Reflexology Golf Ball Technique

We call this technique the million dollar self help technique because it so valuable in helping a number of conditions like asthma, allergies, sinuses and digestive upset. And the best part is all you really need is a golf ball.

Barbara Kunz invented this. It is truly a simple way to do self help on your hands. We use it in all our self help books.


Kevin Kunz



http://www.reflexology-research.com 
http://www.dk.com/reflexology 
Tweet me @twitter.com/kevinkunz
Facebook www.facebook.com/kevin.kunz 

Holiday tip

Holiday Reflexology tip When standing in line never stand dead still. Always sway a little side to side. Helps the feet from locking up.

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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

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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?

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com 

http://www.dk.com/reflexology 

http://www.facebook.com/kevin.kunz 

twitter me @footreflexology

Location, Location, Location

© EugenP. Image from BigStockPhoto.com

I was talking to a reporter today from YourHealth Monthly about an article on reflexology. We were talking about foot rollers, a simple way to deliver self help. Shannon, the writer, asked, "Then you could station a foot roller under your desk?"

I said this is one time that multitasking works really well. You can use the devices without a lot of concentration.

Putting a self help tool close to where you will use it is also a good way to remind yourself to do it. We use golf balls for self help so we have golf balls stationed in the living room, the car, our office and the bedroom. (In the bedroom I use it when I am having trouble sleeping or the occasional stomach upset.) And Barbara carries golf balls in her purse.

People actually think we are avid golfers because you will find golf balls in our cars for times when you have to wait in the car. But it makes waiting for someone or something at least a little productive.

There are two places you should take great care when using a golf ball. Movie theaters and airlines can be problematic as occasionally a golf ball will get loose and bounce down the aisles. It really isn't a safety issue rather it is the personal embarrassment on that rhythmic bouncing as it makes it's way down the row.

There is a series of memory techniques that use "loci" or locations to remember lists. Attaching the item with a location such as placing a mental image of a bottle of milk you need at the store within your living room makes it simpler to remember. 

So too it makes it easier to remember to do your self help if you have placed self help tools like a golf ball or a foot roller close to your easy chair or desk. You might get a couple of foot rollers to put them where they can be used.

But remember never put them in a pathway where you might trip on them. And remember to take care on the airline or movie theater so the golf ball doesn't escape. Of course you can always look at the guy behind you to throw off suspicion. But that would be mean.

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com

http://www.dk.com/reflexology

Coming of Age for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

A recent St. Louis Dispatch article titled Athletes Get Massage Message addresses what will soon become the newest standard to effect complementary and alternative medicine. It is the use of dosing. In other words, how much, how long and how often massage should be used with athletes is being a center stage issue. With the increasing pressure to win these factors are now under the microscope.

According to a recent study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, researchers at Ohio State University found that Swedish massage helped speed muscle recovery at the cellular level for rabbits who got mechanically intense exercise.

Athletes also use Swedish massage -- stroking, kneading and pressing soft tissue. Thomas Best, professor of family medicine at Ohio State University and senior author of the rabbit study, said it's too soon for clinical trials on humans. But he considers the rabbits a strong start toward confirming massage's benefits to athletes.

Best said he hopes further research "will dictate how much massage is needed, for how long and when it should be performed after exercise."

We just finished a very extensive survey of 168 studies and found that the most successful studies took into account the frequency of technique application. The Chinese for years have taken a very close look at frequency, duration and strength of signal when trying to produce results.

Could the failure of some studies to achieve results have to do with these factors rather than whether reflexology "works" or not? Could adjusting the dose of reflexology make the difference?

The Chinese reflexology researchers certainly think so. Working with people with serious illness the researchers adjust the dose to a rather high level of once a day ( a half an hour) for 6 days then taking a day off. They do this treatment regime for 2 weeks and then evaluate the disorder. If it needs further action they continue unto another 2 week series of sessions. The Chinese get remarkable results. They are very keen to make sure the frequency in particular is enough to cause change.

If we are to move from reflexology being a "treat" as one study put it to a "treatment" will we need to look closely at these three key factors? We think so. It is hard to come away from these evidence based studies without drawing that conclusion.

But if one has a serious illness and it could be helped by this level of intensity would that be an incentive enough to try a more intense treatment regime?

I would think so. But more research is needed to pin down the required factors.

Would you be willing to give it a try if you had a serious illness?

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com

Healing Sleep and Reflexology

© luv4art. Image from BigStockPhoto.com

I have really been sleeping well lately. It has been a deep sleep with lots of dreams. They are pleasant dreams. I haven't slept this well since I was a kid. 

My trick is simple. I do bamboo walking just before bed. What is bamboo walking? Legend has it that the Samurai warriors would go out in the bamboo forest and chop down a piece of bamboo. They would then split it. They would lay a piece of bamboo on the ground and walk on the rounded part. 

Of course you could work on your feet with  reflexology. There are several excellent research studies that point to the help reflexology can be. Partner reflexology can be excellent because there is a lot to letting someone else apply the technique. Or dust off that old foot roller and give it a workout. 

Sweet dreams. 

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com

Reuse Pringles Can As Foot Massager

Reuse Pringles Can As Foot Massager

© Photographer's DLeonis. Image from BigStockPhoto.com

I've found another use for a Pringles can. I recently injured my back and have nerve damage in my foot and leg. My foot burns constantly and the muscles in my lower leg are pretty well shot. I've found relief by rolling a Pringles can forward and back, from heel to toe. I can do this under my desk while I work. It feels like an incredible massage on the bottom of your foot. I believe it's helping to build my muscles back up in my foot and lower leg, as well. This is what you call "good and cheap".

By Artlady from Edmond, OK

As you can spend a lot of money on foot rollers. but you can also use found objects for a pretty good foot roller. The Pringles can from Thriftyfun.com is a good idea. Here are some others.

Our first typist on The Complete Guide to Foot Reflexology used an old coffee can. This worked fine until it shot out from under her desk at the office she worked at. It hit her boss's foot who happened to be walking by. He was quite puzzled.

A couple of old golf balls dropped in a sock is nifty. Tie a knot so the golf balls don't escape.

A tortilla rolling pin which looks like a fat dowel stick works. It was a traditional practice for Mexican women to drop it on the floor after a long day and simply roll their feet. (see picture above) Hopefully they washed it before the next use. :-)

Dog toys are cheap and frequently have interesting features which make them good for rolling your feet. A example is a throwing stick which has ribbing on it. Of course if your dog is around this may proof troublesome.

What can you think of that is one effective and two cheap to free?

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com

Getting into Reflexology Part 2

Looking at books in a bookstore or on Amazon.com is a good way to get a feel for whether reflexology is for you.

Are you excited at the prospect of helping yourself and/or helping others. Or does the sight or the idea of working on feet and hands simply turn you off? (Hands seem to be more appealing to people who see working on feet as a turnoff.)

Look through books at your local bookstore and get a sense of your reactions. Are you ready to do reflexology or would you rather go to a spa and have them do it for you? Be honest. It saves a lot of time.

I am obviously biased towards our own titles and don't want to be critical of other reflexology books. So here is a good way to avoid all that is to go to Amazon.com and search for reflexology books. Read the description and the reviews and see what appeals to you. There are a lot of titles to choose from.

Are you interested in self help or family help? Or are you interested in reflexology as a potential occupation? Are you into energy work or are you more oriented towards the nervous system approach?

Get a little background knowledge from whatever book or books you select and try it out either as a self help workout or do it for someone else. Again use this exercise to gauge your reactions. Don't expect to do a whole session at first. It takes time to learn the techniques and to build up a little strength to do them.

Understanding your reactions is an important step to a successful reflexology experience whether that is self help, family help or a career in reflexology.

Kevin Kunz

Getting into Reflexology Part 1

In a lot of interviews I am asked how I got into reflexology. The answer is quite simple really. I picked up a  reflexology book off the bookstore shelf and  tried it out. One thing led to another as I found people really wanted reflexology for not only their health problems but also the stress they faced.  

The rest is history. After over 30 years of practice, 11 books in 19 languages and countless extraordinary experiences with reflexology I often wonder where I would be if I hadn't picked up that book. 

Learning reflexology is getting easier. Back in the seventies when I started there were few books on reflexology. And the books available then weren't really so richly illustrated as books are today. A lot of reflexology was taught without textbooks. 

But even back then it was fairly easy to get started. You bought a book or learned from some mentor. Then you sought out "guinea pigs"(usually family and friends) and proceeded with what I jokingly call "human experimentation". After awhile you might even take a course if you wanted to go further. 

Sooner or later when word circulated about your skills (and hopefully your results). People outside the circle of family and friends asked if you would work on them. The money question suddenly came up. What to charge and who do I charge? One of many dilemmas you faced. 

And even more challenging is professionalism. It has only been the last few years where a professional class of practitioners has developed. The lack of licensing bodies and professional associations has meant much of professionalism has been left to the individual.  

In this short series I plan to help you get into reflexology whether it is for yourself, your family, or as a profession. Reflexology is still fairly simple to get into even with increasing requirements for professionals. 

Please send me your questions. I will do my best to answer them. 

I wish you the best with reflexology. I hope reflexology will bring the joy to you that it has brought us. 

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com

Reflexology Reunion

I missed my class reunion. It was too bad as I had family obligations at the time. Joyce invited me even though I ended up graduating from another school. She very nicely wrote me an email to help link me with my boyhood friends after the event.

But her attendance was almost a disaster as she was struck by migraines during the reunion. Let Joyce tell it in her own words.

"I awoke Friday morning in Las Cruces with a migraine, so I called my son who is staying with us in Norman and had him get out your "Complete Reflexology for Life" book and look up the hand and foot points for migraine. Thank you, Kevin!!! It worked. Then again this morning (after traveling yesterday) it hit me again. This time I gave Jim (my husband) the book and had him work on my left foot big toe. He could feel the pressure point flatten out and disappear as he worked on it. And I got immediate relief. I've been a believer for a l-o-n-g time; I think Jim was swayed this morning. I can't get over how thorough the book is, and the illustrations are very helpful! I told a lot of schoolmates about your accomplishments and renown."

I am going to try like crazy to go to the next reunion. I have to meet Joyce again after all these years. And I hope to get a chance to work on her feet.

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com

Complete Reflexology for Life



Complete Reflexology for Life

Tired hands but no energy

After a long day at the office and your hands are tired from keyboarding or blackberrying or whatever, here is a simple way to rejuvenate your hands.

Simple take a hand held vibrating wand and simply hold it between your two hands. This is a simple way to break up the pattern of stress that forms in your hands over a long day.

Remember introducing a new signal helps the body reset it's stress mechanism. so the relaxation effect doesn't just stop with the hands.

Kevin Kunz

Cheap Thursday

I have seen foot rollers with electronic keyboards carrying the hefty price tag of $500. There is even a $120,000 dollar foot roller made of solid gold This price was before the recent rise in gold prices. The good news is the silver version is only $5000.

But fear not. There are cheaper versions. And the cheapest I know is as close as your favorite golfer.

Get a couple of old golf balls. Their condition is not a issue. Drop them in an old sock. Tie a knot and you have a pretty good foot roller. The last bit is to keep the golf balls from rolling away.

There are all kinds of found objects that work as well. Conduct your own scavenger hunt and see what you can find.

But the funniest object used by a client of mine was an old coffee can. She loved to roll her feet on it at work. This worked well until the coffee can shot out from under her desk and came to a stop in front of her boss. He was a bit puzzled and she was more than a little embarrassed.

What do you like rolling your feet on?

Kevin Kunz

Tinnitus and Our Veterans

I didn't realize that Janna had included this testimonial when I read her email.

She has a good point. "Kevin I heard on K.Oberman (Keith Oberman) that 70,000 Iraq vets have ringing in the ears."

Janna is quite proud of being able to turn off her ringing. She feels it would be of enormous value to Vets. Here's her email.

*************************************************************************

Good Morning Friends,

I have tinnitus, which is a ringing in my ears! I never know when the ringing will arrive and
be louder than the conversation I am may be attempting to have with someone.

If you or anyone you know has this, you might want to check out this FREE interactive chart
developed by Kevin and Barbara Kunz, the foremost published Reflexologists on the planet!

When I use the tip of my thumb to press where the foot and the hand charts show the ear points
the ringing subsides. It is like the volume button on a radio being turned down! It is amazing.

This chart is a lot of fun and I keep the link in my favorites for quick self care. There is lots of
Science about the hands and feet; and the Kunz’s have written quite a few fun books if you are interested!

Enjoy, Janna Schlagenhauf



Here is the link to the interactive foot chart!

http://www.dorlingkindersley-uk.co.uk/static/cs/uk/11/features/reflexology/footchart.html

Here is the link to the interactive hand chart!

http://www.dorlingkindersley-uk.co.uk/static/cs/uk/11/features/reflexology/handchart.html

Emergency Golf Ball

Reflexology can be done just about anywhere. Working on the hands is more accessible in most cases. But we know of people who have even slipped off their shoes in board meetings.

A handy habit is to carry a golf ball with you wherever you go. Stick one in your purse or coat pocket particularly if you know you can find some time. “Found time” is waiting for appointments or waiting to board an airplane or any number of activities that don’t require your full attention. but we don’t suggest these techniques for activities like driving a car.

Golf ball techniques are easy, can be somewhat mindless and effective. We like to take golf balls on long trips. And we like them for emergencies like when your allergies flare up or your stomach is upset.

There are a lot of golf ball techniques in any of our DK books. Reflexology: Health at Your Fingertips, Hand Reflexology and Complete Reflexology for Life all have golf ball techniques.

Pick several so you don’t wear out an area. And just roll on.

Kevin Kunz

Hidden Trauma

Wall Street Journal has an interesting article that caught our attention.

Studies Cite Head Injuries As Factor in Some Social Ills
The article goes onto to talk about how brain researchers link mental woes, alcoholism to long-ago blows. The frightening part is that we have almost all had some type of injury and the results may not show up for years.

I was just working on a man who had been a side impact car accident. I saw a stress cue on him that I hadn't seen on him before. There were large white patches on the big toe which in reflexology theory represents the head area. This stress cue to us means there isn't much blood flowing to the head area.

When I asked him if he had hit his head he didn't remember. But when he wrote a check a short time later he put the person's name where the amount should have been and the amount where the signature should have been. No one checked him for a head injury.

I work on my big toe everyday because I did get injuries to the head as a child. It is a simple technique really. And you can use the thumb as well.

Cup the golf ball between your palm and the edge of your big toe. Now roll the golf ball all over the brain stem, brain and neck areas.

From Complete Reflexology for Life

Here is a video that went along with the article. http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid4523 19854/bctid1395217369

Kevin Kunz

Oh great news. Now everything is shot.

We were once doing a demonstration at a health show. I was working on a young lady. I hit a particularly sensitive spot. She asked,"What is that?' I replied that we consider it the reflex area that relates to the reproductive system.

She said," Oh great news. Now everything is shot."

I assured her that wasn't necessarily the case. The reproductives help produce some of the stress hormones. So if you are under pressure the reproductives can be quite sensitive.

The reproductive system is fairly easy to work with a technique we call "rotating on a point". It can be used anywhere and is particularly useful for bad periods.

Description- "Start by wrapping your hand around the ankle. Rest your thumb at the halfway point between the edge of the heel and the ankle bone, then use the rotating-on-a-point to work the uterus area in women and the prostate area in men. Rotate your foot in a clockwise direction several times and then in a counterclockwise direction several times."

From p114 Complete Reflexology for Life

Kevin Kunz

How to Touch Your Toes

Well you really do know how to touch your toes. But can you touch your toes?

This Men's Health web page , Stretch for Strength, has great explanation for why we have trouble touching our toes. The problem isn't just tight muscles but has to do with the fascia which surrounds the muscles and keeps them together as a group. Tight fascia means a tight range of motion.

Very interesting reading. It comes with a short video that demonstrates the suggested exercises as well as a written set of instructions. (I had a little trouble for some reason getting the full set of instructions so I just clicked the print button.)

The last exercise is rolling your foot on a tennis ball for 60 seconds and then moving onto the next foot. Of course a foot roller might do just as well.

Try it -it works.

Now let see. 1...2...3...

Kevin Kunz