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Reflexology Educators, Mentors and Coaches since 1991

Reflexology & Cardio Vascular System Research

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B. S. M. Frankel of the Department of Physiology, University of Leeds, England has conducted a pilot study “to identify if reflexology and foot massage affect the physiology of the body by measuring baroreceptor reflex sensitivity, blood pressure, and sinus arrhythmia.” Ten recipients of reflexology work and ten recipients of foot massage work were compared to a control group of four individuals in a single blind study.

Frankel found that “The reflexology and foot massage groups showed significantly greater reductions in baroreceptor reflex sensitivity compared to the control group.

This study found no significant difference in blood pressure after intervention. The frequency of sinus arrhythmia after reflexology and foot massage increased by 43.9% and 34.1% respectively.”

The study examines the link between pressure to the feet and baroreceptors of the heart. The baroreceptor reflex “maintains blood pressure and homeostasis by changes in the autonomic outflow.” It effects behavior such as “sleep, mental arithmetic and exercise” and “physiological processes and reflexes such as aging and the defense reflex.” It also interacts with certain diseases such as heart failure.

The implication of the study is that pressure to the feet impacts these behaviors and processes.

Frankel’s conclusion is that a neuro theory of reflexology should be considered. He states that “foot massage and reflexology could alter the baroreceptor sensitivity by stimulating the sensory nervous system in the feet.” He suggests a mechanism in the nervous system by which reflexology and touch itself may be “therapeutic.” The pressure sensors in the feet are linked to the same part of the brain as the baroreceptor reflex. He hypothesizes that this could be the point of influence.

Frankel, B. S. M., “The effect of reflexology on baroreceptor reflex sensitivity, blood pressure and sinus arrhythmia,”
Complementary Therapies in Medicine, Churchill, London, 1997, Vol. 5, pp. 80-84

Reflexology & Fertility

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‘I only wish I’d tried this sooner’

Women with fertility problems are turning to reflexology – and the results are so impressive, now a hospital trial has begun, says Rebecca Hardy

When Paula Lavin, 34, decided that she wanted a second baby, the doctors said that it was “highly unlikely” that she would ever conceive naturally. But Paula was determined: her first child was born after four harrowing years of fertility treatment, and this time she wanted to try a natural approach. Her doctors were highly skeptical. Undeterred, she booked an appointment with a Reflexologist. Two months later, she was pregnant. (The Independent -15 March 2004)

How well do you Handle Money

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Did you know that the spacing between the fingers tells how you handle money? Specifically the space between the middle finger and the ring finger! The wider it is – the more generous the person is likely to be, and part with their money.

A narrow space shows a more thrifty person, who knows the value of a dollar. When the fingers touch – their attitude is almost scrooge-like!

The following information is excerpted from the Universal College of Reflexology’s Hand Reflexology Manual.

Our hands are usually different sizes. The more dominant hand is likely to be the larger hand. This hand is also known as the moving hand. In most cases the moving hand gestures or moves more frequently, whilst the other remains at rest.

First let’s look at the non-dominant or stationary hand – this will give the person’s base line or basic attitude towards money. Now look at the dominant or moving hand and compare the two. See which hand has the larger spread between the middle and ring fingers.

Since the moving hand reflects the current situation, a wider space here would show that the subject is presently feeling more generous, and is more willing to part with their money. When the space is narrower on the moving hand, they are not likely to spend on anything except necessities.

For more fascinating information on the hands and how they can help you decipher your own health issues – as well as those of clients – consider studying Hand Reflexology.  Available as an on-line coursethrough the Universal College of Reflexology.

Great ideas to make money doing what you love

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Who says you can’t make money doing what you love? These creative ideas will help you start that part-time business you’ve always dreamed of.

If you lie awake at night racking your brain for a fall-back plan or second-income generator, find a movement, trend or something that works in a big way, and then drum up a way to tweak it for a specialized audience. The key to turning a unique idea, skill or talent into a steady side gig is to pay attention in life–ideas are all around you.

For example, more women are looking for ways to get out of the house. Hosting book club, wine-tasting, jewellery or lingerie parties are just a few fun activities with moneymaking potential.

Here are some more ideas for where to look as you try to find the niche that suits you best:

Alternative health services. As our health-care system becomes more prevention-oriented, Americans are increasingly more accepting of alternative, holistic health, and wellness practices. Healing arts such as reflexology, massage therapy and yoga are in demand by private and corporate clientele.

Grooming services. Thanks to the popularity of TV shoes such as Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, men are becoming more upfront about wanting to look and feel good about themselves. For these so-called metrosexuals, a new wave of relaxation havens specially designated for men are cropping up. Today’s hottest services include facial bronzing, stone massage, organic facials, reflexology and seaweed wraps.

Spiritual work. Spiritually minded people make humanity their life’s work. Today, there are plenty of creative job paths you can pursue if you feel inspiring others is your life mission. For example, religious craftspeople and artists (think of all the Judaic and Catholic supply shops, candleholders, jewellery charms, trinket boxes, decorative nativity art and collectibles there are); church camp/counsellor/director; religious writers and authors (even for religious greeting cards); and spiritual retreat leaders. These last folks lead trips to destinations with biblical/historical significance.

Personal services. Can you save someone else time? Running errands for seniors, preparing someone’s tax returns or walking your neighbours’ dogs are examples of valuable services to offer.

Gardening and landscaping. Consider the growing garden trade. Homeowners who lack the time or desire to plant and prune still recognize the importance of curb appeal today. Landscape design, maintenance and retail gardening businesses are hot now. If you enjoy working in nice weather around nature, the field of horticulture covers a wide range of professional specialties. You can be an arborist, look after commercial greenhouses, and care for golf courses or large private estates. With a formal education, you’ll learn about jet stream patterns and their effect on which plants grow best in certain regions.

Pet services. Could your business be going to the dogs? Upscale pet-related services and merchandise are bringing home the bacon–to the tune of $30 billion a year in the United States today, according to a recent research study from Unity Marketing. Pet foods, doggie daycare, shampoos and even “pet pampering” spas and hotels are just a few of the products and services that make up the industry. If you have a knack for dog handling, dog obedience is another hot extra-income generator.

Workplace design. You could be a creator of the workplace of the future. As industries evolve, tomorrow’s offices will entice us through hip, ergonomically correct furnishings, the use of colour, and innovative lighting. The need for experts who can implement ergonomically correct conditions is rising. Areas of specialization include industrial workplaces, occupational safety, furniture design, computer hardware, human-computer interaction, product liability, consumer products and virtual environments.

Senior-focused services. Don’t forget the lucrative aging baby boomers. The fifty-plus population is an intelligent, active group. They need products, services and information providers to meet their entertainment, education and lifestyle needs. Today, there are senior-focused book authors; website developers; travel, insurance and real-estate companies; and computer-training firms reaping profits from the older Americans they serve.

Business writing and services. If your skill is putting it in writing, hire yourself out as a business plan writer. Too many businesses lose out on new contracts, funding or clients because they don’t know how to communicate their message on paper. Businesses today have a need for marketing, strategy, lobbying and proposal writing services. Also, the demand for freelance writers with specialties in grant writing, bio met, IT, economic development and general business is high. Project work includes requests for proposals, corporate training guides, computer documentation, white papers, government licensing applications, legislative memos and executive bios. Fees typically start at $100 per hour, or between $30,000 and $60,000 a year.

Home design and services. These days, home is where the art is. Thanks to baby boomers with discretionary income and a nationwide “cocooning” trend, interior decorating and design services are in demand. From guesthouses to second homes, vacation retreats to master bathrooms, those cashing in on the thriving home-fixings craze include architects, interior designers, landscape architects and pool builders. Other jobs include project management professionals for furniture companies or corporate facilities, and designers of hotels, healthcare institutions, retirement communities and nursing homes.

Culinary services. By the same token, staying in is the new going out and people are entertaining in their homes more than ever. Dinner parties have made a big comeback. If you have culinary skills, you’re in demand. Aside from catering, you may decide to give one-on-one cooking lessons, help prepare menus or conduct demonstrations in your own home. For the many people trying to eat well, both for health and epicurean reasons, you can hire yourself out as a personal chef or nutritionist.

New Reflex Discovered!!!

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If someone gave you information identical to information you already have, how much would you value the information given? Well, you might put a small value on it because it confirms your knowledge and maybe helps you feel more secure. But it is unlikely that you would pay much for it.

It follows that the most valuable information could be the most different from the information you already have.

But there is a problem: New information could be different and useless or different and useful. We apply our minds to decide.

If you decide to dismiss new information summarily, then you are using the Semmelweis Reflex. The Semmelweis-reflex is the automatic rejection of the obvious, without thought, inspection, or experiment.

Even if initially you object strongly to new information, you may find that your objections are satisfactorily answered later.

ORIGINS OF THE SEMMELWEIS-REFLEX

Dr Ignaz Semmelweis was a Hungarian physician who discovered in the 1840s that puerperal or childbed fever could be virtually abolished if doctors washed their hands in

a chorine solution.

In the 1840s puerperal fever typically caused a 10-30% mortality rate in maternity hospitals throughout Europe. Semmelweis reduced the mortality rate in the division of the obstetric clinic where he worked in the General Hospital of Vienna from 18 percent to 1 percent. But he failed to convince his colleagues and superiors.

Instead of listening to him and disinfecting their hands, they hounded, persecuted, and fired him – for daring to suggest that they wash their hands properly. In the autumn of 1860, after the dismissal of Semmelweis, in the same ward where he had demonstrated how to virtually eradicate childbed fever, 35 out of 101 patients died.

In a book published in 1861, Semmelweis presented his statistics and findings. He sent copies to medical societies and to leading obstetricians in Germany, France, and England. Despite his copious and undisputed statistics, he was completely ignored.

Thirty years after Semmelweis’ discovery, Lister and Pasteur succeeded in convincing doctors that they should disinfect their hands.

The Semmelweis-reflex is the automatic rejection of the obvious, without thought, inspection, or experiment. The results that Semmelweis produced made it obvious that his possible discovery needed to be inspected, experimented with, and thought about.

Ear Trivia

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The colour of an egg depends on the colour of the hens ear lobe! Hens with white ear lobes lay white eggs. Hens with red ear lobes lay brown eggs. Rhode Island Reds, New Hampshires and Plymouth Rock chickens lay brown eggs. White Leghorns and Brown Leghorns lay white eggs.

The average ear of corn has 800 kernels, arranged in 16 rows.

Cats have amazing hearing ability. A cat’s ear has 30 muscles that control the outer ear (by comparison, human ears only have six muscles). These muscles rotate 180 degrees, so the cat can hear in all directions without moving its head.

A cat has 32 muscles in each ear.

The little lump of flesh just forward of your ear canal, right next to your temple, is called a tragus.

When a Hawaiian woman wears a flower over her left ear, it means that she is not available

The smallest muscle in the body is located in the middle ear, the stapedius is a miniscule 1.27 millimeters in length. It controls the tiniest bone in the body, the stapes or stirrup bone. The stapes and two other bones conduct sound vibrations through the middle ear. The stapedius is innervated by the facial nerve (VII).

Only 1/3 of the people that can twitch their ears can twitch only one at a time.

Your ear bones are the smallest bones in your body.

The ear bones are named the hammer, anvil and stirrup. You can see that a trip to the blacksmith was probably a common occurrence for the person or people who originally named the bones!

Tinnitus is a condition where a person hears sounds that appear to come from inside the head. In many cases no cause can be identified, and the sounds can be so distracting they keep the sufferer awake at night.

Many animals have muscles which can move the outer ear, so ears can point in different directions. This ability is virtually non-existent in humans.

Sound can also be conducted to the inner ear through your skull and its contents. Usually you hear your own voice partly through your head like this and partly through the air, which is why your it may sound strange to you on a tape recording in which all the sound will have travelled through the air.

Hearing impaired people may be assisted by hearing dogs, which will usually have a brightly coloured collar and lead.

The ear also contains semi circular canals, structures which help us to balance.

Snakes lack a middle ear and so ‘hear’ by sensing vibrations along the ground.