Morgan Massage Therapy Newsletter

Winter 2017

Incorporating Reflexology into Your Life Footprints for Health

You walk on them all day, but did you relaxation technique. Using the thumb, know your feet do more than carry you finger, and hand, gentle pressure is from one place to the next? They also applied to reflex areas of the feet in I specialize in have a unique connection to balanced order to decrease stress and bring the health and well-being. In a form of body into equilibrium. While some bodywork known as reflexology, the feet reflexologists also apply treatment to the are said to contain reflex areas that hands and ears, the foot--with its foot mirror and connect to all parts of the greater quantity of sensitive nerve body--and pressure on these points can endings--is considered the most actually influence your state of health. amenable to this approach. reflexology. What is Reflexology Although simplistic in application, the The roots of reflexology draw, in part, effects of the treatment can be from the ancient healing art of foot profound. Through activation of nerve massage, practiced the world over, from receptors in the hands and feet, new Asian and Egyptian civilizations to tribal messages flood into the body system, Why not try it communities of the Americas. Early changing its tempo and tone. In essence, archaeological digs have revealed statues the foot or hand becomes a conduit for sharing information throughout the today?

Office Hours and Contact

Morgan Massage Therapy Deb Morgan, CMT 507-440-2847 http://morganmassage.abmp.com Office hours by appointment

The foot has a greater quantity of sensitive nerve endings than other body parts. In this Issue of Buddha in China and Japan, and body. Function in the connecting area is Incorporating Reflexology into Your Life Vishnu (a Hindu god) in India, improved and, at the same time, the Prevent the Afternoon Slump depicting markings of specific areas on body experiences overall relaxation and Sleep and Your Skin the feet. But it has only been within the benefits to the circulation and last century that this work has established elimination systems. When the body's a foothold, so to speak, in Western systems are at optimal functioning, practice. self-healing is enhanced. As we know it today, reflexology is viewed primarily as a stress reduction or Continued on page 2 Continued from page 1 According to Kunz, lack of stimulation In Asia, pathways frequently feature In this sense, reflexology is not a for the feet is a major problem in our cobblestones for stimulation, but a medical treatment for specific symptoms society. We box our feet in shoes and sandy beach or rocky hiking trail can or diseases, but rather a way to facilitate forbid them to traipse the natural provide variation underfoot. the body's inherent healing power. environment. Some American feet Therefore, it stands to reason that never even see sunlight, much less travel Whatever path you choose, get off the paying attention to your feet can also be naked on a forest floor. "The feet carry pavement, free your feet, and let them a great preventive measure and one the body, in more ways than one," Kunz do their thing. "Over thousands of easily incorporated into a daily routine. says. "Constant feedback from the feet is years," Kunz says, "every culture has needed in order for the body to make discovered it in some shape or form. How and why reflexology works the way the proper responses." There is no The foot is it." it does is still up for debate. Some say it challenge for the foot in walking on flat involves communication through the surfaces. Feet crave stimulation, and nervous system; other theories point to they were built for a variety of surfaces. opening blockages of chi, or vital energy, in the body. Regardless, The Japanese, as well as Europeans, have scientific studies have documented its addressed this basic need by creating benefit for a variety of ailments, ranging health pathways to stimulate every part of from acute disorders to chronic the foot. "This comes from taki fumi," diseases. The majority of reflexology Kunz says, "to step upon bamboo. Here research has come from China where the we call them stroll pathways. The idea is technique is commonly used in hospitals that you stroll along, and as you do, you and homes for both health are strengthening the system. It's great maintenance, and as adjunct to medical exercise and gives you more endurance." care. Some of the positive findings include reduction of pain, improvement in circulation, release of tension, and improved effectiveness of medication, as well as benefits for diabetes and headaches. Fancy Footwork Kevin Kunz, author of several reflexology books and codirector of the Reflexology Research Project, emphasizes the importance of making reflexology a part of your life. Consistency is key if you expect results, and foot homework is a low-cost, efficient way to extend the benefits of weekly sessions with your reflexologist. The techniques can be practiced even while you're busy doing something else. You can purchase devices such as foot rollers for use under the desk, but even inexpensive homemade devices will do, Kunz says. "You can put a golf ball in a sock, tie it up, and you have a roller. Anything to cause stimulation has a beneficial effect." Reflexology is also a safe and effective technique for infants and children, soothing their emotions and promoting sleep. Naturally available and noninvasive, this approach can enhance communication between parent and child and aid in developing the child's physical awareness. Feedback and Stimulation Scientific studies have documented the benefits of reflexology for a variety of ailments. Prevent the Afternoon Slump Some Tips for P.M. Energy Jerry V. Teplitz

If you're like most people, you've Most offices are lit with cool, white draining effect on your energy. Make a experienced the afternoon slump. You fluorescent tubes, which have a terrible conscious effort to stay positive. know the feeling -- it's only 2 p.m., yet effect on how people feel and function you feel drained. Fortunately, you can at work. A better option is employ methods to reduce the slump's full-spectrum, fluorescent tubes. frequency and shorten its duration. Take time for walks. Drink water. Walking gets your blood circulating, Your body uses water even if you're not helps you breathe better, and stimulates exercising. If you wait until you feel your brain due to the increased blood thirsty, you're already dehydrated. Keep flow. Take a 5- or 10-minute walk a water bottle handy all day. during the day.

Avoid sugar and simple carbohydrates. Meditate. While a mid-afternoon candy bar may Meditation is great for rejuvenating your give you a quick rush, it actually worsens body. By meditating for 15 to 20 the slump. Instead, choose protein-rich minutes twice a day, you're keeping your foods and complex carbs. body continually energized and rested.

Eat small meals. Take time to breathe and stretch. Have six small meals over the course of Deep breathing exercises give you an the day instead of three large ones. Big energy boost. Also, stand up and stretch meals cause the digestive process to to increase blood flow and stimulate the divert blood from your brain to use in lymphatic system. the digestive track. Handle negativity. Avoid the drain office settings can bring on. Evaluate your lighting. Negative people and images can have a Sleep and Your Skin

Shelley Burns

We have all encountered a sleepless a cost. Elevated cortisol levels break Even how you position your face on your night or two. Upon waking, we look in down collagen, resulting in less skin pillow affects your skin. Sleeping on the mirror and are traumatized by what elasticity. your back will avoid the risk of "sleep we see: puffy eyes, dark circles, droopy - lines." eyelids, and sallow skin. To add insult to Growth hormone While there are some over-the-counter injury, more wrinkles may be visible due is responsible for building muscle, supplements to remedy sleeplessness, it's to tossing and turning. Poor sleep for a bone, and tissue--including skin. It is far better to eat well, exercise regularly, prolonged time is a recipe for disaster. one of our antiaging hormones that and develop healthy sleep habits (at least There are three hormones affected when replenishes as we sleep, rehydrating the seven uninterrupted hours every night) we don't get adequate amounts of sleep. skin and allowing for cellular repair. to let the body regulate its hormones in These are cortisol, growth hormone, - a natural way. And don't forget to and melatonin, and they all have a direct Melatonin schedule your massage! effect on how our skin ages. is our sleep hormone, and it also plays a - role in the immune system. It is a Shelley Burns, a doctor of naturopathic medicine, Cortisol significant contributor to the functional completed studies at the Canadian College of is our stress response hormone. When and physical integrity of our skin. Naturopathic Medicine, and has certification in we are not sleeping well, we're like a Without quality sleep, growth hormone complementary and integrative medicine from battery that does not have the chance to and melatonin are not produced in Harvard University. recharge. Our body identifies this as a sufficient quantities, while cortisol is stressful situation and starts producing overproduced. The result is overall poor cortisol. Like a jolt of caffeine, this skin condition, including dryness, spike in cortisol keeps us moving, but at dullness, fine lines, and wrinkles. Go stronger, Kinesiology Taping turns down the volume on pain. When kinesiology tape is properly applied, it's called "magic". It helps to change how your body interprets pain, turning down longer with the pain "volume" that your body hears. kinesiology When Kinesiology Tape is applied to the skin, it has a microscopic lifting effect underneath the skin and between the many layers. This allows the by-products created by tape!! inflammation to be removed more quickly.

Kinesiology Taping delays fatigue.

Kinesiology Taping normalizes muscle tone. It helps your Why not try it body coordinate movement as if it weren't hurt, hence allowing it to heal properly. today? Kinesiology Taping distributes physical stress. Unlike conventional taping, which prevents movement--KT allows full movement of a taped area. Through elastic properties and quick recoil, KT can help distribute forces to other nearby areas through the fascia, ligaments, and even bones.

$5.00 FOR A TAPING.

Morgan Massage Therapy

301 1st Avenue NW Austin, MN 55912