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The Reflexology Minute: The Sinuses You will learn:
Whether you have sinus pressure, congestion, or are just feeling a little stuffed up, there are reflexology points you can press in your feet to help.  Photo: Janette Paule
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The Reflexology Minute: Reflexology for Lung Support You will learn:
Due to wildfires and smoke, the air quality in Northern California right now is very unhealthy. People with asthma are having a particularly difficult time. And some people with no previous lung conditions or weaknesses are feeling tightness in their chests and developing a recurring cough. Living in Santa Rosa, the smell also conjures up a lot of feelings of despair and loss, as it was only a year ago that we experienced wildfires here. The people, the animals, the land. During this time I have been doing a few things to help with my sore and tired lungs. The Medical Medium's Metal Detox Smoothie has felt particularly good. In addition to that I've been working on the reflexology points for my lungs. I have also addressed these points for all my clients. To address the lungs using hand reflexology you will thumb walk over the ball of both hands where the metacarpal heads are located. You can simply rub this area but it will be more effective to use reflexology technique. In this case, thumb walking is the best technique as it is very specific. Watch this week's Reflexology Minute for visual instruction on how to apply reflexology technique for the chest/lung area in your hands..  Photo: Janette Paule  Photo: Janette Paule
The Reflexology Minute: Reflexology for Indigestion You will learn:
I'm also learning a lot about the benefits of a plant-based diet and am at about 80/20 right now. Living in the 80% completely eradicates the pain and indigestion but, well, there is that 20%. But that's for another blog. So, if you've eaten too fast or too much or ate something that doesn't agree with you, there are reflexology points you can press in your hands to help alleviate the pain. The four points I suggest are stomach, small and large intestines, diaphragm, and the adrenal glands. If that's too much do the small and large intestines.  Photo: Janette Paule The Reflexology Minute: The Pituitary Gland You will learn:
The Pituitary Gland is a pea-sized gland at the base of the brain. It is known as the endocrine system’s ‘master gland.’ It regulates growth and development, produces necessary hormones that stimulate follicle growth, and milk production in lactating women. It also stimulates organs and glands to secrete hormones that aid in sleep, mood, water retention, blood levels, stress response, and sexual function and reproduction. Essentially it’s talking to our kidneys, thyroid, adrenals, uterus and mammary glands, ovaries and testes. No small task! To help the pituitary gland function optimally press on the reflexology point for this gland located at the center of both thumb prints. The pituitary gland reflexology point is located in your thumbs and the great toes (aka big toes) right at the center where the swirl or dot is located. Press in to that area using your finger or a mechanical pencil eraser for five seconds. I recommend doing the thumb points plus all the fingers for good measure.  photo by Janette Paule Learn Reflexology Technique! This week: How to Finger Walk You will learn:
To finger walk you will be bending at the most distal interphalangeal joint of your fingers. Finger walking is great for addressing areas between the smaller spaces between hand and foot bones. You can use one finger for specificity; two fingers (the pointer finger reinforced by the middle finger) to provide more pressure; and three fingers to cover more territory. When using this technique allow your proximal interphalangeal joints to bend a little, creating a natural arc in your hand.  Photo by Janette Paule This week's Reflexology Minute: How to Thumb Walk You will learn:
Thumb walking is one of the most popular reflexology techniques. If you learn how to do it correctly you will be able to address your concerns with more precision and efficacy. What I find helpful about learning this technique first is it will strengthen your thumb and make it easier to learn other techniques that require thumb use. It is also one of the best techniques for self-care. While some people encourage using balls or tools, nothing compares to feeling the tissue you are working on with your own hands. It is also great because some of the brain reflexes are located in the tip of your thumbs. So, when thumb walking you are also working on your brain! To thumb walk bend at the interphalangeal joint of your thumb, not bending beyond a 90 degree angle. Using your other hand to practice on, apply pressure onto the tip of your thumb. If you have nails, consider cutting them shorter so that you don't feel the nail going into your hand. To move forward (i.e. thumb walk) you will be unbending the thumb slightly and then bending again, not letting go of too much of the pressure. By applying relatively continuous pressure and not lifting up your thumb, you will not miss any of the organs, glands, or areas of the body you are working on in the reflexology map.  photo by Janette Paule This week's Reflexology Minute: TMJ You will learn:
TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. If you have pain in your jaw, the feeling of tightness or pain in or around your ears, have a popping or clicking sound when you open your mouth, or are unable to open your mouth at all, you may have TMJ (sometimes referred to as TMD or TMJD). This condition can be mild and intermittent or it can be a more chronic condition that is debilitating and can lead to surgery. When someone has TMJ it can be very painful to apply touch to the area directly. Reflexology offers a way to access the jaw through the reflexology points located below our nails on the dorsum of our hands and feet. To address the pain and discomfort associated with TMJ, jaw pain, and the clenching or grinding of the teeth, press on this area below the finger nails 1-3 times per finger. If the pain is severe do the jaw reflexes located under the nail beds of your toes as well.  If your TMJ is stress-induced, press on the reflexology points for the adrenal glands.  This week's Reflexology Minute: Accessing the Entire Body through a micro map in your hands. You will learn:
There are micro maps of the body all over our body. Maps we can read (like iridology) and maps we can access through touch techniques (like the reflexology points in our hands, feet, ears, and face). This week's micro map is one of my favorites as it is one of the smallest maps on the body, making it incredibly easy to access and effective. In anatomical position, this micro map is located on the dorsum along the lateral side of the second metacarpal bone in both hands. Press or thumb walk into the side of the metacarpal bone for a few seconds on each side (approximately 7 seconds on each hand).. Double down! If you can spare 30 seconds, do three passes for 5 seconds each per hand. By pressing along this area you are accessing every part of your body. I recommend using the thumb walking technique but you can also use your pointer finger or knuckle to press down into these points, whatever is easiest for you.  Today's Topic: Reflexology for Nausea You will learn:
People suffer from nausea for myriad reasons. Some possible reasons include food allergy or poisoning, certain medications, motion sickness, low blood sugar, and early stages of pregnancy. There are 6 reflexology points you can access in your hands that can help with nausea.  6 Reflexology Points for Nausea: Diaphragm: The reflexology point for the diaphragm is located below the metacarpal heads. Thumb walk across this line in both hands. Solar Plexus: Located underneath the 3rd metacarpal head in our hands. While the solar plexus is an energy point, it is also the center of our digestive system, often referred to as the gut brain. Gastric problems may arise is there is trauma to this energy center. Trauma can be muscular or emotional. Because digestive health and emotional well-being are sometimes connected to nausea this is an important point to press in this protocol. Ears: Located below the 4th and 5th digits in both hands. Thumb walk across this area, pressing down into the palm. Eyes: Located below the 2nd and 3rd digits in both hands. Thumb walk across this area, pressing down into the palm. Liver: The liver is on the right side of the body so the reflexology point is reflected in the right hand. Thumb walk or rub with your thumb or knuckles. Stomach: The stomach is mostly located on the left side of the body. Thumb walk or rub with your thumb or knuckles. NOTE: If you are pregnant, the body is already overstimulated, especially in the first trimester. If you have nausea and are considering reflexology ask your doctor first if it is safe for you to receive sessions or do self-care. In my experience, if there are no complications, women who are physically active and regularly receive complementary or alternative therapies can do reflexology throughout all stages of their pregnancy. Reflexology is not a substitute for medical care. Reflexology does not claim to cure, diagnose, prognose, or prescribe. If you have concerns about your health, seek advice from your doctor or health care provider.
Today's Topic: Reflexology for the Hips You will learn:
Whether you suffer from acute or chronic pain in your hips due to an injury or a wearing away of the ligaments, which can lead to hip replacement surgery, or a wearing away of cartilage, which can lead to osteoarthritis, there is something you can do from a reflexology perspective. What happens when you press on a reflexology point? When you press on reflexology points you are sending the message from the reflexology point back to the area of concern. This increases blood flow to the area and induces a relaxation response. Location of Hip Reflexology Points: The hip reflexology points are located behind and underneath the outer ankle bones (also known as the lateral malleoli, which are the distal ends of your fibulas) on both ankles. The right side corresponds to your right hip and the left side corresponds to your left hip. To access points effectively finger or thumb walk down behind ankle bone and then underneath, creating an “L” shape towards your pinky toe. The point technically ends underneath the ankle bone. If you are unfamiliar with thumb or finger walking you can simply press or rub the area with your pointer finger or thumb.  Location of Lower Back Reflexology Points: The lower back reflexology points are located behind and underneath the inner ankle bones (also known as the medial malleoli, which are the bases of the tibias) on both ankles. We give attention to the lower back as some hip pain is associated with the lower back or sacrum. In reflexology, the lumbar area extends a little further up towards the big toe on the insides of the feet (also known as the medial aspect). If you'd like to address more of the lumbar spine you can extend your work further (as pictured below).  To reach these points you can:
These points can be addressed safely multiple times a day. If you have hip pain or concerns, consider doing these points a few times a day. They are also incredibly effective before and after a movement class or workout or can be used as a preventative measure. Reflexology is not a substitute for medical care. Reflexology does not claim to cure, diagnose, prognose, or prescribe. If you have concerns about your health, seek advice from your doctor or health care provider. Photos by Janette Paule |
AuthorChantel C. Lucier, and her company, The AtHome Experience, are dedicated to educating and enlivening the individual towards greater connection to themselves, each other, and their community. By teaching people how to care for themselves at home, The AtHome Experience aims to empower people to create and sustain optimal health and well-being. By caring for ourselves and each other we construct and co-create a better future. Archives
July 2019
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