Facial Reflexology - Why You Should Try it Now!

It’s World Reflexology Week!

As one of my most popular treatments, I know that most of you will already have some knowledge of Foot Reflexology as I try to incorporate it into most of my treatments for you – while your face mask is on during your facial, as a balancing section during my Spa Rituals, or even as a standalone 60 minute treatment.

However, not quite as many of you have experienced the power of a Facial Reflexology treatment, so I thought I would share its’ magic with you to celebrate World Reflexology Week.

It was back in October 2018 that I had the honour of training in Facial Reflexology with Ziggie Bergman, reflexologist to the stars and founder of the Award Winning Bergman Method Facial Reflexology. From the moment I laid my hands on my model’s face in the training room that day, I fell in love with this therapy! Under Ziggie’s instruction the class spent the day learning the theory of, and the hands on practical application of Facial Reflexology.

I remember that the first training day started as a beautiful Autumn day at the London School of Reflexology at Regent’s University, with sunlight streaming into the classroom and the gentle sound of the breeze shaking copper leaves from the trees outside….but that is the last thing I remember of my surroundings. The training that day transported me around the world to the origins of this therapy, from the Far East where facial mapping originated to the Great Plains of the US where Native Americans developed their own facial techniques to care for the wellbeing of their tribe. I was completely absorbed in its unique global heritage.

Three years have passed since my training and I must have delivered hundreds of Facial Reflexology treatments since then, but the magic of that classroom experience has never left me and each treatment still sparks joy when my fingertips engage with my client’s face for the first time and I feel that surge of energy which is the magical connection between client and therapist as their two energy systems combine.

You see for me, Facial Reflexology is Foot Reflexology’s more spiritual sister treatment. Both are equally effective therapies that always seek to return the body to homeostasis, but I find that working on the face rather than the feet is a very different and energetic experience for my client.

This is because when delivering reflexology to the face, the therapist is in much closer proximity to the brain, cranial nerves and central nervous system and this results for many clients in sensations of tingling nerves from crown to toe followed by the deepest relaxation that they have ever experienced. It’s also not unusual for clients to tell me all about the beautiful colours and images that they have seen in their mind’s eye at the end of their treatment.

The mapping of all the body systems onto the face means that facial reflexologists are able to target any physical issues that might currently be an issue for you, in just the same way that foot reflexology functions. However, as the client’s face is much more visible to the therapist than the soles of the feet, a facial reflexology session begins even before the client is tucked into the cosy treatment bed – immediately on meeting her client the facial reflexologist is using the client’s face as a beautiful and precise tool to read what might be going on within the body’s internal organs, central nervous system and neuro-biological systems. Sometimes issues are apparent even before the therapist touches her client, for example it’s no coincidence that you might experience breakouts on your chin before your period – this area of the face houses the reproductive reflexes which mirror hormonal changes within your monthly cycle.

By using their knowledge of the reflex points of the face that correspond to the internal systems of the body, facial reflexologists are able to create bespoke treatments to suit the client’s needs on the day. If you’ve had a particularly stressful time of late, then I would be incorporating into your treatment reflex points such as the lungs and diaphragm to relax this area and encourage a deep slow breath, and possibly the digestive reflexes too if you carry your stress as a sensitive stomach or IBS, or the shoulders if this is where you hold your tension in the body. I would also be focused on your heart reflex point which is located just between the eyes to soothe emotional tension (it’s no coincidence that we are drawn to hold our own faces over this reflex point when we are feeling overwhelmed).

Through working on the Face, this type of reflexology is also the perfect choice to tackle conditions such as migraines, bruxism, bells palsy, sinus conditions and hay fever.  I have had amazing results for clients with these conditions which has alleviated their need to reach for the usual pain relief tablets that they resort to.

Facial reflexology also has another wonderful point of difference to foot reflexology – you receive a mini facial within this treatment! My facial reflexology sessions always begin with a deep double cleanse with steamy hot towels to prepare the face for the application of a gorgeous organic facial oil. The oil generates just enough slip for a welcome massage to face, neck, shoulders and scalp to relax the client before I flow into the facial reflexology sequence of your treatment. Facial reflexology is experienced by the client as a soothing pattern of precise pressure point applications combined with relaxing effleurage massage to link areas together.  The delivery can be quite hypnotic and is extremely soothing, so much so that it actually has an analgesic effect on the body, reducing pain by releasing natural endorphins. At the end of your treatment, your face is cleansed once more and eye gel and moisturiser to suit your skin type are applied so that you leave me feeling not only blissfully relaxed but also looking radiant.

Facial reflexology also has the added benefit of reducing the tension held in our face, thereby softening the fine lines and wrinkles that express our daily stress, making us look younger and more relaxed.

With all these benefits being delivered in such a relaxing and nourishing treatment, I’m sure you’ll understand now why I absolutely love it when a client hops onto the treatment bed to receive this treatment, especially if it’s their first time and they’re not quite prepared for the level of relaxation that they’re about to experience!

Why not try it out next time you’re here in the treatment room with me? If you’re a stalwart foot reflexology fan, switch over to facial reflexology next time you’re here – you won’t be disappointed with the results!

See you soon,

Vicky xx

How To Look After Your Back When Working From Home

Ladies, we are over two months into our Third Lockdown now and I’m here to check in and ask you – how is your back? I’ve had lots of messages from clients in the last few weeks asking to be added to the waitlist for a back massage as soon as I’m allowed to re-open.

If you feel desperate for a massage right now to ease tension in your back, you are certainly not the only one. So many of us have been working (not to mention schooling) from home on and off for the best part of a year now, and it’s very likely that your back will be paying the price for not having the support of a proper office chair or an ergonomic working environment.

So, until I can see you again and work my magic melting away those knots and tight muscles, I thought I would offer you a few very simple steps to consider that might help ease that strain you’re feeling in your back:

Your Chair

Firstly – if you’re spending most of your day seated at your laptop, then check whether your chair is supportive enough. Gorgeous looking feature chairs may be eye-catching at the dining room table or kitchen counter but most aren’t designed to support our alignment and posture for an 8 hour working day. Bear in mind that our head weighs 5kg, so it’s no wonder that if our chair isn’t automatically positioning us to sit up straight, then the weight of our head when we are hunched over our laptop, is constantly putting an uncomfortable strain on our shoulder and neck muscles. If your chair isn’t naturally supporting you in a fully upright position, then try to consciously pull yourself fully upright  whenever you notice that you’re slouching. Also, if you feel that your lower back is rounding and isn’t supported enough by your chair, then use a rolled up towel for a bit of extra boost.

Your Posture

Your seated posture is affected by your chair height and seat depth, which will have a knock on effect on the angles of your hip and knee. When you’re sitting at your computer, check that your hip and knees are at 90 degree angles. You should also have a 90 degree angle at the elbow too and a neutral shoulder and wrist position so that your shoulders aren’t pushed forward. When your shoulders are forward, the neck will follow and you’ll soon find yourself hunching and putting strain on your back. Whenever you get up to make a cup of tea, use it as a chance to shake out and stretch and consciously re-set your posture as you sit back down again. Finally, don’t forget to think about your feet – ideally they should be grounded flat on the floor for full support.

Your Screen

The height of your screen is crucial to avoiding back pain. When seated your gaze should be straight ahead to avoid neck and shoulder pain. Use a couple of books to raise your screen if needs be so that your eyeline is true.

Self Care

Taking regular breaks is crucial for your back health. Set an alarm on your phone to go off every hour as a reminder to get up, move and stretch your back out – it’s also a good time to re-hydrate and get yourself a glass of water too! Keeping active in your free time will support your back health for the times when you do have to be sat at the kitchen table during the working week. Yoga and Pilates are excellent ways to strengthen your core which supports the overall health of your back. Here’s one of my absolute favourite yoga teachers with a routine to help to ease back pain and start to build strength.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phuS5VLQy8c

So ladies, I hope these super simple checkpoints help you to adjust your WFH set up so that you can avoid causing any further pain and tension building up in your back. Fingers crossed I’ll be allowed to re-open the Treatment Room doors again in April so that you can hop on the cosy heated bed and let me get my hands (or even better…hot stones!) on your tight neck, shoulders and lower back to alleviate all your WFH aches and pains. If you’re not yet on the Waitlist for a gorgeous, stress-relieving appointment but would like to be, then just drop me an email to let me know and I’ll be in touch when the time comes for me to welcome you all back again.

Missing you all, Stay Safe!

Vicky xx

Reflexology to Alleviate Stress

As a Level 5 Clinical Reflexologist, I am in the privileged position of supporting my clients’ journeys to their target of optimal health and well-being. During many appointments in my Treatment Room I am finding that stress seems to be the underlying cause of many of the conditions that my clients are seeking help for. I believe that this is because the stress that we encounter in our busy lives can affect us on many levels – not just impacting our thoughts, feelings and behaviour but also negatively impacting our bodily functions.

The physical signs of stress are experienced in all of the body’s main systems – Stress can trigger a rapid heartbeat in the Circulatory System, nausea and digestive problems in the Digestive System, dizziness and difficulty breathing in the Respiratory System, a lack of libido and disruption of the menstrual cycle in the Reproductive System, aches and pains in the Muscular and Skeletal system, and colds and illness in the Immune System.

In addition, the psychological responses to stress affect the Nervous System and result in us having difficulty remembering things, being anxious, worrying and focusing on the negative. Emotionally, this can result in us feeling sad or depressed, irritable, lonely and agitated.

Moreover, during periods of sustained levels of stress in our lives, for example as we navigate major life events such as the death of a loved one, divorce, the loss of a job, or even simply trying to please everyone or never taking the time to relax; our bodies are even more detrimentally affected. Living under conditions of chronic stress means that the “fight or flight” response of the Sympathetic Nervous System is permanently switched on. This leads to heightened levels of adrenalin and other stress hormones which have the effect of permanently raising our heart beat, blood pressure and breathing rate while slowing down our digestive and other “non- essential” systems.

Whereas this reaction to stress is vital to our survival in short term situations of crisis, over the long term its impact on our health can be catastrophic. For example, raised high blood pressure leads to strokes and heart attacks, and the stress hormone cortisol is linked to abdominal obesity and Type 2 Diabetes. In his book ‘How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body’, David R. Hamilton PhD describes how stress can even negatively affect our rate of healing and how well medicines work on us.

There are however lots of ways that we can manage the stress in our lives so that we minimise the effect it has on our health and well-being. If you’re suffering with stress why not try one or a combination of the following suggestions:

• Get high on exercise, working out is one of the best stress-busters available to us all. Even a walk in the park will help, and it’s completely free!

• Eating a healthy, balanced diet helps to keep our immune system functioning efficiently, protecting us from the effects of stress.

• Talk about it – create a network of friends and family that you can share your feelings with in order to prevent the sensation of isolation that can accompany stress.

• Let it out – sometimes we can all benefit from a good cry! Emotional tears actually clear out stress-related chemicals from our bodies when we are under pressure.

• Prioritise your sleep – stress interferes with sleep and a lack of sleep adds to your stress levels.

• Finally, hold on to your sense of humour, try watching a funny film or tv programme whenever you are feeling overwhelmed – laughter is one of the best stress-busters of all!

Of course, regular Reflexology Treatments are also an effective way of combatting stress. Reflexology is a safe and effective ancient therapy which has been practiced for over 5,000 years. According to the Association of Reflexologists, the UK’s Professional Body of which I am a full, insured member, Reflexology treatments “can help aid relaxation, improve mood, release tension, enhance sleep and can generally help improve wellbeing; allowing us to cope better with the stresses that life can bring”.

Research into the effectiveness of reflexology is continually being undertaken, and I believe that ultimately, more and more evidence will be gathered to prove that reflexology should be considered a very effective tool in combatting the effects of stress on the body. The anecdotal evidence and feedback from my own clients would certainly support this. As Barbara and Kevin Kunz in their book ‘Reflexology – Health at your fingertips’ states, “one application interrupts stress; further sessions condition change to take place; and ongoing application teaches the body to operate more effectively”. As a practicing Clinical Reflexologist, it’s my belief that reflexology should be regarded as a key therapy to combat stress and promote better health and well-being – why not try it for yourself and see if it has a beneficial impact on your own stress levels? I think that you will be pleasantly surprised by the results of your treatment!

References

Hamilton, D. R. (2009) How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body. London: Hay House

Kunz, B. & K. (2016) Reflexology – Health at your Fingertips. London: Dorling Kindersley Ltd