Reflexology & Scar Release by Nadine

17/08/2025

I have decided to move into the 21st century and set up an online booking system. After a few teething problems, you can now book a treatment straight from my website by clicking the ‘Book a Session’ button. Click on the link in my bio to get there 🤩. If you’d still rather just text, call or email me about availability, that’s fine too 😁.

06/08/2025

Therapy Room Revamp!! My lovely little therapy room has had a glow-up. Repainted, new flooring, overhead lights and new chrome switches and extractor fan 😍. Still the same relaxing vibe but modern and fresh. Come and check it out!

02/08/2025

Interesting.

🔥 Inflammation Has a Memory

How Your Body ‘Remembers’ Pain and Triggers Future Flare-Ups

Have you ever wondered why an old injury starts aching again out of nowhere… or why the same joints keep flaring up, even when there’s no obvious trigger? Science is starting to explain what lymph therapists and trauma-informed practitioners have seen for years:

Inflammation has a memory.
And your body remembers.

🧬 The Science Behind “Trained Immunity”

Unlike traditional immunological memory (like how your body remembers a virus), trained immunity refers to how innate immune cells—especially monocytes and macrophages—change their behavior long-term after a strong inflammatory event.

These cells undergo epigenetic reprogramming, meaning their DNA isn’t altered, but how it’s expressed is. This causes them to become primed—more reactive in the future.

🔎 Research shows that:
• Inflammatory triggers (like infection, injury, or trauma) leave “immunological fingerprints” on immune cells.
• These changes persist, increasing the risk of future chronic inflammation—even in unrelated tissues.
• This may help explain chronic pain, autoimmune relapses, and lymphatic stagnation after emotional or physical trauma.

📚 Source: Netea MG et al. (2020), “Trained Immunity: A Tool for Reducing Susceptibility to and the Severity of SARS-CoV-2 Infection,” Cell.
📚 Divangahi M et al. (2021), “The Trained Immunity Hypothesis and Covid-19,” Nat Rev Immunol.

💥 Why Old Injuries Flare Up Again

Many patients say things like:

“My car accident was 10 years ago… why does that same shoulder still swell?”
“My C-section scar aches when I’m stressed or hormonal.”

This is not in their head.
Research shows that inflammatory cytokines can be rapidly reactivated in previously injured tissues, even if the original injury is healed.

Lymphatic congestion often follows because the lymph system is the body’s drainage highway for excess inflammation. If the body “remembers” where inflammation once was, it may send immune cells and fluid there again—even when unnecessary.

🤯 The Emotional Link: Your Body Remembers Trauma

This cellular memory isn’t just physical—it can also be emotional. Studies in psychoneuroimmunology show that emotional trauma and chronic stress can leave lasting immune imprints.
• Cortisol dysregulation
• Persistent microglial (brain immune cell) activation
• Increased inflammatory gene expression in response to psychological stress

📚 Slavich GM & Cole SW (2013), “The Emerging Field of Human Social Genomics,” Clinical Psychological Science.

This may explain why many lymphies feel flare-ups in times of grief, heartbreak, or stress. The body isn’t broken—it’s remembering.

🌿 What Can You Do?

Healing inflammatory memory takes a gentle, layered approach. It’s not about suppressing the body’s responses—it’s about rewiring them.

🌀 Lymphatic Therapy
• Manual drainage helps flush residual cytokines and immune debris.
• Supports better regulation of immune cell trafficking and drainage of trauma-related congestion.

🌿 Castor Oil Packs
• Shown to modulate prostaglandins and reduce localized inflammation.
• Excellent for scar tissue areas and old injury sites.

🧘 Somatic Release & Nervous System Work
• Vagus nerve stimulation, breathwork, and trauma-informed bodywork help calm the inflammatory reflex and teach the body a new baseline.

🍽️ Anti-Inflammatory & Epigenetic Foods
• Polyphenols (like turmeric, ginger, and green tea) can help reverse inflammatory gene expression.
• Methylation-supportive nutrients (B vitamins, magnesium, choline) aid in DNA repair and immune regulation.

🧡 Final Thoughts:

Your body isn’t betraying you.
It’s just remembering—and trying to protect you the only way it knows how.

But healing is possible. With every lymphatic flush, every breath, every act of nourishment and rest—you’re not just managing symptoms. You’re gently teaching your body a new story:

One of safety. One of peace. One of release.

📚 Research References:
1. Netea MG et al. (2020). “Trained Immunity: A Tool for Reducing Susceptibility to and the Severity of SARS-CoV-2 Infection.” Cell, 181(5), 969-977. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2020.04.042
2. Divangahi M et al. (2021). “The Trained Immunity Hypothesis and Covid-19.” Nature Reviews Immunology, 21, 75–76.
3. Slavich GM, Cole SW. (2013). “The Emerging Field of Human Social Genomics.” Clinical Psychological Science, 1(3), 331–348.
4. Arts RJ et al. (2018). “Trained immunity: consequences for the heterologous effects of BCG vaccination.” Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg, 112(1), 1–5.

©️

26/07/2025

These are things I would mention if any of these reflexes were showing signs of imbalance during a reflexology treatment. Emotions go deep.

When we talk about health, most people focus on the physical: posture, digestion, or even stress management. But Cranio-sacral Therapy(CST) invites us to listen more deeply—to the emotional imprints held in the body’s tissues and organs.

Eastern medicine teaches that every organ resonates with specific emotions. CST helps us connect with these subtle patterns and release what’s been held beneath the surface.

Take the lungs, for example: grief and sadness can lodge here, restricting movement and vitality. In a CST session, you might feel a softening in this area—not just physically, but emotionally. The body begins to let go.

Did you know your emotions can deeply impact your organs? 👀

▪️In Chinese medicine, each organ is linked to a core emotion:
🫁 Lungs — Grief and sadness. Unprocessed grief can weaken lung Qi and interrupt the natural rhythm of release.
🫀 Heart — Joy and love. Imbalance here—too much or too little emotion—can cause inner dissonance.
⚡️ Liver — Anger and frustration. Held anger can stagnate liver Qi, affecting both emotional and physical flow.
🤒 Spleen — Worry and overthinking. Chronic worry depletes energy and can show up as fatigue or digestive issues.
⚠️ Kidneys — Fear and anxiety. Fear drains kidney Qi, reducing resilience and grounding.

In Cranio-sacral Therapy, we gently contact the body’s intelligence, offering it the chance to release what it no longer needs—physically, emotionally, and energetically.

So if you’re feeling tightness, fatigue, or imbalance, it may not just be structural. Ask yourself:
What emotion might this area be holding onto?

Find out more about our upcoming courses and unique integrated biodynamic approach with Cranio-sacral therapy at ccst.co.uk ♥️

Post with appreciation to 🙏🏼

25/07/2025

Admiring my beautiful flowers made by Sam, the very talented principal of to say thanks for assisting on the Complementary Therapies course 🥰. What a lovely class they were! Hardworking, dedicated and engaged. It has been great to see their confidence grow over this past 9 months. Can you spot the furry photo bomber?

16/07/2025

I know that weekday appointments can be tricky to fit in for those who work full time. So after years of being asked if I work weekends, I have decided to offer treatments on Saturdays, from August at The Hair & Beauty Lounge. PM, text or call me on 07853 577866 or call the salon to book in.

19/06/2025

It’s the little things that lift you. Three things that made me feel really happy this month are 1. mentioning to the lovely Pammy N Steve Rogers, who gives me reiki, that I was looking for a box to put my flower remedies into and her gifting me this beauty! I love it so much and it smells of the aromatherapy oils she kept in there, so double boost when I open it up 😃.
2. These poppies just showing up when I didn’t plant them. Poppies are my favourite flower because of their vibrant colours and the fact that will show up everywhere and need little care.
3. I am off to visit my best friend today. I haven’t seen her for ages, so that is making me feel happy too. Focusing on positive things can lift your mood and your energy. If you find that hard, keep trying. The brain can always be trained but it may take some time.

17/06/2025

Reflexology Lymphatic Drainage (RLD) ❤️

👣 Fun Facts About Sally Kay & Reflexology Lymph Drainage (RLD)

Where healing feet meet lymphatic flow!

🧠 1. RLD Was Born From a Dissertation!

Did you know RLD wasn’t just invented — it was researched into existence?
Sally Kay developed Reflexology Lymph Drainage as part of her BSc (Hons) Complementary Therapies degree, and it won Best Dissertation of the Year at Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2011! 🎓

🧪 2. It’s Backed By Real Science

RLD isn’t guesswork — it’s supported by published research studies, including trials funded by Tenovus Cancer Care.
One study showed significant reduction in arm volume in breast cancer survivors suffering from lymphoedema — just from working on the feet! 🦶📉

🦋 3. Light Touch, Big Results

RLD uses a gentle reflexology technique focused on the lymphatic reflexes in the feet — but don’t be fooled by how soft it feels. It can create:
• Puffiness reduction
• Pain relief
• Immune activation
• Deep relaxation
All without needing to touch the lymph nodes directly!

🌍 4. RLD Is Helping People Everywhere

From hospital settings to holistic practices, RLD is used across the globe. Practitioners report benefits for conditions like:
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Sinus issues
• Post-viral fatigue
• Inflammatory skin conditions

🧭 5. Yes, There’s a Map for That!

Sally’s method includes a lymphatic foot map, which reflexologists follow step-by-step to stimulate drainage patterns. Think of it as MLD for the feet — mapped out, methodical, and magical! 🌿🗺️

💻 6. You Can Train With Her

Sally Kay offers certified Reflexology Lymph Drainage Training, both online and in-person.
Practitioners with a recognized reflexology qualification can register directly through her official website:
👉 www.reflexologylymphdrainage.co.uk

🏆 7. She’s Won Multiple Awards

From innovation to education, Sally Kay has been recognized worldwide for her contribution to lymphatic health and reflexology. She’s not just a therapist — she’s a pioneer!

🩵 Final Thought:

Sally Kay didn’t just help create a technique.
She created hope for people who were swollen, sore, and searching for relief.
One foot at a time.

©️

07/06/2025

This is the one I’ve been waiting for! From next Wednesday I will be assisting the lovely Rosie Hall on the level 3 Reflexology course. This course was life-changing for me. Reflexology isn’t just my job. I try my very best to have a treatment every month to stay as balanced as I can be…a support for all of life’s challenges. My reflexologist is a good friend I met on this course. So excited to welcome future therapists to the wonderful word of reflexology 💜.

17/05/2025

from 2014 Reflexology improves circulation- as the old saying goes ‘Circulation is Life , Stagnation is death’ . There is a wonderful technique we teach at Reflexology Academy called ‘Metatarsal Pumping’ which improves the body’s circulation and works together with the natural venous plantar plexus in the feet ,returning the venous blood back to the heart.

The Plantar Venous Plexus is located in the sole of your foot is a built-in return pump. Each time your foot hits the ground, the plantar venous plexus is flattened, stretched, and squeezed. This pumps blood back up to your heart.

The plantar venous pump: Anatomy and physiological hypotheses-

“This venous pump of the human foot is the first step in venous return from the lower extremity to the heart. The calf pumping mechanism, produced by contraction of the soleus muscle and of the gastrocnemius muscle, then takes over”.4,5,14

(This work was granted the Prize for the ‘best abstract’ at the XVIth World Meeting of the Union Internationale de Phlébologie, Principality of Monaco, 31 August-4 September 2009).

https://www.phlebolymphology.org/

25/04/2025

Why is muscle so important? Because the quality of our lives is directly related to the health of our muscles. Did you know that having more muscle can improve our metabolism, reverse insulin resistance, reduce our risk of disease, protect our skeleton and improve our mobility and balance, reducing our risks of falls when we age? In a podcast I listened to a while back, Dr Gabrielle Lyon described muscle as our armour. Muscle mass starts to decrease as early as 30 years old. At this time it becomes more important to build muscle than to lose fat. With good muscle tone, we not only have a decreased risk of falling but when we do fall we have a better chance of recovery. What can you do that is fun to build your armour?

18/03/2025

Special day in London with my podcast/bookclub friends from lockdown. Dr Chatterjee didn’t disappoint 🤩.