
Feet Facts
Focus on Feet
Women want not only healthy feet but beautiful feet yet we are all guilty of wearing high-heeled or pointy-toed shoes that only add to foot pain and problems. Women also often spend long hours on their feet, which can cause the feet, ankles and legs to become swollen and tired.
Did you know?
The average person walks approximately 4 miles every day and about 115,000 miles in a lifetime! Foot care is much more than a pampering treatment to help you feel good - it is important to have happy, healthy feet and the earlier we start proper foot care practices the better.
Tips for happy, beautiful feet:
Wash feet daily, being careful to rinse off all soap and dry thoroughly, especially between toes. Trim nails straight across, and not too short. Don't be tempted to cut out or dig at corners. Wear shoes that fit properly and are made of leather or canvas. Change your shoes from day to day.
Treat Your Feet
Dry feet thoroughly, especially between toes and massage the feet and ankles with a cooling menthol and camphor gel to improve circulation.
Invest in a foot spa! At the end of the day fill the foot spa with warm water and add a dose of your favorite bath soak. To keep feet free from dry skin and calluses use a foot file or pumice stone around the heels and balls of the feet after soaking.
Those prone to athlete's foot or fungal infections under the nails should spray feet between the toes and under the nails with antiseptic and anti-fungal spray. Moisturize feet every night before bed with a rich moisturizing lotion or nourishing oil.
When treating the toe nails, always cut them straight across and not too short to prevent in-growing nails. If you do have an in-growing nail see your doctor, do not attempt to dig into the corners of the nails or cut down the side. Do not be tempted to cut the cuticles, this makes them more raggedy and look worse in the long run.
Benefit of massage
Is Massage for you?
Massage therapy is for everyone that is if you don't mind being touched. The weekend warrior or the elite athlete, the corporate executive or the stay at home parent, infants, children, teens and seniors can all benefit from massage therapy.
Body, Mind & Soul
Massage and touch therapy is beneficial for a variety of health conditions including stress-related tension, cancer-related fatigue, sleep disorders, high blood pressure, diabetes, low back pain, immunity suppression, spinal cord injury, autism, post-operative surgery, age-related disorders, infertility, eating disorders, smoking cessation, and depression. It does not involve invasive procedures nor does it involve drugs. It is a natural and humanistic approach to healing the body and mind. The feeling of being touched in a safe, caring and compassionate manner can be a very powerful and therapeutic experience.
Benefits for the Mind & Soul
- Helps relieve mental stress
- Improves ability to monitor stress signals and respond appropriately
- Promotes better sleep
- Fosters peace of mind
- Induces mental relaxation
- Improves concentration
- Reduces anxiety
- Satisfies need for nurturing touch
- Creates body awareness
Benefits for the body
- Helps relieve stress and aids in relaxation
- Reduces and alleviates pain from headaches
- Lowers blood pressure
- Reduces heart rate
- Calms the nervous system
- Strengthens the immune system
- Increases red blood cell counts
- Speeds recovery from injuries and illness
- Promotes more effective breathing & slows respiration
- Relieves muscle tension and stiffness
- Improves muscle tone
- Reduces pain and swelling
- Contributes to shorter labor and reduced tearing for pregnant women
- Stretches connective tissues
- Relieves cramps and muscle spasms
- Increases flexibility and range of motion
- Reduces Chronic Pain
- Improves skin tone
- Increases blood and lymph circulation
- Speeds the removal of metabolic waste
- Improves posture
Research in massage therapy has been ongoing for more than 120 years.
Facts about Reflexology
What is reflexology?
Reflexology is a science which deals with the principle that there are reflex areas in the feet and hands which correspond to all of the glands, organs and parts of the body. Stimulating these reflexes properly can help many health problems in a natural way, a type of preventative maintenance. Reflexology is a serious advance in the health field and should not be confused with massage.
Is Reflexology New?
The idea behind Reflexology is not new - in fact, it was practiced as early as 2330 B.C. by the Egyptian culture. Reflexology as we know it today was first researched and developed by Eunice Ingham, the pioneer of this field. Her first book on the subject was published in 1938. And since 1942, Reflexology workshops have been conducted year round.
What does reflexology do?
The Ingham Method of Reflexology is used primarily for relaxing tension. Doctors agree that over 75% of our health problems can be linked to nervous stress and tension. Reflexology improves nerve and blood supply, and helps nature to normalize.
How can reflexology help me?
Reflexology can be used to help restore and maintain the body’s natural equilibrium. This gentle therapy encourages the body to work naturally to restore its own healthy balance.
Reflexology has been shown to be effective for:
- Back Pain
- Migraine
- Arthritis
- Sleep disorders
- Hormonal imbalances
- Digestive disorders
- Stress-related conditions
Reflexology does not claim to cure, diagnose or prescribe.
What special equipment is needed?
Only the hands are used, making it a safe, simple, yet effective method without the use of gadgets. Let your fingers do the walking.
Can reflexology make a condition worse?
No, it will not make any condition more acute. Reflexology helps to normalize body functions. A Reflexology session relaxes the stress that can affect your health. It is a safe effective way to Better Health.
Who can benefit from reflexology?
Reflexology is suitable for all ages and may bring relief from a wide range of acute and chronic conditions. After you have completed a course of reflexology treatment for a specific condition, many people find it beneficial to continue with regular treatments in order to maintain health and well-being.
What happens when I go for treatment?
On the first visit, the therapist will have a preliminary talk with you to determine your present and past health and lifestyle.
The therapist will then use their hands to apply pressure to the feet. The application and the effect of the therapy are unique to each person.
A professionally trained therapist can detect subtle changes in specific points on the feet, and by working on these points may affect the corresponding organ or system of the body.
A treatment session usually lasts for about one hour. A course of treatment may be recommended depending on your body’s needs.
How will I feel after a reflexology treatment?
After one or two treatments your body may respond in a very definite way. Most people note a sense of well-being and relaxation; sometimes people report feeling lethargic, nauseous or tearful, but this is transitory and is a part of the healing process.
This is vital information to feed back to the therapist as it shows how your body is responding to treatment. This will help the therapist to tailor a treatment plan specific to your needs.
|