SHARING SELF-CARING IDEA #6: Boost your immune system with this simple technique called the Thymus Thump.  Here's how;
1. Take a deep full breath.
2. Using your fingertips or side of your fist tap up and down about 2-3"s along your sternum, between and above your mammary glands.  (The thymus is located behind the 3rd rib, but any vibrations along the length of the upper sternum will stimulate it.)
3. Do this for 15-20 seconds and continue to take regular slow breaths.
4. Do 1-3 times a day or up to 4 during times of acute illness.

SHARING SELF-CARING IDEA #5: Many people suffer from Plantar Fasciitis.  If you have this painful condition, an hour foot reflexology session will start with lower leg work to release some of the muscles that are connected to the foot - making the session even more effective.  Here's yet another way for you to support yourself at home. Two stretches to heal plantar fasciitis from Mark's Daily Apple:  youtu.be/RRDC8erSNqw

SHARING SELF-CARING IDEA #4: Toe spacers!  Spread your toes for better balance and much much more.  I actually didn't realize how beneficial my CORRECT TOES were for me until I read this article.  I've had my pair for several years but they now come in in a few colors.  What fun!
https://naturalfootgear.com/blogs/education/top-10-benefits-of-correct-toes-toe-spacers

SHARING SELF-CARING IDEA #3: Roll away your tired feet with a foot roller! Regular use can improve foot mobility (great for plantar fasciitis, heel spurs and other foot troubles). BUT, rolling not only helps your feet but can decrease fatigue, increase circulation along with being relaxing. Foot rollers are portable (bring to work to roll during your lunch break), easy to use (roll while talking on the phone, watching a movie or reading a book) AND economical (under $25). The one I use is from FootLog (https://www.footlog.com/). Ready to roll?

SHARING SELF-CARING IDEA #2: Keep your face glowing with Face Brushing! Just as dry brushing your body has benefits, so does dry brushing your face. You get rid of old cells, you bring circulation to your face and improve lymph drainage. But, wait, do NOT use your body brush for your face! There are brushes designed for our more delicate facial skin. Here's a link to more info about face brushing and the one I use: http://www.skin-brushing.com/facebrushing/

SHARING SELF-CARING IDEA #1: Grab an old golf ball and start rolling away foot pain. How to do this easy Do It Yourself technique? Place a golf ball under your foot while sitting (easiest) or standing for a deeper massage. When you find an ouch, hold and press for a few seconds. Even if you don't have foot pain, it's worth doing as it just feels good!

Got fall hay fever?  I feel for you if you do! Hay fever can mean a runny nose, itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing and/or sinus pressure.  Hay fever is an allergic response to various pollens from trees, grasses, ragweed or even other airborne substances such as dust mites.  This means you may feel lousy in the spring, summer, fall or possibly winter! Hay fever will most certainly impact your quality of life. 
Because of my own past hay fever symptoms, I have chosen to focus on this health challenge for my next Prove It Special.  Sign up for 4 weekly sessions @ a reduced price of $100 (that's $25 for each hourly session) and let's see if this can further support your immune system and lessen your symptoms this fall. 
Most people report that their sinuses open up when I work their face, so you can at a minimum expect a short term benefit.  But what I want to know is whether regular face reflex therapy sessions could take it beyond a few hours of relief to longer.  Let's find out together.  Contact me to get started!

 ROSE HIP SEED OIL
Revitalizes. Rejuvenates. Freshens. Protects against sun damage. Repairs skin. 
Rosehip oil is derived from the seeds of a Rosehip. Rosehips contain numerous essential fatty acids (omega 6, omega 3, linoleic acid), antioxidants and vitamins (retinol vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E). Rose hips have between 15 and 20% oleic acid (omega 9), between 44 and 50% linoleic acid (omega 6) and between 30 and 35% linolenic acid (omega 3).
These essential fatty acids are thought to help with skin tissue regeneration, increase skin elasticity and also have anti-bacterial properties.  Rosehip Oil can be used on any skin type - sensitive, dry, oily or mature skin.
A face session starts with a gentle wipe with an organic cotton pad moistened with organic rose water.  This removes any surface dirt and oils from your face.  I then apply just a few drops of organic rosehip seed oil to allow my fingers to move across your face with ease. 
Enjoy your session even more now that you know the benefits of rose hip seed oil and that I use organic - even better for you and the planet!

Did you know that there are over 300 points on the ear that map to other parts of your body? And just like the foot, hands and face, you can stimulate the ear to alleviate health conditions in other parts of the body? 

It's called auriculotherapy.  Auriculotherapy is based upon ancient Chinese beliefs but also includes discoveries made by the French physician, Dr Paul Nogier in the 1950s.   Commonly used by acupuncturists - either using needles or a electro-acupuncture tool as part of their treatment plan or by affixing 'ear seeds'  at the end of the session to reinforce a treatment. 

There are 4 main ways that ear points are stimulated; using needles by an acupuncturist, using your own finger or a metal probe to massage or press an area, affixing a very small seed on the points or by using an electroacupuncture tool.    

Auriculotherapy has long been used for pain control but recent studies are showing it is useful for many other conditions such as; dementia, insomnia, addictions, stress, weight loss, migraines, TMJ and others.

While I don't have a lot of training in auriculotherapy, I was given some instruction on this technique during my training for foot reflexology and in my Ocular Therapy course @ the Intl Institute of Reflex Therapy, some ear points are used for eye conditions.  I've decided to do some further exploration of this technique and you, my lovely clients, have the opportunity to experience it yourself.  

With your permission, I will use my new electroacupuncture tool at the onset of your session to activate a few master points. This will jump start the relaxation process.  Then, if you have specific health issues, we can consider placing some ear seeds in your ear after your regular reflexology session.  The ear seeds will apply a very gentle pressure on the points while the seeds remain in place.  Some practitioners advocate pressing on them a few times a day yet others claim doing so may move the seed from the intended point and not be as beneficial.  Typically, the adhesive will become loose in 2 to 4 days.  At that time remove them. Seeds may be placed in both ears or can be done on one side one time, the other side the next time.   

What do you think?  Interested?  If yes, please, lend me your ears so that we might learn and experience what auriculotherapy has to offer. 

NOTE: There is no extra charge for this service using the tool or the basic ear seeds.  If you'd like one of the decorative ear seed options (crystal or clear tape), a fee of $5 will be charged.

FIR = Far Infrared Therapy.  What is it?  Think of it as the sun minus the bad stuff like UV light.  FIR therapy mat.  Think of it as a penetrating heating pad minus the bad stuff (EMF).  Heating pads do provide warmth but only at the skin's surface. Heating pads also provide a high dose of electro-magnetic fields (not a good thing!). 
Far infrared penetrates deeper into the body and therefore, can have a possible therapeutic value. The mats are designed to keep EMF exposurevery low.  Most FIR mats contain various stones (jade, tourmaline, amethyst are common).  This produces negative ions (with the positive effect of triggering an overall better mood, purifying the air and more). 
FIR therapy has been shown to relieve back pain in minutes, reduce stress, restore energy, boost the immune system, assist in restful sleep and aid in detoxification.  And who wouldn't benefit from any or all of these claims.  I now use a jade/tourmaline FIR mat so that your reflexology experience with me will be even better!