Reflexology For Detox

A common complaint that I get from many of my clients in my Cambridge practice is that they just don't feel themselves. It is often a mix of symptoms that add up to a warning sign that the body is not functioning as it should.

Tiredness and mental and emotional fatigue, sluggish digestion, weight gain, aches and pains and recurrent illness can all be signs that there is toxic overload in the body. It is a common problem as much of our lives today include toxins of some kind.

Food additives found in junk and processed foods, over consumption of caffeine, alcohol and sugar and environmental pollution all increase the levels of toxins in the body which hinder the proper functions of the organs.

Most of us cannot be perfect all the time and life is about variety be that an extra slice of cake or another glass of wine, but finding the balance is the key in maintaining good health.

Changing your diet and keeping active all help to get rid of toxins as does drinking plenty of water or herb teas and getting an early night which I recommend to all my clients but one of the best ways to help the body to detox is through reflexology.

Reflexology helps flush out toxins from the body by stimulating the energy flow through the important organs that are involved in detoxification including the liver, kidney, colon, lungs and skin.

The benefits of reflexology are innumerable and periodic detoxing is vital if our bodies are to function properly.

Reflexology For Insomnia

Over the past few nights I've not been sleeping well. I blame it on the effect of the November super-moon. As I lay awake at 3am after trying and failing to fall asleep I was reminded of how hard having a sleep disorder can be. The following days were spent in a fog of tiredness and I felt so happy when last night I fell back into my normal routine of good, reviving sleep.

Sleep is so important as it allows the body to rest and get ready for the next day. During the deep stages of sleep the body repairs and regenerates tissues, builds bone and muscle, and strengthens the immune system to help you recover from illnesses.

A good night's sleep also helps with mental health, relieves stress and anxiety and assists problem solving.

At my clinic in Cambridge I have clients that come to me suffering from Insomnia and I have seen some great results from using Reflexology. One of the most common responses from people after they have had a treatment for any issue is a good night's sleep.

During a treatment I apply pressure to specific reflex points on the feet to improve lymph, nerve and blood circulation, aiding the body's own healing potential.

Below I've drawn a foot diagram to show some of the primary reflex points that can help to improve sleep.

The best areas to focus on to regulate the sleep cycle are the glands; these include the pituitary, thyroid, and adrenals. The pituitary is the centre for the body's hormones and regulates the circadian rhythm which is the sleep-wake cycle. The thyroid gland regulates the body's metabolism and the adrenal glands help the nervous system and blood sugar levels.

Other important areas are the diaphragm and solar plexus. These have a powerful effect on calming the body, getting it primed to slumber by regulating breathing and heart-rate.

Cuddle hormone relieves pain

During treatments i always work the pituitary gland, and i have witnessed some powerful results from people as it is the control centre for our hormones. Sometimes small molecules are enough to alter our mood or change our metabolism. A prime example is oxytocin, which is involved in fostering emotions such as trust and love. The hormone is produced only in the brain and is released into the bloodstream by the pituitary gland. Until now it was not known why these oxytocin-producing neurons are linked to the brainstem and spinal cord. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research in Heidelberg have now discovered a small population of neurons that coordinate the release of oxytocin into the blood and also stimulate cells in the spinal cord. Stimulation of these cells increases oxytocin levels in the body and also has a pain-relieving effect.