JCG Reflexology

20/11/2025

Supporting the Nervous System

One of reflexology’s greatest gifts is how beautifully it supports the parasympathetic nervous system, our rest, digest, and repair state.
In today’s world, most people are busy and/or stressed, and the body may forget how to relax. Reflexology gently reminds it.

As tension melts away, breathing deepens, the heartbeat slows, and balance returns. The body feels safe again, and in a safe, gentle way, healing begins.

This is why regular sessions bring such lasting benefits. Each treatment strengthens your body’s ability to restore itself naturally.

18/11/2025

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. 😴

09/11/2025

Facial Gua Sha, Facial Cupping and Facial Reflexology treatments work on the lymph flow. Want to try it? Give me a call or email 💆🏻‍♀️💆🏼‍♂️💚

Lymph & Your Ears 👂 🌿

What’s All the Buzz About?

Hey there, Lymphies!
Did you know your ears have their very own lymphatic traffic jam—or flow, rather? Yep, your ears aren’t just for hearing gossip and good music—they’re also hubs for immune defense, drainage, and detox!

Let’s take a journey around your ears and explore how the lymphatic system keeps them clear, balanced, and humming along smoothly.

Ears + Lymph = BFFs for Life

Around your ears lives a beautiful network of lymphatic vessels and nodes. These tiny guardians do some BIG things:
• Drain excess fluid from your scalp, face, and neck
• Filter out toxins, bacteria, and viruses
• Balance pressure and inflammation
• Support your immune system during colds, flus, and allergies

The Major Players Behind Your Ears

Let’s name-drop a few VIPs in your ear’s lymphatic crew:

1. Preauricular nodes – Found in front of your ear, they drain the face and outer eye area.
2. Postauricular nodes – Located just behind your ears, they drain your scalp and outer ear.
3. Cervical nodes – These are in your neck and help filter lymph from around the ears, jaw, and throat.

These nodes team up to clear toxins, fight off infections, and maintain healthy fluid flow—especially when you’re dealing with earaches, congestion, or that “popping” feeling.

Ever Had Swollen Ears or Tender Spots Behind Your Ears?

That’s your lymph system working overtime to fight something off!
Maybe you’ve had:
• An ear infection
• A tooth issue
• A sinus cold
• Or even just stress and poor sleep

These things can slow lymph flow and cause swelling or tenderness near those nodes.

Lymphatic Drainage for Ear Health

Let’s get those ears flowing! Here’s how to help:

1. Gentle massage
Use your fingers to do slow, circular movements around and behind the ears. Always massage towards your neck—that’s where the lymph drains!

2. Deep breathing
Helps pump lymph through the thoracic duct and drains the head & neck!

3. Stay hydrated
Lymph needs water to move. No water = sluggish ears!

4. Facial yoga or stretches
Relieves tension and improves lymphatic circulation around the ears and jaw.

Let’s Play! Fun Ear Check-In

Do this quick scan:
• Feel just in front of your ear. Is it tender or puffy?
• Now check behind your ear. Any tightness or swelling?
• Take 3 deep breaths and gently tap around the area. You’re waking up your lymph!

Ear Facts You Didn’t Know You Needed
• There’s lymph fluid inside your inner ear that helps balance your movement—so if you’re dizzy or wobbly, your lymph may need love!
• Tinnitus (ringing) is sometimes related to lymphatic congestion or pressure buildup!
• Your ear canals and sinuses connect, so sinus infections can cause ear pain—and vice versa.

Keep It Flowing, Keep It Glowing

Your ears aren’t just cute—they’re lymph superstars!
So next time you do your lymphatic routine, give your ears a little love. Because when your ears are clear and your nodes are happy, your whole head feels better!

Let’s flow, lymph fam!


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.

©️

04/11/2025

Reflexology isn’t just relaxing. Studies show it can lead to real, measurable changes in the body.

A review published in National Center for Biotechnology Information looked at what happens physiologically and biochemically when people receive reflexology. Here’s what they found 👇

✅ 1. Stress hormone levels can change
Several studies showed reductions in cortisol (the body’s main stress hormone) and salivary amylase after reflexology. Lower stress = better balance for many systems in the body.

❤️ 2. Heart rate and blood pressure may respond
People often experience a calming effect — including lower heart rate and blood pressure during or after a session. This reflects activation of the parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) system.

😊 3. Improved relaxation and emotional wellbeing
Participants consistently reported feeling calmer, more centered, and less anxious after reflexology. This isn’t just subjective — some studies observed measurable shifts in physiological markers of stress.

⚠️ Important note:
These changes don’t mean reflexology treats or cures disease. But they do show that what happens during a session is more than surface-level pampering. It can support the body’s natural stress regulation pathways.

A relaxed body has more capacity to heal, regulate, and restore balance. Reflexology supports the body’s natural balance by encouraging deep relaxation and reducing stress. Small shifts inside can make a big difference in how you feel on the outside.



Source: McCullough, J. E., Liddle, S. D., Sinclair, M., Close, C., & Hughes, C. M. (2014). The Physiological and Biochemical Outcomes Associated with a Reflexology Intervention. National Center for Biotechnology Information

11/08/2025

⚖️ Did You Know Your Left Side Drains Differently to Your Right Side?
When it comes to the lymphatic system, your body isn’t symmetrical. In fact, your left side does most of the heavy lifting — and drains very differently than your right.
Let’s break it down simply, because this small detail reveals BIG things about how your body heals, detoxes, and stays balanced.
💧 The Lymph Drainage Divide
Your lymphatic system has two main drainage highways:
• 🟢 Right Lymphatic Duct (smaller)
• 🟢 Thoracic Duct (larger)
Here’s how they work:
➤ Right Side:
The right lymphatic duct drains:
• Right arm
• Right chest
• Right side of the head and neck
➡️ It empties into the right subclavian vein, which carries lymph back into your bloodstream.
➤ Left Side:
The thoracic duct (on the left) drains:
• Left arm
• Left side of the head and neck
• ENTIRE lower body (yes, both legs!)
• All abdominal and pelvic organs
➡️ It empties into the left subclavian vein and returns the bulk of lymph to circulation.
So essentially:
✔️ Your right side drains only the upper right quadrant
✔️ Your left side handles everything else
🧬 Why Does This Matter?
1. More Fluid = More Traffic on the Left
The thoracic duct drains up to 75% of your total lymphatic fluid.
This includes lymph from your liver, gut, reproductive organs, and legs.
So if your left side feels puffier, heavier, or more tender — that’s no coincidence.
2. Left-Sided Congestion Can Affect Full-Body Detox
Because the left side is responsible for draining your major organs (especially the gut and liver), blockage or sluggishness here can show up as:
• Brain fog
• Bloating
• Hormonal imbalances
• Fatigue
• Swollen ankles
• Pelvic or left shoulder tension
3. Therapeutic Lymph Drainage Follows the Flow
Trained lymphatic therapists always work toward the drainage points—the left and right subclavian veins.
💆‍♀️ This is why in manual lymph drainage:
• The left collarbone area is opened first to create space in the thoracic duct
• Movements guide fluid across the body’s midline if needed
🛠️ How to Support Left-Side Drainage at Home
Even at home, you can help your left side do its job:
• Start your dry brushing or body tapping near the left collarbone
• Do deep diaphragmatic breathing — this massages the thoracic duct internally
• Stretch your left side (side bends, twists, shoulder rolls)
• Use castor oil packs over the liver or abdomen to reduce pressure on lymph nodes
• Lie on your left side during rest to encourage gravitational flow
🌟 The Takeaway
Your lymphatic system isn’t just a fluid network — it’s a beautifully asymmetrical, intelligent design.
By understanding the unique drainage paths of your left and right sides, you can work with your body — not against it.
And remember:
🩵 When in doubt, open the left collarbone. It’s your body’s biggest lymph gateway.
🌿 The image is for illustration purposes