REFLEXOLOGY AND TRAUMA
It’s a fact of life that bad things happen to all of us from time to time. We suffer bereavement, we or someone close to us has an accident, we loose our job or we become sick. However, very few of us regard these events that can turn our lives upside down as traumas. However, ‘trauma’ can be defined in its most simple terms as a deeply distressing or disturbing experience. Hence, most of us have suffered a trauma of one kind or another and such events cause an emotional shock to the system that can lead to long term neurosis and general health problems if not recognised and dealt with in a way that releases the stress and tension of the event rather bottles it up in the subconscious where it lies draining our energy for years to come. The health problems that can be attributed to trauma are evidenced by common phrases in our everyday language such as being ‘heartbroken’, ‘sick to the stomach’ or saying that one ‘just froze’ on seeing an accident or had a ‘shock to the system’. We have an innate recognition that trauma can cause physical as well as mental problems, yet we tend to ignore these warnings from our own mind or body. As a reflexologist, I often deal with people who have suffered various degrees of trauma. However, I don’t recall anybody coming to me saying they needed treatment specifically because of it. For example, one lady came to be needing treatment for fasciitis. On the second or third visit she stated that she found it hard to give love and it was apparent that she had an emotional blockage. Later in her treatment plan, she remembered something that had been suppressed in her subconscious for nearly fifty years. Her uncle had exposed himself to her and abused her as a child and the trauma had left an emotional scar. After the release of the shame and emotions surrounding her trauma, she became a much happier and well rounded individual. No matter what the particular trauma one has suffered either recently or in the past, reflexology can be of great benefit helping to heal the mind, body and spirit of the individual. Depending on the specifics of the trauma, this can be either in conjunction with modern western medicine or independent of it. Either way, the benefits are real and well documented.
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REFLEXOLOGY – PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
Many moons ago when I was sixteen or seventeen they used to have dances with live bands. That is, bands who played instruments not four or five young hopefuls dancing around doing a karaoke set while the likes of Simon Cowell decide whether to suck them in and spit them out when they have served their usefulness. Anyway, moving on from that hobby horse, there used to be an intimidating but amusing feature of many of these dances in that groups of local misfits used to wonder in looking for trouble. The amusing element was that the smallest one used to walk in front followed in sequence by the others with the biggest one bringing up the rear. The little guy would stare at people trying to illicit a response and reporting any ‘disrespect’ to the biggest gang member who would decide on the appropriate retribution. I remember that on one occasion I must have smirked or shown some disdain because the little chap who was barely five feet tall approached me and said, “You want a picture mate?” I must have been in a suicidal mood because I responded that I didn’t want one if it was of his ugly mug. He wondered off and came back into the hall with the big guy of the gang, a muscular lad already over six feet tall, and pointed me out. This could have been a bit nasty because I am barely five foot seven and, although I had done a little schoolboy boxing, was not exactly a street fighter and that’s putting it mildly. Joy of joys, I had played my first game of soccer for a local team the week before and had a blinder providing the pass that allowed our big centre forward to score the winning goal. He was, of course, none other than the biggest gang member. The net result was that the little guy was sent back to apologise to me, grovel even! There are two lessons that I learnt from this episode. One is that recommendations are a wonderful thing and the other is that prevention is better than cure. I was thankful that I was recommended as a ‘good bloke’ not to be upset but I should have prevented the situation arising by avoiding eye contact and following it up with a smart arse remark. What has that to do with reflexology? Well not a lot except that reflexology is great as a preventative therapy. It helps build the immune system and helps the body maintain its natural state of wellness. Also, my best form of marketing is essentially gaining recommendations by doing a good job, just as I had done in that football match all those years ago. Is Sleep Triggering Your Back Pain? Recent research has revealed that nearly one in three people experience back and neck pain after a night's sleep, while most feel stiff or achey in the mornings. The British Chiropractic Association carried out a poll of 2,400 people and found that 30% of the people asked said they believe sleep triggers back and neck pain and 42% said they had been kept awake by the pain. Some 83% said they feel stiff or ache when they get up in the morning. It is important to check that your mattress is still supporting you enough and check your pillows too! The survey found 33% of people change their mattress only once a decade despite recommendations to buy a new one every seven years. A fifth (21%) admit changing their mattress less than once a decade and 10% had never changed it at all. The BCA says people should change their mattress if they regularly wake up stiff or aching, have a better night's sleep somewhere else, the mattress is misshapen or sagging, it creaks when people move, or if individual springs can be felt. How often you should change a mattress depends on lots of factors including your weight and how well you have cared for your mattress. However, as soon as a mattress stops supporting your back it's vital you get a new one. A mistake that people often make when choosing a new mattress is thinking the firmer the better. This is not always true - one bed does not fit all. We spend a third of our lives in bed so it's important to spend time choosing your new mattress and, remember; if you're planning on sharing your bed with your partner, take them with you to test it. Sleep Position I always advise my patients to sleep either on their side with their knees together and a pillow between the knees to keep the spine and pelvis in alignment and to avoid back pain. Or on your back with a pillow under your knees to keep them bent allowing the lower back to flatten out making sleeping more comfortable. I advise against sleeping on your front as this stresses the lower back and encourages a twist to occur in the spine which over time can lead to back pain. For more information and advice please get in contact : 01600 890282 / 07726 297813 THE PLACEBO EFFECT
It was a sunny day in Essex many years ago in my early musical days. I was standing in a side street with my fellow guitarist looking forward to our gig which was very minor attraction because the Beatles were in town, Of course, we both had Beatles hair cuts as one did back then although it’s something I always seem to have had except when I was at university and had no hair cut at all! Anyway, a sweet old lady ambled past us and gave us a wink; amusing if somewhat disconcerting. Then she turned and came back, looked up at us and said, “I saw you on the telly last night, aren’t you lovely boys and so much better looking in the flesh”. (I made the last bit up!) We realised that she believed we were two of the Beatles – exactly which one I was is something that has occupied my thoughts in idle moments ever since. “Wait till I tell my granddaughter that I have spoken to you” she continued and was so overjoyed that it seemed cruel not to go with the flow and enjoy a few moments of stardom. The point is that belief is a wonderful thing. I met a hospital ward sister a while back and she told me that prior to the world getting its knickers in a twist about ‘human rights’, she used to give patients with insomnia two sugar pills at night and they slept soundly. It’s what is called the placebo effect and could save the NHS a fortune. These days, as a complementary therapist, it’s something that sceptics often throw at one. “It’s just the placebo effect”, they scorn. Well, that’s fine, nothing wrong with someone believing they will feel better and improving their situation as a result. If I were just harnessing the placebo effect I would be offering something worthwhile but there is more to complementary therapy and there is an increasing bank of research to back up the claims of therapists. It’s true that if you are a ‘believer’ then complementary treatments might work quicker or better but even sceptics can benefit from sessions that are both relaxing and powerful. Board of your Commute!? Your body may not like it much either!
Driving Driving can be a key trigger of back pain. Sitting down can put twice as much pressure on the spine as standing up. This is due the way the natural curve of the spine is altered when sitting. Many people will share a car and often this means that the seat, mirrors and height of the steering wheel are altered regularly. Make sure you adjust to meet your individual requirements. This will not only improve your comfort in the car but also your safety. Below are some tips on making your commute a little less uncomfortable. Lower Back Support - A good amount of support here will ensure that the spine is supported in an optimum position, reducing the pressure. If your car doesn’t offer enough you enough you can buy lumbar supports to attach. Head Support - This should always be behind the head, NOT the neck. The proper position can be vital if an accident were to occur. Mirrors - Its important that you can see them adequately with minimum neck movement. Steering Wheel - It can be adjusted in most cars and can help take tension off the shoulders and mid back. Keep your elbows slightly bent and try and keep both hands in the same place to ensure symmetry. Seat Position - elbows and knees should have a slight bend and the knees should be at the same height or lower then the hips. Public Transport - If you mainly stand on your commute, make sure you wear comfortable shoes. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and hold onto a rail comfortably, avoid over stretching. - If you do get a seat, relax when sitting into your chair. Avoid keeping looking out of the window for the whole journey as it will put strain on your neck, alternate its position. - If using a laptop, don’t sit in the same position for long periods, as you are looking down onto the screen with your head unsupported. Rest the laptop on a table, not on your lap, arms should be flat and your elbows level with the desk or table you are using. Muscles and joints are designed for movement so, where possible, walk as it will help improve muscle tone, improve circulation and posture. If your require any further Information or would like to book in for a Chiropractic Assessment please contact us: T: 01600 890 282 M: 07726 297813 E:info@shireschiropracticclinic.co.uk W:www.shireschiropracticclinic.co.uk |
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