Thursday, July 30, 2009

Oedema and Reflexology

My friend, Moshe  Kruchik was recently in Glasgow at a hospital and gave a short demonstration on reflexology. He worked on odema with great effect. I remember one of my most extreme cases was with odema. The client had MS and her legs were like tree trunks. It is very satisfying to see the results in front of your eyes. Moshe's report:

 I would really like to share with you one of the most FANTASTIC experiences I've
had in a long time and this happened today, at the Maternity and Ginaecology
Unit of the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, Scotland.

E.A.Dick, a charming lady who is a Reflexologist and a Midwive of the unit at
this hospital, participated in the course last weekend. She invited me to
deliver an informal talk to her colleagues. By the end of it, when speaking
about what conditions would benefit from Reflexology during pregnancy, I've said
Oedema. Most of the ladies there showed visible scepticism to my words, saying
that would be impossible...

Hmmmm.....let's challenge them......
"Not only it is possible, with the technique I developed, the Oedema is out in
one hour" (I was playing with fire).
"Can't believe that.....!!"

One of them, the head of staff, said that in half an hour time would receive a
34 weeks pregnant lady.....with severe Oedema (not pathologic), and invited me
to treat her. I happily agreed.

To make the long story short......three Midwives of the staff accompanied me
during the process, they documented every single routine, filled 8 sheets of
information, Reflexology routines and strokes, cooperated with everything. My
dear friend and colleague Lynne Craighead was with me filming everything. We
made pictures before and after.

The Oedema at the beginning was tremendous, thick and painful swollen legs.
One hour after that, there was no Oedema at all!!!!
During the session, the Midwives checked blood pressure twice, which remained
stable, the lady passed urine twice and when she finally got into her shoes, she
was so surprised she couldn't speak....

The Midwives were absolutely astonished.

Mauricio (Moshe) Kruchik-Biderman
President
THE ISRAELI FORUM OF REFLEXOLOGY

Total Reflexology Kits- totally out


If you are looking for a Total Reflexology Kit for Xmas you may be out of luck. They are out in most Barnes and Noble stores we surveyed. You can check stores in your area by using their zip code locator at barnesandnoble.com/  but there aren't many around. 
We are releasing the Reflexology Path in September through Barnes and Noble. So there should be a holiday present available. 
Kevin Kunz


http://www.reflexology-research.com
http://www.dk.com/reflexology
Twitter me @footreflexology
Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/kevin.kunz

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Bamboo Step Exercise Research

© Lisa Presley . Image from BigStockPhoto.com

First it was walking on a Reflexology Path and now it's the reflexology step exercise program. East has come West with yet another two studies showing the impact of reflexology ideas on the health-seeking senior citizen. First spotted in the bibliography of the Reflexology Path study 1 , the two Japanese studies note the merging of step aerobic exercise ideas with reflexology ideas to produce a popular low intensity exercise program forJapanese seniors. (See below.)

There's nothing like a study to breathe fresh air into an idea. A few years ago two studies about oatmeal lowering cholesterol created demand for the breakfast food so great that oats could not be grown fast enough. At issue is the acceptance of an idea into the popular culture. Walking on a specifically desgned reflexology surface has moved into the popular culture in China and Japan and Germany. Is the US next? Will the spector of easy reflexology - all you do is stand or walk - move Americans to reflexology? Will the idea that reflexology walking is age appropriate and beneficial for senior citizens create a new wave of reflexology use?

In 1984, Kunz and Kunz first included in written work an idea for stepping on a broom stick or dowel to apply pressure to the feet. Furthers articles followed in Reflexions over the years.

Reflexology Step Exercise Programs Tested

Aotake is the Japanese word for green bamboo but it has taken on a larger meaning in Japan today. Aotake is the name given a low impact reflexology exercise program available at many Japanese health and sports clubs. Participants move in time to music stepping onto a "reflexology step," a plastic strip about 2 1/2" high, 16" long and 3" wide. The strip is textured with raised bumps. The bumps provide reflex stimulation "thought by many to promote relaxation and promote balance throughout the body." 2 The program typically requires 40 minutes: 10 minutes of warm-up stretching and loosening, 30 minutes of aerobic Aotake step activity and 10 minutes of cool-down.

The Aotake step exercise program has achieved popularity as an "age appropriate" activity for most senior citizens. It is considered approriate because, it involves low impact aerobics, no equipment other than an inexpensive Aotake step, easy-to learn dance steps, enjoyable music and reflex stimulation.

Now, two studies note that "aotake technique elicited significant changes in self-reported negative mood states (tension, anger, fatigue, depression, and confusion.)In a study comparing the energy cost of Aotake stepping and stepping in place, "Aotake exercise was performed at a relatively low intension (46-51% of maximal oxygen uptake), suggesting that Aotake exercise is suitable as an introductory exercise progra for most older and middle-aged adults, including those with various chronic disorders. No differences were found between the Aotake exercise and stationary walking conditions."

Researchers note that the stimulation of stepping onto the bumpy sufrace of the Aotake step is associated with reflexology, "an ancient form of holistic medicine found in many Asian countries."... When pressure is applied to these (reflex) zones, many Asian people believe that the natural energy flow is released, helping restore homeostasis and balance to the body. ..."Although these claims are difficult to evaluate scientifically, may seniors believe that aotake exercise relieves stress and tension and is generally relaxing. By combining elements of Western aerobic exercise and Eastern reflexology, Aotake draws from two quite different traditioons of healing. This combination is attractive to many Japanese seniors, who are increasingly exposed to both modern and traditional approaches to medicine and health."

Really nice reflexology path in Washington State.

Really nice reflexology path in Washington State. Very compact and I do like the round design. 

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com

http://www.dk.com/reflexology

Follow me on Twitter-http://twitter.com/footreflexology

Paperback edition of Complete Reflexology for Life is coming out in August- Order yours today.

Monday, July 27, 2009

They will run out again.



My guess with the incredible interest in reflexology the publisher will run out of Complete Reflexology for Life (paperback edition) again. Right now you can't get Complete Reflexology for Life in hardback unless you are willing to pay 80+ dollars for a used edition.

The paperback comes out August 17th but you can pre-order using the above link. You might hurry as Amazon is making it available at $12.89. For a book that started out at $25.00 that is quite a bargain.
Kevin Kunz


http://www.reflexology-research.com
http://www.dk.com/reflexology
Twitter me @footreflexology
Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/kevin.kunz

Thursday, July 23, 2009

More Americans Concerned About 'Cankles'

©Costin Cojocaru Photography . Image from BigStockPhoto.com


"The circumference of a woman's ankle is about 11 inches, on average. That's not much to obsess about. But enough Americans are concerned about fat ankles -- or "cankles" -- that gyms are coming up with new ways to tone them; plastic surgeons are pushing $4,000 to $6,000 liposuction procedures to slim them; and shoe companies are offering special models designed to minimize them.'
"The most common causes of chubby ankles are obesity and a genetic predisposition to store fat in the lower legs. Other causes include abnormal water retention, tendinitis, edema associated with pregnancy, and an Achilles' tendon injury that brings on chronic swelling and could lead to long-term problems, says Marlene Reid, a podiatric surgeon in Naperville, Ill."

For the Body-Conscious, It's Now the Ankle That Rankles Chubby Lower Legs, Latest Styles Don't Mix As Women Wage Costly Fight Against 'Cankles'  by AMY CHOZICK Wall Street Journal, July 23, 2009, WSJ Online

Okay I read this and immediately remembered a book I read called the body has it's reasons. The premise was simple. The body doesn't simply take up random acts for no apparent reason. There is always some reason. 

In this case one of the leading causes of "cankles" is gravity. Fluid just has a harder time making it up hill. The lymphatic system just doesn't have a pump like the heart to move fluid. It depends on muscular action to help pump the fluid out. 

Also walking around on two legs does help either. Fluid has a lot more to height to achieve in it's return to the venous system. But sitting all day can also maybe a problem. Without movement things just get static and accumulate. 

Shoes can be a problem as well. Shoes can act like a tourniquet slowing down the circulation and allowing it to accumulate in the ankles. And high heels are of course really a bad idea and are a circulatory nightmare. 

Then there is stress. Stress from injury, mechanical stress (being overweight or being on your feet all day.   or just plain stress. Stress shrinks the lymphatic vessels with bad consequences for the ankles. 

Here are some solutions.

Gravity- Use the old waitress trick. Lay on the floor and put your feet up on the coach. This reverses the flow of lymphatic fluid. Or use the wall. 

Inactivity- Walking is probably the best exercise for pumping fluid through the ankle. It seems to stimulate circulation from head to toe. Walking pumps blood to the brain. And we all could use that. 

Rotating your ankles is a great way to work all four major muscle groups coming down from the legs> It also helps open a little channel through which 75% of blood flows. 

Calf stretches help relax the muscles to encourage blood flow. The calf is trying to pull the foot flat in the act of moving us forward in the act of locomotion and the foot is trying to maintain an arch in the act of forming a stable platform. So this titan struggle between the feet and the calves can lead to really problems. in the ankle. 

Rotating on a point is a simple reflexology technique we use to move the fluid. Simply sit with your foot in your lap and rotate your foot will applying pressure to the area with your finger or thumb. 

A good reflexologist can do a lot for moving this fluid along. But be sure to help them out with remembering that movement is a key to slim ankles. And keep it moving. 

  

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com
http://www.dk.com/reflexology
Twitter me
@footreflexology
Facebook-
http://www.facebook.com/kevin.kunz

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

ReflexologyChart app


I can see why Twitter can become fairly addictive. I have been tweeting as they say all day long to promote the ReflexologyChart app we have just produced. Twitter gave me an idea.

We have 10 codes for a free app for your IPhone or Itouch. You just go to the ITunes Store and insert the code for your free Reflexology application. 

Okay so the app is only 99¢ but it is nice to win something. So tell me your favorite reflexology story and we will pick 10 lucky winners. There are no real rules per se. And we may even put it up here. Who knows? 
Simply reply to this post. 

http://www.dk.com/reflexology
Twitter me @footreflexology
Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/kevin.kunz

Monday, July 20, 2009

How to Reform Health Care and Energy: Use Less


We thought this was an interesting article from Time magazine. When the gas prices spiked we simply drove less like the article said. Saved gas, right.

If you have a gas guzzler you can actually do better holding onto the beast and driving less than buying a new more efficient model. it is cost effective and pollutes less without the expensive purchase of a new car. 

Could we use a similar approach on healthcare? There have been numerous studies on how reflexology has been able to save employers money by helping with absenteeism and employee morale. Could applying reflexology and other stress reducing methods save us healthcare dollars?

Since most illness is stress related would applying a consistent program of reflexology help lower the amount of stress related complaints and in the long run stress related diseases. Less trips to the doctor and less time at the emergency room would effectively lower healthcare costs both in the short run and even more important in the long run. and all this without new expensive technologies.
 
So my advice is simple: drive your car less and rub your feet more. 

What do you think? 

Kevin Kunz
Twitter me @footreflexology

Friday, July 17, 2009

What is Reflexology?

I just revamped the web page, "What is Reflexology?"

See what you think. Let me know.

I really like the benefits of reflexology which Barbara Kunz drew from research.

The benefits of reflexology include:

  • Relaxation
  • Pain reduction
  • Amelioration of symptoms for health concerns
  • Rejuvenation of tired feet
  • Improvement in blood flow
  • Impact on physiological measures (e. g. blood pressure and cholesterol; measurements by ECG, EEG, and fMRI)
  • Beneficial for post-operative recovery and pain reduction
  • Enhancement of medical care (e. g. cancer, phantom limb pain, and hemodialysis patients)
  • Adjunct to mental health care (e. g. depression, anxiety, Post traumatic stress disorder)
  • Complement to cancer care (pain, nausea, vomiting, anxiety)
  • Easier birthing / delivery / post-partum recovery

  • Have fun. 

    http://www.dk.com/reflexology
    Twitter me @footreflexology
    Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/kevin.kunz

    Thursday, July 16, 2009

    Your Feet Will Love This IPhone App


    The Reflexology Chart app for IPhone/ Itouch went up yesterday on the Itunes store. And we have receive our first few orders. And we received a really nice review. Yeah!!!

    "Got it and love it! Simple and so useful for me. Saves constant searching through books or even worse, guesswork! Thanks." DS

    It is an app that displays a foot chart that you can dial to learn the different areas. The developer did a really nice job of laying it out. It is only the first of several apps that we are planning to learn reflexology.

    Looking forward to seeing people's reaction. Let me know what you think.

    Kevin Kunz

    If you are an app reviewer and wish to receive a promotional code please contact us @ footc@mac.com.

    http://www.reflexology-research.com
    http://www.dk.com/reflexology
    Twitter me @footreflexology
    Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/kevin.kunz

    Tuesday, July 14, 2009

    Toes need attention

    Toes have weak little muscles from shoewear. Give them a tug to strengthen them. Toes also like to be stretched and rotated.

    I just finished a pair of feet for a client. She had told me she was at a family gathering and told them about my thing about toes crossing over.

    Over the years I have found that when toes cross over each other, memory frequently becomes an issue. So my advice is pull them, stretch them and rotate them to tune up the old noggin.

    My client said before long everybody at the family gathering was inspecting their toes. I just hope they remember to work on their toes.

    Kevin Kunz
    http;//www.reflexology-research.com
    http;//www.dk.com/reflexology

    Thursday, July 9, 2009

    Here is a really bad idea!!!

    Baby's First High Heels

    It has taken me two days to stop sputtering after I saw this in a video showing baby's first high heels.

    Okay so the heels are really not high heels. They are simulated high heels with squishy spiked heels.

    Great so you screw up some poor child's first steps for your own amusement. What fun.

    I've got an idea. How about making these adults walk in these contraptions?

    Kevin Kunz

    Reflexology Research
    Free Interactive Reflexology charts


    Wednesday, July 8, 2009

    Fast Ways to Loosen Feet- Tip #1

    © 1984 Kunz& Kunz 
    Let's face it. Because of shoes and hard surfaces our feet are way over torqued. But it is really simple to loosen feet quickly. 

    Simply work the edge of the heel particularly the medial or inside of the heel. 


    If you are a practitioner simply use thumb- walking to cover the area throughly. First rotate the foot to get a sense of the tension level. Next apply the thumb walking technique. Then test again.


     When you have the foot good and loose get them up and walking to feel the difference between the two feet. If it went well they should be impressed. Repeat the procedure on the second foot. See if they match. 

    If you are doing self help on the tailbone area a golf ball can by quite handy. Roll the golf ball along the rim of the heel. Repeat on the opposite foot. 

    Some people swear by using a "super-ball" They feel the slight give can be quite effective in working the tailbone area. 


    I will have other tips to loosen the foot. But did you have success with this technique?

    Monday, July 6, 2009

    Breathe. | Zen Habits

    Solar Plexus
    I really like the blog, Zen Habits. The advice is simple, straight and practical. This may be their best blog yet. It is called, "breathe".  It is a simple point in support of taking a "breath". 

    "If you are discouraged and have forgotten your purpose in life, breathe. It will remind you about how precious life is, and that each breath in this life is a gift you need to appreciate. Make the most of this gift." Zen Habits

    It works. Try it. 

    I really like to finish each reflexology sessions with four long deep breaths. I use to do three but I found it took four to really slow people down. 

    This is a nice way to bring everything together at the end of a session. It gives the person a nice doze of oxygen. It ends the formal part of the session after all the techniques on an up note. 

    There is a lot of scientific studies on breathing and it's positive effects. When you take a deep breath you shift from the active part of your nervous system (sympathetic nervous system) to the more passive part of the nervous system (parasympathetic nervous system). Deep breathing is an easy way to trigger the relaxation response. 

    So if you combine the relaxation response of reflexology techniques with the solar plexus breathing exercise you have the makings of a very relaxing session. It is simple to do.  Just grasp both feet with your hands and place your thumbs in the solar plexus areas on the foot. Request the person take four long deep breaths. Then push in as the person inhales. Some people like to release as the person exhales. I keep the pressure constant. Your choice. 

    It is interesting to watch people breath. Some people breath as though it was their first time. So I use a little trick to get them a little more O2. At the end of the fourth breath I ask them to take one more breath for "good luck." They usually smile  which is also helpful to trigger endorphin release and the relaxation response.
     

    Wednesday, July 1, 2009

    Reflexology Chart app up

    The Reflexology Chart app has been uploaded to the iTunes store. Now we have to wait until Apple gives their OK.

    Kevin Kunz

    http://www.reflexology-research.com
    http://www.dk.com/reflexology