Reflexology Live

What is my legacy?

2011-12-19T08:06:00.001-07:00

I guess when you get older people ask you this question. I had a friend ask that last night. I don't tend to think in those terms. But what the heck?

I surprised her in saying I didn't think it was would be reflexology exactly. Rather I felt it would be helping shift the medical paradigm from a strictly allopathic model to a model that focused on the reflex.

The one thing that fields like reflexology have that medicine doesn't is a basic unit of behavior or change. That is why medical texts are usually quite large. The medical field combines many different technologies hence the large texts.

I am very fond on the quote," All acts of life both conscious and subconscious are reflexes." It was Pavlov's teacher who said this.

The term, "reflexology" is actually Russian in origin. It was Pavlov's rival, Bechterev, who coined this term in 1917.

If you look out "reflexology" in the older dictionaries you might find the original definition which is "behavior of the reflexes". The Russians saw health as a behavior. And they felt that illnesses were the reflexes behaving badly.

At this point in history medicine isn't meeting our needs. It is costly, not very effective for chronic degenerative diseases and it can inadvertently kill you.

My legacy (I hope) will be to point healthcare in a direction that will view illness as reflexes gone bad that can be coaxed back into functioning better rather than a battlefield where the cure is frequently more harmful than the disorder.

Secret to developing new reflexology techniques

2011-12-15T07:29:00.001-07:00

Here's the secret of how I develop new techniques. When I come up with a new technique I use a sequence to try it out. First I test the foot by rotating it. Then I apply the new technique. Next I test it by again by rotating the ankle. Finally I analyze it, often with the client's input. So it is test-operate-test-evaluate. I use it with regular technique as well. It is called the "tote" formula.

If the technique is successful the muscles relax. There are 4 major muscle groups coming down from the leg. These muscles effect the tension level in the foot. Rotation gives you a pretty good idea of how much effect the technique has had. As far as feedback it comes in second to what your client says.

The "killer" combination is to do the TOTE formula and then get them up and walking after one foot. If the techniques are effective they are amazed at the difference.

Oh and this works to test your current techniques as well.

How can a reflexologist up their game?

2011-12-14T08:47:00.001-07:00

We have been having an interesting discussion on the economic times and the resulting hard economic times for reflexologists. People are taking their lumps even though they are doing a good service.

So how do you survive in a harsh climate like this. You need to up your game. Pull out all the stops in becoming a better reflexologist. Here are some ideas. What are yours?

Stress cues- learning to read feet and hands will be critical in the next few years.
Instructional self help- with the need for speed in getting your client to their goals self help will be critical to the mission.
Fast foot loosening techniques- the reflexologist needs to demonstrate a change to their clients and quickly. Fast loosening techniques demonstrate that to them.
New techniques aimed at faster results- Tradition can stand in the way of new techniques. Reflexology needs to be a constantly evolving field. Also it needs discipline to prevent chaos.

Research- we need to demonstrate that there are real things happening in reflexology session. This is where research comes in. Being able to at least cite research is very important in building credibility.

Vocabulary aimed at professionalism- words matter and they set the stage for professionalism. Use them wisely.

Self help reflexology experiences you can call on- reflexologists need to practice what they preach. In instructing clients in self help it becomes more practical and less theoretical when you are practicing reflexology on yourself.

Strategies both for technique applications and for self help instruction- to me I am constantly working on strategies to reach the client's goal. My mistake in the past has been trying to reach my goals and not their goals.

I am going to break down and discuss these points in the coming weeks.

Save your feet during the holidays

2011-12-13T09:16:00.001-07:00

All the stress and rush of the holidays can really cause your feet and your body to ache for January. There are some simple tricks that can sooth your soles and your weary body.
1. Never stand still. Standing for long periods of time is very stressful. So rock gently side to side. If you are waiting in line sway gently side to side. Most other shoppers won't notice. One of my clients has her whole kitchen rocking side to side.
2. Interrupt stress and do it frequently. Stress won't kill you. What will kill you is uninterrupted stress. So take a break or several breaks throughout the day.
3. Roll your feet during those breaks with a simple foot roller. Rollers are a cheap way to break up the pattern of stress that forms during the holiday rush.
4. Wear good shoes. Think of shoes as tools for your feet. Good tools result in good results. High heels are asking for trouble. But you know that!!!
5. See a reflexologist. Hey give your feet a treat for the holidays. You are worth it, aren't you?
What are your tips for a happy and pain free holiday?

Haven't seen your feet for awhile...

2011-12-13T08:54:00.001-07:00

I have a client I haven't seen in four years. After our session she commented how much my technique had changed. Because of her standing occupation her feet can be quite tough. Her feet just melted in response to the new techniques. And the leg pain she had come in with vanished. She decided she "has to" come in twice a week until she is finished with the holidays. Again focus is very important.

Are you focused with your reflexology work?

2011-12-13T08:50:00.001-07:00

That brings up the idea of focus. Are you focused on your client? Is your first priority their feet or hands or do you find yourself caught up in the conversation you are having? Are you figuring out the best combination of techniques for that individual? Are you a problem solver thinking through a problem instead of delivering the same session each time for everybody?

These economic times and the reflexologist

2011-12-13T08:46:00.001-07:00

I have been thinking a lot about reflexology's future in these tough economic times. I recently worked on an 84 year old with painful feet. In one session I was able lessen her pain quite a bit. But the astonishing part was she was able to walk as her husband put it "everywhere". She was able to shower on her own and even make it up and down short flights of stairs.
The point is instead of expecting to do a series of reflexology sessions are we going to have to produce results immediately to hold a client. With these economic times people seem less willing to wait for results. Every session now needs to be the best session you have ever produced.

Age appropriate reflexology

2011-11-29T08:35:00.001-07:00

Years ago I was talking to Robert St. John. He made an interesting comment on working on the aged. His question was simple. How much do you put an older person through?

I was working on an 84 year old yesterday. That question crossed my mind. Clearly there were very distinctive stress cues.

Aggressively pursuing them would have caused her a great deal pain. So instead I went for a relaxation effect. She fell asleep about half way through the session.

Was this the way to go? I think so. "Going for it" could have triggered more of a "fight or flight" reaction. This could have been a negative stressor on a already difficult situation.

Takefumi – Japanese Bamboo Foot Massager

2011-09-27T16:44:00.000-06:00

Stepping on bamboo, called "takefumi" in Japanese ("ta-ke" means bamboo and "fumi" means to step upon), is a very popular and unique form of maintenance exercise that is being practiced in Japan, China, and Korea, for centuries.

A simple bamboo piece split in half is used as a tool for takefumi. Almost every Japanese home has one.

Schoolchildren doing takefumi.

A pathway of takefumi prepared along the corridor of the school.

According to a century-old traditional medical knowledge, takefumi can remarkably remedy a variety of illnesses such as frozen shoulder, back pain, cramps, numbness, hypertension, constipation, insomnia, depression, urinary trouble, atopy, and tinnitus.

How to Perform Takefumi Exercise

The takefumi Japanese bamboo foot massager is very easy to use. Simply place it on the floor with the rounded side up and stand on it. Then, work your feet back and forth to massage all areas of your feet.

How Does Takefumi Work

Our feet are being compressed by the forces of gravity all day long and somewhat creates a pattern of stress. This pressure challenges the muscles and bones of your feet and if it continues, it can cause the bones to become misaligned, nerves to become irritated, and muscles will begin to weaken. This effect can impact other muscular-skeletal parts of your body. Walking on bamboo helps decompress your feet and pushes it back into shape. These are the simple fundamentals of takefumi.

You may get healthier and may live even longer, and you might forget your problems. Of course, you need to continue doing this to see good results—let's say for three months. You may get instant results whether it's a simple back pain, shoulder pain, or stiff neck and shoulders. Try it! You won't lose anything.

IMPORTANT TIP: It is better to use green bamboo of about one to two years old. Why? Young bamboo tree is capable of absorbing energy from its surroundings, and the energy will reflect in healing or correcting your health condition.

To prove it, notice how the snow melts around the trees when spring comes.

There are several explanations to this. One, the heat from the sun has accumulated within the tree. Second, our findings show that a young tree radiates infrared rays and other unknown energies, causing the snow to melt.

I remember that an old Chinese medical book states that a green young bamboo tree has healing power when you step on it.

Reflexology Paths

Aside from the takefumi, there is another century-old practice called "stone stepping" as seen in the photos below.

These are special paths (more often called the "Reflexology Path") that are made of pebbles where you walk barefooted around the pebble path.

You may think that this can be done very easily, but in reality, it's not. You will feel pain the first time you do it. Of course, later on you can get the same result as takefumi.

Conclusion

The takefumi "stepping upon bamboo" exercise can help revitalize your bone, muscle, blood vessels, nerves, and other related parts of your body.

It is recommended that you perform this exercise 2 to 3 times a day with a total of about 180-200 or even 300 steps. Of course, the most important thing to remember is to continue doing it for lifetime. Also count out "one, two, three..." loudly while doing the exercise. It will help a lot, and won't even cost you a cent.

Yes, a lot of people ask how to cure or heal their illnesses. We like to advise you that you should do some exercises such as the "takefumi" or walking on a "pebble path" to build healthy body and avoid contracting incurable diseases beforehand.

We, the PYRO-ENERGEN staffs are all healthy. Of course, sometimes, we catch a cold, but it's a simple common cold that lasts for a few days only. Most of us have been together for more than 30 years and some are over 40 years, and none of them suffered from any serious illness. Amazing? That's because we all do good works!

About the Author:

Junji Takano is a Japanese health researcher involved in investigating the cause of many dreadful diseases. In 1968, he invented PYRO-ENERGEN, the first electrostatic therapy device for electromedicine that effectively eradicates viral diseases, cancer, and diseases of unknown cause.
Click here to find out more: http://www.pyroenergen.com/about.htm
Free health newsletter: http://www.pyroenergen.com/newsletter.htm

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Stand up for longevity

2011-08-26T09:57:00.000-06:00

Pilates and yoga are up and we’re all sitting down too much. Two seemingly disparate items from the news this week actually converge on one idea. And the feet and reflexology are in the mix too.

So, what am I on about? Here’s the news: We sit too much while watching television and it’s impacting our health and longevity. A study has shown that for every one hour of television watched, 22 minutes of one’s life is lost. According to Australian researchers, reporting numbers that are comparable to previous studies, those who watch 6 hours of television a day can expect to live 4.8 years less when compared those who do not watch not television.

In other news, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that yoga and Pilates studios are a good investment for the future, considering their increase in sales and profits over the past five years.

The idea that binds the two reports? The exercise or lack of exercise of postural muscles, the muscles of the body that hold us upright as we walk and stand. Sitting too much, for example, while watching television incapacitates the body’s postural muscles. These muscles are tied into the body’s internal mechanisms that create cardio-vascular disease, diabetes and obesity. Failure to give these muscles enough of a workout, the net result of prolonged sitting, creates a greater risk of these and other health problems as well as a decrease in longevity.

Where do postural muscles fit into yoga, Pilates and, yes, reflexology? The exercise of postural muscles is what these practices are all about.

The goal of Pilates is the strengthening of the core—or postural muscles. Yoga? Activation of postural muscles through its exercises. Reflexology? Reflexology’s techniques apply pressure to feet—a key signal we’re not sitting and central to postural muscle activation. Reflexology provides what may be a bit of a trompe l’oeil. While the artist’s technique fools the sensory receptors in the eye about what is being seen, the reflexologist’s work fools the pressure sensors in the feet about whether postural muscles activated. The nervous system is, thus, tricked into its estimation about activities of the postural muscles and the commiserate internal mechanisms. And, yes, research demonstrates that reflexology effects, among other things related to postural muscles, measures of cardio-vascular system and those related to diabetes.

So what’s with this increase in sales at yoga and Pilates studios and will reflexology as an investment opportunity be far behind? First, popularity translates into sales. It’s all about people responding to what their bodies need, a workout of the postural muscles. This is known as an archestructure, an innate drive to meet the physical needs of the body or “a felt or perceived function or structural feature of the nervous system, projected or unconsciously acted out in the life-style or the beliefs, customs and social structure s of the individuals concerned or of whole communities.” (Gooch, Stan F. Total Man, Ballantine Books, 1972, p. 299) Yoga, Pilates and reflexology enthusiasts are responding to something their bodies need by participating in what is, in essence, postural muscle exercise.

Next: when will investment come to the reflexology industry? Reflexology has already increased in popularity in many Western countries but if we lived in the Far East, we’d be looking at the explosive growth of a reflexology industry. Frankly, the only thing holding it back in the West is what one author refers to as traditions and expectations of how health happens. In the Far East, reflexology is a star.

It is estimated that 4 million Chinese provide reflexology services with the government seeing a shortage and calling for another million. The reflexologists practice at reflexology “parlors,” some chains with as many as 700 locations. Then, there are the medical practitioners of reflexology with “first class” reflexology licenses issued by the government working in clinics and hospitals. (By the way, the inclusion of reflexology in medicine is based on research. Consider the research monies spent to position the Chinese as world leaders in reflexology research, with hundreds if not thousands of studies that would meet NIH standards.)

Then there are the reflexology paths, special cobblestoned sidewalks, in parks where senior citizens line up twice a day to walk, considered to be a “fashionable fitness activity.” (Aside from traditions of Tap Shek (stone stepping), the Chinese frequently quote a study by the Oregon Research Institute demonstrated the benefits to seniors of such “enhanced walking.”) Rock companies offer and sell specific stones to be used for paths at one’s home. The Chinese government is currently funding paths to be built in outdoor sports facilities across the country as a part of its 10-year Fitness Program. (Imagine the construction mini-industry of path building.) Then, there’s the industry of manufacturing and selling reflexology products—mats and sandals available at any and all pharmacies.

The same could be said about the reflexology industry in other Far East countries. It’s hard to imagine a condominium complex in Singapore, a city park in Seoul or a national park in Malaysia without a reflexology park. There are reflexology kiosks in shopping malls. Japanese tourists travel to Taiwan for their specific reflexology practitioners. A Shiseido factory in Japan has found the reflexology path use improves productivity and lessens medical bill for employees.

We leave you with this thought: stand up, America. Your health and longevity will be the better for it. (A minimum of every 30 minutes is suggested by researchers) And, oh yeah, if you want to super-charge things, think yoga, Pilates and reflexology.

Barbara and Kevin Kunz

Reflexology Live

What is my legacy?

Secret to developing new reflexology techniques

How can a reflexologist up their game?

Save your feet during the holidays

Haven't seen your feet for awhile...

Are you focused with your reflexology work?

These economic times and the reflexologist

Age appropriate reflexology

Takefumi – Japanese Bamboo Foot Massager

How to Perform Takefumi Exercise

How Does Takefumi Work

Reflexology Paths

Conclusion

Stand up for longevity

Kevin goes to the hospital—stories from the reflexologist at the foot of the hospital bed

Your Own Medical Hybrid: Reflexology and medicine

High Tech / High Touch: Medical Hybrid- Why medicine needs reflexology

Do you have a longer second toe? The Video

Reflexology Jade Walking Blanket

Reflexology Golf Ball Technique

It’s deja vu all over again

Free Friday- Free Reflexology Stuff- New Stuff

New Benefits of Reflexology

What is Reflexology?

Reflexologia

Double Thumb Walking Technique

Epilepsy and Reflexoloogy

Cesarean Section and Reflexology

Dysmenorrhea and Reflexology

MSU Has a Successful Outcome with Chemo and Reflexology

Observations on Double Thumbwalking

Japan: "Reflexology in the "Relax Forest"

Evidenced Based Reflexology Research

Relax and Refresh: Reflexology Help with Stress and Anxiety eBook

Success with the double thumbwalking reflexology technique

Nicely put on the benefit of Reflexology relaxation

Free Friday- Free Reflexology Stuff

Free Friday- Free Reflexology Stuff

The New Reflexology: A Theoretical Summary Part 4

The New Reflexology: A Theoretical Summary Part 3

The New Reflexology: A Theoretical Summary Part 2

The New Reflexology: A Theoretical Summary Part 1

Thoughts on Reflexology Case Studies

Reflexology work on left foot causes right hand to move

Marketing Reflexology Mats: “The best gift to send parents”

More Fallout from the Skype Lecture

Our Skype Reflexology lecture- the reviews are in.

Contra indications to Walking the Reflexology Path

The “Smart Cobblestone Road” / Reflexology Mat

Stone for Building Reflexology Paths

Latest in Reflexology Paths Part 1

Horizant Once Denied Now FDA Approved For RLS

MILDRED CARTER: A TEST OF TIME

Bestselling

China Invests in Reflexology

What Is A Reflexologist Worth?

What’s the return on your investment in reflexology?

How Useful Is Reflexology? Part 7

How Useful Is Reflexology? Part 7

How Useful Is Reflexology? Part 6

How Useful Is Reflexology? Part 5

How Useful Is Reflexology? Part 4

How Useful Is Reflexology? Part 3

How Useful Is Reflexology? Part 2

How Usable is Reflexology? Part 1

What's Up???

Getting Back in the Saddle- Recovering with Reflexology