What is Reflexology and Does it Work?

Reflexology and acupressure points and hands and feet can relieve back pain, improve digestion and help with sleep as well as fertility.

Reflexology goes far back to ancient China over 5,000 years ago.  Records depicting reflexology in hieroglyphs in Egypt reference its use 2,200 b.c. 

According to a history of reflexology timeline, more modern reflexology emerged in the 19th century called zone therapy. 

Reflexology is often referenced interchangeably as acupressure or shiatsu, though there are differences.

Reflexology differs from acupressure and acupuncture in that it uses a mapping of a microcosm of the body on the hands, feet, or ears. A reflexologist will press points on the foot, hand, or in the ears that are believed to be a reflex related to an organ. For example, the top of the toe may represent the brain and the arch of the foot the bladder. It is believed that you can access the body’s organ system, by pressing reflex points. Some reflexology maps differ slightly as well.

 Reflexology does not use a meridian/channel-based system. What they have in common is massaging an area or point of the body to promote health through the body’s natural healing mechanism.

Which benefits of reflexology have some scientific backing?

Studies do show that reflexology has a positive effect on quality of life, stress, anxiety, and pain. 

Studies also show that it can help with low back pain, migraine headaches, poststroke (improves connectivity in the brain) and diabetic neuropathy.

Research on reflexology and MRI imaging shows that specific parts of the brain would light up correlated with reflexology theory and body mapping. The belief is that stimulation of the reflex areas tap into the central nervous system. 

Much research on FMRI overlaps with comparing acupuncture points and their specific point functions and neural mechanisms that light up in the brain. With acupuncture points the “real” points light up areas of the brain related to organs and functions versus “inaccurate locations”. Usually, studies refer to non-acupuncture points as “sham”, but touch points on the body and meridians (energy pathways) will send messages through the body.  They may not show significance in a “study” trying to map the brain, but it does not mean they are without therapeutic benefit. 

What are the anecdotal benefits of reflexology? 

Reflexology is a non-drug way to relieve stress and anxiety and is safe and accessible as a therapy. It can be done just about anywhere and does not involve removing all of your clothes

Reflexology is very relaxing and has the benefits of touch therapy. Reflexology is considered a form of massage therapy and improves the mind-body connection increasing the awareness of the receiver of where they hold patterns of stress and pain. Helping the body go from a state of stress response to calm.

For people who have difficulty with sleep, the stimulation on the feet helps to bring the energy downward as opposed to in the head with racing thoughts.

Is there any risk?

With any massage or physical medicine, considerations such as whether the patient has diminished sensory in their feet or nerve damage. Some conditions can cause more inflammation such as RSD.

Women that are pregnant in their first trimester should make sure that the practitioner has experience working with pregnant women.

Is reflexology painful?

For some reflexology can feel painful, and it is believed that is because the reflex area or zone has congestion in the pertaining body part or organ.

Some people have more sensitivity on their feet from wearing shoes all the time. The muscles and connective tissue between the metatarsals and toes get stiff and have less flexibility or joint mobility so when they get mobilized it can feel painful. After reflexology they feel much better.

The Benefits of Burdock Root from an Herbalist

Some herbs and roots that have always been a part of traditional cuisine are revealing that they even greater powers and healing properties. Burdock root is one of those foods that when incorporated into your diet either as a food or in a tea form will aid in recovery from antibiotic resistant infections.

Burdock root is both food and medicine. In Chinese medicine it is called Niu Bang and the seeds Niu Bang Zi are used for treating “heat” conditions such as fever, cough, and a sore, red swollen throat.  It is generally combined with other herbs to create fever formulas and “heat” conditions.

Heat conditions in Chinese medicine are inflammations such as arthritis or infections, in particular studies show that Burdock root is anti-inflammatory and also antioxidant meaning that it is cancer fighting.

Research shows that the extracts of burdock root are able to break down the biofilm of bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics treatment of bladder infections. 

Roots in Chinese medicine are believed to nourish and heal at the deepest levels because they come from the soil. Roots are a reservoir of minerals and vitamins because they absorb directly from the earth. 

Because it has so many nutrition and healing benefits it is considered a food staple that is found in Asian and ethnic groceries and most super markets next to turnips and parsnips. 

It can easily be shredded and boiled to make into a tea and combined with honey and ginger.

Used in soups the root, it is similar to a turnip, but has a bitter flavor, it has high nutrient value and antioxidant properties (cancer fighting).

Studies show that burdock root may help with high blood pressure as it has a relaxing effect on blood vessels in addition to lowering blood cholesterol. Many traditional soup recipes that have beef or pork will often add some burdock and perhaps that is because of the fat metabolism.

Post Viral Fatigue is Real! Get your Energy Back With These Healing Tips

Recover from illness is extremely important as the lingering effects and weakness can make you susceptible to other viruses and infections. People need to take recovery as part of the healing process seriously.

It is apparent that while Covid-19 virus may not be present in the body ; the immune system is not back to functioning optimally. Everyone is vulnerable. Treating the person with the virus means helping them to be strong while knocking out a virus. As the body fights the pathogen it also weakens the person as the immune system does its job. Imagine a tornado that blows through a town, the town will still be there, but the devastation and the rebuilding will take some time.

The solution:

Work with a Chinese medicine professional and get a personalized treatment plan with acupuncture and herbs. For thousands of years Asia has dealt with hundreds of pandemics and the way to heal has been developed from real human experience.

The principles of Chinese medicine are prevention and cultivating a strong constitution as an important path for health and longevity. Acupuncture and herbs to help regulate the body’s nervous system and help with immune support. Gaining a strong immune system and constitution means recovery is how to get strength back.

If you have been wondering why In China the virus is being controlled and people are recovering from Covid-19 and going back to normal, the secret is they received acupuncture, moxibustion and herbal medicine as part of the recovery phase of the illness. This is making sure to get health back to its best state. 

Here are some tips to help with post viral fatigue:

Acupuncture and Chinese medicine: 

Acupuncture has shown to help with mediating the cytokine storm and relieve inflammation this is also why it is so good for recovery. Much of the post viral fatigue and symptoms are coming from the lingering inflammation and the body not being able to regulate nervous system response of rest and digest. Acupuncture research has shown to help with immune regulation and an anti-inflammatory effect on the body.

Getting a good night's sleep is one of the most important activities you can do for your health. 

Sleep is when growth hormone is produced for tissue repair, immune regulation, organ and brain detoxification and mood regulating hormones like serotonin are made. 

Lack of sleep can cause other body functions and inflammations to occur that can then lead to ischemic death (cell death).

Nourishing foods:

Bone broth is full of nutrients and is easy to absorb to regain energy, adding some ginger and a little bit of astragalus root will make it a medicinal soup. 

Astragalus root is used in many classic Chinese herbal formulas for supporting immune function and has shown to be a strong antiviral.

Choose foods that are organic and naturally immune boosting such as mushrooms, fresh fruits and vegetables. 

Mushrooms: are considered a superfood, this means they have a potentially positive effect on health beyond basic nutrition.  For vegetarians dried mushrooms are also a source of Vitamin D. 

Move your Qi:

Make sure to get exercise, but don’t over do it, it takes time for the body to recover and regain strength and stability. Walking and stretching will increase circulation and improve lymph flow. 

Get some sunlight: Vitamin D is important for a strong immune system.  Low Vitamin D is linked to higher instances of complications with Covid-19. Getting sunlight helps synthesis or Vitamin D.There are also supplements and is found in food sources such as fatty fish, eggs and cheese. Zinc also plays a crucial role in the body’s ability to maintain health and protect it from colds and flus.

Choose tea: Both green and black teas (Camellia Sinensis family) have shown to have natural anit-microbial and antiviral properties . The antioxidants in black help prevent stomach cancers and have a direct bactericidal effect against Streptococcus mutans. The throat is the gateway for bacteria and viruses to enter the body so Tea is what the doctor ordered.

Tulsi tea: ( holy basil) Research shows it is a “super herb” that has antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, the list is long for its healing properties. It is ideal for immune support and easy to keep with you in tea form or as an essential oil.

How Can I Heal my Digestive System?

Did you know there are an estimated 74% of Americans suffering from some digestive problem or discomfort? This is one topic that most people avoid talking about from embarrassment or just hope the problem will mysteriously go away on its own just as it showed up, or they think it is normal to have diarrhea on a daily basis. Many of their symptoms are not pretty, such as needing to rush to the bathroom at a moments notice. 

In this article, I'm going to show you how you can begin today to find relief so you can feel better and stop letting your digestive problems ruin your life! Sound good?

To begin the healing process, we've got to move through the discomfort of discussing these debilitating symptoms so we can get to the root cause, and more people (perhaps you), can get on with their life.

What can cause digestive issues?

To begin, let's establish if you are suffering from digestive problems:

• Do you experience stomach pain?

• do you experience gas and bloating?

• Acid reflux?

• Find yourself constipated or have bouts of unexpected diarrhea?

• Sensitive and reactive to certain foods?

• Constantly worry about needing to be near a bathroom?

  If your answer is “yes” to one or all of the above questions, and you want to find relief, it’s important that you begin little by little addressing the issues starting today.

  But first, let’s get one thing straight:

  Your digestive problems are NOT just about your digestion.

  There is a big misunderstanding out there that when digestive symptoms rear their ugly head, it’s your digestion that you should focus on fixing. This seems logical, but the reality is that your digestion is a symptom of something else, and is influenced by many other factors. This is why, often, when western doctors prescribe medications such as antacids, they might provide a temporary relief, but the symptoms usually come back or evolve into another disorder.

  The reason?

  The root cause wasn’t dealt with.  

  So, what is the root cause of digestive disorders? If we shouldn’t focus on our digestion directly, what should be focused on to move through these difficult symptoms and heal our bodies?

  In my 29 years studying the human condition, and 16 years seeing patients in my acupuncture private practice, there is one thing that outweighs all others as the root cause of digestive disorders: STRESS

Stress with anxiety or worry are directly tied to digestive problems and other chronic illness.

Why does stress cause stomach problems?

Stress with anxiety, or worry are directly tied to digestive problems because when se are stressed, our body's natural digestive process is interrupted and unable to function. Cue symptoms such intestinal discomfort, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), diarrhea, constipation, etc.

In Chinese medicine, energetically it is the connection of the "heart and small intestine". When we experience a conflict with our heart center (anxiety) it will show up in our intestines as we try to make sense of what we are experiencing emotionally. We feel it in our GUT.

Metaphorically we often use terms such as not being able to "digest" something or wanting to "chew" on an idea for a while. Commonly referred to as the gut-brain connection.

Now, the tricky thing here is that when people are under pressure and experience digestive disorders they enter into what is known as a vicious cycle. Stress and anxiety about their intestinal problems becomes in and of itself, stressful. If you experience stress and anxiety in the first place, then your stress pattern will show up around your digestion.

What happens when you ignore your digestive problems?

The endless loop of stress keeps going and going like the Energizer Bunny. And this worsens your symptoms, driving them further and further into a stress cycle pattern in your body. This can lead to chronic systemic inflammations and trigger autoimmune conditions. There is always a starting point for chronic and serious diseases. The longer you wait, the more chronic it becomes and the more important it is to address this problem cycle immediately.  (Let's get curious about what is going on contact me 917-294-3805, tmoy@integrativehealingarts.com).

So many times, I see people who are stuck in this cycle, afraid to do something about their digestive problems because they have reached a place of hopelessness and resignation. They think they will never find relief and it feels like their symptoms have taken over their life.  

3 Tools for Escaping the Digestive Stress Cycle

Here’s what you can do to begin getting out of this vicious cycle now:

1. To control or not to control?

Part of what makes us stressed, worried and/or anxious is obsessing over things that we can’t control. So, to become aware of these things, make a list of everything that bothers you. What do you have control over, and what do you not? Release what you don’t have control over. Let it go!

Release what you don't have control over. Let it go!

2. What is urgent and what is a priority?

In our busy lives, it is easy to get caught up in dealing with the "fires" - those things that are urgently needing to be dealt with; the texts, emails, and phone calls that pop up. As I'm sure you know, this fuels ours stress response. You must begin addressing the tendency to focus only urgent matters by re-assessing the priorities in your life. What are you big picture goals? What do you want in the long term? These things don't always appear as urgency, but they should be prioritized. Ask yourself each day, do my actions contribute to my dreams/goals? Determine how to focus moving forward.

Prioritizing your health and wellbeing will help you achieve your life goals.

3. Reset your nervous system.

When you are stressed, your nervous system goes haywire, basically going into survival mode. Your nervous system regulates your body functions so when it is in survival everything could be a considered a threat and that makes it hard to calm down. Calming and regulating your nervous system is an important key to addressing your digestion. Meditation is one way to help shift the vibration in your body, which calms the nervous system. However, if you don't have a calming practice like meditation or yoga (moving meditation) you could be in a kind of nervous system spin cycle. That frantic energy makes it challenging to focus and calm yourself down enough to start meditation if you have never done it before. So before worrying about adding more to your plate, know that our body has its own form of meditation and that is BREATHING. This is a start to bring consciousness and awareness around your nervous system. It will most likely not enough to address the deeper stress cycle pattern with your digestion and I recommend you combine it with acupuncture, which is the fastest way to shift and reset your nervous system really quickly.

Our body has its own form of meditation, BREATHING.

These three tools will help you begin the process of ending the digestive stress cycle. But I want to be clear that this is a process. It will take time.

So many times, I see patients who are stuck in this cycle and are frustrated because they don't know how to begin to heal. The problem literally is ruining their life.

My biggest wish is that you know you CAN find relief from your digestive disorder. You can go back to living a life that doesn't tie you to the bathroom. But you must start addressing your issues today.

Here's the next steps to set you on the path to success for overcoming your digestive issues and getting your life back:

Decide to do something to take car of it NOW.

Get professional support. Curious how I can help? Contact me here.

Work on getting better, (use the steps) instead of focusing on "what's wrong with me."

Be generous with yourself and allow the time to heal. It takes time.

To Your Health!

Tsao-Lin E. Moy, L.Ac., MSOM, LMT, C. SMA