REFLEXOLOGY IN PREGNANCY


Are you feeling tired, uncomfortable, or nauseous in your pregnancy?
You may be surprised to know that an ancient form of healing called reflexology can actually help treat many comon pregnancy ailments and even help you during labour.

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is the technique of applying gentle pressure to the reflexes (pressure points) on the feet or hands to clear the vital energy pathways that can become blocked due to the stresses and strains of life. It is thought that the hands and feet are like mirror images of the body, with various points representing different structures and organs.

A treatment involves the therapist applying pressure and movement to find the blockages and break up patterns of stress, restoring balance and relieving tension.

Is it safe in pregnancy?

Reflexology is generally considered safe in pregnancy, provided all is well with your pregnancy and your reflexologist knows that you are pregnant.
However, some reflexologists will not treat a pregnant woman during the first trimester.
The Association of Reflexologists (AOR) says that this is due to a misplaced patient fear that reflexology may cause a miscarriage.
The AOR says that there is no evidence that this may be the case; however, as miscarriages are more common in the first term of pregnancy, some reflexologists are not prepared to take the risk that the client may blame them should a miscarriage take place.

A miscarriage is a reaction of the body, NOT a reaction to reflexology. Under no circumstances has reflexology ever been shown to have caused the body to do something it didn't want to do.

When should be avoided?

Refleology is like exercise, it should be done gradually and within your comfort range.
However, there are some conditions where it should be avoided altogether and these include:

- Pre-term labour - at any time before 37 weeks gestation.
- Placenta previa - if Grade II or III after 32 weeks gestation.
- Hydroamnios - if there is too much amniotic fluid around the baby after 32 weeks gestation.

Women with certain conditions should seek medical advice before having reflexology. These include:

- women with a risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- Women with a risk of pre-eclampsia.

In cases where the mother-to be is diabetic, she should check her blood sugar before and after treatments, as reflexology helps to balance the endocrine system and insulin production.

How can it help?

The AOR says: '' Nearly everyone can benefit from having reflexology during pregnancy.''

It is very successful in the treatment of a wide variety of pregnancy discomforts and conditions.

- morning sickness
- nausea and headaches
- pain and discomfort
- loss of bladder control
- backache
- stress and anxiety
- lack of sleep and fatigue
- digestive problems e.g. constipation
- fluid retention and swelling
- cramps

During labour itself, it can be used for relaxation and pain relief and research has shown that women who have regular reflexology treatments during pregnancy have far shorter labours than those who don't.

Both expectant parents will benefit from reflexology treatments during pregnancy to help couples during the emotional changes of pregnancy and birth.

As well as this, much research has shown that reflexology is excellent for maintaining or increasing milk supply as well as helping with postnatal depression and general relaxation.

* DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know how to get rid of fungal toenails?

Fungal infections of the nails are usually characterised by a yellowing and thickening of the nail. The fungus embeds itself in the nail bed, proving difficult to eradicate.
Although generally not uncomfortable, it can look unsightly.

Treatment requires a 'root and branch' strategy, which means using a direct treatment as well as an internal, holistic approach.
The nail bed is rich in blood vessels, and this is where we want to concentrate our efforts.
A crushed garlic clove can be made into a paste and applied fresh every two days.
Make sure you get the paste in under the nail, especially around the nail bed. Cover with a plaster.

This topical treatment won't work overnight, because fungal nails indicate a long-standing infection. You'll need to be persistent for a few months for the toenail to grow from its bed to the border of the toe. It'll take longer to heal if your circulation is poor, because of reduced blood and oxigen supply, so keeping active can help.

Fungal overgrowth will occur if our immune systems are weakened by stress, an underlying disorder or poor food choices. Sugar is the main culprit, so wean yourself off, otherwise the fungus will continue to flourish.
Try to cut out or drastically reduce sugar in all its forms. Read labels on tinned and packaged foods to see if they contain any added sugar, and avoid white flour. Yeasts will also make the problem worse, so opt for yeast-free breads (such as soda bread) and avoid wine, beer and vinegar.

If you can try this new diet for four months, in addition to the topical garlic treatment, you should see a marked improvement. Bear in mind that the affected toe is really an external marker of the state of your internal health.

How to get rid of mouth ulcers?

Mouth ulcers are a common problem, causing blister-type sore patches inside cheeks and on gums. They can be brought on by stress, and are linked to being emotionally and physically run-down.
Mouth ulcers can also be caused by trauma,such as hot food, accidentally biting the side of your mouth, or wearing ill-fitting braces or dentures.
Acidic foods such as pineapple, orange,vinegar or chilli will all aggravate the problem, so avoid these until the ulcer is healed.

If you suffer from repeated outbreaks, you may be deficient in vitamin C, zinc and B vitamins, all of which are used up in large amounts if you are under stress.
Children may become deficient in these vitamins as their immune system develop, so pay attention to diet, including plenty of fruit, vegetables and wholegrains.
Try taking a vitamin B complex supplement each morning (such as B100, which includes 100mg of most of the Bs), 500mg of vitamin C and bioflavonoids, and 25mg of zinc picolinate once a day.

Holding some raw unprocessed honey in your mouth until it dissolves completely will help healing, although you should try to do this a few hours before bed to avoid tooth decay.
Alternatively, you could rinse your mouth using a mouthwash of 1 teaspoon of sea salt added to a glass of cooled boiled water. Hold for 1 minute,the spit out.
To speed healing even more, add 2 or 3 drops of a tincture of either liquorice or myrrh.

Use a natural toothpaste that is free of fluoride

Taking the homeopathic remedy Mercuris 6C twice daily for seven days will also help.

As written by Stephen Langley,Holistic Health Clinic, Spirit and Destiny Magazine

* STRESS

Some degree of stress in life is beneficial; most people would find a life in relaxed tranquility extremely dull. Healthy stress helps us to get things done and so,to success and achivement.
When stress becomes a problem, this is more often than not the result of continuous mental or physical pressures that individuals find imposible to meet. The trigger point varies from person to person, some people thrive on a degree of stress but excessive stress, or suffering from stress over a period of time, is generally not good for the health (90 % of medical conditions are stress-related).

Signs and symptoms of stress

Individuals vary in their reaction to stress, but if you frequently experience any four signs or symptoms in each of the three categories that follow, or any eight of them on occasions, consult your doctor and work on relaxation techniques to reduce your stress level.

Emotional signs:
-Irritability or over-excitability / Feeling depressed / Suspicioness
-Intolerance of others or yourself / Agressiveness or Anger / Tension
-Fussing over small things / Restleness or Impulsiveness / Despondency
-Loss of concentration / Feelings of frustration / Feelings of panic
-Anxiety about minor things / Frequent crying / Feeling of being apart
-Nightmares or Disturbed dreams / Hesitating over decisitions
-Loss of interest in sex / Illogical worries or Fears
-Feeling of loss of control

Behavioral signs:
-Increased alcohol consuption ,use of medication, smoking,casual sex
-Overeating /Obsessive dieting or taking laxatives
-An eye tic / Gnashing or Grinding of teeth / Frowing / Hair twiddling
-Finger or Foot tapping / Nail biting/ Pacing the floor / Prone to accidents
-Scratching the scalp / Excessive concern about time / Increased lethargy
-Loss of interest in personal appearance / Loss of sense of humor
-Difficulty in getting to sleep or back to it / Difficulty in waking

Physical signs:
-Headaches / Dry mouth or throat / Butterflies in the stomach
-Indigestion/ Nausea / Constipation / Diarrhea
-Unusual gain or loss in weight / Unusual gain or loss of appetite
-Skin problems- ezcema,hives,rashes
-Ulcers / High blood pressure / Palpitations
-Excessive sweating / Cold sweats /Rapid or irregular breathing
-Tightness in the chest / Increase incidence of allergies / Frequent colds or flu
-Premenstrual tension( PMT) / Impotence or Frigidity

Having recognized the problem, there is much that you can do for yourself to help resolve it.
Look at the main cause of stress in your life and decide how you can reduce their levels.
Look at your workload and decide how to cut it down if you need to. Prioritize, Delegate, Eliminate.
Concentrate on problem-solving , unresolved problems continue to produce stress.
Increasing the amount of exercise you take will help, but you should not undertake a program of vigorous exercise without consulting your doctor.
Eating regularly and healthily is also important, you should feel better within two weeks if you improve your diet, cutting out caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine.

Learning how to relax your muscles and breath deeply and calmly will help you to manage stress more effectively.
Therapies that will help with stress are: massage,reflexology,acupuncture,craniosacral therapy,
reiki, kinesiology,yoga, meditation, aromatherapy...............

* CHAKRA HEALING

''Chakra'' is a Sanskrit word meaning ''wheel''.
A chakra is like a vortex: a constantly revolving wheel of energy.
These vortexes connect the subtle bodies and act as transducers for life-force energy.
The chakras distribute the life force through the physical and subtle bodies. They are the source of physical, emotional, mental and spiritual energy.

Traditionaly, there are seven major chakras associated with the physical body.
They are aligned with the spine and located in:
-the base of the spine
-the lower abdomen (sacral)
-the solar plexus
-the heart
-the throat
-the centre of the forehead (third eye)
-the crown of the head

When our chakras are blocked, or not in balance, the free flow of energy is impeded, leading to physical, emotional, mental or spiritual dis-ease.

When the chakras are unblocked and free-flowing, however, we enjoy optimum health.
Each chakra is associated with specific colours and crystals and governs different aspects of human emotion and behaviour.

Using crystals with the chakras can have a great healing effect.

Base Chakra

Muladhara

Located at the base of the spine. Colour is red (representing passion for life).
Governed by the adrenal glands, it looks after aour bones, legs, feet,teet, nails, spinal colum, anus, rectum, colon, prostate gland, blood and cell building, immune system.

The Base Chakra is related to grounding, rooting and support. It is associated with interconnection with the earth, with our survival instincts and self-preservation.
Relates also to the physical body, individuality, stability and security.

When the Base Chakra is open and functioning well, one has a powerful will to live, is full of physical energy, vitality and potency.

Sacral Chakra

Svaghisthana

Located at about three inches below the navel. Colour is orange (representing creativity and wisdom).
Governed by the gonads, it looks after our pelvic girdle,reproductive organs, bladder, appendix, hips and all body liquids.

The Sacral Chakra is associated with our relationships with others, our ability in giving and receiving. This Chakra is the centre for sexual energy, creativity and pure emotion.

When the Sacral Chakra is open, a person has a lot of healthy sexual energy, is often very creative and involved in the arts, is often a free spirit who is comfortable with his/her place in relationships.

Solar Plexus Chakra

Manipura

Located just below the ribs. Colour is yellow (representing analytical thought and intellectual activity).
Governed by the pancreas, it looks after our lower back, abdomen, digestive system, stomach, liver, spleen, gallbladder, kidneys and nervous system.

The Solar Plexus Chakra is our emotional centre. It aids in control of the ''digestion of life'', thus the power and control over our lives.
This Chakra provides ''gut feeling'' reactions or ''psychic impressions''.

When the Solar Plexus Chakra is open and balanced, you have a sense of wholeness, gentleness, and inner peace, together with a great deal of emotional strenght.