Save Your Feet During Your Workday

All the stress and rush of the workday can really cause your feet and your body to ache. 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 have to stand for long stretches sway gently side to side. Most fellow employees won't notice. One of my clients has her whole food 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 workday 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 their hard work. You are worth it, aren't you?
What are your tips for a happy and pain free workday?

Relax and Refresh: Reflexology Help with Stress and Anxiety eBook

Latest eBook

Relax and Refresh: Reflexology Help with Stress and Anxiety

We have just issued our latest eBook on stress and anxiety. In it we have

• Fully illustrated technique descriptions
• How and where to apply technique
• Fully descriptive basic reflexology technique
• Insights from 24 studies about reducing stress and anxiety
• Tips, hints and insights into using reflexology to combat stress

Only $1.99. Order today. 

Most people who use reflexology are looking for stress relief. Whether you are using reflexology for yourself and/or your family or for your clientele this book is for you, 

Tip for practitioners: The researchers in China have found that frequency of technique application is critical for success. When dealing with a client with stress related issues print out* one of these eBooks and give it to them so they can do some "homework". You can instruct them how to complement what you do. 

The results are great. 

*We grant you a limited license to print out these eBooks for clientele, family and friends. How ever we would appreciate it if you would not charge for these eBooks or email them out. Thank you. 

Chronic stress is a major cause of illness and premature ageing

Chronic stress is a major cause of illness and premature ageing, says Sir Cyril Chantler. - Prince's Foundation for Integrated Health

"The weight of scientific research shows stress has a huge impact on our ability to remain healthy, according to Sir Cyril Chantler, chairman of health charity the King’s Fund.'

"Speaking at the first annual conference of the Prince’s Foundation for Integrated health, Sir Cyril said: ‘Chronic stress activates the systems that increase your risk of chronic illness and damages those that protect us from illness.’ "

I have blogged in the past asking why we are ignoring this basic issue in our health care dilemma. It is one of the most direct routes to health care cost cutting and better health.

Time to do something about it.

Kevin Kunz
http://www.reflexology-research.com

Study: Job loss associated with health problems - CNN.com

© Jobles. Image from BigStockPhoto.com

"As if losing your job isn't bad enough, a new study suggests that people who are laid off are at higher risk of being diagnosed with health conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, and even arthritis than those who keep their jobs."

"It's particularly important to manage stress in healthy ways and try to maintain good health habits and cope effectively." according to study author Kate Strully, assistant professor of sociology at the State University of New York at Albany. Study: Job loss associated with health problems, Theresa Tamkins, CNN.com, 05/12/09

Okay you lost your job. What now? Stress according to this study can actually set off a number of problems which can make your situation even worse. What are some effective strategies? 

1. Don't go it alone. 

Find someone to do stress reducing exercises like reflexology with. 

Trade sessions with someone. Or find a family who will trade with you. Giving a session can be very beneficial as well. The people who do reflexology tend to be on the healthy side because of the tactile stimulation that they receive. So give some to receive some.

2. Use your new found time to focus on stress and not bury it. 

Stress is not easily buried. It tends to resurface in harmful ways as this study shows. 

So make your job applications and look for jobs on your computer but do it with a foot roller under your feet. Or rub your hands as you make that important call. Break up those stress patterns as you apply yourself. 

And start your own personal spa to relax after a hard day of job hunting. Walk out barefoot on your lawn to relax and refresh your system. Or find ways that make you relax and feel better about yourself. 

3. Interrupt stress on do it frequently. 

This is my main mantra. Stress won't kill you. It is the continuity of stress that will kill you. Humans can endure incredibly high levels of stress if that stress is occasionally interrupted. So interrupt the stress and do it frequently. 

4. Don't fight stress, do some judo on it. 

In Judo the idea is never to meet the force head-on. Rather you redirect the energy. If you are feeling nervous about the job situation redirect that energy into doing something that is positive for your mind and your body. 

How can you think of coping with this or other difficult times? 

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com 

http://www.dk.com/reflexology 

Can people afford reflexology?

I think the natural assumption is that in tough economic times people cut back on "luxuries". Well they do but that is where the focus should be. Reflexologist's services can be a luxury but I have had clients describe the sessions as necessary.

You need to market, market and market your services. This is the time to ramp up your marketing rather than cut back. But that makes no sense if are hurting from clientele cutting back.

The answer is word of mouth advertising- the cheapest and most effective. Do you have client's (both old and new) email addresses? Could you offer them a comeback special?

What events can you do? Where can you volunteer a little reflexology for some publicity? What other ways can you find to get the word out?

Lastly please don't get psyched out. Our first book, The Complete Guide to Foot Reflexology, came out in a recession and went on to become a bestseller. It has remained in print for 28 years.

With all the stress and it's associated problems with some smart buzz your business can grow substantially. But don't wait for the business to come to you. Go out and get it!!!

Kevin Kunz

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

Xmas letter

We received a Christmas letter from a friend of ours, Camille Young from Moraga, California. Camille did the cover to our first book, The Complete Guide to Foot Reflexology, in 1980.

Included with the Christmas letter was a flyer on a reflexology studio called aptly, Total Reflexology Studio. Apparently no one in the the studio speaks anything but Mandarin Chinese but their flyer is in English. Their flyer had quoted one of my very favorite quotes from Complete Reflexology for Life,

"If reflexology never accomplished anything more than combating stress with relaxation it is serving its purpose very well." Kevin and Barbara Kunz, Complete Reflexology for Life.

Kevin Kunz

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

Using reflexology to manage stress in the workplace

© diego cervo. Image from BigStockPhoto.com

ScienceDirect - Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice :
Using reflexology to manage stress in the workplace: A preliminary study

This study is a preliminary study to "explore the use of reflexology in managing stress in the workplace". It was with a small group people in the UK and it demonstrated positive results.

There have been several studies to this effect. The really interesting comment in a study from Denmark by one employee was that when they felt just a general malaise the idea that the reflexologist was available gave them impetus to go to work.

Hans Selye, the famous stress researcher spoke of this general rundown feeling that stress produces. It isn't a specific disorder. Rather it is a feeling of overall fatigue.

Could reflexology effect not only these borderline "illnesses"? Reflexology by breaking up the patterns of stress off lifts the feeling of being under the weather.

But could reflexology do more than that? Could reflexology actually effect the bottom line? 

I well never forget a simple reaction that took place in a sheltered workshop I worked at right after college. We assembled several products for companies like RCA and Hoffman Laroche.

I had been taking pictures of the assembly lines for a newsletter we produced. When I was done with the pictures I posted them up on the bulletin board just for the clients interest.

Our production shot through the roof on that day and the effect continued for several days. Like a famous Westinghouse lighting study demonstrated the simple act of paying attention to workers had a beneficial effect for the bottom line.

Imagine what having a reflexologist on staff might do. In these troubled economic times it might have quite an impact on profits.

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com

Top 10 things reflexology can do that medicine can't

© Kurhan. Image from BigStockPhoto.com

We have prepared a series of publications on Evidenced Based Reflexology Research. Here is a preview of some of the results. And don't get the wrong idea. This is not to suggest that reflexology is more than a complementary therapy. But according to research there are things that reflexology is capable of doing that medicine cannot do as well.

Top 10 things reflexology can do that medicine can't

1. Phantom Limb pain
2. Postpartum
3. Diabetes
4. Cancer and chemo
5. Neuropathy
6. Hemodialysis
7. Aids mentally ill providing needed benefits to reflexology work
8. Research showed relief from post traumatic stress syndrome
9. Measures of stress are significantly decreased
10. Immediate feelings of wellbeing

10 things
1. Research shows that reflexology work alleviates and, at times, eliminate phantom limb pain

2. Reflexology is  beneficial for post-partum women including issues such as Anxiety and depression and recovery from Cesarean section.

3. Research shows that reflexology work reduces physiologic measures for diabetics and is an effective treatment for type II diabetes mellitus. Circulation to the feet is improved also.

4. Thirteen studies from seven countries (US, Italy, Japan, China, Switzerland, Korea, United Kingdom) target cancer care and show the benefits of reflexology work including anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain, nausea, and vomiting.

5. Neuropathy Research shows improvement in blood flow rate, time and acceleration within the feet following reflexology work

6. Research shows that reflexology work helps  individuals undergoing hemodialysis: Improves the kidney’s functions with changes in physiologic measures: an increase in red blood cells (to combat anemia concerns), increase in lymphocytes (to help fight infection), and enhances disposal of waste products.

7. Reflexology programs and research shows that reflexology aids the mentally ill, providing needed benefits unique to reflexology work. Mental health workers report that reflexology work furnishes many advantages including facilitating communication

8. Victims of post traumatic stress syndrome experienced relief from symptoms including anger, depression and muscle tension as well as improved sleep patterns, levels of concentration and a lift in overall mood.

9. Measures of stress such as blood pressure, pulse rate and self-reported anxiety are significantly decreased, decreased or lowered.

The last point came from a client. He said when "I go to the doctor I don't know what the outcome will be. But when I see you I always feel better." He said it was a feeling of well being and that is what he paid for.

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com

Why reflexology grows during economic tough times

© LuMaxArt. Image from BigStockPhoto.com

A Right to New Health Care

Consumers are now seeking to make up for what they’ve lost in the faltering economy: their health care safety net. The loss of a job means loss of health care benefits. A tighter budget translates into consumers who are cutting back on expenses including prescription medication, especially the elderly and retired. Yet, in spite of economic set backs, health continues to be an issue for all. And, reflexology can help meet those needs.

A September 22, 2008 Wall Street Journal article noted the cut back in purchase of prescription medicine. Once thought to be an ever growing market, sales of medicine have declined as consumers cut back to save money. One example was a Florida retiree who can no longer afford her medication for acid reflux and asthma. While one’s heart certainly goes out to anyone in such a position, this author’s immediate thought was: Hey! Reflexology’s helped me out with (and taken care of) both those problems. It’s too bad this woman doesn’t know about reflexology.

Loss or limited access to medical care doesn’t mean that the consumer has to abandon hope in taking care of health needs. The anxiety of facing health concerns is perhaps the most stressful part of the situation. By fully investigating what one can do to meet his or her needs as well as that of the family, one can take control and lessen the stress of the situation. And, reflexology provides such an opportunity.

Take for example an e-mail correspondent. She had written a glowing review of our newly published book (Reflexology, Health at your fingertips, DK) and we began an e-mail correspondence. She wrote about how she took care of her health care problems and those of her family’s with reflexology learned from our book. When we wrote another book and volunteered to send her one, she declined. While she appreciated the offer, her original book served her needs. It was totally personalized and customized with Post-Its and notes in the margins to easily find the information she needed to meet her family’s health concerns.

This is not to suggest that reflexology is a replacement for conventional medicine. It is still complementary in nature. But when times are tough people need something to keep going. Doing nothing isn't really an option.

Kevin Kunz

http://www.reflexology-research.com