinghandsreflexology-nj.com/ and contact me today to make an appointment and Relax, Rejuvenate & Heal. Take advantage of Therapeutic Thursdays where all services are half price. 

 

http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/foot-fetish-spas-crazy-feet/story?id=17445283#.UOwvQ-EcWAl

The more & more I receive reflexology treatments and the more I provide reflexology sessions for clients the more I am certain and can see clearly that reflexology WORKS! 

Scientific evidence may prove that the safe and gentle compression technique on the hands and feet, known as Reflexology, encourages the heart to pump more efficiently, therefore increasing the flow of blood around the body. Reflexology encourages oxygen, blood and lymph to move through the body, boosting circulation. Normal blood pressure is restored through the process of Reflexology. To find out more read the article here:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9398070/Reflexology-improves-heart-efficiency-claim-researchers.html

...Summer is upon us!  

It's the end of the semester for college students.  The stress of the semester and finals are finally over.   The end of the school year for many grade & high school students is almost over and they are no doubt getting the end of year itch.  (When you just about mentally check out knowing the end of the school year & Summer fun is just a few weeks away!!)   Teachers are preparing their students for next year, determining 4th marking period grades and Professors are re-leaved to have finished another semester.  Somewhere there's a anxious, stressed bride and groom busy putting the final touches on their special Summer day wedding.  Yup, Summer is upon us!  

Summer is a perfect opportunity to steal back some the many hours previously spent devoted to study, homework, preparation, etc and redirect that energy into rejuvenating and focusing on your well-being.   Reflexology treatments can be very beneficial for this.  Its not time consuming, invasive, or costly and the benefits are great.  

The benefits of reflexology are profound, yet they work on a very subtle level. They stem from the body’s innate wisdom to heal itself.   When an individual receives reflexology and gives him or herself permission to relax and receive, they allow their body to accept the benefits of reflexology and fully experience all that reflexology has to offer.  

Reflexology can assist the body in so many ways as it unblocks stifled energy and increases blood flow to the brain and other vital organs. Some of the most important ways I've seen reflexology absolutely work is with:  increased energy, improved, more recuperative sleep, pain reduction and improved digestion.  Many of my clients have manifested noticeable results the same day/night. 

Take some time out for yourself today and contact for your appointment and give yourself permission to relax as you receive the benefits of reflexology.

Just how amazing is Reflexology?...

Published on SelfGrowth.com (http://www.selfgrowth.com)

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Hidden Benefits Of Reflexology

By Helen Thompson

On January 10, 2008

The holistic therapy of reflexology has been used over the years to promote physical health and wellbeing in many thousands of people from all walks of life, but there is also a subtler aspect to its benefits that can be applied to the more vulnerable amongst us, to expand awareness and enhance everyday living.
When a client asked if she could bring her sister, who had learning disabilities, for a reflexology treatment with me, I was only too glad to concur. When the appointment day arrived, the young lady's mother accompanied her and explained to me that her daughter had been born with learning disabilities (she was now in her thirties) and that the only diagnosis that doctors had given her was that 'something probably went wrong during birth.'
My client - a pleasant & smiling young lady - appeared in cheerful mood, did not appear nervous, but was unable to reply to my enquiries about her health and lifestyle. Her mother did this for me, telling me she was on the whole in good general health and that one thing she constantly talked about was getting married! She loved to look at magazines where there were pictures of brides' dresses and related details and often imagined herself to be dressed in one. However, emotionally she was very detached from people, even her mother and two sisters.
During the treatment, she was unable to communicate to me any tender spots on her feet, which were very smooth & unlined, although I encountered several gritty areas especially on the head area and the pituitary and pineal glands. She did, however, say that she was enjoying it and loved the feeling of her feet being rubbed. I gave her an especially thorough post-treatment foot massage because of this. As they were about to leave, the young lady gave me a really big hug and thanked me for the time I had spent with her. I am quite used to this, but was a little surprised to see the look of surprise on her mother's face.
The next day, her mother phoned me to say that she had never seen her daughter give anyone a hug - not even to her - and that was the reason for her amazement at her response to the treatment. She also told me that, during the evening, when her daughter had been sitting upstairs in her bedroom, as she was accustomed to do every night, the mother had called up to her to let her know that she was going down to the shop to make a few purchases. Instead of the short ‘OK’ that she expected, the girl called down to her to wait a moment while she got dressed, and she would accompany her on the walk to the shop. This was so unusual that the mother could hardly believe her ears. The daughter came downstairs fully dressed, and walked to the shop and back with her, lacing her arm in her mother's on the way back. This may sound like a very small breakthrough to many people, but the mother was very moved with this development.
Reflexology treats all the organs of the body through the feet, but not only this - it clears blocked energy pathways throughout the body enabling organs and glands to function properly and in a holistic way. When a blockage is removed from one area, this in turn promotes the free flow of energy to a related area, and so on. It can show benefits to the physical body or, as in this case, to the emotional body so that the heart can stimulate the brain into alternative ways of thinking or behaving. The fact that a client cannot tell us what is felt during a treatment, is therefore no indication as to the level of benefit that the treatment can bestow upon the mind, body and spirit.
© Helen Thompson 2003

Author's Bio
Helen is an experienced holistic therapist and facilitator based in Coventry in the West Midlands. Please visit her website at www.healingholistix.com

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Source URL: http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Hidden_Benefits_of_Reflexology.html

Reflexology & Mental Health

I found this really great article today and wanted to share. Enjoy!  :)

What is Mental Health?

Good mental health may be described as a balanced, healthy attitude towards life. It is reflected in ones attitude that is influenced by different physiological, psychological, environmental and genetic factors. There are many reasons ones mental health may suffer, including repressed traumas, chronic stress, physical illness, childhood and hereditary issues.

Illnesses that may result from poor mental health include:

• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• Post-traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSS)
• Eating Disorders such as Anorexia or Bulimia

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is a complimentary therapy that encourages a natural healing process to take place by applying pressure to certain points on the hands and feet that correspond to internal organs in the body. Like its Chinese medicine and kinesiology counterparts, the reflexology theory believes that when ill, stressed, injured or diseases, the body is in an unbalanced state that hinders the body’s natural healing process.

A reflexologist will aim to restore equilibrium in the body and consequently encourage a natural healing process to take place. Using their hands and fingers, the reflexologist stimulates certain points on the feet and hands to:

• Detect energetic imbalances
• Working on these pressure points to release blocked energy
• Restore a natural flow of energy

As a result, tensions are relaxed, circulation is improved and toxins can be cast out of the body.

How Does Reflexology Help Mental Health?

Mental illnesses are not confined to the mind, and their symptoms may manifest in the body’s nervous system, mood, immunity, thought processes and perception. Drugs such as anti-depressants are increasingly being used as the answer to these symptoms, but there are other alternate ways out there to treat them, including through the practice of reflexology.

The art of reflexology benefits ones mental health by stimulating the nervous and lymphatic systems, encouraging a release of the feel-good hormones Endorphins that are renown for relieving stress.

Reflexology may encourage good mental health by:

• Reducing stress levels
• Stimulating nerve function, reducing chronic pain levels that often impact mental health.
• Enhancing self-esteem & confidence
• Enhancing feelings of control and the ability to cope
• Improving communication skills
• Increasing energy levels

Scientific Research

A number of scientific studies have shown how the reflexology can alleviate the physical effects of severe stress and symptoms of mental illnesses, such as Depression and Anxiety disorder. These have been published and available to view online on: www.reflexology-research.com

Reflexology is beneficial to the mental health of all whether or not they suffer from a mental illness. Try it for yourself and feel the difference. For more information, contact your local Reflexologist with any questions you may have.
Copied from: http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/article/reflexology_and_mental_health

Reflexology - What is it good for?

At one time Reflexology was not as popular as it is today.  It was lumped into the category of "alternative medicine" and some where leery about trying it out because it did not fall under the area of traditional medicine.  Now Reflexology is even being done in some hospitals.  One article mentioned that it has become the most popular complimentary therapies available today, because it works. 

So what is Reflexology good for?  Reflexology has many benefits.  See if any of these benefits appeal to you and contact me for a free session today.  Reflexology is pleasant and soothing and relaxes the body which in turn reduces tension and stress. (Some people experience extreme relaxation, tiredness and some even experience tearfulness)   

• Reflexology has been proven to help relieve pain associated with migraine, sinus problems, breathing disorders and digestive problems. 
• Helps circulatory problems and back problems. 
• Separate studies show that reflexology work increases blood flow to the feet, brain, kidneys and intestines 
• Aids post-operative recovery: Reflexology work aids recovery after surgery as shown by several studies, reducing pain and lessening the use of post operative analgesics.
• Impact on physiological measures (e. g. blood pressure and cholesterol; measurements by ECG, EEG, and fMRI)
• Enhances medical care: Reflexology helps where nothing else can for many: phantom limb pain sufferers, neuropathy patients, and hemodialysis patients to name a few.
• Benefits mental health: Research demonstrates that reflexology can reduce depression (11 studies) and anxiety (9 studies).
• Complements cancer care: Pain, nausea, vomiting, and/or anxiety eased for chemotherapy patients following reflexology work as shown by16 studies fom 7 countries.
• Eases pregnancy, delivery and post-partum effects: Women who received reflexology experienced shorter labor times and used less anesthesia. In addition, reflexology showed a positive impact on postpartum depression, anxiety, urination and bowel movements

Foot Reflexolgy & Sleep

Along with sufficient water intake as well as healthy food options, your body needs sleep to function properly.   Sleep appears necessary for our nervous systems to work properly. Too little sleep leaves us drowsy and unable to concentrate the next day. It also leads to impaired memory and physical performance and reduced ability to carry out some everyday activities.  Some experts believe sleep gives neurons used while we are awake a chance to shut down and repair themselves. Without sleep, neurons may become so depleted in energy or so polluted with byproducts of normal cellular activities that they begin to malfunction. Sleep also may give the brain a chance to exercise important neuronal connections that might otherwise deteriorate from lack of activity.

Deep sleep coincides with the release of growth hormone in children and young adults. Many of the body's cells also show increased production and reduced breakdown of proteins during deep sleep. Since proteins are the building blocks needed for cell growth and for repair of damage from factors like stress and ultraviolet rays, deep sleep may truly be "beauty sleep." Activity in parts of the brain that control emotions, decision-making processes, and social interactions is drastically reduced during deep sleep, suggesting that this type of sleep may help people maintain optimal emotional and social functioning while they are awake.

Infants require a huge amount of sleep -  16 hours.  That's why many babies are sleeping when you see them.  Those growing beauties need sleep as their brains and other functions develop.  Toddlers need between 9 and 10 hours of sleep.  Their bodies and brains are growing as well.  My little munchkins go to bed at about 8:30pm and wake at 7am - when we deviate from that schedule they are Cranky - with a capital "C"  :)   proving the need that toddlers need their rest a few hours more than adults but less than infants.  Teenagers need about nine hours on average.   Most adults need seven to eight hours a night for the best amount of sleep, although some people may need as few as five hours or as many as 10 hours of sleep each day.  Women in the first three months of pregnancy often need several more hours of sleep than usual because along with other hormonal changes,  their amazing bodies are fostering and nourishing the growth of a fetus and creating a placenta.

So how are you fairing?  Do you get enough rest at night?  Do you have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep?  Do you wake up and feel rested or groggy like you never really slept at all?

Did you know Reflexology has been shown to promote relaxation and relieve stress promoting a better nights rest?  Reflexes in the pineal gland can be worked and stimulated to help the production and transmission of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep patterns.  In addition, Reflexology promotes balance of other systems in the body which will also help your body to relax and help you sleep better.

Contact me today to discuss more about how Reflexology can help you to sleep better.

I found this interesting article about foot Reflexology and sleep.  Enjoy!

http://www.livestrong.com/article/163800-foot-reflexology-sleep/