Can Reflexology Help with Covid-19 and the Delta Variant Afterwards?

September 2021

Most people who have had Covid-19 and the Delta variant recover completely within a few weeks if they don’t have any underlying health conditions. Unfortunately, some people continue to experience a variety of symptoms after their initial recovery from the infection.

The older and elderly are the most likely to experience lingering Covid-19 and Delta symptoms. The symptoms experienced are often now called “long Covid”. This may be a side effect of the infection possibly due to underlying health issues.

The most common signs and symptoms that seem to be lingering over several weeks or months are:

1. Fatigue
2. Cough
3. Chest pains
4. Shortness of breath
5. Headache
6. Muscle aches
7. Joint pain
8. Memory loss and or poor concentration
9. Mood changes such as anxiety, depression, etc.
10. Smelling of smoke, such as cigarette smoke (and the patient does not smoke)
11. No taste
12. Dry skin

How Can Reflexology Help with “Long Covid”?

Reflexology has treatments using specific pressure points and techniques to help restore physical and emotional well being to patients who are still having issues with Covid-19 and Delta.

The treatments are not an alternative to seeking medical advice. Before considering a reflexology treatment make sure they visit with their doctor first to make sure there is nothing more serious going on with their symptoms.

Reflexology may help and improve some of the symptoms including the moodiness, fatigue, aches, and pains. Consider the other symptoms that could be caused from other illnesses.

If you have a client that is considering reflexology, be sure to sit down and visit with them and answer any questions they may have. Reflexology may or may not be the appropriate treatment at this time. If they have never had a reflexology treatment before, explain to them what reflexology is.

What would your treatment/session consist of for a Covid-19 or Delta patient?

1. Brain
2. Chest and Lungs
3. Treatment on the area of the joint with aches/pains
4. Lymphatics

Give me your ideas!!

In this unprecedented time of social distancing and staying at home, as Reflexologists we can use this time as a way to introduce DIY techniques to our clients that are nervous about getting out and being in a crowded area. It would possibly help them to maintain physical and emotional health if we can teach them how to do reflexology on themselves until a safer time. Or they could be introduced to home service.

Reflexology is one of the easiest and quickest natural ways to relieve stress and heal yourself. It can be used anytime, anywhere. And that is what we need to teach our clients until there is a safer time to be coming back to their Reflexologists.

AND REMEMBER TO ALSO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF!!

Be Safe.

Renita Murrell, President

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Parkinson’s Disease

June 2021

This subject is very close to me, my father-in-law is suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. I am working on his reflexes and most of the time, he relaxes and falls asleep which to me is especially important.

Parkinson’s Disease is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the nervous system and affects movement. What causes Parkinson’s? The neurons in the brain gradually die; when the chemical Dopamine is lost, the neurons die.

Symptoms could be or are the following:

1. Reduced facial expressions
2. Dizziness
3. Loss of balance
4. Loss of smell
5. Difficulty swallowing
6. Drooling
7. Depression
8. Anxiety
9. Uncontrollable bladder
10. Weight loss
11. Muscle stiffness
12. Difficulty standing, and walking
13. Constipation (from medication)
14. Dry eyes (from medication)
15. Tremors in hands and arms

Risk Factors:

1. Age: Usually happens in or around the age of 60 or older.
2. Heredity: A close relative that has or had it increases chances.
3. Sex: Men are more than likely to get it.
4. Exposure to Toxins: Being around herbicides, pesticides may slightly increase chances.

Can Reflexology help with Parkinson’s Disease?

Reflexology promotes relaxation which improves circulation, stimulates vital organs, and encourages the body’s natural healing process. It may also speed up the elimination of harmful toxins from the body, as well as boosting the production of natural chemicals in the brain.

Reflexology can be helpful when used to support Parkinson’s treatments. For example, it can stimulate salvia glands, tear ducts and constipation which are often problems of patients due to medication they may be on. Relaxation to a Parkinson’s patient can be beneficial and help to relax their muscles, improving circulation can help with brain function and thoughts. Working the digestive system can assist with keeping the bowels and any stomach issues under control.

If your client has any reaction from a treatment such as: increased bowel movements, feeling cold or any skin changes, they should discuss this with you and their primary physician. Be sure to advise your client that they should consult their primary physician before having a reflexology treatment.

Reflexes to work:

1. Nervous system
2. Circulatory system
3. Digestive system
4. Endocrine system

What reflexes would you work?

Many blessings,

Renita Murrell, President

__________________

The Role of Reflexology in Treating Autoimmune Diseases

April 2021

Your immune system plays a big role in keeping you healthy. It protects the body against infections and diseases by blocking pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and parasites from entering and causing you to become ill. But what if your immune system turns on you and begins attacking your body instead? This is the reality of those who have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease.

The Basics of Autoimmune Disease

A properly working immune system would be able to tell the difference between bad and good in your body’s cells. An autoimmune disease, however, causes your immune system to mistake healthy body cells as foreign ones. Therefore, it attacks your body by producing proteins called ‘auto antibodies’ that sicken the body’s tissues.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences* states that there are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases. Some of the most common ones are Type 1 Diabetes, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Celiac disease. Typically, medication is prescribed to help ease the painful symptoms of an autoimmune disease. From oral medication to injections, the kind of medicine depends on the condition. There is still no cure for them, but their reaction to the immune system can be managed with immunosuppressants, medications that weaken the immune system’s activity. It is still not clear as to what causes an autoimmune disease to develop. Unexplained rashes, body aches, fatigue, and hair loss are some common signs you may be suffering from having an autoimmune disease. If these are symptoms you experience, it would be best to consult with a medical professional to check the condition of your immune system.

Reflexology’s Role in Treating Them

Reflexology has healing effects like providing deep relaxation, decreasing body pain, and strengthening nerve stimulation. So, how can reflexology help aid those with autoimmune diseases?

Living with an autoimmune disease can be extremely stressful, as the people diagnosed will most likely be attacked by their own immune system for the rest of their lives. Fortunately, depression, and stress in women with multiple sclerosis, significantly decreased, thanks to reflexology treatments. This is because its relaxation techniques have the ability to release muscle pain, which has severe implications on both a person’s physical and mental health.

More than just a massage, the pressure applied to the body, by a reflexologist can reach different body systems, such as the digestive system, the endocrine system, the nervous system, and the circulatory system. This, in turn, can help bring balance to an immune system that’s not working properly. By stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system that helps calms down high-energy functions in the body, reflexology lowers the amount of stress-inducing hormones while helping the body keep in harmony and relax.

Although autoimmune diseases are complex conditions, the simple power of touch can make all the difference for the pain they cause.

What reflexes would you work for an autoimmune disorder?

How many sessions would you recommend?

*National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Durham, NC.

www.niehs.nih.gov

Many blessings,

Renita Murrell, President

__________________

Comments by Patricia Barrance

Re: your questions - What reflexes would you work for an autoimmune disorder?

As this disorder can affect all areas of the body, I would focus on the Spine - Nervous System, to connect effectively with the whole body.

I feel the Lymphatic System is on my list of priorities as it cleans all the cells in the body. When teaching, I call the Lymphatic System the body's Car Wash.

With the cells cleaned we can replenish them with nutrients from blood via the Cardiovascular System, and oxygen via the Respiratory System.

Pain management is a priority for an Autoimmune disorder, so the Endocrine System will provide Cortisone from the cortex of the Adrenal Glands, plus balance and support from all the Endocrine Glands.

All these systems will bring pain relief and support to the Muscular and Skeletal system.

An assimilation of a healthy diet and comfortable elimination of the body's waste is important, so attention must be given to the Digestive system.

Food allergies are usually involved in an Autoimmune disorder, care of food choices, and allergy testing are important.

I have found one of the best resources for finding a good Dietician is at the HyVee Stores. Their Dietitians are well qualified, and give a tour of the store with advice on helpful food choices, and point out misleading claims by some manufacturers. There is a reasonable fee for a half hour consultation, but no charge for the tour of the store.

How many sessions would I recommend?

The standard recommendation is six treatments, ideally every three days. Often this is inconvenient for time and money, so I try to encourage a treatment once a week for six weeks. Then the choice of maintenance is up to the client. It is important for the client to be responsible for their continued health care and encourage them to be proactive.