Sunday, January 11, 2015

What is Reflexology video

What is reflexology and an Introduction to reflexology video from the Association of Reflexologists



Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Gift Vouchers

Would you like a special gift voucher for the one you love???????? Payment can be done by paypal and I will post it on your behalf .
Any questions??????? Contact me at luzdelunatherapies@gmail.com




                                                              

                                                                voucher options
                                                 
                                                         

Friday, November 11, 2011

TESTIMONIALS

" I just had a beautiful healthy boy .During my pregnancy from the 2nd trimester I received every week a reflexology treatment with Carmen,I found  these treatments extremely helpful , I had a very healthy pregnancy, no swelling or pain for the whole 9 months, Carmen's treatments made feel so relaxed , I strongly believe reflexology is a great help during pregnancy , neither to say that I did received reflexology before when I had migraines and back pain and found it very effective.
Carmen is a very trustworthy , reliable and extremely good reflexologist."
L Austin
Louisburgh


"I have completed 4 sessions of Reflexology. The reason I came for Reflexology was because I was suffering from repeated kidney infections over a number of weeks.
I really enjoyed the treatments, and found them very relaxing.
I found I have learned to relax myself and slow down in mind and body.
A big thank you Carmen, you gave the best of yourself to me in the treatments.
I will have more treatments, and I look forward to coming to Carmen to be treated."
Mary W.
Co. Mayo

"I completed 6 sessions of Reiki which I found were an excellent relief for stress and headache.
I found the treatments very relaxing, and while I was tired afterwards, I found my head very clear immediately after the treatment and the following days.
Carmen is very good explaining the concepts of Reiki, especially the Chakras, every point.
I found Carmen serene herself, and the music contributed to this serenity.
I intend to return to try some alternative treatments."
P Chambers
Co. Mayo

"I went to Carmen for my treatments for pain in my lower back .She is wonderful at her job and I come away every time feeling 100 per cent better.
She gives great value for money as she doesn't rush through the treatment like in other therapy places I have been to .
Her consulting room is so relaxing and comfortable that you feel relaxed immediately.
I would recommend Carmen's treatments to everybody."
Beatrice G
Co. Mayo

"I received Reflexology for stress related Asthma and also for allergies. I found it great in alleviating the symptoms and also for relaxation and reducing stress.
I would highly recommend it to anyone as I really find in helps."
Ann-Marie L
Co. Mayo
"I completed a 5 week course of Indian Head Massage. Before starting the sessions I was supplied with all information about Indian Head Massage from the therapist and also the benefits and contra-actions that are connected with Indian Head Massage.
There was a nice relaxed atmosphere made by the therapist with relaxing music and burning incense.
After the first treatment I didn't notice any benefits but as the treatments progressed I found my sinuses to clear and I have not had a migraine in a few weeks.
I used to suffer from a stiff and sore neck but since the treatments I haven't had trouble with my neck.
I found during the treatments my sleep pattern was disturbed but didn't last long and now my sleep patterns are fine.
I find I have more energy in the evenings after work and instead of sitting watching TV and snoozing of I go for walks and to the gym.
I found I did get upset a lot easier than I would have and seen I had few personal issues to sort out.
After my 5 sessions the benefits I got from Indian Head Massage are: I don't suffer from sinuses everyday and if I am blocked up it's only for a while in the morning and clears up quickly; my migraines are not as frequent and my neck only bothers me when I have a migraine and it's fine other than that; I'm not as tired after work."
Sinead K.
Co. Mayo


“Carmen is very professional and provided me with a lot of information before and after the treatment.
The treatment itself was very thorough. Apart from being very professional Carmen has the personal touch that brings me back to her service again and again.
I would recommend her service.”
Lorraine T.
Co. Mayo


"I started visiting Carmen many years ago for treatments. I have always came away feeling good in both body and mind.
She is a wonderful therapist and can always get right to the heart of any problem I may have, be it physical or mental.
Carmen is always learning something new which, thankfully, is to the benefit of the client.
Thank you, Carmen."
Jean F
CO. Mayo



Thursday, November 10, 2011

COURSE OF TREATMENTS


A course of treatments is defined as a fixed number of regular treatments.
This number will vary depending on different factors.

Generally speaking, the longer a condition has been in the body, the longer it will take to correct it.
A condition does not appear overnight, and so it will not disappear overnight either.
In such cases it is recommended that the client receives a course of treatments.

Another factor to keep in mind is the own body self-healing ability.
The vital force is intelligent and so is the body through which it manifests; always striving for health and well-being.
How good the client’s healing ability is, will determine to some extend the amount of treatments that he/ she will need before noticing an improvement in their condition.

The course of treatment will vary depending on the body’s needs, plus is not unusual not to notice improvement after the first and second treatment.
Some people may need three sessions to relieve the main symptoms of their condition, whereas others may need five or six sessions inside a month, followed by maintenance sessions for some time afterwards.

For acute stages of disease, three treatments a week would be advisable, having in mind that the treatment will be shorter, about 30 minutes, but this can change depending on personal circumstances.

For chronic stages of disease, the course of treatments will be done once a week for up to six weeks and the duration of the treatment will be 60 minutes, again depending on personal circumstances.
As the sessions progress, is the client the one that is on the driving seat. Payments are made at each session and suitable gaps between them are chosen to suit the needs of the client.
Often, clients might need to attend another therapist; e. g. a nutritionist, counsellor, herbalist….…to assist them in their journey to health. These sessions often happen in parallel with the treatments. This is a client’s choice and unfolds as treatment progress.
One of the things that I do not believe is on creating a level of dependence on me, the therapist.                                                                                                                  ….. As result I am always happy when the client decides that they have got what they needed from the therapy for the present and rebook when they feel they need another session - or indeed, they are happy to move on.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

THE HEALING CRISIS - THE HEALING PROCESS

Also known as the "Herxheimer Reaction", this reaction occurs when the body tries to eliminate toxins at a faster rate than they can properly disposed of.
The more toxic one's systems are, the more severe the detoxification, or healing crisis.

Many acute reactions, while uncomfortable, even painful, can be a sign of a healthy body throwing off its diseased state.
The healing crisis is any of a wide range of cute symptoms which may occur during the course of healing.

In holistic medicine, crisis has its original meaning: a turning point; the turning point from disease to health.
So though, on first inspection it might seem that the treatment is not working, or is even making the client worse, these symptoms are a signal that the innate healing ability has been stimulated and healing is taking place.

This range of symptoms may be physical, emotional and mental.

* General fatigue       * Increased urination       *Raised temperature       * Body odour
* Chills/ Coughs        * Pains/Aches                 *Perspiration                  * Fever
* Diarrhoea               * Constipation                * Skin dischargers           * Coldness
* Vivid dreams          * Emotional irritation       * Restlessness                 * Nausea
* Dizziness                * Vertigo                         * Dischargers                  *Headaches
* Muscular pains       * Anger                           * Sadness                       * Laughter

This reactions to the treatment MAY or MAY NOT happen. If a reaction occurs, will vary according to the individual.
Such reactions are temporary and can occur immediately, or within several days, or even several weeks of a detox.
The worst of the symptoms lasts as little as a few hours or as long as three or four days.
The common pattern is for the client to reach a plateau, followed by a healing crisis, again building to a plateau.

Remember that complementary medicine will address the root cause of the disease and symptoms might get worse before getting better.

IMPORTANT: Always ensure your health by having a through medical check up.Do not assume that if you have any of the above symptoms that you are in a healing crisis. You may not be in a healing process, you may have a medical health problem.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

SOME DEFINITIONS

ALLOPATHIC 
The system of medical practice which treats disease by the use of remedies which produce effects different from those produced by the disease under treatment.
It focus on trauma and illness and medical intervention using surgery and drugs. MDs practice allopathic medicine. Also called conventional medicine.
Conventional allopathic medicine is particularly successful for acute conditions and surgical repair or removal where a particular body part or organ receives specific attention. Drugs may be used as part of the treatment of both acute and chronic conditions although patients may sometimes suffer side effects which vary in intensity. In chronic as well as acute conditions the drugs alleviate the symptoms the patient is experiencing.

HOMEOPATHY
the system of therapy that is based on the concept that disease can be treated with drugs (in minute doses) thought capable of producing the same symptoms in healthy people as the disease itself.

ALTERNATIVE

 When an alternative medicine or therapy is used alone or instead of conventional medicine, it is called "alternative". Alternative medicine or therapy is outside the realm of conventional modern medicine.  

Many are holistic; many also emphasize prevention and education. Alternative therapies include acupuncture, aromatherapy, Ayurveda medicine, Chinese medicine, chiropractic, herbal medicine, homeopathy, massage, meditation, naturopathy, therapeutic touch, and Yoga. Though considered alternative in the West, such medicine is the main source of health care for up to 80% of people in less-developed countries. Some alternative-medicine practices are useless or harmful; others are effective and may offer treatments in areas where conventional approaches have not succeeded (e.g., chronic disorders).

COMPLEMENTARY
When treatment or therapy is done alongside or in addition to conventional medicine, it is referred to as "Complementary Medicine" as the two practices complement each other.
So what is the difference between complementary and orthodox medicine? Complementary therapists stress that their work is based on the interaction between the body, the mind and the energy system that combines them.
Complementary medicine is used to describe therapeutic techniques that are not part of  conventional medicine (also called "regular," "standard," or "mainstream" medicine). Complementary therapies are used as a "complement" or addition to conventional medicine. Because complementary medicine can be combined or integrated with conventional medical treatment, it is also called "integrative medicine."
Conventional medicine has been proven to be safe and effective by numerous scientific studies. While some studies show that people diagnosed with breast cancer can get benefits from complementary medicine, it's important to know that complementary therapies usually don't undergo the same kinds of rigorous testing as conventional medicine.
Complementary medicine includes techniques such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, support groups, and yoga. Sometimes called holistic medicine, complementary medicine typically addresses how disease affects the whole person: physically, emotionally, spiritually, and socially.

HOLISTIC
Holistic therapy is a generic term for any treatment/ therapy session that is intended to treat the individual as a whole on all levels - mind, body and spirit.
Most complementary or alternative therapies could be regarded as holistic.

WHAT HOLISTIC HEALING MEANS
Holistic healing means taking an holistic approach when seeking treatment for imbalances and choosing to live a more balanced lifestyle. What primarily distinguishes holistic healing apart from alternative medicine, complementary medicine, and integrative medicine is that physical health is not necessarily the main focus. Even so, it is often the experience of physical discomfort that will first prompt a person's pursuit of holistic healing.
It is true that our pains and other physical discomforts demand our attention. It is difficult to ignore the obvious when we are physically hurting. Common sense tells us that we should seek help to alleviate our discomforts. Holistic healing is not an "alternative" to conventional medical care. Sometimes going to a medical professional is the best solution to addressing a dis-ease.

Physical illnesses are the symptoms of a greater imbalance that may or may not have a root cause in the physical.
Holistic or "wholistic" healing addresses all parts of the individual, not just the physical aspect of a person where manifested illnesses are most apparent. Holistic healing is not intended to serve as a band-aid or a one time fix. It is an ongoing journey of discovery in search of more answers and ultimately; living better, being healthier, and striving for wholeness.
Holistic Healing Goes Beyond the Mind-Body Connection:
Holistic healing is really a lifestyle approach. The holistic approach goes far beyond the Mind-Body connection of finding and maintaining wellness. Overall wellness AND "wholeness" is highly valued. All parts of a person's life (physical healing, mental health and wellness, emotional well-being, and spiritual beliefs and values) are considered. Taking a holistic approach involves seeking the tools that will help us attract our desires and find personal power.
A person who embraces the desire to find wholeness within his own being soon learns the importance of tending to relationships, caring for the planet and our environments, having compassion for humankind in general, and accepting and tolerating differences among a diverse population of people.

Monday, May 10, 2010

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY FOR NEW BORNS AND BABIES

TRAUMATIC BIRTH AND VACUUM EXTRACTIONS
 
If your new born baby has had a traumatic birth, was stuck in the birth canal during labour, was a posterior lie breach birth, or was an assisted birth using forceps or a vacuum extraction then you should consider a short course of treatment to remove the trauma or tensions these situations can cause to a new born baby.
These extra tensions, strains and stresses that these birthing conditions can cause are retained in the body and may only show up years later as physical deformities or slower mental and cognitive development.
 
Posterior lie: the baby has his head down, but the back of his head is against the mother's spine.
During a posterior lie birth the pressures of the contractions and pushing by the mother on the baby, instead of passing down the back, up the neck and safely out through the stronger occipital bone, actually pass through the jaw, ears and temple of the head. These can have negative effects on the speech, eating and hearing centres of the body which are all now subjected to forces they are not designed to take.
This can lead to eating problems in the young baby such as vomiting, swallowing issues or breastfeeding problems.
Ear infections may be common in the first year of the baby's life. Speech or hearing can also be affected as the baby develops due to tensions retained in this area of the head.

Breach birth: the baby's bottom is down.
The biggest part of the foetus's body is usually its head. If the head fits through the mother's pelvis, then the rest of the foetus's body should slip out fairly easily. If the foetus is born bottom first, it is possible that the body will fit through the mother's pelvis, but the baby's head will get stuck at the level of the chin. This condition, known as
a trapped head, is very dangerous.
When the baby's head comes first, it has a chance to "mould" during labour. The bones of the baby's skull are not yet fastened together the way they are in a child or adult's skull, meaning that the bones of the baby's skull can move. If the baby is born from the breech position, the skull does not have a chance to change shape to fit the pelvis, and it is even more likely to get stuck.
If the baby's head gets trapped, the possibility of injury is high. Once the baby's body is born, the umbilical cord usually stops pulsating (just as it would during a normal delivery). This cuts off the oxygen supply from the mother to the baby. If the baby's head is still inside the uterus the baby cannot yet breathe on its own. Therefore, it is essential to deliver the baby as quickly as possible.
The life saving attempts to deliver the baby's head can cause injury to the baby's neck or head resulting in permanent handicaps. In extreme cases, if the baby cannot be delivered within a few minutes, the baby might die. Obviously, it is critical to avoid a breech delivery with a trapped head.

*All of these issues can be resolved with a course of Cranoisacral Therapy. The gentle techniques allow for the release of all strain and tension patterns within the baby's body due to the birth process and restore full head movement, improve coordination and allow for the normal development of the baby in the years ahead.

During a Vacuum birth the skull bones often become deformed by the cap placed on the baby's head. This deformation may last for several months, but should return to normal within time.
*If you would prefer to speed up this process and help the baby heal from the trauma, pain and possible physical damage that this process can cause the young skull and brain a course of Craniosacral Therapy is one of the best options.
The abnormal shape of the skull can be returned to its normal shape within few treatments.
Together with this any damage to the tissues underneath the bones can also be healed and repaired. Doing this at a very young age can alleviate the need to spend a lot of time and money later in life dealing with the possible results to the development of the brain 'cognitive or physical' or the speech or hearing centres.

CRANIOFACIAL ANOMALIES
Plagiocephaly is a condition characterized by an asymmetrical distortion (flattening of one side) of the skull.
Oxycephaly  is a congenital abnormality of the skull in which the top of the head assumes a conical or pointed shape because of premature closing of the lambdoid and coronal sutures.
Scaphocephaly refers to the condition where the head is disproportionately long and narrow.
Trigonocephaly is the premature fusion of the metopic suture, in which a V-shaped abnormality occurs at the front of the skull.
It is characterized by a narrow pointed forehead, a flat broad nasal bridge with a short nose, vertical folds over the inner corners of the eyes, an abnormal palate, abnormalities of the ear and crossed eyes.

These are all different forms of a similar condition, where a single or several sutures of the skull have closed up early, either in the uterus or during development in the first year or two.

In instances where the baby has been born with a misshaped head without any medical intervention, doctors will usually wait a while and then offer to treat the child using a special helmet which he/she will have to wear day and night for many months until the head is reshaped. It is possible that this technique may also cause other tensions to develop within the cranial system which can have other detrimental effects to further cognitive development.

*With Craniosacral Therapy the same outcome can be achieved in a much shorter time period, without the need for wearing a helmet by simply applying the gentle techniques and pressures of the hands to the baby's head, allowing the bones to reshape and achieve the correct rounded shape of the skull instead of the elongated or one side shape common in these cases.

JAUNDICE
A common condition in newborns, jaundice refers to the yellow color of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by excess bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is produced by the normal breakdown of red blood cells.
Normally, bilirubin passes through the liver and is excreted as bile through the intestines. Jaundice occurs when bilirubin builds up faster than a newborn's liver can break it down and pass it from the body.
Reasons for this include:
  • Newborns make more bilirubin than adults do since they have more turnover of red blood cells.
  • A newborn baby's still-developing liver may not yet be able to remove adequate bilirubin from the blood.
  • Too large an amount of bilirubin is reabsorbed from the intestines before the baby gets rid of it in the stool.
High levels of bilirubin — usually above 25 mg — can cause deafness, cerebral palsy, or other forms of brain damage in some babies. In less common cases, jaundice may indicate the presence of another condition, such as an infection or a thyroid problem.
The most common types of jaundice are:

Physiological (normal) jaundice: occurring in most newborns, this mild jaundice is due to the immaturity of the baby's liver, which leads to a slow processing of bilirubin. It generally appears at 2 to 4 days of age and disappears by 1 to 2 weeks of age.
Jaundice of prematurity: occurs frequently in premature babies since they are even less ready to excrete bilirubin effectively. Jaundice in premature babies needs to be treated at a lower bilirubin level than in full term babies in order to avoid complications.
Breastfeeding jaundice: jaundice can occur when a breastfeeding baby is not getting enough breast milk because of difficulty with breastfeeding or because the mother's milk isn’t in yet. This is not caused by a problem with the breast milk itself, but by the baby not getting enough to drink.

*Craniosacral Therapy is very effective at treating and complementing orthodox medical treatments. CST will allow the body to process the bilirubin at a quicker rate, enhance the flow of other fluids around the body, improve the function of many of the young organs, and support the immune system.
EATING AND FEEDING PROBLEMS
As mention above, the birthing process can lead to problems with the baby's ability to eat, drink or swallow.
As long as the problem is not based on a physical-mechanical problem, such as malformed or misaligned muscles, it is possible to improve and correct the feeding ability of the baby.
*Treatment can strengthen and improve the function of the muscles of the mouth and the throat.
Improvement to the nerves that coordinate them can also be improved if this is the limiting factor.
In cases of breast feeding where the baby is having trouble latching on or remaining attached to the breast for the duration of the feed, it is possible that the tongue or muscles of the mouth and lips are at fault. Again these can be worked on and their function improved.
BABY COLIC AND VOMITING
It is not uncommon for newborn babies to go through periods when they appear abnormally irritable or seemingly cry for no reason. However, if you suspect your baby is suffering from colic, you may look for the following symptoms:
  • cries vigorously for long periods, despite efforts to console
  • symptoms occur around the same time each day or night, often after meal times, and usually ending as abruptly as they began
  • shows signs of gas discomfort and abdominal bloating
  • has a hard, distended stomach, with knees pulled to the chest, clenched fists, flailing arms and legs, and an arched back
  • experiences frequent sleeplessness, irritability and fussiness
In most cases, colic is the worst pain a baby has thus experienced. It is usually manifested as an acute abdominal pain with intense spasmodic cramping, but since colicky babies cannot describe exactly what distresses them, it is hard for parents to know the precise cause of their distress. Infantile colic is most common in the first few weeks to four months of an infant's life; rarely does it endure past six months of age. 
*In these cases or where the baby is constantly vomiting Craniosacral Therapy can improve the stomach, reducing the pain and allow it to function properly.
Sometimes due to the birthing process the Vagus nerve can become more sensitised and as it travels down the neck into the stomach, which it controls, can be over stimulated and this can lead to the colic or vomiting problems.
*This is one of the times where a few light techniques to the base of the skull can alleviate this problem.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEVELOPMENTAL PROBLEMS
*In cases where the baby's physical or mental development is slowed, Craniosacral therapy has had excellent results.
If the baby is not moving a limb, head, arms or legs, as they should; has crawling or walking issues; co-ordination problems; is showing signs of slow mental and cognitive development, treatment can often help to improve their function, give them a 'learning spur', strengthen muscles and improve coordination.
SLEEPING PROBLEMS
Sleep problems are among the most common complaints that parents have about their young ones.

Needless to say, they can cause a lot of stress in the family. Kids end up tired and parents become exhausted from being up all night with the baby.

Typically, children with sleeping problems do not fall asleep easily and also wake up in the middle of the night. Whether a sleep pattern or habit is abnormal depends on the age of the child.

Sleep patterns in babies take time to develop into a normal sleep cycle (full night time sleep and awake during the day). Most new-born babies sleep an average of 16 hours a day. However, this can be one to two hours a time, depending on the individual baby. In fact, most babies do not develop normal sleep patterns, until about four to six months of age. 
Birth may be a factor in causing the child's sleeping problems, even if it was a natural, unaided birth.
Tensions within the membranes surrounding the brain can be the cause of the sleeping problems. Strain patterns within the bones of the head, as well as muscular tightness through the body ( in the neck, shoulders or chest) may be contributing factors.
*The light touch of the therapist on the head bones, chest and abdomen will alleviate these problems, release any tensions the baby suffer from and cure their sleeping problems, allowing him/her to fall asleep easily and finally allow the parent to enjoy a good and deep nights sleep.
EAR INFECTIONS- GLUE EAR
Young children often suffer from ear infections, cold and other mucus forming infections. These can lead to regular ear infections because the tubes in the ears, nose and throat of young children are smaller than those of adults and so these tubes can become blocked by the mucus and remain there or take longer to be removed by their body. In these cases doctors will often want to operate on the child, removing the adenoids and placing 'gomits' or 'tubes' into the ears to help remove the built up mucus and improve hearing.
*Craniosacral Therapy helps the body enhance its ability to remove the mucus and improve the immune system to reduce further infections.