During my treatments, cotton towels and flannels are used rather than disposable wipes.  The treatment oils and balms used are organic and in recyclable packaging.  The balms I use are from Flying Wild, a small rural business supporting bees.  They plant one tree with every order placed, are 100% plastic free and produce 100% organic, handmade products.   You will also find Tropic hand wash and lotion in the toilet: naturally antibacterial, ph balanced and free from harmful chemicals, from a certified carbon neutral company and 100% cruelty free brand.  After a lot of searching, I have also managed to source 100% compostable bendy straws, so clients can drink water whilst laying back in the treatment chair!

​I try to reuse and recycle as much as possible, limiting what goes into landfill.  I am mindful of purchasing items made from recycled material or that can be recycled. Such as paper, pens, wooden sticks and using rechargeable batteries in my candles.  Reducing printing where possible, such as emailing invoices to clients that need them.  These things are only small, but when added together, they can make a real difference.  There is always more that can be done and I will keep learning and implementing changes wherever possible.

There is a chill in the air today and the leaves on the trees are starting to show signs of autumn.  There is change in our family too...my eldest son has recently started Secondary School and my youngest has just moved from Infant School on to Juniors.  Time seems to be flying by as I remember them both starting school so clearly.  With these changes, I thought it was a good time to look at my business and see if there is anything I can do to meet the needs of my clients more.

I have recently integrated 'Structural Reflexology' into my practice.  This approach focuses on the anatomy of the foot and lower leg, releasing tension in the muscles and tendons to allow for correct function.  I have been using this to help clients with skeletal and muscle pain and tightness in the lower back, pelvis and legs, in order to bring greater relief.  Many clients have found this approach beneficial.  I always consider how I can bring the biggest improvement for each client, every time I see them.  This approach, gives me another tool to use to meet this aim.

As many readers will be aware, I can get very busy.  I feel very fortunate to help so many people and that they often spread the word of how Sole Therapy Reflexology has benefited them. This means, that the vast majority of my clients are recommendations and repeat bookings.  I usually book up 2-3 weeks in advance, but over the last couple of months this did get to 4-5 weeks. This has lessened, but with this in mind, I have decided to offer Saturday appointments, on the first Saturday of each month.  I'm really hoping that this will help with availability of appointments, especially for those who work full time or have limited availability.

Digestive wellness and stress
The digestive system is made up of a number of organs which are responsible for breaking down food for the body to use.  The gut is now considered to be the bodies ‘second brain’. However, diet, lifestyle, stress, diseases and medication can lead to digestive complaints.  In fact, 40% of people suffer with issues such as bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain, indigestion and heartburn.
 
The body’s autonomic nervous system (sympathetic and parasympathetic) is responsible for triggering and turning off our bodies stress response.  These are the ‘fight or flight’ reactions, such as rapid heart rate and breathing, that we notice in times of increased stress. 

These systems are also responsible for the digestion process, which in stressful situations, causes symptoms such as heavy sinking feelings in the stomach to diarrhoea and constipation.  Over time stress can also allow destructive bacteria to multiply and adversely affect bowel function leading to further disease.
 
Our gut impacts our health
There is growing evidence that our well-being may be heavily impacted by messages from the gut being sent to the brain rather than the other way around.  90-95% of our serotonin lies within our gut, in addition to other important neurotransmitters.  Serotonin is thought to help regulate sleep, social behaviour, appetite, digestion, memory and it is especially important in mood, with low levels being linked to depression.  Therefore, a disturbed gut microbiota can affect our physical and mental health (1).  Evidence is beginning to suggest that IBS may originate in a change in serotonin levels and its uptake though the gut wall, with high levels of serotonin in the system causing diarrhoea triggering the receptors to shut down which then leads to constipation (2).
 
The range of intestinal flora performs countless functions for the body and the quality of this flora is determined by the balance existing between the various bacteria populations.  When certain microbes are missing from the gut, molecules from the mucosal barrier in the gut can pass into the circulation.  These can produce an immune response in the body where it recognises self-cells as foreign, resulting in an inflammatory reaction which is the underpinning of all autoimmune illnesses.  There is some evidence that including pre and probiotics can help with this and that by restoring gut microbe variety behaviours such as irritability, anxiety and social withdrawal could potentially be improved (3).  Other conditions are also associated with digestive issues, autism, Parkinson’s and osteoporosis are now thought to be related to poor gut function.
 
Reflexology to support the gut
Reflexology is a natural, non-invasive holistic therapy where gentle pressure is applied to areas of the feet (or hands).  The theory states that the feet/hands map parts of the body and through stimulating these different reflex areas the effects of stress on organs, systems of the body and the individual as a whole can be reduced - the relationship between the refelxes on the feet and the areas of the body can be explored via the interactive foot map on the UK Association of Reflexologist website here.  Reflexology is to reduce the internal stress response – easing anxiety, helping with sleep and promoting balance and healing.  Based upon the evidence of stress and the function of the gut, reflexology is ideally placed to support clients with digestive wellbeing.  
 
The Vagus nerve reflex is an important component of many reflexology treatments.  The Vagus Nerve (which mimics signals from the gut to the brain) not only has been found to improve memory and learning, but also has been used as a treatment for epilepsy, depression and may well be useful for other conditions from migraine to tinnitus to Alzheimer’s (4).  Whilst reflexology cannot claim to cure such conditions, it can support clients with pre-existing aliments, reducing the impact and improving quality of life.
 
New research and developments in this field are all showing how important our digestive system really is to our overall health.  It is worth considering what steps you can take to support it, whether this be increasing the variety of food you eat to encourage diversity in the microbiota or reducing your stress levels.  The message is clear, look after your gut and it will help look after you!

Reflexology works to support sufferers of headaches and migraines through returning the body back into balance, allowing the harmony of body and mind to prevail in the midst of busyness, and pressures placed upon it by modern day living. 

Reflexology research

• Lafuenta et al. [1] (n = 32) compared reflexology to flunarizine, a drug often used in the treatment of headaches. The results show that reflexology is at least as effective as flunarizine which could be particularly useful where pharmacological intervention is contraindicated.
• A study comparing reflexology to massage in females with migraine, Wojciech et al [2] (n = 48) investigated the frequency, intensity, and duration of migraine attacks. All variables were reduced at the end of both therapeutic interventions. However, at three months post-intervention, on the application of the Friedman test, the results indicated that reflexology was more likely to reduce both the frequency and intensity of headaches and migraines.
• Imani et al. investigated migraines induced by nitro-glycerine used in the treatment of acute and chronic angina and congestive heart failure [3] (n =75). The results indicate a highly statistical difference of p < 0.5 for pain in the reflexology group compared to the control group.
• An uncontrolled study by Launsø et al. [4] (n = 220) indicated at three months follow-up 81% stated their headaches were either helped or ‘cured’ by the reflexology with a further 19% discontinuing their prescribed medication.

1. F. Lafuente, M. Noguera, C. Puy, A. Molins, Effekt der Reflexzonenbehandlung am Fuss besuglich der priphylattishen Behnaglung mit Flunarizen bei an Cephalea-Kopfschmerzen leidenden Patienten, Erfahrungsheilkunde 11 (1990).
2. K. Wojciech, L. Pawel, R.Z. Halina, Effects of feet reflexology versus segmental massage in reducing pain and its intensity, frequency and duration of the attacks in females with migraine: a pilot study, J. Tradit. Chinese Med. = Chung i Tsa Chih Ying Wen Pan 37 (2017) 214–219.
3. N. Imani, S.A. Shams, M. Radfar, H. Ghavami, H.R. Khalkhali, Effect of applying reflexology massage on nitroglycerin-induced migraine-type headache: a placebo controlled clinical trial, Agri 30 (2018) 116–122.
4. A.S. Launsø L, E. Brendstrup, An exploratory study of reflexological treatment for headache, Alternative Ther. Health Med. 5 (1999) 57–65.

Potential triggers
According to Nico Pauly (MNT-NR), migraine is a result of a sensitised sympathetic nervous system in connection with trigeminal nerve activity and inflammation in cerebra blood flow.  Throughout your Sole Therapy Reflexology sessions, from the initial consultation, where we discuss medical history and lifestyle, and during subsequent consultations,  I am looking for patterns in the occurrences and your potential migraine triggers.  These can include:

• Stress: caused by events, work, home or busy lifestyles.
• Digestive stress: stomach acid problems.  Nitric oxide is a vasodilator important in triggering migraines, it thrives in acidic environment.  A diet high in L-arginine rich foods, such as chocolate, nuts, wheat and oats, dairy and meat, seafood and soybeans can also be triggers, as L-arginine converts to nitric oxide in the body.  Foods that cause inflammation such as marmite, bananas, aspartame, alcohol, caffeine and gluten may also be triggers.
• Hormonal stress: monthly, puberty, pregnancy or menopausal links.
• Mechanical stress: recent or history of musculo-skeletal injuries, e.g. whiplash, posture with computer usage, neck and shoulder tension.  Teeth clenching and jaw misalignment can put pressure of the trigeminal nerve, whilst issues with the lower spine can impact the ‘s’ curve of the spine.
• Family history.

 
Self help
Dr Robert Cowan, Professor of Neurology and Director of Headache and Facial Pain Program at Stanford University recommends lifestyle tips to reduce the perception of pain.  These include:

• Sleep: focus on getting good quality sleep and rising at the weekends at the same time as during the week.
• Eat regular meals and snacks.
• Reduce stress: reflexology has been proven to reduce the impact of stress on the body and mind so is ideal.
• Exercise: muscular tension can be relieved and the endorphins released reduces pain.

Hand and facial reflexology self help
Self-treatment through hand and facial reflexology can be also be very helpful.  For more information contact Emma.

With the calm, I have been reflecting on my reflexology journey and how so many clients recommend others and re-book with me repeatedly.  Its been, and continues to be a joy in helping clients with ailments and stress reduction.  A lovely lady said to me this week "you are wonderful at this, you have a real passion to help people and an interest in finding the best way to do this".  This made me wonder if people return not only due to the benefits clients experience but the fact that I look at my clients in a holistic manner, rather than 'walking symptoms' as modern medicine does.  By understanding the client and their needs, and treating them in an holistic way, they receive a totally individualised, comprehensive an inclusive treatment. The wide range of benefits can be read in the reviews Sole Therapy Reflexology has on Google. Yell.com and Facebook!   

it is true that my treatments are a bit longer than most reflexologists, spend time taking a comprehensive medical history and I always adapt treatments as things change.  I try to go the extra mile, whether that is suggesting self-help techniques or researching latest developments, all to meet clients needs as much as possible.  The little extras during the treatments, such as hot flannels, are things I would like if I were the client.  I can do this because I am my own boss and I want to help people as much as I can. 

I think perhaps all of these things combined are why I love what I do and is why my clients feel so positive about Sole Therapy Reflexology.  

I'm very excited to announce that after completing my Reflexology Lymph Drainage (RLD) training in February and the subsequent practical work  that I am now a fully qualified and registered RLD practitioner.  RLD can be helpful for many clients, not just those suffering with lymphoedema, the client base for whom it was originally devised (see RLD research) .

Please visit my the treatments section to find out more about this innovative, therapeutic technique, and how it may help you.  Below is the evidence for its use with lymphoedema.

Interesting research into Alzheimer's disease and the impact of stress on cells.  We know that stress has a huge impact on our health and well-being, being a factor in over 70% of all diseases.  This research sheds light on the impact it can have on a cellular level and progression of a devastating disease.  See the link below.

​www.futurity.org/alzheimers-stress-granules-1610902/

With the nights drawing in and the weather changing it is a good time to think of helping boost our immune system.  Taking time out to reduce the impact of stress the body is under can help and reflexology is an ideal way to do this.  There are other things we can do also as we all know, such as eating well etc.  How about trying this immune booster too.  Helping to boost the immune system from the inside out with the use of ginger and lemon.

Ginger Shot Recipe 

An interesting presentation at 'The Therapists' Network Annual Conference - Holistic Therapy Works' by Kate Munden, on how we process stress.   It seems that trauma release exercises (TRE), that allow the body to 'shake' can be an effective way to aid recovery in those with post traumatic stress or have experienced stressful situations.  TRE allows a way for the body to release the stress hormones produced at times of high stress, with shaking being found as a way to discharge the trauma effects.

​Kate showed how we all have natural oscillation, and this can be felt by trying to stand completely still with your feet together.  Something I wasn't aware off!  Here is an interesting article that was in the press recently regarding shaking.

​https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/shake-it-off-how-to-release-stress-and-re-energise-t97wpwwcv