Category: reflexology

#BACKPAINBLOGUK, backpainbloguk, back pain, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, health, chromic pain, reviews, #fibromyalgia, #health, #hip pain, #lowbackpain, #nhs, #pain, #Quotes, reflexology

WORLD REFLEXOLOGY WEEK 19th-25th SEPTEMBER 2022…

barmac5

WORLD REFLEXOLOGY WEEK – 19th – 25th September – World Reflexology Week takes place every year in the last full week in September.  It is about promoting reflexology and raising awareness of reflexology among the public on a global level.  At the AoR they always have members across the UK who run events offering taster sessions of reflexology; either for free or for a small donation.

The main benefits of reflexology are that it unblocks energy channels and has a relaxing effect. It can also stimulate the body’s own healing mechanisms and help with pain relief.

Records dating back as far as 2,700BC show that ancient Eastern Chinese Cultures practised massage to heal a number of ailments. Egyptian tombs have also been discovered to have images of figures being massaged. It is also well known that Julius Caesar underwent daily massages to treat nerve pain.

William Fitzgerald developed the ‘zone theory’ after finding that he could induce numbness and reduce certain symptoms in the body by simply applying pressure to specific points on the hands and mouth.

The zones are throughout the body with the head having five zones on each side. All the zones lie in each finger and thumb and the theory is that energy travels through the zones and these have an energy connection to all organs, muscles, blood supplies, nerve cells and different tissue types. Disturbances in any of your body will affect these zones so applying pressure on your hands and feet to these zones it will stimulate the flow of energy back through your body to the area that needs it.

The neck which is highly prone to tension could respond well to reflexology. To work on your neck reflex cup one thumb in the other hand so that it is resting between your index and middle fingers. Use your working thumb to walk along the bone of the thumb from the first to the second joint. Make seven small steps along the bones, to represent the seven vertebrae in the neck.

Reflexology is a non-invasive complementary health therapy that can be effective in promoting deep relaxation and wellbeing; reducing stress in people’s lives can be key in optimising good health and building resilience. It is a touch therapy that is based on the theory that different points on the feet, lower leg, hands, face or ears correspond with different areas of the body and reflexologists work these points and areas.

However reflexology is viewed, there can be no doubt that what it does provide is a period of time for relaxation where the client has one-to-one attention and supportive touch in an empathetic listening environment. Reflexology can be used safely alongside standard healthcare to promote better health for their clients.

Love Reflexology writes some ways you can share what reflexology is and how it can support your clients including:

  • Hosting taster treatments;
  • Giving a talk to a local group (this could be online or in-person);
  • Writing a blog;
  • Contacting a local radio station to talk about reflexology;
  • Sharing information on your social media pages.

There has never been a better time to promote reflexology as more people are seeking out ways to boost their well-being following the challenging two years everyone has lived through.

Pub Med wrote that data collected showed pain intensity scores were reduced by reflexology, and this decrease improved progressively in the first and sixth weeks of the intervention, indicating a cumulative dose effect. The results of the study implied that the inclusion of reflexology in the routine care of patients with fibromyalgia could provide nurses with an effective practice for reducing pain intensity in these patients.

Source: AOR Back Pain Blog UK Love Reflexology Pub Med

#backpainblog, #BACKPAINBLOGUK, backpainbloguk, back pain, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, health, chromic pain, reviews, hand pain, hand reflexology, reflexology

HAND REFLEXOLOGY FOR BACK PAIN…

barmac5

What is reflexology?

The main benefits of reflexology are that it unblocks energy channels and has a relaxing effect. It can also stimulate the body’s own healing mechanisms and help with pain relief.

William Fitzgerald developed the ‘zone theory’ after finding that he could induce numbness and reduce certain symptoms in the body by simply applying pressure to specific points on the hands and mouth. The earliest evidence of Reflexology comes from China, circa 2700 BCE.

The zones are throughout the body with the head having five zones on each side. All the zones lie in each finger and thumb and the theory is that energy travels through the zones and these have an energy connection to all organs, muscles, blood supplies, nerve cells and different tissue types. Disturbances in any of your body will affect these zones so applying pressure on your hands and feet to these zones it will stimulate the flow of energy back through your body to the area that needs it.

Most people know ‘reflexology’ as something that is done to your feet but hand reflexology is definitely another technique that is becoming just as popular.

Hand reflexology certainly provides some benefits compared to foot reflexology. The obvious example is that our hands are far more easily accessible compared to our feet, which makes hand reflexology the most usable self-help tool for both adults and children.

Stimulation of the so-called ‘reflex points’ promotes relaxation, improves circulation and encourages the body to heal itself. This explains why hand reflexologists sometimes use the axiom: “Health is at your fingertips!”

Hand reflexology is also brilliant as a relief from the new stresses technology has placed on our hands.

For lower back pain press the point where the centre of your hand joins your wrist and stimulates it. Always take medical advice if you don’t know what the problem is. This is a perfect antidote to backache caused by sitting at a computer for too long.

For your neck and spine using the thumb of the other hand, press and circle down the thumb-stopping at the wrist and repeat this move three times. Working on any areas that are sensitive can help to reduce pain, tension or muscle spasms in the back and neck.

The reflex is stimulated by direct pressure to a particular point. On the palm and wrist there are some 45 reflex points and on the back of the hand 28 reflex points.

Try having a go on yourself by pinching the fingertips and thumb of your right hand. The pressure applied to each finger should be firm, but make sure it is not painful. A few seconds for every single fingertip will be sufficient. Now do the same with the other hand.

Numerous hand reflexology charts are available for use by therapists and enthusiasts as well. The one shown below is a fundamental kind of chart, which is good to use.  The points co-related with body parts are clearly marked.

Always check with your GP first if you are on medication.

A brilliant book on the subject with images is Press Here! Hand Reflexology for Beginners: A Practice for Promoting Self-Care Hardcover – Illustrated by Stefanie Sabounchian.

In Press Here! Hand Reflexology for Beginners, colourful illustrations and clear instructions show simple but powerful techniques to add to your daily routine. 

Practising hand reflexology on yourself can help you achieve your goal of natural, holistic healthcare without the expensive weekly treatments. Hand reflexology, unlike the more common foot reflexology, is easy to incorporate into your wellness routine because it can be used anywhere—from riding the bus or listening to a lecture in class to enjoying a party. 

This fun, easy, and accessible introduction to self-care through hand reflexology teaches the fundamental principles of reflexology and guides you through the reflex map of the hands, where every part of your body has a corresponding reflex point. Follow the illustrations and simple instructions to quickly learn techniques to use daily for overall good health and a balanced body and mind. In addition, guided techniques help you learn how to use reflexology for specific health issues, organized by ailments.

The Press Here! series offers contemporary takes on traditional hands-on healing practices for a new generation of practitioners. These introductory guides feature easy-to-access organization, clear instructions, and beautiful illustrations of each technique. Other Press Here! topics include massage, reiki, and acupressure.

Source: Healthista Images Binomassage Secret Spa

#BACKPAINBLOGUK, backpainbloguk, back pain, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, health, chromic pain, reviews, #fibromyalgia, #health, #hip pain, #lowbackpain, #pain, #Quotes, HEALTH, low back pain, lower back pain, LUMBER PAIN, reflexology

TIPS ON HOW TO USE HAND REFLEXOLOGY TO RELIEVE PAINFUL HEADACHES…

barmac5

Hand reflexology is a massaging technique which works by applying pressure to reflex points within the hands. These reflex points are believed to be connected to other parts of the body. When massaging these points, the whole body is treated during the reflexology session.

One of the best reasons to try using hand reflexology is the total relaxation you will feel.

Hand reflexology is very safe but there are a few cautions to be aware of before having a session. For example, reflexology is not recommended during pregnancy as it can trigger early contractions.

Get yourself comfortable before trying any of these techniques by sitting in a comfortable chair in a quiet room. Start to relax by using some of your favourite oil on your hands. 

Rub the oil or cream on your hands for several minutes until completely absorbed. This will help to relax your hands and increase flexibility in preparation for applying reflexology.

Close your eyes and focus on any area of your body where you feel an uncomfortable pain. Sometimes you just feel as if some part of your body feels misaligned.

Press firmly on the reflex point and gradually increase the pressure to make sure you’re “activating” the reflex but stop if you feel some pain.

Wait a few seconds and repeat. You can press either 30 seconds or you can press and release the point of a pulsed for 30 seconds.

You can then apply on the other hand then sit quietly for at least 10 minutes. If possible, lie down and rest well for half an hour.

Drink several glasses of water after applying reflexology. Water will help to drain the toxins released from your organs and muscles during the session.

Before you try any of the reflexology points below or if you’re unsure if it’s safe for you or you have any concerns, you should discuss this with a professional reflexologist or with your doctor prior to trying it.

For headaches try the following. With your thumb and index finger, hold the centre of the webbing in your hand between the thumb and index finger, on your left hand and apply pressure for at least a minute. Switch hands and repeat. Another way is to place the pads of your fingertips on the sides of your forehead, then move them in small circular motions clockwise or anticlockwise. Using a drop of lavender oil on your hands before massaging can enhance this treatment. Finish with slow strokes across your forehead, from the centre to your ears, keeping the pressure gentle.

For a tension headache hold your index finger to the point located between the eyebrows where the nose and brow join, in the spot sometimes referred to as the ‘third eye’. Apply pressure for at least a minute.

For a migraine hold your thumb and index finger or two middle fingers, whichever is easier against two points located on the back of the neck, on either side of the spine, at the base of the skull. Apply pressure for at least a minute.

You can buy books or charts with the hand reflexology points if you find this beneficial. Hand Reflexology and Acupressure: A Natural Way to Health Through Traditional Chinese Medicine by Chen Feisong  (Author), Gai Guozhong (Author) is on Amazon for £12.99 – Though practices like acupuncture have become popular in the West over the last few decades, they have been a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine for thousands of years. Hand reflexology and acupressure are two techniques that can achieve similar results to more complicated practices like acupuncture but can be done at home, on yourself, without any tools. This book acts as a beginner’s guide to these pressure-based practices. Through illustrations and easy-to-understand language, readers can learn a variety of useful pressure points, how to properly utilize them and daily care that can be done to address certain health concerns. Through recent studies, hand reflexology and acupressure have been shown to help with a variety of issues, including, Nausea; Stress, tension and anxiety; Insomnia; Headaches; Chronic pain; Digestive issues; Muscle and joint injury. The safe, reliable techniques outlined in this book are easy for anyone to master and, importantly, can be used anywhere.