Washington Reflexology Association

Reflexology may be an Effective Solution for Spring Allergies

Diana Khoury — Tue, 01 May 2012 23:33:26 +0000

In recent years, hayfever has become so common that the weather report is often accompanied by a pollen count prediction, and sponsored by a popular brand of antihistamines.

But for those of us who prefer an alternative approach, what can we do?

It may surprise you to know that Reflexology can be an incredibly effective solution for hay fever and allergy sufferers. Read more…

Dr. Oz Endorses Reflexology

Diana Khoury — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 23:34:41 +0000

Today’s on Dr. Oz show he endorsed reflexology as an effective stress reliever.

Here’s some info about reflexology from Dr. Oz’s website:
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/reflexology-101

Reflexology in Pregnancy and Birth

melaniesalazar — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 19:14:25 +0000

Please note that this article was published in the UK, in Washington state reflexology is not considered a therapy or a treatment.

What is Reflexology? Reflexology is a natural therapy based on the theory that points on the feet and hands correspond to specific organs and systems in the body.

By Families Online (www.familiesonline.co.uk)

13/04/2002 12:00 am

Thus by applying gentle pressure to these points the related area of the body is stimulated and cleared of congestion. Reflexology promotes deep relaxation which encourages the body’s self healing process. It is a calming, relaxing and enjoyable treatment. Maternity reflexology is specifically tailored to treat infertility, pregnancy, birth and babies.

Infertility

“Infertility is the state of being unable to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse and the term may be used to refer to a state of having never conceived or that of having difficulty in conceiving again after having previously conceived.”

The first problem that some couples face is getting pregnant. If there is a physical problem such as a disorder of the reproductive system the couple should always follow the advice of their gynaecologist. If the couple are told there is nothing wrong physically and that their problem is primarily psychological where can they turn? Worry about being infertile can make the situation worse. You can’t get pregnant until you relax and you can’t relax until you get pregnant. Anxiety and worry can create the very physical problems that prevent conception.

Non-physical causes of infertility often lie in unnecessary stress and worry. Reflexology encourages a deep relaxation which alleviates stress and tension so that conception may take place.

Reflexology works on balancing all of the body systems to provide a healthy body for conception to take place. Gentle pressure to reflex points balances the hormonal system and stimulates the reproductive organs. Both men and women are encouraged to have treatments for individual reasons, for example regulation of menstruation and stimulation of sperm production. About six treatments, once weekly, are recommended, dependent on how an individual’s body responds to treatment.

Case History: A 35 year old woman had a miscarriage two years ago and had been trying to conceive ever since. She had thought she was pregnant but her period had arrived on the day she came to the clinic. She was extremely upset and would try anything before IVF. Over a period of two months she had weekly reflexology and after nine weeks she fell pregnant. Mum and baby have safely passed the 12 week mark and are doing very well. Reflexology allowed the woman “time out”. She worked in a stressful job and when she wasn’t working she was worrying about conceiving. With the help of reflexology the woman learnt how to relax properly and re-assess her lifestyle to suit her.

Pregnancy

From the early stages of morning sickness to delivery discomfort, pregnancy can be physically demanding. Reflexology can help with relief of the following complaints during pregnancy:

- Morning sickness
- Nausea & headaches
- Pain & discomfort
- Loss of bladder control
- Backache
- Stress & anxiety
- Lack of sleep & fatigue
- Digestive problems e.g. constipation
- Swollen/puffy ankles & legs
- Cramp

The father-to-be may also experience disruption to his everyday life and playing the supportive partner and the worry of fatherhood can be equally stressful!

Birth

Reflexology can play an important role during the birth. Many women have reflexology to encourage labour, especially if they are overdue. Reflexology stimulates the release of oxytocin, the hormone that starts uterine contractions. So forget hot curries and running around the tennis court and use your feet instead. During labour reflexology helps to keep the body relaxed and calm and may be useful for pain control.

New arrival

Once a baby has arrived, parents’ lives may be thrown into unusual routines, lack of sleep, feeding times and general exhaustion.

Reflexology can help to:

- Calm & relax
- Increase energy levels
- Re-balance the body
- Stabilize body weight
- Aid lactation
- Prevent post-natal depression

Babies

Reflexology can help alleviate any small problems babies may have:

- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Skin problems
- Colic
- Teething
- Coughs & colds

Reflexology can help to make any pregnancy an enjoyable experience.

–Published by Families SW (London) Magazine

Modern Shoes un-friendly to your Feet

Diana Khoury — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:34:27 +0000

Most modern footwear is not designed to accommodate the natural shape of the foot. According to Bernard Rudofsky’s “The Unfashionable Human Body”, originally published in 1984, this is what shoe designers wish feet REALLY looked like.

Yikes!

Become More Flexible with Ear Reflexology

Diana Khoury — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 20:49:11 +0000

Here’s an ear reflexology map, for reference (click on image to enlarge):

Image (c) Essential Oil Books 2010. Borrowed from www.everythingessential.me.

And here’s a video on self-help ear reflexology:
Adam Thomas of Balancing Touch reflexology in Vancouver, B.C. produced a great video about increasing flexibility by doing ear reflexology on yourself! CLICK HERE to check it out…

Reflexology Featured in First for Women Magazine

Diana Khoury — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:03:25 +0000

First for Women magazine featured an article in their November issue entitled “Turn off Stress with Reflexology”. In it, the author referenced many scientific studies which validate reflexology’s effectiveness for relieving headaches, vertigo, sinus congestion, constipation, high blood pressure, insomnia, indigestion and lower back pain.

The Health Benefits of Proper Foot Function

Diana Khoury — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:49:00 +0000

The foot is more closely interconnected with the health of the entire body than we previously thought. When the foot is used properly the whole body benefits. Barefoot Motion takes a holistic look at the foot and how it effects every other bodily system.

upright posture
lower back relief
less knew pressurestronger calf muscles
flexible achilles tendon
more range of motion
healthy arches

Of the many benefits, stronger feet directly result in:

Increased tolerance of impacts & work loads
Increased threshold of standing & working fatigue
Built in immunity to foot disorders

Once more about those “Toning” shoes: They Don’t Work.

Diana Khoury — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 19:43:00 +0000

“People are always looking for the quick fix. Pills that will bust belly fat overnight. Exercise machines that will give you fab abs in no time. Flip-flops that can help you get fit faster. Special sneakers that sculpt your butt and help you get in shape.

Sound too good to be true? It usually is. And when it comes to trendy, pricy toning shoes—which have rounded or unstable soles that are supposed to help the wearer burn more calories by increasing “muscle activation”—studies show that while exercise does plenty to boost calorie consumption and tone your bod, the shoes don’t really make a difference.” Click here to read more.

Sketchers Shape-Ups for Girls can Impair Proper Foot Development

Diana Khoury — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 04:02:30 +0000

By Georgie Coote, NBCR

Sketchers Shape-ups are currently very popular shoes. They’re even endorsed by Kim Kardashian, who claims her toned legs and behind are a result of wearing them. The thick rocking bottom allegedly makes your hips, thighs and bottom work extra hard, toning these areas while you go about your everyday business without having to set foot in the gym.

Shape-Ups are a pet peeve of mine. Due to the unbalanced nature of the shoe, how can they possibly be good for your feet or body? I have even seen a heavily pregnant woman wobbling down the street in them. My juices really got fired up on a recent family vacation to Disney World. I saw a young girl wearing a pair, then my daughter called me over to the TV where the new Shape-Ups for Girls where being advertised right there on the Disney Channel! There has since been a lot of controversy over what message the girls, as young as 6 or 7, are receiving being told to wear the shoes to tone their bottoms. That aside, what are the shoes doing to girls’ still-developing feet and young bodies?

Let’s consider the development of a child’s foot. Arches are not developed until around 8 years of age. Younger children appear flat-footed due to a thick fatty pad supporting the arch. Children should be encouraged to go barefoot as much as possible to let the muscles of the foot develop and strengthen as they should. When a child needs to have shoes on, they should wear flat flexible shoes with wide toe box and strap or laces over the front of the ankle especially before the age of 8.

Any heel on a child’s shoe is considered a high heel. A 1″ heel on a child’s shoe is equivalent to a 2 – 3″ heel on an adult due to their small stature. (Source: The Barefoot Book, Dr Daniel Howell, pg, 80). Even though the feet may have stopped growing earlier, the ossification process is not complete until the age of 18 or 19. Wearing a shoe like Shape-Ups not only disables the ability for the foot to flex and strengthen as it should, it likely causes undue strain on the rest of the body. The thick soles alone affect messages the feet should be sending to the rest of the body to allow proprioception, the awareness of the orientation of the body in space.

The following is an excerpt from a recent article by the New York Daily News:

“The American Council on Exercise last year dismissed the idea that shoes like Reebok’s EasyTone and Skechers Shape-Ups can enhance exercise or burn more calories. No study addresses another concern parents have about the design of the shoes: some say the rocking soles could be dangerous for growing girls.   Suzanne Levine, a podiatric surgeon and foot-care expert told the News that she would definitely warn parents away from these shoes. “The shoe’s rocking bottom can cause ankle injury, especially if these little kids are running around a lot,” Levine said. “You don’t want to disrupt the normal gait pattern in a growing child.” Levine recommends a sturdy-soled sneaker with good arch support for kids with growing feet. “Kids are likely to sprain their ankles and experience toenail injuries from the rocking motions,” said Levine. “These shoes totally interrupt the stability of the foot.”

Read the full article at:
http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2011/05/11/2011-05-11_skechers_shape_ups_for_preschoolers_.html

Reflexology featured in Cooking Light magazine

Diana Khoury — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 02:34:41 +0000

In the June 2011 issue of Cooking Light magazine, writer Jennifer Drawbridge extols the benefits of reflexology. As a busy woman looking for stress relief in her life, she was at first a skeptic, then a convert to reflexology. The article ran on page 64. Thanks Jennifer!

To find a qualified reflexologist in Washington state, visit WRA’s practitioner page.

To find a professional reflexologist in another state, visit the American Reflexology Certification Board website.