Although much has been written about stress and the effect of stress on the body, it is really a very vague word. So much can be read into it. People can place so many different meanings on the word, I try not to assume that I know what a client means when they say they are stressed and always ask questions to help me design the treament:-
How do you feel when you know you are stressed?
How do you know when you are more stressed?
How well do you sleep?
How often do you have headaches?
Do you have visual disturbances?
How well do you cope with your work/family commitments?
How do you imagine you would feel if you were not stressed?
How would you like to feel?
There are so many other symptoms that can be attributed to stress and the usual body system questionaire will pick these up - painful shoulders, skin conditions, digestive problems etc.
I had a visit from a client recently who was fairly typical of one type of stress. She would not stop talking! She sat on the edge of her chair, fiddled with her bag, laughed a lot and generally tired me out before we started. This is a very distinctive form of stress and so different from the person who says they are stressed and depressed and have no energy and seem 'slow'.
For this client, I couldn't wait to get her on the treatment couch and calm her down. There is an excellent point on the outside of the foot, just under the ankle bone that is so effective.
The point is UB62 and is the most tranquillising point of the body. Touch the outside ankle bone and run the finger down to just below the ankle bone. The point is in the first depression, about one third of the way before the edge of the heel.
After the usual relaxation moves I held this point gently for about two minutes and came back to it several times during the treatment. I also incorporated the usual diaphragm and adrenal points. The results were outstanding. After the first treatment there was a marked improvement. At the second treatment the client said this feeling of calm had lasted for several days. After several treatments she had forgotten how uptight she had been and now sees me just once a month.
Sunday, 25 February 2007
Stress and Reflexology
Tuesday, 13 February 2007
Sciatica and Reflexology
I could have smacked him.
A regular long-term client D** complained of sciatica at this visit.
‘Reflexology has been very successful with sciatic pain’, I informed him. I went on to tell him what I would do during the treatment, which would be different from the usual procedure.
I worked really hard across the sciatic loop on the heel for several minutes, several times during the reflexology session. I also worked against the energy flow of the bladder meridian, stroking from the little toe along the side of the foot and up the leg, holding the pressure points around the ankle. I combined this with work on the partner kidney meridian.
After the treatment I explained to D** what I had done and told him about some of the outstanding results from the past. (There’s no harm in a little suggestion therapy).
Then…………..at his next treatment two weeks later when I asked him about the sciatica, he said, ‘Oh that just went away. I don’t know why. These things just come and go don’t they?’
As I said, I could have smacked him.
And after all my hard work, too!
As you can imagine, there then followed a little lecture from yours truly about the efficacy of reflexology in relieving acute sciatic pain.
Tuesday, 6 February 2007
Sinus Pain and Reflexology
Even after giving hundreds of reflexology treatments, I still get a kick when the client's sinuses clear during the treatment. Sinus pain is so miserable it's good that reflexology can help. My client also felt the 'popping' sensation as the sinuses cleared, which often happens.
Amazing, isn't it? There I was working on the feet and the results were felt in the face.
It is such a shame that not all reflexology charts give a clear indication of the position of the sinus reflex points.
I find the most effective point is just under the top pads of the toes, slightly towards the lateral side. It is also helpful to work along the reflex for the Eustachion Tubes on the ridge under the base of the toes.
With inflamed sinuses the point can be felt like a pin head under the thumb. This can be extremely uncomfortable for the client. In my early days I was guilty of inflicting a lot of pain this way, so I have learned to proceed with caution!
To achieve a good result, my experience has been that I need to work gently on the sinus points on the toes, across both feet, for at least two minutes. Then follow on with thumb walking along the ridge under the toes. I repeat this procedure several times during a treatment.
This is such an evident confirmation of the effectiveness of reflexology. I tell all my clients that if reflexology works on blocked sinuses where you can experience the results immediately, it must surely be working just as effectively in other areas where it is not so obvious.
Business Development
Everyone of my clients who came to my house yesterday booked their next appointment. Sometimes as much as 5 0r 6 weeks ahead, but that's no problem. I like to have my diary almost full for at least two weeks in front and booking in my regulars helps this along.
Business development today was non-existent. I was due to work at another of my regular venues, but they closed because of the snow. They kindly cancelled my clients for me, but I need to contact them all today to re-book for next week.
So I had an unexpected day off. I was able to play with the dogs.
Jonti and Echo, Large Munsterlanders, and our visiting snowman. He has no feet, so no business opportunity there.
