On-Line Reflexology Training & Certification

Reflexology Educators, Mentors and Coaches since 1991

Knuckling in on Arthritis

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Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are indicated on the hands by the enlargement of the first knuckle on the fingers. The knuckle will begin to enlarge long before there are other physical symptoms of arthritis!

The part of the body affected is shown by a knuckle enlargement of the corresponding finger. Hand Reflexology is an excellent way to work with this condition!

Index Finger – hips and lower back
Middle Finger – knees
Ring Finger – legs and feet
Small Finger – neck and upper back

The knuckle will begin to enlarge once the person’s lifestyle makes them predisposed to developing the corresponding arthritic condiiton, but long before the ailment has become disabling. We have found that this is the best time for a Reflexology Treatment and gently working the hand reflexes vs foot reflexes is preferable!   Following a specific hand reflexology routine that allows for soft, supportive techniques and working methods is called for at this time.

This information excerpted from the Universal College of Reflexology’s Hand Reflexology Course.

Reflexology & Nervous Exhaustion

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Recent research from China suggest that reflexology may be particularly helpful for patients suffering from nervous exhaustion.

Twenty patients with a history of neurasthenia (nervous exhaustion) which had lasted between 1 – 8 years were given a course of reflexology at the department of physiotherapy, 52884 Military Hospital.

The patients’ chief symptoms were dizziness, insomnia, memory loss, indigestion and headaches. All had previously received long term medical treatment none of which had helped them.

The reflexology treatments focused on the areas of the feet relating to the adrenal gland, kidneys, bladder, sinus, brain and heart. Those patients who suffered from associated digestive problems were also treated to the areas of the feet relating to spleen, stomach, duodenum and celiac, while those patients who suffered from headaches had the areas of the feet relating to the cerebellum and trigeminal nerves treated.

The reflexology treatments were given daily over a period of seven days and the results were quite remarkable:
40% experienced complete ‘cure’, further 35% had greatly improved, and a further 15% had mildly improved. Only 10% showed no change at all to the treatment.

– Duan Shuang-Feng. Foot reflexology in neurosism: Clinical Observation of 20 cases. Presented at the China reflexology symposium in Beijing (July 1993).

For more reflexology information enjoy reading Applying The Holographic Principle to The Human Body in the Research & Articles Section.

Defrosting a Frozen Shoulder in 15 seconds

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Here at the Universal College of Reflexology we work with ear reflexology on a regular basis. The following experience was witnessed by many dozens of people lining up to receive free sample reflexology sessions at an annual Regional Teachers Conference here in Edmonton.

Several years ago I was managing our Universal College of Reflexology information booth at a large teachers’ conference. Graduate students were performing mini foot Reflexology sessions on the conference delegates while I was managing the booth.

Hundreds of teacher delegates were in line, so I decided to ease the load and perform quick mini Ear Reflexology treatments. Let me say that Ear Reflexology when performed correctly may have immediate beneficial effects.

A few delegates moved to my line. One of whom was apparently a very popular and well known person, who presented with a complete and permanent “frozen shoulder” resulting from a severe car accident 25 years ago. She stated that she has tried “everything” and nothing had helped reduce the symptoms. She complained to me that her work has been most difficult as she could barely raise her arm above waist level.

I asked her to stand and demonstrate her range of motion. She could only lift her arm to about 30 degrees before experiencing pain. I asked her to sit. I performed fifteen seconds of warm-ups to her ears and then specifically addressed the appropriate reflex point on her ear by digital palpation application for another 15 seconds.

At this point I asked her to stand and again perform the range-of-motion test. She raised that same arm to 160 degrees. I asked her if she could feel any pain and she said “No!!” In fact, she thought she could go all the way without pain but this was simply too overwhelming for her as she became emotional about this immediate success.

All the delegates who witnessed this event were astonished, and promptly moved over to my line up.

The following year we were invited back to the same convention. The lady who had the frozen shoulder came over, hugged me and told me to watch as she lifted her arm nearly all the way above her head without pain. She said it was a miracle.

The wonders of Reflexology never fail to amaze and this “miracle” only took about 15 seconds!

Submitted by Jack Marriott CMR,CRI,  CSM

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

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.

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.