Health and wellness through reflexology

I have plan to write a series of articles by providing essential and useful links, resources about pressure therapy which is called 'reflexology or shiatsu. As I have personally used this therapy to heal minor health problems, I would like to share this experience with all. The first post of this series is how this reflexology or shiatsu system can bring health and wellness for humans?

'Reflexology' is based on the principle that certain points on the feet and hands, called reflex points, correspond to various parts of the body and that by applying pressure to these points in a systematic way, a practitioner can help to release tensions and encourage the body’s natural healing processes.

'International Academy of Medical Reflexology' explains: What reflexology does?

Reflexology allows the body to self-correct, and to do for itself. Every time a person has his/her feet worked on, it is an examination, an evaluation, or a re-evaluation. This is accomplished through first doing a visual observation, and then by applying an exercise pressure upon relax areas to achieve a specific, highly specialized relaxation in that area of the body. This improves the nerve, blood, and lymphatic supply. The entire foot is assessed; and throughout the session, whenever a trouble (sore) spot shows up, more time is spent on that area of the foot reflex. By working on that area, the corresponding part of the body receives improved nerve, blood and lymphatic supply, in addition to working all 12 systems of the body: cardio-vascular, central nervous, digestive, endocrine, immune, lymphatic, muscular, reproductive, respiratory, sensory, skeletal, and urinary.

The purpose of the nerves is to carry messages and instruct the body. When the nerves improve that instruct the body, the instruction has to improve, the body has to improve. Every nerve in the body begins and ends in the hands and feet. By applying this specialized exercise pressure on the foot, the outcome is improved instruction to each and every part of the body, resulting in a re-educating, a re-patterning, and a re-conditioning of the nerves& instruction through the reflex/neutral electrical system of the body.

The purpose of the blood is to transport nutrition, glucose, and oxygen to all parts of the body. The blood travels approximately 168,000 miles per day to supply about 60 trillion cells in the body. The heart pumps about 103,000 times per day.

It is in the hands and feet that blood transfers from arteries to veins to return back to the heart. This is the reason why the feet must be flexible and dexterous. Stress, which can be responsible for 80 percent to 90 percent of ailments, can act like a tourniquet, wrapping around the body, squeezing so tightly that it causes an impediment of blood flow which results in an ischemic condition. Since the capillaries feed the functioning part of the body, we are only as healthy as our capillaries.

Again, by using this specific, relaxation technique, reflexology is able to relax a specific area of the body enough to improve the blood supply to that area. This will then allow improved transportation of the nutrition, glucose and oxygen which that area of the body desperately needs to function or to regulate. It is essential to remember that we are not only what we eat, we are what we supply to our cells, and then assimilate.

The purpose of the lymphatic system is to cleanse and purify the body and lubricate the muscles. A healthy system is a cleansed system; congestion is disease. The absence of balance in the body is disease. The lymphatic system cannot cleanse or purify very well if it is weak, sick or congested. A healthy person's body will rid itself of at least eight pounds or toxic waste per day through the four channels of elimination: kidneys, bowels, skin and the breath. The lymph flows in one direction only, toward the heart; also every lymphatic vessel begins and ends in the hands and feet. By using this specific, highly specialized relaxation technique (reflexology) we are persuading the body to correct, strengthen, and reinforce itself.

Reflexology, which is not invasive but persuasive, can enable the body to obtain and maintain this healthy condition. In essence, healthy, strong feet are attached to a healthy, strong body.

* 'Reflexology hand charts'

* 'Reflexology of the hands'

Related posts:

* "Finger Tips" - A blog about Message Therapy

* When a journalist devoted his life for a volunteer purpose!

Get a free handwriting analysis

Your handwriting can reveal your character and in other words it can help you knowing yourself or others to achieve personal growth. Self awareness is the way to judge your own self as well as others which can guide you to make balanced decisions during life time.

Graphology is the study of handwriting and by highlighting your character traits graphology may provide you with a new direction in life.

If you can face up to your strengths and weaknesses, honestly and objectively, you can lay the foundations for more understanding relationships with others, both in your personal life, and at work.

Many aspects of your personality will be known to you but responses to people and situations are complex, often made below the level of conscious awareness. If you can appreciate why you feel and react as you do it is possible to reach a level of inner harmony.

'Online handwriting analysis'

Confucius, who wrote: "Beware of the man whose writing sways like a reed in the wind." The first extensive work on handwriting analysis dates to 1622, when an Italian physician named Camillo Baldi published A Method to Recognize the Nature and Quality of a Writer from His Letters. In this book, Baldi stated the fundamental premise that continues to guide handwriting analysis today: "It is obvious that all persons write in their own peculiar way 'Characteristic forms' cannot be truly imitated by anybody else." In other words, like snowflakes, every person's writing is unique.

Useful links: 'British Institute of Graphologists'

Get online support for your diet plan

It is always better to get advice and suggestion about your health concerns and diet plan. If you are worried about your weight gain and don't know where to start checking your calorie intake or plan to start exercise to make you fit, then internet provides lots of helpful information regarding weight loss or diet. 'Calorie Connect' is one of those sites which offers free information about supporting you with your diet plan.

'Calorie Connect' is an online utility based site which helps you to maintain your diet while providing you nutrient and calorie information from your foods.

It offers interactive personal nutrition and exercise information health conscious people need to make positive choices about their physical health and well being.

Mission: 'People can achieve and maintain a healthy physical lifestyle by accurately recording their diet and exercise information, and then acting positively to improve their numbers until they reach their wellness goals. To assist people in their quest to achieve their goals we have created a service that is statistically detailed while also being user-friendly. By regularly accessing their personalized pages on the Calorie Connect website our members can see at a glance if they are hitting their nutrition and exercise targets.'

How the site helps you?

You get detailed food consumption information, exercise data, and personalized charts and tables

You get detailed personal analysis on the calories you consume and burn. Their nutrition and profile pages help our you keep track of fourteen essential nutrients. Their xercise page allows you to record exercise activities and to assess progress towards weekly and monthly goals. At last you get the report containing detailed nutrient and exercise information.

The best thing about the site:
Calorie Connect membership is free. There are no fees or hidden costs for accessing any part of the Calorie connect website.

To become a member you need to provide some information like your height, weight, sex, and age data to create a personal profile.

Start from here: Calorie Connect

Health benefits of fish oil

I remember my childhood getting a daily dose of a golden color capsule during winter. It was tasteless so we didn't argue in swallowing that stuff. After getting maturity I knew that it was cod liver oil capsule.

What is the fish oil?
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are the main components of fish oil.

If we talk about 'fish oil benefits' there is a good list of diseases which can be prevented by regular use of fish oil.

Health benefits of fish oil include decreased risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, improvement in rheumatoid arthritis, prevention of macular degeneration, and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

There is also evidence that fish oil consumption is beneficial for patients with depression, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease. Finally, several studies have confirmed that fish oils, especially DHA, are essential for optimum development of an infant's brain and visual acuity.

What dose is sufficient to get the health benefits?

Minimum daily intake of about 500 mg of EPA + DHA is required to achieve meaningful benefits.

A recent study involving Canadian children between the ages of 4 and 8 years found that 78% of them did not meet the recommended intake for children. Researchers from the University of Waterloo report that residents of retirement homes are also likely to be deficient in EPA + DHA. Their study involved 15 residents (7 male and 8 female) aged between 79 and 98 years. The EPA and DHA content of their meals, snacks, and supplements was determined by actual measurement in duplicate food and supplement samples. Their blood level of fatty acids was determined from fingertip prick blood samples. The average (mean) daily intake of EPA + DHA was only 121 mg (median of 53 mg/day).

But are there any fish oil side effects?

Yes there are some side effects which may be:

- Gastrointestinal complaints
- Thinning of blood
- Allergic reaction
- Low blood pressure
- Fish oil supplement may be toxic

For details: 'fish oil'

So it is advised to consult your doctor or health concerning person to ask for suggestion about daily intake of fish oil.

Useful links:

* 'Health benefits of fish oil'

* 'Latest research and health benefits of fish oil'

Bring a change in your life for better health

'Change 4 Life' helps you bring change in your life for better health. You would be able to get helpful information, tools and tips at the site.

How it helps us change our life to better?

The movement will help to make behaviors around diet and physical activity more high profile and will provide accessible, friendly and encouraging support to implement changes.

There are 8 healthy behaviors that can help you live a better life:

The site suggests:

1. Swapping food and drink with added sugar for options that are lower in sugar or sugar-free. We're calling this ‘sugar swaps’.
2. Making sure kids eat at least five portions of a variety of fruit and veg every day. We're using the name that parents are already familiar with: 5 A DAY.
3. 2.3 Making time for regular meals to help avoid unhealthy eating habits. We're calling this ‘meal time’.
4. Setting a limit on the number of snacks and treats kids have each day. We're calling this ‘snack check’.
5. Making sure kids eat the right sized portions for their age and size. We're calling this ‘me size meals’.
6. Taking simple steps to eat less fat by comparing food labels, swapping certain foods for others and changing the way food is cooked and prepared. We're calling this ‘cut back fat’.
7. Making sure kids do at least 60 minutes of physical activity - like playing outside, walking or swimming - every day. We're calling this ‘60 active minutes’.
8. Limiting ‘sitting down’ activities, like watching TV or playing computer games, and encouraging kids to do something more active. We're calling this ‘up and about’.

These all behavior changes are sure ways to bring change in our lifestyle and

The site provides all the stuff for free and registration is also free for all so let's make our life more meaningful and healthier by bringing change in our lives.

Have an online family doctor for your health needs

If you search the net for health related information, there are many health related sites where you can look for all the related terms or information.

Do you think that still you are more comfortable having chat with your family doctor about any kind of health problem or information?

But 'Organized Wisdom' claims to fulfill this need of 'having a doctor in the family' where you can find all online information which your family doctor can provide you or suggest you.

'Organized Wisdom' provides search results for the most popular health search terms and phrases without the clutter, redundant links or index spam typically found in search engines. Site is user friendly and getting the specific information about any topic is easy.

- OrganizedWisdom.com is the first expert-guided search service for health.

- WisdomCards feature the Top 10 online resources on more than 100,000 health topics and are updated regularly by physicians and search guides.

- OrganizedWisdom was named to PC Magazine's list of Top Websites of 2008.

It is an organized effort of physicians to collect the world’s best health wisdom from across the Web and provide it via 'Organized Wisdom'

They say:

'Our innovative publishing platform has become the most authoritative way to help people find the best online health information. The site's expert-curated content, called WisdomCards, organizes "The Top 10" online health resources on more than 100,000 health topics. WisdomCards are updated regularly by physicians and expert guides. Click here to visit our most popular health centers and learn more.'

Home remedies for kidney stones

Few years back I realized that I am getting symptoms which clearly show that I may get kidney stones. From few months I was suffering from lower back pain and felt that the pain was very noticeable whenever I was dehydrated. Severe hot and cold weather makes this condition worse as I feel a continues discomfort feeling at right side of my lower back. During my visit to doctor and taking my antibiotic course I searched the net for more information. I believe that prevention is the best medicine and home remedies are best ways to keep ourselves safe from health risks.

The site "Kidney stone symptoms" is one of those sites which is specially for only this topic and gives very detailed information about the topic.

I was really amazed to see the 'home remedy' portion of the site as I didn't get good stuff at top health sites.

Effective home remedies for kidney stones:

* 'For preventing the kidney stone from formations, the first home treatment of kidney stone is to develop a habit of taking lots and lots of fluid in the form of water and fruit juices. It is one of the effective home treatments for kidney stones. This type of consumption of water in extreme level assists to crack the stones and make them ready to melt gradually with urine. The regular habit of drinking water makes these kidney stones absolutely eliminated.

* Avoidance of the calcium supplements is also a part of the home treatment of kidney stones. It is seen that kidney stone formation is due to intake of calcium and calcium products. Instead of calcium, there should be use of magnesium supplement.

* If you are suffering from the calcium stones, then the first thing you have to do is to cut down as much as salt. It is beneficial for you to prevent intake of salt or else you have to take 2 to 3 grams of salt every day.

* Another preferred option at home is eating of watermelon, which is an effective fruit for people who are suffering from kidney stones. The main advantage of this fruit is that it consists of plenty of water and so it assists to dissolve the kidney stones very speedily.

* Tomato juice is also an effective supplement for the kidney stones. So drinking of one glass fresh tomato juice at morning is one of the effective home treatments of kidney stones.

* Likewise, tomato juice, fruit like grapes have an outstanding diuretic worth only because of high consumption of water and potassium salt in it. The low albumin and sodium chloride in this fruit lessen the pain of kidney stones. Therefore, the main objective of this home treatment of kidney stones is to make aware sufferers to eat grapes as much as possible.'


- Read the full post here: Home Treatment For Kidney Stones