REFLEXOLOGY

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REFLEXOLOGY

• Ancient Healing Art Modern Holistic Modality
• By Lori Lee, CTN
• Blue Rose Holistics, LLC

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Lecture Objectives

• Explain how Reflexology relates to the nursing
  practice (CEU participants only)
• Define Reflexology, to include anatomical and
  physiological aspect of the Reflexology practice.
• Note any contradictions to Reflexology.
• Obtain a basic understanding of how to perform a
  Reflexology session.

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Reflexologys Roots

• No one really knows the true origin of
  Reflexology, but it is at least as old as this
  wall painting dated 2330 BC which shows both hand
  and foot Reflexology.

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Modern Reflexology

• Modern Reflexology was developed through the work
  of Dr. William H. Fitzgerald (Zone Therapy) and
  Eunice Ingam, who was able to map out the entire
  body on the feet. She realized that by applying
  pressure with her fingers and thumbs, she could
  invoke response in a correlating area of the
  body.

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Reflexology Today

• Reflexology is a respected modality recognized by
  the National Center for Alternative Medicine
  (NCAM) and the American Nurses Association (ANA).
  
• It is practiced daily at/in
• The Mayo Clinic
• The Cleveland Clinic
• Cancer Centers
• Birthing/Maternity Wards
• Elderly Facilities
• Hospice Care
• Private Homes
• Pediatric Healthcare

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What is Reflexology?

• Reflexology is based on the science that there
  are "reflex" areas on the feet and hands which
  correspond to specific organs, glands, and other
  important parts of the body.
• The practitioner applies specific pressure using
  the thumb, finger, and hand which results in
  physiological changes.

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• Reflexology works to strengthen and reinforce
  each and every gland, organ, and muscle in the
  body to biologically correct, strengthen, and
  reinforce itself. Reflexology may increase
  circulation, reduce pain, and enhance the body's
  healing cycle.
• Reflexology increases circulation throughout the
  body, resulting in better oxygen supply to all
  systems. Toxins are moved through the lymphatic
  system for elimination, so be sure to ask the
  receiver to increase water intake. Some areas may
  be tender (a sign of congestion), but reflexology
  is not painful. Sessions are relaxing overall.

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Who Benefits from Reflexology?

• No matter what your health status or stage of
  life, Reflexology is a balancing modality
  promotes well-being and overall health.
• The only contraindications are as follows
• Pregnancy
• Possible blood clots
• Sores or lacerations on the foot and ankles
• Large or knotted varicose veins on the foot and
  ankles

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• During pregnancy, digestion is often disrupted
  and weight gain which may cause discomfort in the
  hips, feet, and legs. Reflexology can help ease
  discomfort by
• Reducing swelling in the lower extremities
• Promoting relaxation
• Reducing tension in the muscles
• Relieving digestive issues and constipation
• Alleviating morning sickness and heartburn
• Although Reflexology can be especially beneficial
  during pregnancy and throughout childbirth, it is
  important to know the specific location of any
  point which may induce contractions. Bottom line
  only a practitioner with advanced training should
  apply this modality to someone who is pregnant.

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• Children generally enjoy their sessions and
  require only half the time to work the circuit,
  because their bodies are quicker to respond.
• Babies are especially wonderful subjects because
  the physiological effects are so quickly
  manifested.
• Colic, upset stomach, fussiness, and teething are
  just some examples of maladies which may be
  lessened or alleviated by Reflexology.

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• A 1990 Australian study of children showed that
  70 of patients receiving a minimum of two
  Reflexology sessions per week experienced less
  urination in volume and less incidence of
  bedwetting.
• According to a report from the School of Nursing,
  Division of Science Design, University of
  Canberra, Australia, just 10 minutes of regular
  Reflexology in cancer patients provided relief
  from pain, nausea, and anxiety.
• A study reported by Bauneholm School of
  Reflexology in Denmark found that reflexology is
  beneficial for various prostate problems commonly
  suffered by older man.
• Research at the School of Nursing, East Carolina
  University, Greenville, North Carolina recorded
  that (foot) Reflexology alleviated anxiety and
  pain in patients with breast and lung cancer.

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Studies show Reflexology may impact

• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• Cardiopathy
• Cataracts
• Central Nervous System
• Cerebral Cell Death
• Cerebral Infarction
• Cerebral Palsy
• Cerebral Thrombotic Sequelae
• Cerebral Vascular Thrombosis
• Chemotherapy
• Chest Pain
• Chronic Disorders
• Climacterium Syndrome
• Cloasma
• Colic
• Colitis
• Coma
• Common Cold
• Concussion

• Heart Disease
• Menuieres Syndrome
• Migraine
• Motion Sickness
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (Chronic Fatigue
  Syndrome)
• Myasthenia Gravis
• Myopia
• Nasal Nerve Block
• Neonatal Vomiting
• Nephrotic Syndrome (Kidneys)
• Neuromusculoskeletal Dysfunction
• Neurosism
• Hepatitis B
• Hernia
• Herpes
• Hiccup
• Kidney Stones

• Reflux Esophagitis
• Respiratory Tract Infection
• Retardation
• Rhinitis (Nose)
• Robinsons Syndrome (Ears)
• Sciatica
• Shoulder Pain
• Sleep Disorders
• Soft Tissue Injury
• Spondylitis Ankylosing (Spine)
• Spondylopathy (Spine)
• Spondylosis (Spine)
• Sports Recovery Time
• Sterility
• Substance Abuse2
• Tachycardia (Heart)
• Tennis Elbow
• Thrombocylopenic Purpura
• Tinnitus (Ears)

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Feet Are the Mirror of the Body

• Simply, the left foot mirrors the left side of
  the body and the right foot mirrors the right
  side of the body. When you bring the feet
  together, you have a complete picture of the
  systems. The left hand governs the left side,
  while the right governs the right side of the
  body. Feet generally reflect body type, i.e. tall
  thin people have long, thin feet. Those with
  large shoulders have wide feet between the big
  and little toes.
• During your session, take note of any calluses,
  corns, or areas of hardened skin. They may
  represent an imbalance in the correlating area

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Reflexology Techniques

• Use the flat pad of the finger instead of the
  tip, so that the nail does not dig into the skin.
  Keep nails trimmed for maximum comfort. Move the
  digits forward, never backward and avoid any
  circular motion.
• The amount of pressure is mostly intuitive. The
  hands can withstand much more pressure than the
  feet, which are more sensitive. Pressure should
  be firm, but not induce pain. The Reflexology
  session should be relaxing overall.
• Reflex points are tiny and there are thousands of
  them distributed over the feet and hands. A slow
  methodical session ensures that each point is
  worked for optimal detoxification and stimulation
  of systems.
• Apart from the creeping and forward motion of the
  index finger and thumb, two other basic
  techniques are hooking out and rotating.

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Thank you!

• For more information regarding Reflexology or
  Reflexology training, please contact
• Lori Lee, ND
• Blue Rose Holistics, LLC
• [phone]
• info_at_blueroseholistics.com
• www.blueroseholistics.com