All Reflexology with Ann Gillanders
 
|  Home  |  Resources  |  About Reflexology  |   Meet Ann  |  Video  | Charts  |  Fun Facts  |  Links  |      
 




















 
Ann's Tips & Techniques

Are You Going to Sniff Through
 Yet Another Summer?



    DO YOU DESPAIR, when spring and summer arrive and pollen counts rise drastically, that you will spend most of the time indoors keeping out of the sun and the garden?  Think again!  You could do a great deal to help yourself.  Spring in particular is a time for rebirth but not for allergy sufferers. The beautiful spring blossoms bring misery from sneezing, the itchy, runny nose and smarting red eyes, not to mention a sore throat.
    Your best friend at this time is a box of tissues!
    Allergies are defined as "abnormal responses to normal substances", and such malfunctions and other over-reactions of the immune system are far more common these days than ever before.  In fact, allergies are almost epidemic.
    It is said that the additional burden of chemicals that we consume both from the air and in our diets cause the problem, but Tokyo is the most polluted city in the world, yet the Japanese do not generally suffer from allergies.
    The high levels of pollution do cause a burden on our immune systems, which can result in malfunctions in the form of an exaggerated reaction to allergens.  They can be anything from dust to pollen, animal hair, deodorant sprays, perfume, or some types of food.  A healthy body should be able to cope with pollen dust and other potential allergens. However, in a body already overloaded with toxins, allergens can cause a problem. In hay fever the allergens inflame the membranes of the nose: the membranes swell restricting the amount of space for air to be inhaled and then the inflammation of the membranes increases the mucus in the nose and throat.
    Antibodies are then formed by the plasma cells which induce the mast cells (a type of white blood cells) to release chemicals - in particular histamine. It is the excess of histamine that causes the unpleasant symptoms.

Pollution in Food and Water

    So many things in our lives today affect our immune system; there are even chemicals and pollutants in our drinking water.  If you have a water filter in your kitchen you can reduce these considerably.
    We unknowingly ingest antibiotics in our food. The meat industry uses antibiotics in the feed of cattle to help prevent infections of one kind or another. 
    Our diet could be inadequate because of insufficient minerals, vitamins and enzymes which are important as well.
    Aluminum in cooking utensils and some food packaging, drugs, alcohol and smoking -- all have a negative effect on our body, particularly our immune system.
 
How to Improve the Immune System

    Vitamin C is a great detoxifier, increases your resistance and is very good against stress. You need to take 1 gram of pure vitamin C per day for it to be effective in aiding the miseries of hay fever.  
    Give your body a spring cleaning to encourage detoxification. A couple of days on spring water and grapes, if you are strong minded enough, is a good start.  Buy grapes that have seeds and chew those up as well, because they stimulate the bowel and encourage detoxification. You can eat three or four pounds of grapes a day if you wish to. The good thing about a grape fast is that the natural sugar in the fruit keeps your blood sugar levels intact and helps prevent the severe lassitude that can be experienced.  
    Chlorella supplements twice a day are also good.  Not only is chlorella a good detoxifier, but it is also 60% protein and contains a broad range of nutrients including the all-essential amino acids and is also high in vitamin A.  It also contains Quercetin, which is a bioflavonoid recently found to have natural antihistamine qualities.  Chlorella is available in most health food stores.
    If you are very "stuffed up", try an inhalation of camphor and eucalyptus oil.  A few drops in boiling water works wonders, or you can now buy a very reasonably priced facial inhaler, available in most large pharmacies.
    So don't despair if you are a hay fever sufferer, there are certainly things you can do to help yourself.  One last piece of advice: refrain from eating sugar in any form during the hay fever season. Allergy thrives on sugar, so turn your back as the ice cream truck comes into view. You can have strawberries, but forget the sugar.  It really is worth it, taking good care of yourself. 

A Reflexology Treatment Plan for Hay Fever, etc.

    You can do more to relieve unpleasant allergy symptoms with regular treatments of reflexology, which are beneficial in helping all manner of allergic conditions.
    We need to go back to basics and begin treating the whole person. Reflexology treatments will help to detoxify the body and improve immunity. Encourage your patient to commence treatment approximately six weeks before the "worst time".
    Give your treatment once a week, and then during the attack as well. You will usually find that the hay fever is far less severe if the treatments are started before the hay fever starts.
Foot Reflexology Zones



























The Reflexology Treatment

Beginning with the right foot:

1.   Work out all the toes. These represent the sinuses in the head and will relieve the congested nasal areas. Supporting the right foot with your left hand, use the right thumb and work out all the areas of the toes. Use tiny forward-creeping movements.

    Repeat the same procedure for the left foot.

2.   To help the sensitivity in the eyes work out the eye reflex on the second toe on the right foot by making small rotations.  Repeat the same technique on the left foot.

3.   To concentrate just on the nostril area, apply pressure to the inside edge of the right big toe. Place your thumb on the point and sustain a deep pressure for up to two minutes. You will find that this will bring about a great relief almost instantaneously, and will free the nasal passage. Repeat the same procedure on the left toe.

4.   If you work out the digestive system this will help any food allergies, which will ultimately affect both the nose and lungs, and the skin. First you need to work out the liver, stomach and intestinal area which will be found on the right foot.

    Supporting the foot as shown, work out the areas between the diaphragm line and the heel line with small forward-creeping movements of the thumb. Always work in a forward direction, never go backwards.

    Change to the left foot and work out the same area, however this will represent the stomach, pancreas and continuation of the intestinal area.

5. We need to work out the lung area which could well be affected by the frequent attacks of hay fever. Support the right foot with your left hand and using the right thumb, work up the area from the diaphragm line to the join of the toes to the feet.

    Repeat the same procedure on the left foot.
6. End your session by using the metatarsal kneading.


Reflexology Hay Fever Treatment Technique


Check back here soon for new Tips & Techniques!
All Reflexology