What You Need to Know About Reflexology & Holistic Nutrition

Blog post by Sara Folk, Reflexologist, Thai yoga therapist, RYT500, Reiki practitioner and Janet Perry, Certified Holistic Nutritional Consultant and Metabolic Balance Coach

Reflexology is an alternative, natural, non invasive, therapeutic practice embracing the concept of holistic treatment. It is used for a wide variety of conditions and involves the application of pressure to specific points on the feet, ears, and hands that affect certain reflex areas of the body. This is done using thumb, finger, and hand massage techniques without applying oil or lotion and has been in use for thousands of years.

By stimulating the nerve endings in the feet, ears, or hands, we send messages along the nerve pathways to various organs. This helps to balance the energies within the body.

The feet are under constant physical pressure. Tension and stress through friction and repeated trauma causes blockages that impinge on muscles and nerves. A reflexology session breaks up toxin deposits such as lactic acid and uric acid crystals caused by ineffective elimination of metabolic by-products. Scar tissue, pooling of lymph fluid, corns, and callouses can also create internal and external blockages among other sensations such as swelling, and softness and hardness of muscle tone, these may interfere with the natural flow of the body’s electromagnetic energy. Reflexology also encourages the brain to release and produce endorphins which are chemical messengers, producing a calming and euphoric sensation. They also suppress pain.

Like reflexology, holistic nutrition takes a natural approach to health and wellbeing. The body is comprised of many different systems, all of which need to work together so we can enjoy good health.

American nutritionist, author, and practitioner of osteopathic medicine, Victor Lindlahr, wrote 100 years ago, “Ninety percent of the diseases known to man are caused by cheap foodstuffs. You are what you eat.” Today, we know this phrase simply as, “You are what you eat.” This popular phrase is spot on. Your body will respond to the food it receives. Processed, pesticide and chemical laden foods leave the body tired, vulnerable to illness, inflamed, and unable to function effectively. By contrast, eating fresh, natural whole foods fuels the body by providing what it needs to produce energy, promote metabolic activity, prevent nutrient deficiencies, reduce inflammation, and defend against chronic illness.

Eating a healthy diet will provide the right macronutrients: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and water, and micronutrients: vitamins and minerals, so that the body can stay healthy, grow properly, and perform efficiently.

People want to feel better, younger and be able to perform their daily lives with greater ease and comfort. Reflexology and holistic nutrition work beautifully together and individually to facilitate the body’s innate healing abilities, reduce stress, increase energy, alleviate insomnia, decrease pain and inflammation, speed up recovery after an injury or surgery, and assist in easing anxiety. The goal of reflexology and holistic nutrition is to support and optimize the body's wellbeing, optimum health, and vitality!

To book a Reflexology session with Sara, click here.

To book a Holistic Nutrition Consult with Janet, click here.