Kerry Reflexology

25/09/2025

Endometriosis & Reflexology: A Holistic Approach to Relief 🌿

Endometriosis is when uterine-like tissue grows outside the uterus, causing pelvic pain, inflammation, heavy or irregular bleeding, fatigue, emotional stress, and sometimes fertility challenges. There’s no cure yet, but many treatments and lifestyle supports can shift how you feel, and improve day-to-day life.

Reflexology is a gentle, non-invasive therapy using pressure on specific zones (feet, hands, ears) which are thought to correspond to organs (for example, uterus, ovaries, pelvis). While reflexology is not a replacement for medical care, there is growing interest in its ability to help with:
• Reducing pain (especially menstrual pain) and discomfort associated with endometriosis.
• Easing inflammation by improving circulation and helping the body’s natural healing responses.
• Encouraging the release of endorphins (which help with pain relief and mood).
• Supporting hormonal balance and menstrual cycle regulation in some people (though evidence is more limited here).
• Lowering stress, improving relaxation, and enhancing emotional wellbeing.

If you’re thinking about adding reflexology:
✔️Talk with your doctor or specialist to see if it fits safely into your care plan.
✔️ Find a qualified practitioner with experience in women’s / reproductive health.
✔️Be consistent. Benefits may build over several sessions.
✔️Use reflexology alongside good self-care: rest, stress management, maybe mindfulness, healthy nutrition, gentle movement.

Endometriosis affects each person differently. What works for one may not for another, but a holistic approach that includes medical care, physical supports, emotional wellbeing, and gentle complementary therapies like reflexology can help build greater comfort and better quality of life. You’re not alone in this. 💜

24/09/2025

www.kerryreflexology.com for more information 👣

24/09/2025

For more information, please visit www.kerryreflexology.com

24/09/2025

22/09/2025

🌍🦶 It’s World Reflexology Week! 🦶🌍

From 22nd–28th September we’re joining practitioners and clients all over the globe to celebrate the power of reflexology. This special week is about shining a light on the benefits of reflexology, recognising the skills of professional reflexologists and helping more people discover how this gentle, holistic therapy can support their wellbeing.

Reflexology works on the principle that specific points on the feet, hands and ears correspond to different organs and systems in the body. By applying precise pressure to these reflex areas, a trained reflexologist helps encourage circulation, support the body’s natural processes and restore balance - making it much more than “just a foot massage.”

Whether you’re a practitioner proud of your work, a client who already enjoys the benefits, or someone curious about trying reflexology for the first time, this week is for you. We’ll be sharing facts, myths, tips and real-life benefits of reflexology every day.

💜 Let’s celebrate reflexology together and spread the word about how it can help every body.

22/09/2025

Let’s Talk About Armpit Lymph Nodes!
The Mighty Axillary Warriors of Your Immune System 🌿🦠🩷

Your armpits aren’t just for deodorant and razors — they’re home to some of your body’s most powerful immune protectors: the axillary lymph nodes!

What Are Axillary Lymph Nodes?

Axillary lymph nodes are bean-shaped structures located in the armpit (axilla) that form a key part of the lymphatic system — your body’s drainage, detox, and defense network. These nodes filter lymph (a fluid rich in white blood cells) and trap harmful substances like bacteria, viruses, toxins, and even cancer cells.

There are typically 20 to 40 lymph nodes in each armpit. These nodes are grouped into five anatomical levels, each with distinct drainage responsibilities.

The Five Groups of Axillary Lymph Nodes:
1. Pectoral (Anterior) Group
• Location: Along the lower border of the pectoralis major muscle
• Drainage Area: Breast, anterior thoracic wall
• Fun Fact: These nodes are key in breast cancer monitoring!
2. Subscapular (Posterior) Group
• Location: Along the lower margin of the scapula (shoulder blade)
• Drainage Area: Upper back, posterior shoulder, and neck
3. Humeral (Lateral) Group
• Location: Along the humerus (upper arm bone)
• Drainage Area: Upper limb
• Fun Fact: These are the ones that may swell when your arm is injured or infected!
4. Central Group
• Location: Near the base of the axilla (deep in the center)
• Drainage Area: Collects lymph from pectoral, subscapular, and humeral groups
5. Apical Group
• Location: At the top of the axilla near the clavicle (collarbone)
• Drainage Area: Receives lymph from all the other axillary groups and drains into the subclavian lymphatic trunk

Where Does the Lymph Flow?
• After filtration through the axillary groups, lymph travels to the apical nodes, then drains into the subclavian trunk, and finally enters the venous circulation near the heart (via the right lymphatic duct or thoracic duct on the left side).
• This allows your body to return filtered lymph to the bloodstream while neutralizing any harmful intruders.

Why Are Axillary Lymph Nodes Important?
• Immune Defense: Full of lymphocytes (B and T cells), they identify and destroy pathogens.
• Cancer Monitoring: Oncologists often biopsy or remove axillary nodes to check for cancer spread, especially in breast cancer staging.
• Detox Drainage: They assist in the drainage of waste products, inflammatory debris, and excess interstitial fluid.

Signs of Swollen Axillary Nodes:
• Tenderness
• Swelling or a lump in the armpit
• Fever or signs of infection
Swollen nodes often indicate your immune system is actively fighting something!

Fun Lymph Facts:
• Lymph has no pump! It relies on movement (like walking, deep breathing, and rebounding) to flow — which is why dry brushing and lymphatic massage can help!
• You have more lymph than blood! Your lymphatic system contains about 1.5 times more fluid than your circulatory system.
• The word “lymph” comes from the Latin lympha, meaning water — a perfect name for a fluid that brings life-giving immunity!

Takeaway:
Your armpit lymph nodes are immune superheroes — silently working day and night to filter, defend, and drain. Keeping them moving and healthy is a big step in supporting overall wellness. So next time you move your arm, remember the little green defenders in your underarm working hard for you! 💪🌿✨

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.

17/09/2025

We all carry stress differently - in our shoulders, our stomachs, our sleep patterns, even in how we breathe.
Reflexology offers a gentle, non-invasive way to support your body’s natural relaxation response. By working on reflex points in the feet, hands or ears, a reflexologist can help you unwind, ease tension and feel more balanced.

Whether you’re looking for a moment of calm in a busy week or ongoing support for your wellbeing, a regular session can be a powerful addition to your self-care routine.

💆‍♀️ Book your next treatment and give your nervous system some care, too.

15/09/2025

"Dear Oran,
Yesterday's treatment made a significant difference for me.
My stomach is better and I haven't had a headache since yesterday.
My energy level has improved 🙏🙏💜"

This testimonial popped up from 2 years ago, but there are still people who contracted COVID years ago and are still struggling with long COVID symptoms today. Fatigue, headaches, and low energy continue to impact their daily lives.

I have given reflexology to several people dealing with long COVID and have seen how helpful it can be.

👉 Reflexology can be a supportive tool for people living with long COVID. There are reflexologists worldwide who may be able to help. Look up the reflexology associations in your country or state to find a certified practitioner in your area.

15/09/2025

🌍 Gravity & Your Lymphatic Flow

The lymphatic system is one of the most important—but often overlooked—circulatory systems in the human body. Unlike the blood, which is powered by the heart, lymph fluid relies on muscle movement, breathing, valves, and external forces like gravity to circulate. Understanding how gravity interacts with your lymphatic system explains why swelling often happens in the lower body, and why movement and positioning are so important for lymph health.

🧪 How Gravity Affects Fluid Movement

Gravity constantly pulls fluids down toward the lowest points in the body: the legs, ankles, and feet. This is why many people experience:
• Leg swelling (edema) after long hours of standing or sitting.
• Morning improvement in swelling after lying flat overnight.
• Pooling of lymph in areas where drainage is sluggish or blocked.

In healthy circulation, the lymphatic system must push fluid upward, against gravity, toward the heart. This is an energy-intensive process because lymph vessels do not have a central pump like the heart.

🩸 The Role of One-Way Valves

Inside the lymphatic vessels are one-way valves that prevent fluid from slipping backward under the pull of gravity. These valves ensure that:
• ✅ Lymph moves step-by-step upward toward the thoracic duct.
• ✅ Backflow is prevented, even when gravity is strong.
• ✅ Each muscular contraction or breath pumps lymph through the next valve.

If these valves weaken or the vessels are damaged, gravity can overpower the system, causing chronic swelling in the lower limbs.

🌬️ Overcoming Gravity: What Helps the Flow?

Your lymphatic system has clever ways of working with and against gravity:
• Muscle contractions – Walking, calf raises, and movement act like pumps that squeeze lymph upward.
• Diaphragmatic breathing – Deep breathing changes chest pressure, pulling lymph upward toward the heart.
• Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) – Gentle massage techniques help move stagnant fluid.
• Leg elevation – Raising the legs above heart level temporarily reverses gravity’s pull, allowing lymph to drain more easily.
• Compression therapy – Stockings and wraps counteract gravity by supporting vessel walls and preventing fluid buildup.

🚨 When Gravity Overwhelms the System

If the lymphatic system is compromised—by surgery, trauma, obesity, venous insufficiency, or lymphatic disease—gravity becomes a major obstacle. This is why conditions like lymphedema and chronic venous insufficiency are often worse in the lower body.

✅ Key Takeaway

Gravity is both a helper and a challenge for lymph flow. It naturally pulls fluids downward, but your body relies on movement, valves, breathing, and therapy to push lymph upward against this pull. Supporting your lymphatic system means working with gravity—using posture, exercise, and drainage techniques to keep fluid moving freely.

👩‍⚕️ Written by Bianca Botha CLT, RLD, MLDT & CDS

01/03/2025