Sole Response Reflexology and Reiki

Can You Manage Workplace Stress?

Written on August 1, 2009 at 11:48 am, by Marita

by Charlie Frograrth

One of the most difficult forms of stress to avoid is workplace stress. You have to go to work and once there you run across many stressing situations. But stress is not totally necessary. As with other forms of stress, there are ways to manage the stress found in the workplace. And if you cannot avoid it, then try to manage it.

Workplace stress is often manifested by everything needing to be completed today. As an example, your boss has already given you dozens of things to do, each with equal importance. Of course, there isn’t enough time to do all of them justice. And in addition, your boss comes and asks about a report or project completed sometime ago and when you get that, here is more work to do. It appears never ending but it is manageable.

The best way to begin to manage the stress is by focusing on only one task at a time. Multi-tasking will lead to failure as it impacts your system. Changing focus between projects makes demands on your brain and it takes time to change your thoughts from one project to another. If you maintain your focus on a single project then your energy and thoughts remain concentrated instead of scattered by multiple projects.

Another of the biggest distractions is coworkers. One of them will often ask for your opinion or for your help with their project. This takes time and focus away from your tasks and if possible delay or avoid these time wasters. Saying “no” will help to avoid distractions. I know, it is difficult to just say no, so it may be better to tell them “As soon as I am done here” or “No, not right now”. This will give you time to finish the task at hand and by the time you finish, they may have forgotten they asked you for help or may have found a solution on their own. If not, then you can take the time to help them.

There are times when your concentration just disappears causing many difficulties. You end up staring at the computer screen without being able to figure out what it means or you read the same paragraph over and over without comprehending it. At times like this you aren’t being effective so it is necessary to break your focus before you miss the deadline. Get up and take a walk around the building, go to the restroom, get a drink and when you come back to your desk, you will be refreshed and ready to continue. You will have reduced the stress level and will be able to work effectively.

There are various exercises you can do while at your desk to help in reducing stress. Get a little stress ball and squeeze it regularly and do some stretching exercises while at your desk. When you work your muscles it helps maintain circulation and keeps you alert and aware. You won’t manage a full body workout sitting at your desk, but any amount of exercise will help to keep you focused.

If you take a look at your work space you may find that it is not comfortable for you. It may be noisy, or your desk may not be the proper height for you, or you may not be comfortable for other reasons. It may not be ergonomically correct. In order to work with as little distraction as possible you must be comfortable to avoid more stress. Having your office set up just right for you is the ticket. And addressing the little things in your office will assist you in working more consistently and confidently.

A part of working is stress in the workplace. Using proper stress management techniques can minimize the stress. Once the stress is minimized work becomes more pleasant leading to more productivity. If you take care of yourself and the work area around you first then the stress will not control you.

About the Author:
Charlie Frograrth has an interesting blog on Managing Stress. Visit it at Managing Stress

Top 10 Natural Foods to Lower Cholesterol Safely and Naturally

Written on July 24, 2009 at 12:20 pm, by Marita

By Robin Reichert

The cholesterol in blood comes from two main sources: the foods we eat and what we manufacture. Cholesterol levels that are too high or too low in the blood can be a very dangerous factor, often leading to a heart attack or a stroke. There are many people who take statin drugs to reduce their cholesterol. However, there are many natural foods that you can eat to help lower cholesterol safely and naturally without the use of dangerous statin drugs. You may notice a substantial improvement in your cholesterol level once you begin consuming these whole foods on a daily basis.

Here is a list of the top 10 natural foods to help maintain a healthy cholesterol level in the body.

Oat bran and brown rice bran are the best foods for reducing cholesterol. They are rich in soluble fiber, thereby lowers cholesterol levels by binding fats and heavy metals.

Blueberries (organic) alone may help lower cholesterol as effectively as statin drugs! Berries, in general, help prevent oxidation of bad cholesterol and they are super abundant in antioxidants.
Fish is a good source of protein and omega 3 fatty acids, which has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol. Omega 3 fatty acids also help to lower triglyceride levels.
Garlic contains allicin and can have a powerful antioxidant effect. Lowers cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
Apples contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. Apple’s two kinds of fiber are useful for reducing cholesterol levels and for decreasing your risk of hardening of the arteries, stroke, and heart attack. Apple’s insoluble fiber works to remove LDL from the body, while apple’s fiber pectin reduces the amount of LDL cholesterol made in the liver.
Nuts are abundant in fiber, phytonutrients and antioxidants such as vitamin E and selenium. Nuts also contain plant sterols and the healthy fats (mono-and polyunsaturated).
Beans are high in soluble fiber; lowers the bad cholesterol and raises the good cholesterol. Other foods high in soluble fiber include lentils, peas, and ground flaxseeds.
Foods with Plant Sterols (or stanols) are powerful phytosterols found in plant membranes that may block cholesterol absorption. Sterols are found naturally in several kinds of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, cereals, legumes, and vegetable oils.
Olive oil has been known to reduce LDLs, raise HDLs, and is rich in antioxidants.

Soy protein -studies show that a total daily intake of 25 grams of soy protein significantly lowers LDL cholesterol levels. Soy has a high amount of polyunsaturated fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Soy products are also a great replacement for animal products.

Last but not least, it’s important to keep in mind that cholesterol is found only in animal products, not plant foods. Therefore, eating fewer animal foods and more plant foods will lower the blood cholesterol. If you already have high cholesterol, temporarily changing to a vegetarian diet with fish and non-fat dairy products, such as yogurt may help lower your levels quickly.

Robin Reichert is a natural health writer, AFPA Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant, and is currently a graduate student of natural health at Clayton College. Lifelong learning and educating others about natural health is her passion.

For more natural health and wellness information, please go to Robin’s Wellness Resource Center at http://www.wellness-bee.com

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Health Benefits of Raw Garlic

Written on July 18, 2009 at 10:23 am, by Marita

By Matthew Scott

Chinese people have known of the health benefits of raw garlic for thousands of years. In China, apart from being used to flavor food, garlic is also traditionally used in teas and folk remedies. Why? Garlic is one of nature’s strongest immune system boosters, and a powerful antibiotic, digestive aid and libido enhancer. As you’ll see below, these are just some of the health benefits of raw garlic.

However, while the health and medicinal benefits of garlic are numerous, it can also overheat your system if you eat too much. According to Traditional Chinese Dietary Therapy, garlic is warm in nature and a strong stimulant. Therefore, people who have excess heat in their body should first balance their system. Excessive internal heat comes from eating too many heating foods and drinks, e.g. meat, fried foods, coffee and alcohol. This causes symptoms like red eyes, bad breath, constipation, yellow urine, a yellow tongue moss and acne. If you have these kinds of symptoms, eliminate or greatly reduce the above items from your diet for a few weeks before you start eating garlic regularly, or it will just make your body hotter and your symptoms worse.

Below are some main health and medicinal benefits of garlic. Note: To get the full health benefits of raw garlic, you have to do just that – take it raw! Commercial garlic pills, tablets, oils and capsules, especially the odorless ones, are often devoid of the active enzymes that provide the benefits. Crushed, raw garlic may be mixed into virtually any meal, or put in gelatin capsules for easy swallowing, or drunk as a tea by simply crushing 1 or 2 cloves and adding hot water. These methods may not be very appealing, but do you want the benefits or not?

Health & Medicinal Benefits of Garlic

Powerful immune system enhancer

Antibacterial, antiviral Antifungal – effective remedy for yeast infections & candida

Clears boils & infected sores

Improves appetite Digestive aid – especially good if eaten with meat

Increases libido – take several raw cloves a day

Expells intestinal parasites & worms

Reduces high cholesterol

Health Remedies Using Garlic Cloves

Below are some Chinese health remedies using garlic cloves as the main ingredient. These are common, traditional ways that Chinese people make use of the health benefits of raw garlic.

Garlic Tea: Put 1 or 2 cloves of crushed garlic and 1 or 2 grams of loose-leaf green tea in a teapot. Add a teaspoon or two of unrefined brown sugar if you wish. Pour in boiling water that has been left to cool slightly. Stir the mixture and let it steep for several minutes before drinking. Afterwards, leave the ingredients in the pot, as you can top it up with more water once or twice throughout the day. This is a common folk remedy for killing germs and resolving toxins in the body.

Garlic Nose Drops: This is a preventative for the common cold and sinus problems. Crush several cloves of garlic to obtain the juice. Mix with warm water at a ratio of two parts water to one part garlic juice. Lie down and use an eye-dropper to place a couple of drops into each nostril as soon as you feel any symptoms coming on. Continue for as long as necessary. If the drops overly irritate your nostrils, stop, or reduce the number of drops.

Garlic Paste: Crush 2 garlic cloves and mix with several drops of pure sesame oil to make a paste for external application to boils,carbuncles and infected sores. Cover then reapply when the paste becomes dry and falls off. If the skin becomes overly irritated discontinue use or wait for a day or two and try again.

Maximizing the Health Benefits of Raw Garlic

To get the full health benefits of raw garlic, whether in salads, as tea, or in capsules, it’s important you eat less refined, processed and canned foods, and more foods in as close to their natural state as possible. Afterall, what’s the point in taking fresh, raw garlic to improve your health while, for instance, continuing to eat nutritionally-dead, toxin-producing junk foods?

Matthew Scott is a professionally trained Chinese medicine practitioner from Australia, now living in China. Matthew offers [http://www.chinese-herbal-remedies.com/online-herbal-remedies-advice.html]online herbal remedies advice at his website, Chinese-herbal-remedies.com

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Meditation Postures: Take Your Pick

Written on July 8, 2009 at 9:30 am, by Barbara Marr

It’s not in any way necessary to take on an uncomfortable or difficult position when you’re meditating. There are one or two guidelines, though, that help you make the most of your meditation session. For instance, most forms of meditation call for the spine to be straight and the posture to be erect. The reason for this is that when you sit erect it promotes the circulation of your spiritual energy. This is believed to be your life energy or force.

Even though a straight back is almost universal in the different approaches to meditation, some forms of the practice such as spiritual meditation utilize a variety of postures. Here’s a look at a few of the different postures.

1. Seated position. The person sits erect while keeping the back straight. Spine and head are aligned and straight. The thighs are parallel to the floor. Hands are placed comfortably on the knees or chair arms.

2. Cross legged posture. This is one of the most popular positions, and includes the lotus position.

3. Kneeling posture. The person is positioned with both knees resting on the floor. The buttocks rest on the heels and toes, which are placed side by side. The hands are placed on the thighs.

4. Lying down posture. In yoga this is referred to as savasna; it’s also known as the corpse position. The individual lies flat on the floor with the legs straight and relaxed. This position isn’t used often because it copies the innate position of sleep. A person might doze off at times. This is more useful for stress reduction rather than as a meditation method.

As well as the postures, there are a number of actions or gestures that might form part of the meditation experience. Included in these are hand motions which are termed Mudras. A theological meaning is at the root of these gestures. Founded on the yogic school of thought, they might affect the consciousness. A typical example is the placement of hands in Buddhist meditation. With the thumbs touching, the right hand is positioned on top of the left hand.

Integrating assorted repetitive actions like chanting, deep breathing or humming also assists in bringing on a state of meditation. Some people practice walking meditation. Typically, the eyes are closed or partially closed during meditation. However, Soto Zen practitioners perform their meditation with their eyes wide open in front of a wall.

For thousands of years, meditation has been practiced by countless people for its many advantages. Incorporating meditation into your everyday life could make a huge difference in your mindset and attitude. To gain the benefits of meditation, follow the training of the type of meditation you have decided to practice. Remember that acceptance and persistence are necessary in order to have success. This could be of help at times when you find difficulty in meditating, and it will also improve your concentration in daily life.

Simple Ways To Meditate Include Focusing On Your Breath

Written on July 4, 2009 at 11:22 am, by Trevor Johnson

Focusing on your breath is one of the more simple ways to meditate. Meditation itself is the only real way to fully relax the active thoughts which take place in your mind every day. You don’t have to follow any complex rules to meditate, switch off and achieve a mind that is in a state of peace.

Focusing on your breath and breathing is a meditation technique which can be mastered by anyone. Breathing is an involuntary action, so it is always there, it is rhythmic and this falls nicely in line with the theories on meditation. If you have ever been to an exercise or yoga class, or listened to guided meditation recordings, the lesson always starts by asking you to take a deep, or a few deep breaths.

Deep breathing is useful for relaxation even if you are not about to start meditating. We have all heard the words “take a breather”, so taking a few deep breaths before any situation helps to calm you.

When the breath is the focal point it can be used to release the stresses and anxieties which trouble us. So start by inhaling through the nostrils or mouth and on the exhale, imaging that all your stress, worry and anxiety is being released with the breath and out through the soles of the feet, finger tips or top of the head. Imagine that all the tensions and toxins in your body are being flushed away in that exhale.

Training your breath to be the focus of your attention can be accomplished by shallow and controlled breathing, Imagine at the same time that there is a feather on your chin or nose and you are not supposed to disturb it. The more focus you have on your breath, the more easily you will be able to find a meditative state.

You need to take whatever time you can out of your day and practice these breathing exercises whenever you have to opportunity. There are no fixed rules, do it when you go to bed at night or when you wake in the morning or both. Whatever makes you feel better!

The Vitamin D Deficiency Epidemic

Written on July 3, 2009 at 9:15 am, by Marita

By Karen Davison

Do you know what your Vitamin D level is? Chances are you don’t and chances are it’s low. Research seems to be coming out almost daily about the effects of Vitamin D deficiency and how many people are deficient. Estimates range from about 35% in young people to 100% in the elderly.

There is a growing awareness of how critical Vitamin D is to our health. There have been many studies on various diseases and conditions which point to Vitamin D deficiency as playing a relevant role. Recent research indicates that the following may be associated with Vitamin D deficiency:

• rheumatoid arthritis
• cognitive impairment and dementia.
• hypertension which may cause high blood pressure
• metabolic syndrome, a precursor to type II diabetes
• heart disease

As you can see most of the above are related to inflammation. People with higher levels of Vitamin D also have better lung capacity, something that could be important to asthma sufferers.In fact, in the May 1, 2009 issue of American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, researchers at Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston report a link between insufficient levels of vitamin D and increased severity of asthma in children.

There is now increasing evidence that Vitamin D deficiency plays an important role in the increase in autism. Vitamin D goes through two biochemical processes which ultimately produces calcitriol, which affects brain cell development. Some research indicates that a low Vitamin D level in a pregnant mother will affect brain development in the baby. The research while not conclusive, at this time, gives hope for a solution to the increasing incidence of autism.

Vitamin D is also essential for the absorption of calcium which children need to grow health bones and adults need to prevent osteoporosis.

Vitamin D is not something we get in large quantities from food but rather something we absorb from sunshine. As we have become a society who spends more and more time indoors or covered up when we’re outdoors, our Vitamin D levels have dropped. And many of us live in northern climes where, at least in the winter months, there may not be a lot of sunshine. Although surprisingly, there is a large number of people in states like Florida and Texas with below normal Vitamin D levels. Taking Vitamin D3 supplements is an inexpensive and simple solution which scientists believe will give us more protection against many diseases that are on the rise.

The daily recommended dosage of Vitamin D3 has changed drastically recently as more data becomes available. Cancer prevention specialists at the University of California are now recommending as much as 1000 IU/day. There are actual studies which show Vitamin D3 is effective in treating and preventing prostate and colon cancer and new studies are indicating the same may be true for many other types of cancer.

Remember the blood test for Vitamin D levels is inexpensive and can be easily added on to any blood test you may have. The recommended level of Vitamin D is 75-125 nmol/L. Check with your doctor before beginning any new supplementation.

Karen Davison helps people live a healthier, longer, more energetic life. Karen’s passion is helping others discover and realize their dreams, so they too can choose the lifestyle they desire. Learn more about health and nutrition at http://www.metabolicplan.wordpress.com

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Water- A vital secret to good health

Written on June 30, 2009 at 2:20 pm, by Marita

Water is one of the vital substances required for the proper functioning of the body, yet most of us don’t drink nearly enough of it. Our body cells are actually composed of around 70% water and every process in the body is dependent on adequate hydration.

Vital detoxifying organs such as the kidneys and liver are adversely affected by dehydration and do not clear toxins from the body efficiently. As a result, these toxins accumulate in the tissues and over time, can cause degeneration and disease.

Some conditions associated with inadequate hydration include:

• Headaches
• Poor digestion and constipation
• Reduced immune function
• Inflammation and joint pain
• Allergies, asthma, skin conditions
• Disturbed lipid/cholesterol metabolism
• Decreased energy levels

Adults should aim to drink around 2 to 3 litres of water per day, depending on their diet, size and level of physical activity. Drinking other liquids such as tea, coffee, soft drinks, alcohol etc DOES NOT count as water, since they actually put a metabolic load on the body and may even have a diuretic effect. Pure filtered water is the best option as it is free of most pollutants, additives and chemicals. Bottled water is a more expensive option. Tap water is acceptable and better than nothing.

 The thirst response in humans is not very efficient and by the time we realise we are thirsty, the body is already quite dehydrated. Get into the habit of drinking water on a regular basis, preferably between meals, as excessive water intake with a meal can reduce digestive enzyme activity.

Simply becoming more aware of the importance of water and increasing your water intake is one of the cheapest and most beneficial things you can do for your health.

Good health !!

Marita Reynolds.

Marita Reynolds. © Copyright 2009

Six Natural Ways to Prevent Illness

Written on June 25, 2009 at 10:08 am, by Sharon Simmons

New wonder drugs and mind-boggling surgical advances usually make the top of the news. No matter how great may be the achievements of the medical profession, if you are concerned with maintaining your own personal health then you will probably get more immediate protection by following some simple steps towards a more healthy way of life rather than waiting to be saved by a new technique. In case you are not sure where to start, let me give your some suggestions.

1. Exercise Regularly. In the past humans had to work at physically demanding tasks and this kept them in shape. Today, we are engaged in mental rather than physical labor, and this lack of physical activity is often the cause of obesity, diabetes and a host of other illnesses. Instead of sitting back on your easy chair, you should make it a point to exercise daily. If you are not the athletic type or you don’t want to invest in an exercise machine, the easiest way to get exercise is to take a walk each day. Thirty to forty minutes daily will definitely keep you in shape.

2. Heed the call of your body before eating. I know that most people have a routine when it comes to eating. At a certain time it is the hour for lunch and at another it is dinner time. But instead of eating according to the clock it is a better idea to eat only when you actually feel hungry. If you ignore the signals of your body and eat when you are not hungry (on a continual basis) then this may lead to digestive problems. So, be sensitive to your real needs and refrain from eating if you are not really hungry.

3. Observe a fast on a periodic basis. “What, are you telling me not to eat?” Look at it this way. You don’t work seven days a week and 52 weeks per year. You need rest periods from time to time in order to maintain your overall efficiency. The same is true for your digestive system. By fasting on a periodic basis you can give your digestive system a chance to rest, and also help eliminate toxins from your body. Try it and you will see how good it feels.

4. When You Get Tired, Go to Sleep! This seems like an obvious rule, but I know that I am not perfect in following it and millions of other people have the same weakness. Sometimes we stay up later to get some work done, but then lose that time the next day due to being drowsy or by getting up later. Some people take stimulants to keep awake and others just can’t turn off the TV or computer. Just like your food habits, your body is trying to tell you what to do and when to do it. Listen to your body when it comes to sleeping, and you will maintain your health.

5. Get Up as Early As Possible. You may have heard the expression “Early to bed, early to rise makes the man healthy, wealthy and wise.” I don’t know if early rising will make your rich or wise, but it is definitely one of the traits of people who live long. Our body is best suited to being active during the day and sleeping during the hours of darkness. If you reverse this pattern and sleep during the day and remain active deep into the night, then you will disturb your body’s natural equilibrium and this usually leads to illness.

6. Relieve Stress with Meditation and Yoga. Stress is the cause of many illnesses and our daily routine at work and even at home is often filled with stress causing incidents. We definitely need a way to get rid of the stress and also a way to deal with mental tension. Silent meditation, accompanied by simple yoga and deep relaxation is an ideal way to shut off the noise of the outside world and to find inner peace. You don’t have to tie yourself in pretzel or meditate for hours on end. Just some simple exercises will help you physically and mentally.

Practice any or all of these above-mentioned methods and you will be pleasantly surprised with the results. Hopefully you will never have to try out the wonder drugs or undergo the latest types of surgery!

Reiki and Self-Realisation

Written on June 22, 2009 at 8:24 am, by Marita

It is only by truly knowing ourselves that we can begin to grow and progress in our spiritual development and our life journey.

An individual who is on their spiritual journey will often read extensively, take part in self-realisation courses and be open to learning more about themselves, often described as their positive and the negative attributes. I like to look at it more as the evolved components and the non-evolved components, those aspects of ourselves that we are currently working on to learn our lessons in life. Part of our purpose on this earth as a third dimensional being is to learn these lessons.

Reiki is universal life force energy of light. Quantum physics is telling us that we are beings of light. When we start growing we are as small as subatomic particles and as the particles grow and come together they develop into matter and form, just like us. Light is the true source of all and everything. Our physical form is where the energy of light flows through us and in doing so helps us to create our universe.

It is also through this light that we create our heart’s desires. When we become aware of this inner light we are free to experience all. We have no boundaries or limitations. We are living in the present moment. If we are living in fear, which stems from our ego, then we are limiting our growth and learning potential. By feeling and experiencing the light protection and guidance that Reiki offers us, we are able to give and receive each and every day of our life. We learn to have no fear. Only love and light.

Our thoughts and our words are very powerful things. It’s important to be aware of the ego-based thoughts such as “I am going to” or “I want that “. These thoughts can lead to suffering and attachment because when these thoughts do not eventuate, we become disappointed, because we have set up an expectation that something is going to happen and when it doesn’t, we feel that we have wasted our efforts. By changing the thought process to now think of what we have rather than what we want or need and what we will do rather than what we should do, we are using affirming language.

When we use Reiki universal life force energy all our needs are provided for. We no longer waste time in the doing or having the expectation.

Be open to Reiki universal life force energy and be truly grateful for that awareness, as light energy is infinite and full of abundance and prosperity for all who choose to accept it.

Good Health !!!

Copyright 2009. Marita Reynolds

Reflexology – Science or Science Fiction?

Written on June 16, 2009 at 4:46 pm, by Marita

By Florence Cohen

Most commonly, reflexology is carried out on the feet and the hands, so let us begin by defining what foot and hand reflexology is in the simplest of terms. Imagine someone would draw your entire body on your feet and on your hands where everything drawn on the right foot and the right hand corresponded exactly to the right side of your body and everything drawn on the left foot and left hand corresponded exactly to the left side of your body. When you’d look at the soles of the feet or the palms of the hands, you would be able to see the area of the heart, that of the lungs, the spine, the kidneys, the bladder and so on. These mirror areas of the body are called reflex areas – or reflexes – and reflexology is the science of the reflexes. Reflexology rebalances body chemistry by accessing the actual organs and various parts of the body through the mirror areas in the feet and hands. How? Using the 7000 nerve endings in each foot, using the blood flow, using the lymph flow, and possibly the acupunctural meridians as well. In the hands of a well-trained reflexologist – and this is an important point – reflexology will stimulate and optimize nerve flow, blood flow, and lymph flow to the area of the body being treated in the feet or the hands, thus minimizing pain as well as muscle tension and facilitating the body’s natural healing and detoxifying processes in that particular area. This is done by deep pressure thumb and finger techniques which reproduce the effect of walking barefoot in nature on different uneven surfaces such as stones, sand, grass, branches and so on. Too good to be true? Sounds more like science-fiction than science?

Then allow me to present the science to you. In the 1930’s, Eunice Ingham, an American physical therapist, developed Western Reflexology as we know it today. She is the one who mapped out all the reflex areas of the hands and feet. She did it by trial and error on thousands of patients working closely with a physician, Dr. Riley, and without any modern equipment. She knew what the complaints of her patients were and she looked for the corresponding areas in the foot which appeared to be “congested” and sore. This is how, over the years, she mapped out the reflex areas of the feet. Also, she realized that when she treated those areas with deep pressure, the complaints of her patients improved or disappeared. Today, methodologically valid studies prove that she was right. In 1999, thanks to Doppler sonography for instance, Austrian researchers proved that reflexology on the kidney reflex increased blood flow inside the kidney. When reflexology was applied to reflexes other than that of the kidney, the measured blood flow inside the kidney was not altered. Only when the specific area on the foot corresponding to one of the kidneys was stimulated by deep reflexology techniques did the amount of blood flow inside the corresponding kidney become greater. This means that more oxygen and more nutrients were immediately brought to the kidney to improve its function by the simple means of doing reflexology on the kidney reflex. For those interested, here below is the reference to the study.

“Changes of renal blood flow during organ-associated foot reflexology measured by color Doppler sonography” by Sudmeier I., Bodner G., Egger I., Mur E., Ulmer H., Herold M., Forsch Komplementarmed. 1999 Jun; 6(3): 129-34

One of the most valid and truly interesting studies on the effects of reflexology was carried out by the Oregon Research Institute and published in 2005 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. The study demonstrated that cobblestone-mat walking significantly improved the health of older physically-inactive adults (between 60 and 92 years of age) over 16 weeks. This was measured by various physical performance tests, balance tests, and blood pressure changes. Here below is the reference to the study.

“Improving physical function and blood pressure in older adults through cobblestone mat walking: a randomized trial” by FUZHONG LI; FISHER K. John ; HARMER Peter, Journal of the American Geriatrics Society ISSN 0002-8614, 2005, vol. 53, no8, pp. 1305-1312 [8 page(s) (article)] (27 ref.)

This study is extremely significant because it shows that the health of the elderly people who walked on the cobblestones three times per week unquestionably improved much more than that of the elderly people who did the normal walking on a flat surface (the control group). In other words, the pressure caused by the cobblestones made all the difference. One should look at reflexology as the re-enactment of natural barefoot walking on different uneven surfaces. If you think about it, this the way nature intended for us to live – walking, not sitting all day like we do. What the study implies is that there is a natural rebalancing system of our body functions (our health) integrated in our feet which is being stimulated by deep pressure. And in the original plan, this pressure would have come from walking barefoot in nature. With modernization and daily sitting, this system is not being used anymore. That’s where reflexology comes in. As a matter of fact, every city in Asia has a cobblestone health park.

Researchers in some universities are now looking at what happens inside the brain when you stimulate certain reflexes. The first results are very encouraging and in the coming 20 years I am certain that many of the benefits of reflexology will be fully explained by scientific measurements and observations.

Be aware that there are two types of reflexology. The first is the type of reflexology that is often given in spas: this is more like an improved foot massage than anything else and cannot be considered clinically relevant. The second is the type of reflexology the above studies talk about: it activates the body’s natural healing and detoxifying processes and reduces pain as well as stress levels. With this type of reflexology, which some reflexologists like myself prefer to call medical (or clinical) reflexology, many medical conditions and their associated symptoms – especially pain – will improve in a matter of a few sessions.

Florence Cohen is a certified Medical Reflexologist from the International Institute of Reflexology who specializes in back pain. You will find more information about reflexology in general, its benefits for all medical conditions, and the exact science behind it on her informative website http://www.reflexology4backpain.com

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