Reflexology for Relief of Plantar Fasciitis?

Recently I shared a story about reflexology for plantar fasciitis. Today I came across this article that I would love to share with you. It is written by a respected fellow reflexologist. The understanding of this painful challenge is well defined and concludes with a quote from Dr. Andrew Weil indicating his prescriptive endorsement of reflexology for this and other health conditions. Whether you or a loved one are struggling with plantar fasciitis or think you might be, this blog entry will give you some great suggestions: A Quiet Sole: Reflexology

Will This Amazing Adoption Story Be Told?

For the last several months our son has poured much of his life and his time into telling the story of the Weimer family's generous hearts and passion for adoption as their family of five has opened their homes first to three siblings from Ethiopia and are now traveling back to Ethiopia to bring home three more precious children. All was going quite well and the plane tickets purchased for David to travel with them to film the story of their growing family, their passion for orphans and adoption, and the story of ordinary people doing the extraordinary to make the world a little bit better place.

Just after purchasing the ticket, the adoption organization which has been most helpful and encouraging about this opportunity shared with David and the family that there would be some serious hoops to jump through and permits to obtain before being allowed to film in Ethiopia. His camera would be confiscated at the gate without these permits. For more on the Weimer's story and for a few more details on the travel challenges you may visit Ethiopia's Calling blog.

Prayers for an efficient handling of the paperwork and permissions needed would be an extreme blessing to all of us!!!

Plantar Fasciitis or Blocked Energy?

"Guess what? I went to see a reflexologist. I didn't have plantar fasciitis at all. I had blocked energy, and my feet are all better now."

A friend and fellow bodywork practitioner shared that one of her clients had been asking what she could do for plantar fasciitis. The clt. had taken a new job where she was on her feet on concrete floors many hours each day. Her feet hurt very badly, she believed it to be plantar fasciitis, and she was looking for a quick fix rather than a modality that would take many sessions to bring her healing.

My friend believed it would take several sessions if it were truly plantar fasciitis -- it probably would have. The above quote was from their follow-up conversation. Why is this being brought up here on Footsteps In Eden's blog?

What's interesting to note is that "plantar fasciitis" has become a real popular word ... quite a buzz about it... great collective condition for any inflammation on the sole of the feet. The plantar surface of the foot is the sole of the foot. Fasciitis is an inflammation usually of some of the structural connective tissue in the foot. So the term "plantar fasciitis" could be used for any type of inflammation on the soles of the feet.

Do we believe we have some magical cure for plantar fasciitis? Not at all. However, regular reflexology sessions do relax the body, improve circulation, and make feet feel wonderful. . . Perhaps reflexology is the perfect way for you to release some of the areas of inflammation and blocked energy in your body and your feet.

In the Memphis, TN area? We would love to serve you at Footsteps In Eden Reflexology.

Above photo from StockVault.

Grossly Under Reported Amounts of Pharmaceuticals in Your Drinking Water

It seems crazy sometimes to purchase those packs of bottled water that actually cost us more per gallon than a gallon of gasoline! That is especially true if we fail to pay attention to the sources of that bottled water. Recent news articles have been informing us that we are often times purchasing bottled tap water with all the same impurities we can run into a glass right from our own kitchen faucet. With all those warnings in mind, many of us are carefully selecting the purified waters we are believing are from the most reliable sources. Personally, I have been choosing spring waters since those are reported to have a better track record than the supposed "purified" varieties.

Pharmaceutical contaminations, one reported impurity in drinking water supplies, have been, in part, responsible for the move toward the bottled waters. This article just released by the AP is quite lengthy. I challenge you, however, to read the entire article. The accumulations of pharmaceutical contamination of our water supplies is unprecedented, grossly under-reported and definitely blindly ignored by pharmaceutical and other manufacturers. That's simply because the laws are written (or unwritten) in such a way that there is NO reason for these company to do so.

Does anyone know of grass roots movements to work against these companies? They have so much cash and so little conscience. How does the average person like you or I even begin to protect our families? One little bottle of water at a time, or a filter for the home? That seems such small peanuts compared to the immensity of the issue.

The numbers and extent of health issues that are exacerbated by this pollution may not even be comprehended at this point. What about 7 generations from now? What about our sweet little children and grandchildren and their children? What about the wildlife?

What about all the "chemical imbalances" in the brain? What of the growing problem of infertility? What about dementia and alzheimers? I wonder how many of these challenges and more are growing with such fervor because of the contamination of our food and water supplies? Perhaps ignorance is bliss, but I'm angry that big business is the ability to impose these threats onto the people of our country (and the world) and there just seems we have so little recourse.

Thankfully, there are those that are investigating and reporting these atrocities to bring awareness of the growing concerns. Join me in praying that their voices (and ours) will be heard and that change is coming!

Above photo from StockVault.
Please note that it is a picture of a waterway only and is not necessarily a polluted one. Photo is used strictly to portray the idea of water and waterways.

Reflexology for Summertime Feet

Recently stumbled across this comment in roaming around lots of great blogs out there: "Every barefoot adventure should come with a reflexologist included." I couldn't agree more!

Thankfully, the days are warming up a bit. Sandal and barefoot weather are just around the corner. You may have even taken that step already on a few of the warmer days. We've all seen the outcome of running barefoot and wearing sandals all summer. The elements we encounter do tend to do some damage -- blisters, callouses, dry rough skin, etc...you know all about that. Those callouses and rough skin may keep some areas of your feet from receiving the stimulation the various reflex points require to keep all the organs in your body functioning optimally. Those barefoot adventures coming with a reflexologist is surely a potential feel good health & wellness experience extraordinaire!

The Cost of the Burial Spices -- The Cost of Salvation

"Joseph from Arimathea was one of Jesus' disciples. He had kept it secret though, because he was afraid of the Jewish leaders. But now he asked Pilate to let him have Jesus' body. Pilate gave him permission, and Joseph took it down from the cross.

Nicodemus also came with about seventy-five pounds of spices made from myrrh and aloes. This was the same Nicodemus who had visited Jesus one night. The two men wrapped the body in a linen cloth, together with the spices, which was how the Jewish people buried their dead."

John 19:38-40 (Contemporary English Version)

The love, respect, and reverence these two men held for Jesus, their Lord and their Savior, was unbelievable. So must have been their wealth. Joseph provided a tomb. (If anyone has had to plan a funeral recently you know that was a large contribution.) Nicodemus also spent with abandon bringing aloes and myrrh. In their sorrow and in keeping with the customs these men offered costly and priceless worship to their King.

From the Scripture we learn that Jewish people typically wrapped their dead in linen with spices for burial. It would be most surprising if they ordinarily used aloes and myrrh, but here it is explicitly spelled out. Aloes (commonly known as sandalwood today) and myrrh are and were, even then, extrememly expensive spices. In today's market the 75 pounds of aloes and myrrh were sell for $150,000-$200,000. That's the price of a home for many today.

Jesus death was the most lavish gift He could have ever given for any of us. That the Son of God -- Perfect Man -- was willing at all to die for you and me with all of our shortcomings, faults, and YES -- SIN! is totally amazing. How lavish is your love for Him? How lavish is mine?

Tomorrow morning we celebrate His Resurrection once again! The empty tomb! Freedom from sin and Eternal Salvation for all who choose Him as Lord and Savior. Worship Him with abandon!!! Sing and dance and in total love, adoration and thanksgiving for the Risen Jesus Christ!

Startling Stress Statistics . . . Reflexology for Stress Reduction

This photo from Stock Vault photos is entitled, "Releasing the Demons." That is a STRESSFUL thought. In my humble opinion this photo is a depiction of STRESS. . . and STRESS is our topic here!


Look at these STRESS statistics compiled for a recent REFLEXOLOGY presentation.

*7 out of every 10 people who die each year had been living with a chronic illness.
*1 out of every 2 of us in now living with a chronic illness.
*For 3 of every 4 of those with a chronic illness, STRESS may be a contributing factor.
(American Medical Association)

*A full 43% of US adults suffer adverse effects from STRESS.
(American Psychological Association)

*More than 80% of physician office visits are associated with unresolved stress issues.
*Stress is a big factor in more than 75% of all illnesses diagnosed today with many studies putting this figure closer to 90%.
(www.About.com)

*Depression, only one type of stress reaction, is predicted to be the leading occupational disease of the 21st centruy, responsible for more days lost than any other single factor.
*$300 Billion, or $7,500 per employee, is spent annually in the US on stress-related compensation claims, reduced productivity, absenteeism, health insurance costs, direct medical expenses (nearly 50% higher for workers who report stress), and employee turnover.
(www.stressdirections.com)

Are those statistics startling and unsettling to you? After my mind has been blown by them, I'm equally saddened by the same.

How did our culture get to the point where so many are so stressed out? There are many reasons, to be sure, and no simple answers to reversing these disheartening trends. Fact is continuous chronic stress potentially leads to low thyroid function, adrenal fatigue, and eventually adreanal exhaustion where our "fight or flight" glands can no longer keep up with the demands placed upon them. The adrenals, created to kick in during those occasional moments of fright or unusually stressful situations, are being called into full-time active duty. They most likely will not be able to keep pace with the continuous chronic stress attacking from many directions, which many lead to many more health challenges on every level of body, mind and spirit.

While serious lifestyle changes may certainly be called for, and this writer strongly believes most all of us would be healthier for those choices, as stated above there are no simple answers. One excellent tool for controlling stress is REFLEXOLOGY. RELAXATION & STRESS REDUCTION ARE REFLEXOLOGY'S NUMBER ONE BENEFIT. With all of this in mind, it is easy to see how all systems of the body may be positively affected by this therapeutic caring touch.

To learn more about REFLEXOLOGY's benefits for STRESS and MUCH MORE visit About.com's article, "Cancel Out Stress with Reflexology."

Living in the Memphis, TN area? To schedule your own stress relieving REFLEXOLGY session, please visit our Footsteps In Eden site. In other locations a good source for locating professional reflexologists in your area is the website of Reflexology Association of America.

April Blooming Invites You to Footsteps In Eden Reflexology

Clients of Footsteps In Eden have been wowed by the April color palatte of God's incredible creation as they travel the little street to our door. We're amazed, too, every time we glance out the window or wander about our yard. It would be splendid for it to look this amazing year round, but suppose we would never appreciate it so much. Suffice it to say, Memphis shows off big time for a few weeks each Spring, and we are blessed to enjoy an extreme abundance of the glitz and glamour of it all. Reflexology appointments during this season are still available. Your relaxation will begin before you even arrive at your destination.

fMRI Technology Proving Reflexology's Effectiveness

A common question asked about reflexology is, "Is that like accupuncture?" Answering that question is multi-faceted.

Accupuncture uses tiny needles inserted in many places all over the body. Reflexology is totally non-invasive touch therapy on the hands, feet, and ears only. In a recent Footsteps In Eden newsletter I shared about a reflexology technique, meridian toe hold, which definitely incorporates specific accupuncture points. A similarity and a difference -- look for that same article in an upcoming blog entry.

Reflexologists see the foot (and body) in longitudinal zones, with reflex points that mirror the physical body located on the foot along, between, or overlapping these zones. The reflexology zones coincide with the accupuncture meridians. Some of the reflex points may be similarly located as the accupunctures points -- most are not. Reflexologists are, however, very aware of certain accupuncture points as areas to be avoided in some instances, such as in the case of a pregnant woman.

One significant similarity is recent functional magnetic resonance imaging studies, which show that both reflexology and accupuncture do affect the brain (and thus the body) in the ways that have been believed for centuries. In a yahoo news report today actually showed some of that imaging on screen for accupuncture. You may read more about fMRI's and reflexology here.

These scientific discoveries are opening up the world of complementary health care therapies. That offers you greater confidence to take charge of you and your family's health and wellness by looking to proven options that offer an alternative to pharmaceutical drugs.

Ask Questions First When Seeking the Services of a Qualified Reflexologist

When a client recently described her search for a reflexologist, the not necessarily but ought-to-be obvious considerations became a bit more apparent. What questions would a prospective client wish to ask. What information would an outstanding refelxologist find important to share. What questions have my clients asked to which perhaps I could have given a clearer response.

For those serious about the excellent health benefits of reflexology, there really are some important concerns in locating a well qualified reflexologist. Here are a few for you to consider.

1. What is the practitioner's training?

You may wish to do some research and check out the programs/schools they mention, or just hearing that they have actually been to a specialized reflexology program/school may give you the "gut" feeling you need.

2. Is the practitioner certified in reflexology?

TN, where Footsteps In Eden is located, is one of a handful of states that has a separate registration for reflexologists under the Health Related Boards. In TN to be recognized as a Registered Certified Reflexologist (RCR), a reflexologist must be certified (hands on, reflexology only, specified number of hours minimum training). Licensed Massage Therapists (LMT) and Cosmetologists in TN may practice reflexology but may or may not have the specialized training an RCR would have. Ask!

Other states have laws where only LMTs may practice reflexology or they may have NO restrictions whatsoever. In these cases, also, the practitioner may or may not have specialized training in reflexology. Ask questions!

One sure sign that the practitioner probably doesn't have the specialized training is when you ask if they are "a trained reflexologist" the answer is, "Well, they know how to do it." I've heard that one many times. Doesn't give me much confidence.

With specialized training, an added advantage for you would be the probability that the practitioner would more likely be familiar with protocols and areas of emphasis for your personal health challenges.

3. How long do sessions generally last.

You will most likely find 30 min - 90 min sessions depending on the individual practitioner. To complete a basic, but full reflexology protocol takes approx. 1 hour. Shorter sessions will most likely compromise some area of the protocol, but would still be beneficial. There are some situations where a shorter session would certainly be advised, in particular when working with the elderly or children and sometimes during pregnancy for comfort issues of the expectant mom. The hour session also allows the practitioner opportunity to focus in on specific areas that may benefit from additional attention. If any extra pampering and individualized touches are included, the session may last longer than 60 min.

4. What Additional Services/Amennities may be included, if any, with a reflexology session?

Aromatherapy, foot wraps, hot stones, setting, and more . . . .ask about the environment and the experience they have created for your health & well being. Having gone the extra mile in my own practice to provide an oasis experience, Footsteps In Eden offers way above and beyond a great "foot rub." It is a pleasure to treat our clients to reflexology by a highly qualified practitioner along with the extra special touches incorporated here.

5. What are fees for reflexology?

You may find some variance from this, but generally expect to pay between $40 and $100 per/hour for a single session. Fees vary by location and practitioner.

In the Memphis, TN area we certainly invite you to check out our website, then give us a call to schedule your own reflexology session. You'll find our number on the website.

photo page - everystockphoto

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Infertility and Caffeine

Infertility (or subfertility as I've been taught to term it) is an area to which I am particularly drawn in my reflexology practice. The interest became very personal with the difficulties my grown children had in beginning families of their own. My experiences and personal research give me great hope that God may use me along with the giftings which He has given and the skills He has allowed me to acquire, to help couples overcome this challenge through reflexology. What a sacred privilege!

Along my journey of discovery on this topic and the health & wellness issues accompanying it, the premise that caffeine my have a very dramatic affect on fertility presents itself often. Once again this morning while working with a client facing this challenge, God's infinite leading prompted me to ask about her and her husband's caffeine consumption.

Doing a bit of research looking for statistics on the topic, this information from the website Helping Conception came to my attention.

Starting your day off with a cup of joe may help you wake up, but it can put your fertility to sleep. In clinical studies on women, drinking coffee was found to decrease their ability to conceive within 12 months. The more coffee the women drank, the more their fertility rate went down. While women who drank one cup of coffee a day had a 55% increased chance of infertility, women who drank three or more cups of coffee a day were 176% less likely to be able to conceive within a 12-month period.

While this comment mentions women only, similar statistics may be found on the connection between men's fertility and caffeine. It has been suggested that caffeine may give a very quick surge to motility of the sperm. The downside to that is at has also been studied and suggested that the surge is very short lived and then the motility may almost stop.

For those who may be challenged with subfertility issues, whether you or someone you know and love, this may be a very simple but effective key to becoming pregnant.

A small note here: remember that caffeine may be in coffee, tea, colas and other soft drinks as well as chocolate.

Foot Map for Reflexology

>

Learn to read your foot

More about reflexology

Footsteps In Eden Reflexology features a larger size interactive foot map on our website, but thought it might be fun to share this little widget with you. Discover more about reflexology, a great non-invasive touch therapy which melts stress and encourages health through the feet, above and on our website.

Four Veggie Servings in One Tasty Meal!!!

Do you observe a daunting image when you study the food pyramid? After all, it is recommended that you include 3-5 servings of just vegetables, 2-3 servings of meat, fish, beans, poultry, nuts, and 6-11 servings of bread, cereal, rice, and pasta. Some real creativity is definitely in order to include all of these (and more) in one day's menu, and it's recommended we eat like this everyday to help our bodies maintain or improve good health.

What a great find: A full meal recipe (pictured above) from another Memphis blogger promoting health and wellness. Would you believe, 4 servings of veggies, 1-2 servings of rice, and 1-2 servings of fish? And, YES, it was tasty as could be. The hint of sweetness from the maple syrup on the salmon was delightful! Thinking of spinach generally brings to mind images of the baby spinach salad, but this frozen chopped regular spinach blended with the tomatoes, rice, and steamed carrots was such a treat! And then strips of avocado on the side. The meal was seasoned with additional flavors of dill, fennel, pepper and almond. YUMMY!!!!

Tonya Tittle, owner and director of training at Energy Fitness in Memphis, has several other recipes included on her blog. Be sure to visit and have a taste test. You will find the recipe here. Spending a bit more time on Tonya's blog, I believe you will find some very tasty and healthy new additions to your menus. Some may become your family favorites!

Fresh Salmon Entree from Energy Fitness

Fresh salmon...baked, broiled, grilled, chopped in sushi, prepared most any way is one of those favorites for my palate. This photo looks yummy, but what I would truly like to share today is pictured on another blog I'm following.
Energy Fitness, Memphis has posted what looks to be one delicious fresh salmon meal. It is definitely on my list of meals for the week...eager to give you a report on its delectable qualities!!! You'll find a beautiful and enticing photo of the prepared dish on their blog. Definitely a healthy choice with portion controls in place.

Winter Wonderland in Memphis

You might know it. The biggest snow in Memphis since 1968, and I was out of town! Nashville got some of it, but nothing like Memphis. Having moved here from snow country in 1970, I was very sad to have missed seeing all of this before it went the way of Frosty the snowman when the sun did its thing.

Forgetting my camera was a big bummer -- no pictures with little Isaac. The silver lining in that is I do have a couple photos to share shot Sunday with my forgotten camera. Thanks to my hubby who was at home!

Most thankful that I did not have to drive in it. My son-in-law was also in Nashville over the weekend. (I wasn't planning to come home until Monday -- Thank You, Jesus!) His adventures making the "drive" home, having left Nashville on Saturday afternoon, were quite intense. The normal 3 hour drive became a 21 hour drama. Thankful that we are all safely home again.

Crown of Flowers Buried in Winter Wonderland

Twist me a crown of wind-flowers;
That I may fly away
To hear the singers at their song,
And players at their play.

Put on your crown of wind-flowers:
But whither would you go?
Beyond the surging of the sea
And the storms that blow.

Alas! Your crown of wind-flowers
Can never make you fly:
I twist them in a crown today,
And tonight they die.

from SING-SONG: A NURSERY RHYME BOOK by Christina Rosetti

Last week I added this little poem to an "eventual" post. It seemed so appropriate today. Allow me to share.

Those beautiful jonquil photos I posted a few weeks ago...the display had become even more prolific and such a bright delight of the season ahead...almost able to touch that feeling of dancing on the spring breezes. Yesterday, my husband cut a few of those flowers, and delivered his bouquet via cell phone. Today the rest have been laid to rest, buried and frozen in the 8 inches of ice and snow that turned Memphis into a winter wonderland...a rare sight in our area. Indeed, "I twist them in a crown today and tonight they die."

Thankful to be warm and safe with my daughter-in-law and precious grandson in the Nashville area. My son-in-law was also in the area this weekend for school. He left at 3 pm yesterday. (It's 11:30 am right now.) It's a 3 hour drive to Memphis. Last we heard he was stuck at a truck diner about 30 miles from home...making himself at home cooking for the other stranded travelers. I know his girls will all be very happy to see him when he finally steps through the door of home once more...thankful now for the blessing that he is safe.

Scheduled to return to Memphis myself tomorrow, all prayers are coveted for clear roads and an uneventful trip. Perhaps there will be a few photos to share with you then.

Birds & Books with Lessons to Share

Bright little winter birds
coming to feed,
One takes a crumb,
another a seed.
Each takes a portion,
according to need.

Good little winter birds,
teach us your creed!

from MORNING IS A LITTLE CHILD by Joan Walsh Anglund

So many reasons to share this little poem with you today...copyright in 1969, 40 years later it speaks volumes to the conditions we have created for ourselves and our world. Each of us focusing on our needs rather than our greedy and gluttonous appetites for every dazzling trinket we behold would conserve incredible resources for the generations to come.

My daughter-in-law has recently blogged about "Children's Books as Heirlooms." She photographed several of our treasured volumes. Thinking about our conversations surrounding that topic, I remembered this book, which was one of my daughter's very favorite. She had every beautiful verse memorized. I remember our discussions of this particular one and how God does meet our needs. When he gives us even so much more, what blessings we receive. We choose to have hearts of gratitude for both our needs and the gifts beyond, and learn to be much contented with our true needs met.

Spending time together with your child discovering truths, values, ideas, stories that will encourage and inspire them for a life time must be another element in a life of health and wellness for the body, mind, and spirit! Another reason this just seemed to fit so well into thoughts and ideas offered to you. You will find great ideas for sharing books with your children on Amy's blog.

My daughter turns 33 in less than two weeks. This is still a cherished book on our family bookshelf. I'm looking forward to her 2 precious little girls loving it, too! Perhaps this would be best kept as a post for her birthday, but I'm eager to share today.


The photograph above:
In the Wood | photo page - everystockphoto

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Juniper, Tiny Detail May = Great Rx

"But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree; and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take my life, for I am not better than my fathers."
I Kings 19:4 (New American Standard Bible)

He sat down under a juniper tree -- of what importance was the type of tree anyway that the author of I Kings was inspired to include this tidbit in his writing. That question jumped out at me as I studied I Kings 18 & 19 in preparation to lead the women's Sunday School class this week. The author's focus is "The Faith Test." (You may wish to read the account to refresh your memory on the details. The NIV calls it a broom tree, by the way. King James and New American Standard refer to a Juniper tree.)

Elijah's faith is certainly being put to the test here. He has just asked God to call down fire on the very wet offering in the showdown with Baal's followers. WOW! Has he ever seen some incredible proof of The Living God! So did all the Baal followers; and now Elijah's life is threatened. In just a few short verses we find him sitting under a tree bemoaning his condition to The Living God -- the same ONE. Eventually, Elijah did hear God in the midst of his life seemingly gone awry. . . but why under the Juniper tree?

Here comes the aromatherapist part of me seeking some insight. It's just no mere incidental that the author of I Kings was divinely inspired to include the make & model of the tree. Juniper has historically been used for physical and spiritual purification. It's aromatic influence is noted today for evoking feelings of health, love, and peace and may help to elevate one's spiritual awareness. Sounds like exactly the Rx Elijah needed. Isn't God's Word just full of amazing details!?!?!

Photo above, "Beautiful Tree at Echo Lake" is by Jessica Merz from the Every Stock Photo website.


If you would like to experience the benefits of juniper just as Elijah did, pure therapeutic grade Juniper Essential Oil and essential oils diffuser are available today from Young Living Essential Oils.

Sing & Dance for Your One True Valentine!

Hallelujah! Sing to God a brand-new song,
praise him in the company of all who love him.
Let all Israel celebrate their Sovereign Creator,
Zion's children exult in their King.
Let them praise his name in dance;
strike up the band and make great music!
And why? Because God delights in his people,
festoons plain folk with salvation garlands!
Psalm 149:1-3 (THE MESSAGE)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Please Enjoy this Video

A facebook friend just shared this video. It is beautiful. The interaction between the fawn and the kitty is just so precious and tender. ENJOY!!!