Americans spend more than one billion dollars every year on nonprescription medicines, and a vast majority of them are the elderly. And not only are they expensive, the medications provide only temporary relief and in no way address the root of the problem. What can you do about arthritis, constipation, fatigue, loss of muscle control, and other common complaints by the elderly sector of society? There are some easy and effective holistic treatments that do alleviate symptoms. One of them is reflexology.

Reflexology is one complimentary treatment that is beneficial for everyone and especially for people suffering from muscle, joint and circulation problems. Reflexology is the practice of applying pressure in a strategic manner to areas of the feet and hands, and even the face and ears. Reflexologists see the hands and feet as an open door to the bodies systems. Each section of the feet and hands correlate to a specific organ. By stimulating nerves on specific areas of the feet and hands, you can stimulate blood flow and eliminate toxin buildup in the corresponding organs and systems of the body. And because reflexology works to put the body in a state of well-being, it is beneficial to every system in the body. It helps reduce body tension and definitely brings a sense of relaxation.

Independent studies have shown that using reflexology in the areas related to the adrenal glands, one could reduce the need of cortisone, a common treatment for arthritis. The body also produces its own natural painkillers during reflexology treatments, known as endorphins, which inhibits the transmission of pain through the spinal cord. There are many areas that a trained reflexologist may pay special attention to including the kidneys, pituitary gland, thyroid, adrenal glands and solar plexus.

In a society that relies on chemically laden prescription drugs to cure the sick, especially in the elderly sector of society, reflexology is providing success stories worth examining. Did you know that elderly patients that routinely get reflexology treatment could reduce cholesterol, lower and maintain blood pressure and treat painful digestion better than drugs? Not only that but elderly patients that have reflexology mats in their homes experience less pain and a greater sense of control when walking.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Studies have shown that patients that received reflexology treatment after surgery experienced far less pain than the patients that received painkillers alone. Moreover, reflexology was shown to be more effective than catheterization in patients with retention of urine after surgery.

Reflexology also appears to have a positive affect on patients with arthritis according to many case studies. However, it is good to note that the affects on mobility in particular, only last a short time. It is most beneficial to have treatments on a regular basis. On a good note, reflexology definitely was beneficial to problems relating to swelling and oedema, because of an improvement in circulation reflexology brings. Elderly patients have many health complaints that can be successfully helped with reflexology treatment.

ADHD affects 10 percent of children in todays society. It has been accepted as a genetic disorder, although no one really knows the cause. If these symptoms look familiar to you, your child may be suffering from ADHD.

Common complaints and problem areas include
Fidgeting and squirming
Rocking and jiggling legs
Fears Sleep and often wakes up crying or unable to get back to sleep
Frequent nightmare and terrors
Excessive talking
Easily excitable and demonstrates unpredictable behaviors
Impulsive (regardless of consequences)
Does not follow directions
Tendency toward daydreaming
Very short attention span and very distractible
Defiant and does not obey rules
Sees himself or herself as a failure
Destructive or aggressive toward others
Unorganized and often loose things
Clumsiness, uncoordinated (for example, finds it very hard to ride a bike)
Poor hand eye coordination, difficulty tying, writing, drawing, cutting etc
Some have speech difficulties like stuttering and problems with pronunciation.

There are many kinds of treatments for ADHD. Some of the most common conventional treatment regimens include occupational and play therapy, child and clinical psychiatry (which usually results in medication), physiotherapy, remedial practice, speech therapy, and educational therapy. A few holistic approaches that have been shown to work include supplementation, diet intervention, reflexology and homeopathy.

Reflexology is the practice of applying pressure in a strategic manner to reflexes of the feet and hands, and even the face and ears. Reflexologists see the hands and feet as an open door to the bodies systems. Each section of the feet and hands correlate to a specific organ. By stimulating nerves on specific areas of the feet and hands, you can stimulate blood flow and eliminate toxin buildup in the corresponding organs and systems of the body. And because reflexology works to put the body in a state of well-being, it is beneficial to every system in the body. It helps reduce body tension and definitely brings a sense of relaxation. This can be very beneficial to someone suffering from emotional disorders or manic episodes.

So why is this technique so beneficial to children? The most obvious reason is because it works. However, it is also known that reflexology is so beneficial to children because they have not yet been programmed to societies way of handling sickness. When the mind is more receptive and does not contain the boundaries that many adults have, it is understood that the body works more effectively and efficiently. It is true, we get programmed to using drugs and surgery to take care of our problems, when the truth is, and therapies such as these have been used successfully for thousands of years. Why? Because they work!

Research has found that not only is it beneficial as a tool for relaxation and stress relief, but it is also an effective tool for improving circulation; relieving pain, detoxification, recovering from surgery, and as an immune and nervous system stimulator. In fact, many people with illnesses such as allergies; chronic sinus problems; acid reflux; migraines; PMS; behavioral disorders; menopause; insomnia; fertility problems and even arthritis have been helped tremendously by reflexology treatments.

There are many natural approaches to combating one of the most common pregnancy complaints, morning sickness. Most people have heard of the age-old ginger remedy for upset stomachs and intestinal gas. It is an effective remedy that is cheap to use and has no side effects, which is very important to most expectant mothers. However, there are many more natural remedies that you can use not only to ease the stomach, but also to ensure a smooth, faster labor. Yes, it is true, say hello to reflexology.

Did you know that only ten sessions of reflexology could actually help get you in and out of labor much faster? Yes, it is true. According to the results of an in-depth study, women that undergo reflexology treatment during pregnancy also appear to have fewer complications during labor. These benefits are great, but what about the nine-months of uncomfortable, often painful symptoms?

If you are new to reflexology, here are the basics. Reflexology is the practice of strategically applying pressure to areas of the feet and hands as they correspond with specific body organs. By stimulating nerves on specific areas of the feet and hands, we can stimulate blood flow and eliminate toxin buildup in the corresponding organs and systems of the body. And it is not only limited to the feet and hands, although they are the most widely used areas. Reflexology can also be used on the face and the ears as well.

Because reflexology works to put the body in a state of well-being, it is beneficial to every system in the body. Reflexology has been known to relieve many common pregnancy complaints including headache, nausea, backache, stress and anxiety, sleeplessness, fatigue, constipation, swollen ankles and digestive problems such as acid reflux.

Of all of the pregnancy complaints, nausea, or morning sickness is one of the most uncomfortable. Not only can it last all day and can onset in the blink of an eye, but also can lead to problems holding down food if it becomes severe. Here is what I would recommend if you are having trouble with nausea on a regular basis.

Start a reflexology treatment schedule and stick to it. In a very short time you will feel like you are on top of the world.
Eat frequent, small meals throughout the day. This is a common recommendation, but one worth mentioning at anytime.
Do not eliminate your carbs but rather take in complex carbs instead of simple, sugar-laden carbs. They will only make matters worse.
Because prenatal vitamin contain a lot of iron, that can be a cause for upset stomach. I always got in the habit of taking it later in the day or before bed versus in the morning.
Another common recommendation, and a good one at that, is to have some saltine crackers on your bedside. When you wake up in the morning, wake up slowly and munch on some before you rise. One sure fire way to get nausea going is to jump up out of bed. Just dont do it, I learned this the hard way! It is better to be late than to be sick all day!
Avoid strong odors and smells. If you cant hack a smell, go out and take a light walk in the fresh air. That will usually do the trick.

Both massage therapy and reflexology are becoming more and more popular options when it comes to treating certain types of symptoms in the western world. Few people understand both of these topics to an in-depth degree, however, so in this article, well give you a good idea of what some of the differences between the two practices are in order to give you a more complete understanding of your treatment options.
One of the major differences between reflexology and massage therapy lies within the area that is manipulated by the specialist. Massage therapists tend to concentrate on massage of the whole body in order to achieve a universal sense of relaxation and stress relief. Reflexologists, on the other hand, work very precisely on specific areas of the body in the hopes that it will relieve certain symptoms an individual is having. The feet, hands, and ears are the most common areas that a reflexology works with in order to achieve results, while massage therapy principally focuses on all of the muscles of the back and torso.
Another difference between reflexology and massage therapy is the type of technique that is used to perform the work. Massage therapists often work with wide, broad strokes, using their whole hands either cupped or with the fingers together in order to massage broad ranges of the body. Reflexologists, on the other hand, work towards affecting nerve endings that are located within very specific points of the feet, hands and ears, and to that end, they employ small movements with their fingers in order to manipulate them.
Whereas massage therapists work to help someone to overcome an injury or just to feel good in general, people often visit reflexologists in order to treat specific symptoms. It can be useful for numerous problems, with a study from China showing that it can be helpful in treating at least sixty three different heatlh-related problems. One study conducted in the United States showed that a full one third of all cancer patients turn to reflexologists in order to help them with pain relief, clearly illustrating how useful and specific the practice can be.
One similarity that the two arts share is that they work to help an individual to feel a lot more stress-free and relaxed. The American Medical Association has stated that approximately eighty five percent of all illnesses are stress related, so visiting a massage therapist or reflexologist can be immensely helpful when it comes to maintaining your quality of life.
A visit to a massage therapist and a visit to a reflexologist are actually pretty similar in some ways- both of them take an average thirty minutes to a full hour in order for the work to be done. If youre unsure of whether you should visit a massage therapist or a reflexologist in order to treat your problem, your best bet is to heavily research the two topics before coming to a decision, as they both offer different and specific benefits that can be great for your health.

Students who are interested in becoming a certified reflexologist need to learn a lot about the practice in order to do so. The American Reflexology Certification Board offers an exam that should be passed by anyone who is seriously considering a career in reflexology. The certification exam consists of three separate parts: a written exam, a practical exam, and documentation showing the results that you have gotten from performing reflexology on patients. In this article, well give you a basic idea about some of the things that you should study for if you are considering taking the written exam in the near future. The exam consists of three hundred multiple choice or true and false questions, and you need to successfully answer two hundred and forty of them correctly in order to pass the exam. Hopefully, the following information will help give you a good point to start on when it comes to studying for the exam.
- In addition to learning about the actual methods of performing reflexology on a patient, there are many other aspects of the business that you will need to learn in order to successfully pass the certification exam. The study guide created by the American Reflexology Certification Board stresses that candidates should learn the history of reflexology as one of their principle studies so that they can see where the practice came from and where it is going.
- Additionally, candidates are required to learn about the different theories on why reflexology works the way that it does. There are several theories that are being propagated regarding reflexology, including the Qi hypothesis which states that there is an invisible energy that flows through the body. When this energy flow is disrupted, illness occurs. Reflexologists who believe this theory state that blockages in the energy flow system often originate in the feet, and by performing reflexology, the blockages can be removed so that the energy can flow more freely and the body can begin to heal itself to the best of its abilities.
- You will also need to familiarize yourself with contraindications. Contraindications are health problems that may result in a person being unable to receive benefits from reflexology treatment. If you work on someone who has contraindications that should prevent them from receiving the treatment, you may actually be doing them more harm then good. Some common contraindications that might prevent an individual from receiving reflexology treatment include recent fractures, open wounds, or an active case of gout.

These are just a few of the things that you are going to have to study up on in order to successfully pass the exam. It currently costs one hundred and fifty dollars to take the exam, so be sure that you are well-prepared going into the exam or you may find yourself disappointed. That being said, having a certification in reflexology is one of the most important things that you can do for your practice and for reflexology as a whole, ensuring that you are performing the art exactly the way that it should be performed.

Reflexology is a type of complementary therapy technique that can be useful when it comes to treating a range of symptoms from pain management problems to diabetic issues. Not many people know very much about the treatment, however, so in this article, well be giving you a run-down of some of the basic terminology that you should familiarize yourself with in order to fully understand reflexology.
Zone therapy this is one of the basic tenets of reflexology that you should definitely learn about if you are considering visiting a reflexologist. Zone therapy is the hypothesis that there are ten different zones of the body which are described as being vertically oriented along the two sides of the body. Certain fingers and toes correspond to the different zones, and they can all be manipulated in order to meet some special need in another part of the body.
Nerve endings- nerve endings are a major part of the nervous system, and the feet and hands have amongst the most nerve endings in the human body. These nerve endings link to all of the organs of the body, and reflexologists believe that they can manipulate the health of those organs by massaging the nerve endings in the feet or the hands. To that end, charts have been created which help a reflexology practitioner to effectively identify the specific points of where nerve endings correspond to organs so that practitioners will be able to quickly pinpoint the area which needs to be manipulated in order to achieve a result.
Qi Qi energy is one hypothesis that has been proposed regarding exactly how reflexology works. There are many different opinions as to why reflexology can be so helpful in eliminating such a wide range of symptoms, and some believe that there is an invisible type of life energy that flows through the body. According to those who put forth the Qi hypothesis, energy levels in the body may become disrupted which can result in an illness. Blockages may occur in the energy, and blockages are believed to be stored as lumps or crystals in the hands, ears, and feet, which would explain why reflexology would be helpful in correcting the problem.
William H. Fitzgerald William H. Fitzgerald was the man who introduced what we know as reflexology to the United States in the year 1913. Fitzgerald identified the idea that applying pressure to certain points of the body resulted in an anesthetic feeling in another part of the body, which laid the groundwork for future reflexologists in terms of identifying specific pressure points and creating reflexology charts that reflected their findings.
Hopefully, this article helped you to learn a little bit more about the world of reflexology. Reflexology has been shown in study after study to be helpful in terms of eliminating pain as well as a host of other symptoms. Knowledge is power, and the more that you know about different types of alternative therapies, the better suited you will be for dealing with problems if western medicine cannot meet your needs.

If you suffer from arthritis, you may be familiar with conventional treatments such as non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs. Moreover, you may be all too discouraged by their numerous side effects and sometimes even their inability to really work. Truth be known, there are over 200 known factors that may contribute to arthritis. The key is getting to the route of the problem and that is not done by drug intervention. And there are many ways to combat arthritis without the use of common prescription drugs.

Reflexology is one complimentary treatment that is beneficial for everyone and especially for people suffering from muscle, joint and circulation problems. Reflexology is the practice of applying pressure in a strategic manner to areas of the feet and hands, and even the face and ears. Reflexologists see the hands and feet as an open door to the bodies systems. Each section of the feet and hands correlate to a specific organ. By stimulating nerves on specific areas of the feet and hands, you can stimulate blood flow and eliminate toxin buildup in the corresponding organs and systems of the body. And because reflexology works to put the body in a state of well-being, it is beneficial to every system in the body. It helps reduce body tension and definitely brings a sense of relaxation.

Independent studies have shown that using reflexology in the areas related to the adrenal glands, one could reduce the need of cortisone, a common treatment for arthritis. The body also produces its own natural painkillers during reflexology treatments, known as endorphins, which inhibits the transmission of pain through the spinal cord. There are many areas that a trained reflexologist may pay special attention to including the kidneys, pituitary gland, thyroid, adrenal glands and solar plexus.

Although reflexology appears to have a positive affect on patients with arthritis, it is good to note that the affects on mobility in particular, only last a short time. It is most beneficial to have treatments on a regular basis. On a good note, reflexology definitely was beneficial to problems relating to swelling and oedema, because of an improvement in circulation reflexology brings.

One of the best ways to incorporate reflexology into your life and make it beneficial is to use it in conjunction with a healthy diet. Some basic dietary and alternative therapy recommendations are:

Stay away from foods that cause inflammation such as dairy products, potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, eggplant and tobacco. Eliminate them from your diet and see if your condition improves. If it does, slowly put them back into your diet, leaving time between each introduction so you can see what the culprit really is.
Juice therapy is also very beneficial for arthritis. The best juice choices are black cherry, carrot, celery, cucumber, radish and garlic. Drink citrus juices sparingly until you know if they will affect you negatively.
For pain, some good herbal remedies would be cayenne, devils claw, white willow and yucca.
Anti-inflammatory herbs include boswellia, devils claw, ginger, tumeric, white willow, celery seed and castor oil (applied with hot packs).

Many people choose to learn reflexology in order to benefit their health in many different ways. Some people choose to become a reflexologist in order to assist others with the problems that they may be having. With more and more reflexologists in demand these days as western society begins to understand and respect the art of reflexology, now more than ever is a good time to become a certified reflexologist. In this article, well give you some tips that will help to make it easier to successfully perform reflexology in order to make a living.
One of the most important things to familiarize yourself with if you are planning on becoming a certified reflexologist is the website of the American Reflexology Certification Board. Located at www.arcb.org, this site can point you in the right direction in terms of helping you to realize the thingvs that you should learn in order to pass the exam. While not all states require certifications in reflexology, it never hurts to have some paperwork to back up your skills so that a client can know that they are making the right decision in visiting you. The website will also offer you a listing of several different schools that can teach you the art of reflexology while helping you to prepare for the exam. As a rule, you should try to choose a school that has a well-rounded curriculum which doesnt exclusively focus on the reflexology technique. In addition to the techniques, which are necessary to learn, youre going to want to become more informed about ethics, professionalism, and nutrition, as well as the physiological and biological basis for reflexology. In this way, you will be better suited when it comes to dealing with answering questions that your clients may have about the therapy. Rest assured, many clients will be asking about why reflexology works the way it does, and it never hurts to have an answer. Since it is such a novel departure from western medicine, you will need to have the utmost level of professionalism in order to demonstrate to your clients that you are indeed a competent practitioner that knows their stuff.
Another thing that you may want to consider when becoming a reflexologist is becoming a fully certified massage therapist. This can greatly increase your client base, and although it will take a lot more effort to finish the massage therapy licensing program, it can really result in a lot more money for your work. Some people choose to just be reflexologists, and there is nothing wrong with that. Having a wide range of available skills is always useful in when you are running an alternative treatment practice.
As with any type of profession, you will have to put some hard work and effort into obtaining your certification and getting your business up and running, but it can really pay off when you find that you are making a living doing something that you love. If youre really interested in reflexology, you can surely make it your career!

Multiple Sclerosis is a progressive, degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, including the brain, the optic nerve, and the spinal cord. It affects people mainly over the age of 30 and appears to affect more women than men. Over 400,000 people in the United States have been diagnosed with MS. The underlying cause of MS is not known, however stress and malnutrition often precede the onset of the disease. Another theory, one that I tend to agree with is that it is caused by food allergies and intolerances to things such as dairy products, gluten and food additives.

In the early stage of the disease, the symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, blurred or double vision, loss of coordination, tingling and numbness, muscle stiffness, slurred speech, tremors and bowel and bladder dysfunction. Secondary symptoms, usually as the disease progresses, include paralysis, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections and weak respiration.

Most people diagnosed with MS end up on drugs to control the symptoms associated with the disease. Unfortunately, this does nothing but mask the problem and does nothing to get to the root of the problem. The good news is that supplementation; dietary intervention and complimentary therapies such as reflexology have been shown effective in many studies.

Reflexology aims to prevent or treat health conditions through the application of pressure to specific points reflexes on the feet. The underlying idea of reflexology is that areas of the feet correspond to other parts of the body, and by stimulating those areas; you can heal and detoxify any part of the body. Becoming more common these days is to also apply pressure to the hands, ears and even the face.

Although reflexologists cannot diagnose or claim to cure a sickness or disease, the results speak for themselves, making it one of the most sought after treatments today. In fact, celebrities pay an arm and a leg for just a few minutes of reflexology. Not only is it beneficial as a tool for relaxation and stress relief, but it is also an effective tool for improving circulation; relieving pain, and as an immune and nervous system stimulator. In fact, many people with illnesses such as allergies; chronic sinus problems; acid reflux; acne; migraines; PMS; menopause; insomnia; fertility problems and even arthritis have been helped tremendously by reflexology treatments. I started using reflexology therapy a few years ago just for the purpose of relieving the tension headaches I was experiencing due to stress. I can attest to the fact that it works, as I have been successful at curing my headaches without the use of drugs ever since.

Reflexology has made its mark in the world of alternative therapies because it works. If you doubt that reflexology works, try it and see the results for yourself. Once you try it you will be a believer and most importantly, you will be hooked for life. Find yourself a good reflexologist, or better yet, learn the techniques for yourself. Having the knowledge to treat yourself and your family is one of the smartest things you can do. When used with your conventional medicine, it may just alleviate the symptoms that have stopped you from living your life well.

In the fast paced society that we live in today, I highly recommend that you take a time out for yourself each day. Better yet, I recommend taking time for your entire family to relax and unwind. It is a natural process that is highly ignored these days because everyone is so busy. Before long you will notice a big difference in how you see life and that you are able to manage your day so much better. Include your children and make it something that the children look forward to and enjoy. Create a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere in a room they enjoy spending time in and make it a nightly routine to turn that room into a den of relaxation and peace by practicing reflexology therapy.

If you are unfamiliar with reflexology, here are the basics and how it can help you get control of your health. Reflexology is the practice of applying pressure in a strategic manner to reflexes of the feet and hands, and even the face and ears. Reflexologists see the hands and feet as an open door to the bodies systems. Each section of the feet and hands correlate to a specific organ. By stimulating nerves on specific areas of the feet and hands, you can stimulate blood flow and eliminate toxin buildup in the corresponding

Organs and systems of the body. And because reflexology works to put the body in a state of well-being, it is beneficial to every system in the body, and particularly for stress relief.

If you have children that get frequent colds or ear infections, reflexology can be extremely beneficial. Did you know that Americans spend more than one billion dollars every year on nonprescription medicines for coughs and colds? The bad news is that these products provide temporary relief and in no way address the root of the problem.

If you are curious as to what types of problems reflexology can alleviate, here is a list I have compiled. Keep in mind that it is just a sample list and in no way represents everything that reflexology can benefit.

A Note about Ear Infections: There are many ways to cure an ear infection without the use of antibiotics; one of those methods is reflexology. In my opinion, antibiotics are prescribed way too much. I have cured my own kids ear infections quickly and easily. In fact, I even wowed my doctor a few times.
Teething pain
Asthma
Colic-There is documented studies that proved reflexology could virtually eliminate the symptoms associated with colic.
Allergies
Childhood & adult eczema
Stress-Reflexology is known for the relaxation factor. If you have suffered from a stressful day at work, one of the best things you can do for your body is have a reflexology treatment. It is one of the best things you can do for your family. A relaxed family is a happy family!
Sports related injuries
Respiratory infections
Depression and other emotional problems
Hyperactivity & auditory problems
Learning and concentration challenges
Acne and psoriasis
Migraine, tension and cluster headaches
Menopause
Insomnia
Acid reflux & digestive disorders