Benefits of Arm and Foot Reflexology

What is edema (also spelled oedema), anyway?

Well, it’s an observable swelling that comes from a fluid accumulation in body tissues.

And, edema most commonly occurs in the feet and legs, where it’s referred to as peripheral edema.

The swelling is the result of the accumulation of excess fluid under the skin in the spaces within the tissues. We already have fluid there, the interstitial fluid, but this is more than usual.

Other parts of the body, such as the face and hands, can also be affected.

As many of us know after a long day of shopping (or walking around an art museum, or just standing on our feet) – swelling or edema around the ankles etc., can happen. And, it can happen to anyone.

At night, the fluid tends to drain from the legs so that foot/ankle edema is usually less obvious when you get up in the morning.

But, is it serious?

Well, depending on how extreme it is and how long it’s been there… it could be!

Types of Edema

Most of us will have experienced edema in our everyday life.

We’ll notice that our rings don’t fit or our ankles are a little puffy. And if you’ve had a little too much alcohol, you’ll see it in the morning – right before your eyes – in that puffy face of yours.

It comes and it goes but if it stays – well that could mean something different..,

There are 2 main types of edema:

In non-pitting edema, which usually affects the legs or arms, pressure that is applied to the skin does not result in a persistent indentation.

Pitting edema which can be demonstrated by applying pressure to the swollen area by depressing the skin with a finger, and a persistent indentation occurs. That means that the skin does not spring back but rather the indentation from your finger pressure remains, which indicates something more serious.

Edema has been described as the result of venous ulceration, which is often caused by an increase in tissue pressure (increased fluid within the tissue) because of increased capillary permeability.

Some Causes of Edema

Certainly, there can be many causes for edema. Some are fleeting as I mentioned above, while others are much more serious.

If you have edema (or any swelling) and don’t know the cause, it’s important that you see your doctor. You’ll feel better to know that nothing is wrong… or, if there is, you’ll want to know that too.

Edema of the ankles and lower legs can be mild and passing or, it can accompany other conditions, including obesity, diseased leg veins, kidney disease, cirrhosis of the liver, anemia, and severe malnutrition. It might also be a characteristic of congestive heart failure.

And, there could be other factors that might contribute to its onset, including:

Eating a poor diet that’s high in salt and carbohydrates
Taking birth control or hormone replacement therapy pills
Pregnancy and PMS
Sodium retention
Varicose veins and history of phlebitis
Allergic reactions
Neuromuscular disorders
Trauma
Abusing drugs

Symptoms:

One symptom is when, initially, the feet and legs will appear swollen as the day progresses, but after a period of time, the swelling will set in first thing in the morning and continue to worsen throughout the day.

There’s probably a certain amount of edema that we can live with when it’s found to not be a problem.
But, it can become serious – particularly if the edema is advanced and has been around for a while – it might cause pitting (as mentioned above, when you press on the swollen area for a few seconds, you will notice an indentation in that area that continues long after the finger-pressure is removed). Continued swelling can cause skin ulcerations.

Over time, other symptoms could develop as a result of the fluid retention and the pressure on the tissue and the body:

High blood pressure
Headaches
pressure on the skin
Increased urination
Palpitations
Swollen hands and/or wrists
puffiness of the face around the eyes , in the feet, ankles, and legs
weight gain

Salt Intake and Edema

Okay, we know that food tastes better with salt and that’s why so many products and restaurants load their food up with it.

It’s usually in vast quantities in processed foods. Even ‘health foods’ can have lots and lots of salt (it’s a pity that salt, sugar and fat are things that make food taste better and are overused in our culture).

Almost anything can be okay in moderation – but we’re way over the top with these foods.

The body’s balance of salt is usually well-regulated. A normal person can consume relatively small or large quantities of salt in the diet (although extremes are best avoided) without concern for developing salt depletion or retention.

The amount of salt excreted by the kidneys is regulated by hormonal and physical factors that signal whether retention or removal of salt by the kidneys is necessary.

If someone has a kidney disease that impairs the function of the kidneys – the ability to excrete salt in the urine is limited.

In some conditions, the amount of salt in the body increases, and this may cause a person to retain water and develop edema.

Common Treatments

Over the counter diuretics containing ammonium chloride and caffeine (think Aqua-Ban) are sold with the promise to relieve symptoms related to edema. More severe edematous conditions require medical attention.
Treatment of edema with prescription medications is limited to the use of diuretics, commonly referred to as “water pills.”

Commonly, treatment consists of managing the underlying condition, which may include: inadequate nutrition; liver, heart, and kidney disease; or obstruction of blood or lymph flow. In some cases, a salt-restricted diet may be recommended.

If the edema is localized and due to a strain or trauma, people report have gotten good results from homeopathic products like ‘Traumeel’ & ‘Topricene’. I keep both of them at hand.

What Might Help?

Diet is always key – watch your salt intake and eat lots of vegetables
It’s always a good idea to watch your salt intake.
If your legs or ankles are puffy, it’s suggested that you elevate your legs above your heart while lying down.
Exercise your legs. This could help pump fluid from your legs back to your heart.
Some people find that wearing support stockings (sold at most drug and medical supply stores) help.
Reflexology could be a great healthy support – OR NOT – read on…

What Can Reflexology Do?

The fluid that builds up to become edema is normally brought back to the heart via the lymphatic system.

Unlike the circulatory system which has a pump (the heart), the lymphatic system relies on movements of the body to help drain it’s fluids.

Since there are no little pumps at the ends of our fingers and toes, the gentle movements of our reflexology techniques (thumb and finger-walking) at the extremities, supports the natural processes of the whole body.

Once again, I’ll remind you that reflexologists don’t treat, diagnose or prescribe.

And, I’m not even interested specifically in the movement of local fluids. My focus is on the whole body, the organs and organ systems.

But another “fringe benefit” of my reflexology work is the potential to help the fluid tides as well.

However beware, there might be some edemic conditions that don’t need this or are too weak to benefit.

Yes – that’s right, if the condition is not diagnosed – or even if it is diagnosed – and it’s advanced edema (pitted edema is advanced) – you must always check first with the doctor before working.

Why?

Because, unless you are a doctor, you don’t know if it will help or will be too much fluid movement for an obviously compromised system to handle.

No guessing here – remember, someone who is sick will have a medical team. It’s in everyone’s best interest to check with the medical team. They won’t mind or be shocked – it’s what they all do.

Now my guess is almost always that reflexology will help.

But, if someone is very ill, it’s the MD on the team that must know and approve any work before you can be sure about proceeding. They know the whole story about their patient’s health and they’ll base their recommendations on the big picture.

The Chinese have been doing it for centuries, as have other Asian cultures. Increasing numbers of Westerners are doing it too. Ear rubbing or ear reflexology that is; massaging of the ears to improve health, calm the emotions and enhance the general sense of well being. It’s simple, quick and effective.

Your ears, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a complete medical system which has developed continuously over at least 2500 years, contain reflexology areas that when stimulated by acupuncture needles or finger pressure influence corresponding body parts. For instance, if you have stomach problems you would stimulate the stomach reflexology area on each ear; for eye problems, the eye reflexology areas.

Anxiety and ear reflexology involves stimulating the heart reflexology areas, and perhaps others too, because in TCM anxiety and nervousness usually relates to the heart. A maximum of three or four points would be selected for any one session, then pressed and rubbed for 1-2 minutes, 2-3 times a day, until symptoms subside.

Reflexology is becoming more and more popular nowadays, as more people find they are becoming stressed by the problems of modern life and are turning to relaxation therapy. Reflexology typically involves 2 people, the practitioner and the client, who is the person in need of stress relief, and the art is based on the idea of manipulating major body parts through the hands and feet. It is a very precise art, and requires concentration and skill, but many people overlook another important aspect: the reflexology chair. People will often use a table or a normal chair, but these don’t have the same advantages as good chairs designed for reflexology.

They are designed for professional use

A true professional needs a reflexology chair; there is no other alternative. They are specifically designed to position the client in the prime position for the therapy, and can be adjusted in the right spots to fit people of different shapes and sizes. Additionally they also include arm and foot rests, which are necessary for ensuring your client is comfortable and relaxed, so they are in the prime condition for a reflexology session.

They are easy to store

As they can be adjusted and folded, professional reflexology chairs can be stored easily by folding them into a small, compact shape and stashing them in a corner. This also makes them easy to take with you, if you have to meet a client or just for your own personal enjoyment and relaxation.

Not just for reflexologists

You don’t have to be a professional reflexologist to enjoy this zero gravity chair; it’s special design, arm and foot rests and removable head cushion make it a comfortable and relaxing chair for anyone. They are also available in a variety of colors, so as a piece of furniture they can match the dcor in your home.

For hundreds of years the eastern world has studied the human body and has drawn the conclusion that the body deposits its toxin in a person’s feet. The toxins in our body collect in our ankles and toes.

The eastern world has also hypothesized that the body works like a tree. Its bark is our skin and its roots are our feet. Combining all these concepts can create the perfect product for detoxifying the body. Armed with this knowledge, marketers have developed a revolutionary new product, the foot detox patch.

This product combines the eastern traditional practices of foot reflexology and the natural healing power of traditional Japanese herbal medicine. They are a merger of traditional medicine and cutting edge technology. It is a marriage of sorts that combines the best of both worlds. The detox foot patches employs the benefits of traditional medicine without the hassle.

Combine a relaxing night sleep with a pad on your feet and you will reap so many benefits. Some of the benefits are deeper sleep. This helps your body recharge for the day ahead. Your body needs sleep for you to clear the mind. It is somewhat like a reset button for a computer. It also gives the body time to recuperate.

Through this product, a better immune system is also achieved. The body is not able to work efficiently because of the toxin in our body. The toxins in our body block the white blood cells and other immune-cells from latching on to infections and other disease causing bacteria. The patches get rid of the toxins.

With foot detox patches one is able to feel an overall good feeling. Do you know the feeling after you have taken a bath after a hard played game or a long hard day at work? There is a feeling of being clean all over. Extend that feeling from the outside of your body to the inside. With this product, you are literally clean all over because a truly clean body begins from the inside.

The secret is in bamboo and wood vinegars that target the organs in your body to remove toxins from the liver, kidneys and intestines through the soles of your feet. The Japanese, in ancient times, discovered the healing effects of trees as they observed nature. They found out that trees expel their waste through their skin or bark. They translated that to the human body making the bark our skin.

The benefits of the knowledge of the Japanese of detoxification are further enhanced by the traditional science of foot reflexology. You see the soles of your feet act like passage ways to the organ and gives you access. As you sleep the patch absorbs the toxins and promotes better health. As they touch the soles of your feet you are able to cleanse the body of all the toxins by targeting the organs where the waste is collected.