Bliss These Feet

22/07/2025

Healthy boundaries offer you space to breathe
Space to connect within
Space to expand and stretch your psyche
Space to feel into your own truth
Boundaries are yours to create for your own self care and self-respect.

They are not an insult to another, they are a necessity for your own inner development and wellness.~

~O. Nightsky

art: Susan Seddon Boulet

12/07/2025

A representation of the relationship between elements. In reflexology we must have a firm understanding of the creative flow as well as which elements control each other. For example water nourishes wood, while metal chops it down. We look at which meridians this translates to and then determine whether the creative flow is diminished, or the control element is overacting.

09/07/2025

I hope it is ok to speak on behalf of reflexologists and reflexology in general in this one.😌

When compiling a list of responses, changes, benefits, and support that people may experience and receive through their reflexology, us practitioners would run out of paper. 📝

There are as many possibilities as there are people who step through our doors.

Remember, that reflexology provides the environment for the body to tap into its own healing capacity. And that it’s in this space that these possibilities may occur.

x Karen x

09/07/2025

Oh, what bliss these treatments bring,
A true gift that makes ones soul sing.
Leave renewed, refreshed, and blessed,
Filled with wonder over this blissful fest.

The therapist's hands work their magic,
Relieving stress and pain so tragic.
Through reflexology's gentle touch,
The mind and body find sweet hush.

06/07/2025

Such an important one to remember.

06/07/2025

06/07/2025

05/07/2025

AN EXAMPLE OF EFFECTIVE GROUNDING

I recall a time when people who walked barefoot on dew-imbued grass or hugged trees were considered suitable candidates for treatment.

I must admit that in my pre-reflexology days, I had the same opinion.

It was not until many years later, in the early 1980s, when I had been a practising reflexologist for around eight years, that I visited a famous acupuncturist in Hong Kong. One of the gems of wisdom she shared with me was to remember to breathe through the feet, which meant standing on grass, earth, or sand and focusing on the K1 (kidney) point on the bottom of the feet, visualising the earth’s energy being absorbed and travelling upwards through the body.

Nowadays, the principles of this strategy are known as grounding or earthing and are the subject of extensive research, which has shown that the practice is beneficial, reducing inflammation, improving circulation, and enhancing cardiovascular health, among other benefits.

THE EFFECTS OF GROUNDING/EARTHING ON INFLAMMATION
Multi-disciplinary research has revealed that conductive contact between the human body and the Earth's surface produces intriguing effects on physiology and health.
- James Oschman, Gaétan Chevalier, Richard Brow. March 24 2015

Walking barefoot on a beach, especially along the shoreline, offers several health benefits for the human body.

Sand is composed of many different minerals, particularly quartz, which is an electroconductive mineral. When this is combined with seawater, which is also highly electrically conductive, and also contains minerals such as magnesium, potassium, and iodine. In addition, there are the benefits of sunlight and oxygen.

We, as therapists, need to put back what we put out.

Explore, Dream, Discover!

Tony Porter

04/07/2025

Morton’s Neuroma ( Everything you know here)

Definition:

Morton’s Neuroma is a painful condition involving the thickening of the tissue around a Distal nerve leading to the toes, most commonly between the 3rd and 4th metatarsal heads. It is not a true tumor, but rather a perineural fibrosis or neuroma caused by nerve irritation or compression.

Causes:

👠 Wearing high heels or tight, narrow shoes that compress the toes

Repetitive stress from activities like running or sports

Overweight increasing forefoot pressure

🦶 Flat feet or high arches causing altered biomechanics

👣 Foot deformities (e.g., bunions, hammertoes)

🔁 Repeated trauma or microtrauma to interdigital nerve

---

🧠 Clinical Anatomy:

Affects the common digital plantar nerve (most commonly the third intermetatarsal space between 3rd and 4th toes)

The nerve runs under the deep transverse metatarsal ligament

Compression between the heads of the metatarsals leads to fibrotic changes

Plantar digital nerves branch from the medial and lateral plantar nerves (branches of the tibial nerve)

---

🚨 Signs & Symptoms:

⚡ Burning or sharp pain in the ball of the foot

🧨 Tingling or numbness in the toes (often 3rd & 4th)

👣 Feeling of a pebble in the shoe

🔥 Pain exacerbated by walking, wearing tight shoes or high heels

➖ Pain relief when removing shoes or massaging foot

---

🔬 Pathomechanism:

1. Repetitive mechanical stress → compression of digital nerve

2. Ischemia & inflammation of nerve

3. Perineural fibrosis develops around the nerve

4. Enlarged nerve irritates surrounding structures

5. Cycle of compression, irritation & fibrosis continues, worsening symptoms

---

🧪 Physical Examination:

Palpation: Local tenderness in the 3rd intermetatarsal space

Mulder’s Click: Compress metatarsal heads while squeezing the forefoot → palpable click & reproduction of pain

Web Space Test: Applying pressure between metatarsals elicits symptoms

Toe Squeeze Test: Squeezing forefoot causes pain radiating to toes

---

# Diagnostic Tests:

MRI or Ultrasound: Can detect the thickened nerve

X-ray: To rule out other conditions like fractures or arthritis

Diagnostic Local Anesthetic Injection: Temporary relief confirms diagnosis

# Physiotherapy Techniques:

🔄 Manual Therapy:

Joint mobilization: Especially of the metatarsals

Soft tissue mobilization: Plantar fascia and intermetatarsal areas

Stretching:

Calf muscles

Plantar fascia

Intrinsic foot muscles

Strengthening:

Foot intrinsic muscles (toe curls, marble pick-ups)

Arch strengthening exercises

$ & Padding:

Metatarsal pads to spread metatarsal heads

Forefoot taping to relieve nerve pressure

# Modalities:

Ultrasound therapy

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)

Cryotherapy or contrast baths

---

# Supportive Orthosis:

Metatarsal dome pad (placed proximal to the neuroma site)

Custom foot orthoses with arch support

Gel toe spacers or wide toe box shoes

Rocker bottom shoes to offload forefoot pressure

---

# Home Advice:

# Wear wide-toe, cushioned shoes

# Avoid high heels or narrow footwear

# Apply ice therapy after long walks

# Do toe stretches and foot exercises daily

# Use metatarsal pads or soft insoles

# Take regular breaks during prolonged standing/walking
Doctor of physical therapy

04/07/2025

Reflexology isn’t just about feet.
Its effects run throughout the body and mind.
Holistically restoring balance.

03/07/2025

Yang deficiency of your Kidney Meridian?

As I’ve mentioned in other posts, the kidneys are considered the "root of life". This meridian stores our original prenatal energy (yuan chee) and is responsible for storing the body's original essence, known as "jing." Jing is believed to nourish all organs and tissues, including the bones, marrow, and brain. On a side note, we know that bone marrow produces red and white blood cells - which links kidney meridian wellness to both The Liver meridian and the Spleen/Pancreas meridian.

Our kidneys are responsible for filtering waste metabolites (sorting the turbid water from the pure) from our blood and moving them onwards to the bladder. In addition, they regulate the body’s pH by selectively filtering out or retaining various minerals. When there is a Yang deficiency in the kidney meridian, the warming and activating energies of the kidneys is compromised. This deficiency can manifest in various symptoms, including (but not limited to):

1. Edema: deficiency in Yang can cause water retention, leading to swelling in the body, particularly in the lower extremities. (However, there is often a strong Spleen/pancreas meridian involvement here)

2. Increased urination: While it may seem contradictory, excess chi can cause increased urination as the kidneys try to eliminate the excess fluids.

3. Imbalances in body temperature regulation: The kidneys play a role in maintaining the body's temperature. Yang deficiency can cause imbalances in temperature regulation, leading to symptoms such as hot flashes or excessive sweating.

4. Lower back pain: In TCM, the lower back is associated with the kidneys. Excess chi in the kidney meridian may manifest as lower back pain or discomfort.

To address Yang deficiency of the kidney meridian and restore proper water circulation, a holistic approach is typically recommended. This may include reflexology, herbal medicine, lifestyle modifications, and dietary adjustments based on individual needs and diagnosis.

Reflexology can help balance the flow of the kidney meridian and restore harmony in the body. Specific acupressure points along the meridian may be targeted to regulate the kidney's function and promote proper water circulation.

In TCM, the concept of balancing yang in the kidney meridian involves incorporating specific foods into your diet that have cooling and nourishing properties to help the kidneys. This may include warm and cooked foods, such as soups, stews, and herbal teas (keeping the Spleen meridian happy). Avoiding excessive stimuli (alcohol, ni****ne, caffeine etc) and avoiding intake of cold or raw foods is often advised.
Here are some examples of may help balance Yang in the kidneys:

1. Watermelon: has a cooling nature and is often recommended to reduce heat and clear excess yang from the body.

2. Cucumber: are also hydrating.

3. Mung beans: also have detoxifying effect on the body.

4. Celery: is considered a cooling vegetable.

5. Seaweed: Various types of seaweed, such as kelp and wakame, are rich in minerals and can help balance excess yang.

6. Black beans: Black beans are known to have a strengthening effect on the kidneys. They are believed to nourish yin.

7. Lotus root: a cooling food that is beneficial for reducing yang energy in the kidneys.

8. Snow fungus: also known as white fungus, is believed to have cooling and nourishing properties. It is commonly used in TCM to tonify the yin and reduce heat.

9. Winter melon: very hydrating, so it promotes urination.

10. Pears: also very hydrating, they are believed to promote the production of body fluids and help reduce heat and excess yang.

Herbal medicine, prescribed by a qualified TCM practitioner, may be used to support kidney function and balance excess chi. Popular herbal formulas such as Liu Wei Di Huang Wan or Zuo Gui Wan are often recommended in cases of kidney yang excess.

Lifestyle modifications may include stress reduction techniques, exercise, and adequate rest to support overall kidney health. Avoid over stimulating activities.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended to replace professional conventional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your healthcare regimen.