Liz Reflexology

17/11/2025

It’s not unusual to feel sleepy, heavy, or even emotionally drained after a reflexology session, and it’s actually a good sign that your body is responding.

Reflexology activates the parasympathetic nervous system - the “rest and digest” branch responsible for slowing the heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and triggering recovery processes. When the body shifts out of a chronic stress state (sympathetic dominance), it finally has permission to relax, repair, and rebalance.

That deep relaxation can sometimes feel like fatigue, especially if your system has been running on adrenaline or stress hormones for a long time. The tiredness isn’t a side effect. It’s a signal that your body is resetting its internal balance.

📚 Research supports this response:

Studies, including McVicar et al. (Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 2007), show measurable reductions in heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety levels following reflexology - clear indicators of parasympathetic activation.

A 2011 pilot study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that reflexology sessions produced significant decreases in salivary cortisol (the body’s main stress hormone), reinforcing the link between reflexology and stress reduction.

Improvements in sleep quality and relaxation have been documented across multiple clinical settings, from cancer care to maternity wards, all pointing to the same physiological mechanism of rest and regulation.

💧 How to support your body afterward:

Drink water to help the body process metabolic by-products released during deep relaxation.

Avoid caffeine or alcohol immediately after your session to prolong the calm.

Rest if you can, even a short nap or quiet time helps integrate the benefits.

Feeling tired after reflexology is simply your body exhaling and catching up on the rest it’s been asking for. 😴

12/11/2025

Thought this might interest some of my clients who have fluid retention issues. It explains the Gall Bladder's role in detoxifying the body.

🌿 The Gallbladder and the Lymphatic System: The Overlooked Detox Duo

By Bianca Botha, CLT, RLD, MLDT & CDS
Lymphatica – Lymphatic Therapy & Body Detox Facility

💚 Understanding Your Gallbladder’s True Role

Most people know the gallbladder as a small, pear-shaped organ that stores bile — but few realise how deeply it influences lymphatic flow, digestion, and detoxification.
The gallbladder sits just beneath the liver and acts as the liver’s delivery assistant:
• It stores and concentrates bile produced by the liver.
• It releases bile into the small intestine when you eat, especially when you consume healthy fats.
• This bile helps emulsify fats, absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), and carry waste out of the body.

When bile becomes thick or stagnant, toxins aren’t properly excreted. This directly slows the lymphatic system — your body’s drainage and immune network.

🌸 How the Gallbladder Affects the Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system is responsible for collecting waste, balancing fluids, and supporting immune function.
Here’s how the two systems interact:
1. Bile Flow = Lymph Flow
Proper bile flow helps fats break down and move through the intestinal wall. Lymph vessels in the gut (called lacteals) absorb these fatty nutrients. When bile is thick or blocked, those vessels can become sluggish — leading to lymphatic stagnation and inflammation.
2. Toxin Elimination
The liver filters toxins, sends them into bile, and the gallbladder releases that bile into the digestive tract for elimination. If the gallbladder is not working efficiently, toxins recycle through the lymph instead of being excreted — contributing to puffiness, fatigue, hormonal imbalance, and chronic inflammation.
3. Fat-Soluble Nutrient Transport
Vitamins A, D, E, and K travel via the lymphatic system. If bile flow is poor, absorption of these vitamins decreases, weakening immune resilience, hormone balance, and lymphatic repair.
4. Inflammation Feedback Loop
When the gallbladder is congested (sluggish bile, stones, or inflammation), lymph nodes near the liver and digestive organs can swell or become tender. This creates a feedback loop: poor bile flow increases inflammation, and inflammation thickens lymph and bile even more.

⚠️ Signs of Gallbladder-Lymph Imbalance

You may notice:
• Morning nausea or bloating after fatty meals
• Pain or heaviness under the right rib cage
• Swelling or tenderness near the right breast or armpit
• Fatigue, hormonal symptoms, or itchy skin
• Floating or pale stools (sign of poor bile release)
• Lymphatic congestion — puffiness, heaviness, or “detox flu” symptoms after meals

💛 After Gallbladder Removal: How It Affects the Lymphatic System

Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) is one of the most common surgeries worldwide — yet few people are told what it means for long-term lymphatic and digestive health.
Without the gallbladder, bile no longer gets stored and concentrated. Instead, the liver drips bile continuously into the intestine — even when you’re not eating.

🌀 What Happens in the Body:
1. Diluted, Constant Bile Flow
The bile is now weaker and less concentrated. It’s no longer released in a strong pulse when fats enter the gut — making it harder to digest fatty foods.
2. Fat Malabsorption & Nutrient Loss
Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) may not be fully absorbed, reducing lymphatic nourishment and immune strength.
3. Lymphatic Congestion
Undigested fats and metabolic waste can overload intestinal lymph vessels (lacteals), creating sluggish lymph flow, bloating, and fluid retention.
4. Increased Toxin Recirculation
Because bile no longer flushes toxins rhythmically, the body must rely more heavily on the lymphatic system, liver enzymes, and kidneys to handle waste — often leading to chronic fatigue, headaches, and puffiness.
5. Digestive Sensitivity
Some people experience loose stools, urgency, or food sensitivities post-surgery, often linked to bile imbalance and microbiome changes.

🌿 How to Support Your System After Removal:
• Eat smaller, frequent meals to avoid overwhelming the liver with fat digestion.
• Incorporate gentle bile support such as artichoke, dandelion root, or lemon water (as tolerated).
• Add digestive bitters or ox bile supplements under professional guidance to mimic the gallbladder’s bile release.
• Prioritise lymphatic drainage therapy to help process excess waste through the lymph system.
• Replenish fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K2) and omega-3s to restore immune and hormonal balance.
• Stay hydrated and move daily to keep lymph flow strong and compensate for slower detoxification.

🌿 Gentle Support for a Healthier Flow

1. Stimulate the Liver & Gallbladder Reflex Points
Use gentle lymphatic massage or Reflexology Lymph Drainage on the right rib area to encourage bile flow.
2. Add Bitter & Sulfur-Rich Foods
Lemons, grapefruit, rocket (arugula), dandelion, beetroot, garlic, and artichokes naturally thin bile and cleanse the gallbladder.
3. Hydrate & Move the Lymph
Gentle movement, deep breathing, and hydration keep bile and lymph fluid from thickening.
4. Consider Castor Oil Packs
Applying a warm castor oil pack over the liver-gallbladder region can soften congestion and improve circulation.
5. Support Healthy Fats
Choose omega-3-rich sources (salmon, flax, chia) and avoid processed oils that thicken bile.
6. Lymphatic Drainage Therapy
Regular sessions can help clear stagnant lymph, ease pressure around the liver, and accelerate detox pathways.

✨ The Lymphatic-Gallbladder Axis

Think of your lymphatic system as the body’s river and your gallbladder as one of its dams.
If the dam is clogged — or removed — the river’s flow must adapt. Supporting bile flow through food, hydration, and lymphatic therapy helps restore the balance so your inner river keeps moving freely.

💫 Final Thoughts

The gallbladder is not just a digestive organ — it’s a key regulator of the body’s detox rhythm. Whether you still have it or not, nurturing the liver and lymphatic system allows the body to cleanse and heal more efficiently.
When bile and lymph flow in harmony, the body returns to its natural rhythm of restoration and renewal.

Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, exercise, or health regimen.

11/11/2025

It feels like we've almost had every season this week. Reflexology is relaxing whatever the weather.

Whatever the day, whatever the weather …… Reflexology❣️

x Karen x

09/11/2025

It's that time of year again folks.🌟 This time I'm having a Christmas raffle for the Maffra food bank-or People's Pantry.🍞🥗🥣🍎 The are currently supporting 60 people doing it tough this year. 😃Tickets will be available from tomorrow in the salon.

25/10/2025

Where Does the Lymph Go After Drainage?

From Puff to Flush—Your Body’s Hidden Detox Highway!

Hey Lymphies!
Ever wondered what actually happens to the lymph after your MLD (Manual Lymphatic Drainage) or dry brushing session? Where does all that puffiness and extra fluid go? Let’s take a journey through your body’s magical drainage map—because the flow doesn’t stop at your skin!

First Things First—What IS Lymph?

Lymph is a clear-ish fluid filled with:
• Water
• Proteins
• Cellular waste
• Immune cells
• Bacteria, viruses, and toxins

It’s like your body’s wastewater, and your lymphatic system is the plumbing network designed to collect it from your tissues and send it packing!

The Drainage Route (The Fun Part!)

After you stimulate your lymphatic system (through MLD, exercise, rebounding, or infrared saunas), here’s what happens step-by-step:

1. Tissues → Lymph Capillaries
Lymph fluid is collected from between your cells (where waste builds up). Think of this as your body picking up trash from every neighborhood.

2. Lymph Capillaries → Collecting Vessels
These vessels have valves to push lymph forward (like a one-way street!). They move it toward central lymph nodes.

3. Nodes → Filter Party!
Lymph passes through lymph nodes, where it gets filtered. Immune cells here attack bacteria, viruses, and debris.
It’s like your lymph goes through a security checkpoint!

4. Cleaned Lymph → Ducts
Filtered lymph travels to the thoracic duct (left side of your neck) or right lymphatic duct—the final stop before exiting!

5. Ducts → Subclavian Vein
Here’s the magic moment!
The ducts drain the lymph directly into your bloodstream, at the base of your neck, where the subclavian vein lives.

6. Bloodstream → Kidneys + Liver
Now the filtered lymph becomes part of your circulating blood. From here:
• Kidneys filter out water-soluble waste → p*e it out!
• Liver handles fat-soluble toxins and waste → p**p it out!

And voilà!
Your lymph just became waste… and left your body.
Flush complete!

That’s Why You Might Notice…
• More p*eing after a session
• Increased bowel movements
• Feeling thirsty
• Fatigue (your body is processing the detox!)
• Reduced swelling or puffiness

So YES—you’re not imagining it. The flush is real.

Fun Lymphie Facts:
• You have 500–700 lymph nodes in your body!
• The thoracic duct drains around 75% of your lymph!
• Your lymphatic system can move 1.5–3 liters of lymph per day with the right support!
• No heart? No pump! The lymph system depends on movement, breath, and pressure (that’s why you NEED to move!).

Support the Flush:
• Hydrate (lymph is mostly water!)
• Move daily (walking, rebounding, stretching)
• Breathe deep (diaphragmatic breathing helps move lymph!)
• Massage & MLD
• Eat clean (to reduce toxin load)

So, Where Does It Go?

In simple terms:
Lymph → Blood → Kidneys/Liver → Toilet!
Your body is brilliant. And your lymphatic system? Even more so.

So the next time you finish your session and head to the loo—give a little thanks to the silent flow keeping you well.






References / Research Links:
• Cleveland Clinic – Lymphatic System Overview
• NCBI – Physiology of the Lymphatic System
• Lymphatic Research and Biology Journal

Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.

©️

22/10/2025

Spots are filling up quickly. Make sure you get some relaxation time in during the lead up to the end of the year.

10/10/2025

I am finding the lymph is flowing much better for clients with the warmth of the Hot Stone Reflexology compared to my traditional Reflexology techniques. Interested? Talk to me about your needs or to book a time. Thanks Bianca, for your post about Reflexology and the Lymphatic system.

👣 The Power of Reflexology in Lymphatic Healing

When feet speak, the body listens.

In the quiet language of pressure points and touch, there lies a powerful form of healing that’s often overlooked — reflexology.
But when paired with an understanding of the lymphatic system, this ancient therapy becomes more than just relaxation —
…it becomes a pathway to fluid movement, immune support, and deep tissue detoxification.

🌿 What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is a therapeutic technique that involves applying gentle pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears — each of which corresponds to an organ, gland, or body system.

Think of it as a map of your body, mirrored in your feet.
Stimulating these points helps trigger neural pathways and activate the body’s own healing responses — particularly through the autonomic nervous system and lymphatic circulation.

🌀 How Does It Support the Lymphatic System?

The lymphatic system is a fluid-based network responsible for:
• Removing waste, toxins, and pathogens
• Supporting immune function
• Regulating inflammation
• Maintaining fluid balance in tissues

But unlike the heart, the lymphatic system has no central pump — it relies on muscle movement, breath, and manual stimulation to flow.

That’s where reflexology becomes powerful:

👣 5 Ways Reflexology Boosts Lymphatic Health

1. Stimulates Lymph Flow Without Strain

Gentle foot pressure increases local and systemic circulation, helping lymphatic fluid move through congested vessels and nodes — especially helpful for those with swelling, fatigue, or sedentary lifestyles.

2. Activates Reflex Zones for Key Organs

By working on the liver, kidneys, colon, spleen, and intestinal reflex points, reflexology supports the body’s natural detox and drainage systems — reducing the burden on the lymph.

3. Reduces Stress and Cortisol

High stress = tight fascia + sluggish lymph flow.
Reflexology downregulates the sympathetic nervous system, allowing for parasympathetic healing, reduced inflammation, and better vagal nerve activation (which impacts gut and lymphatic communication).

4. Improves Digestive-Lymph Connection

The gut is home to 70% of your immune system (GALT). Reflex points on the feet related to the intestines and abdominal area help calm inflammation, improve motility, and stimulate visceral lymphatic flow.

5. Breaks Down Fascial Restrictions

Foot reflexology encourages release of fascial tension, which can compress lymphatic vessels and impair drainage. This is especially helpful in cases of chronic swelling, hormonal fluid retention, or post-surgical stagnation.

✨ Clinical Benefits Observed:
• Reduced swelling and puffiness (especially lower legs, ankles, abdomen)
• Improved energy and reduced fatigue
• Less fluid retention during PMS or hormonal shifts
• Clearer skin and improved elimination
• Calmer mood and better sleep
• Enhanced response when combined with Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

🔬 Backed by Research:

Recent studies have shown that reflexology:
• Increases peripheral blood circulation
• Modulates immune and inflammatory markers
• Improves quality of life in chronic illness patients
• Activates vagal tone, which regulates both gut and lymph function

A 2022 pilot study on reflexology and lymphedema in breast cancer survivors showed a statistically significant reduction in arm circumference and reported swelling after six weekly treatments.

🌸 Who Can Benefit Most?

Reflexology is especially beneficial for those with:
• Chronic inflammation
• Autoimmune diseases
• Hormonal imbalances (e.g., PCOS, estrogen dominance)
• Lymphedema or lipedema
• Digestive issues
• Stress-related immune dysfunction
• Post-surgical swelling or trauma

🌿 The Healing Power of Touch

Reflexology is gentle.
It’s non-invasive.
And yet — it can reignite movement in places where your body feels stuck.

Whether used alone or as a complement to lymphatic drainage therapy, reflexology helps the body do what it was designed to do:

🌀 Move.
🧬 Balance.
💧 Detox.
💚 Heal.

Final Thought:

If the lymphatic system is your inner river,
then reflexology is the gentle current that guides it home.

29/09/2025

I am continually blown away by this technique and what it can do for the body and mind. It allows space for deep relaxation and healing to occur.

29/09/2025

Not only super relaxing, but the warmth of the stones penetrates deeper into the reflexes, helping to heal and bring balance back to specific areas of the body. Contact me on 0408 575 937 to book

19/09/2025