What would You do if you were Justin Bieber?

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What would You do if you were Justin Bieber?

You may have recently seen in the news that Justin Bieber, a Canadian pop singer, has been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. So what is Ramsay Hunt syndrome and how common is it?

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After you have recovered from chickenpox, the virus continues to stay dormant in your body, usually without any consequences. If our immune system is compromised due to stress or long term illness or if we are over 60 (when there is an increased risk), this inactive virus may be activated and result in shingles.

Shingles produce a painful rash with blisters that may be very itchy and often extremely painful, usually on one side of the body or face. They tend to dry up within two weeks and usually clear within four weeks. Antivirals are only effective within the first 72 hours and vaccines are available.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome occurs when shingles affect the facial nerve, near your ears. It can lead to facial paralysis, difficulty closing your eye, dizziness, tinnitus and loss of hearing in the affected ear. Early treatment with antivirals and steroids, can prevent complications and long term facial muscle weakness and deafness.

This can sound quite scary and it is, but remember it is a rare condition. If the nerve isn’t greatly damaged, recovery occurs within a few weeks. If damage is more severe, recovery may take months or be less effective. Early treatment is therefore, essential.

What would you do if you were Justin Bieber? As well as medication, apparently he is doing facial exercise to strengthen the muscles in in face. Reflexology can also help. The endocrine and nervous systems are stimulated, along with the lymphatic system to clear the virus and reinnervate the nerves. It has been shown to be really effective, along with acupuncture, especially in the treatment of pain.

Facial reflexology will also specifically work the facial nerve. It stimulates all muscles on the face as it works against the muscles to lift them. It uses a combination of Chinese energy meridians, acupressure points and Vietnamese nerve points to address any areas of numbness or paralysis.

The picture below shows a lady who had facial paralysis and was treated with Facial reflexology for many months. The results are amazing.

Although this lady had facial paralysis as a result of surgery and not Ramsay Hunt syndrome, facial reflexology could assist all those with facial paralysis, no matter the cause.

So what would you do if you were Justin Bieber? I would certainly consult my general practitioner and get expert advice and necessary medications, but I wouldn’t hesitate to try complementary therapies to speed up my recovery. I just hope someone tells Justin about facial reflexology!

Warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

References: https://www.knowshingles.com.au, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ramsay-hunt-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351783, https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/06/11/ramsay-hunt-syndrome-justin-bieber/, https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/diseases-conditions/ramsay-hunt-syndrome. Photo from Lone Sorensen – International Institue of Reflexology.

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.

first aid tools

Can Facial Reflexology be used as a First Aid tool?

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First aid

If you asked me, can Facial Reflexology be used as a first aid tool, my answer would be, definitely! I’m not talking about a life or death situation, though there is a resuscitation point on the face, but I’m discussing those aches and pains that can disrupt our lives when they present. Knowing a few ‘first aid’ techniques that you can easily use, can make all the difference.

Our face contains many neurological pathways that connect directly with the Brain. Our brain sends messages to our nervous and endocrine systems to bring about a response. Dien Chan Facial Reflexology was originally developed in Vietnam by an acupuncturist, Professor Chau.

He first used it to treat those who were ill and addicted to drugs following the Vietnam War. He initially used needles, but later found that working certain points on the face using only his fingers, was equally effective. It was also more affordable, for the many who would benefit from his services.

He found that certain points were more painful than others and were specific for a particular symptom. A reflex point will only react if there is an imbalance or disease process in the organ. These tools I’m about to mention, do not replace a medical consultation. They do however, help relieve pain and discomfort until you can receive further treatment if needed.

Many of us suffer from the occasional Headache. For some it is more severe and others may even get Migraines. Try these facial nerve points next time you start to feel a headache coming on. You may very well find that you don’t need any further intervention. You can find a facial reflex chart here: https://solevitality.com.au/headache-handout/

Back pain is a very common symptom and can occur as a result of poor posture, lifestyle, sprains and strains, a lack of fitness or due to a disease process. It can be extremely debilitating and can cause significant disruption to your life. These facial points may help ease muscle spasms and relieve the pain. The corresponding chart can be found here: https://solevitality.com.au/back-pain-handout/

I sometimes wake with a sore neck, especially if I have slept awkwardly or stayed somewhere with uncomfortable pillows. It can feel really painful to have restricted movement of your head and may sometimes lead to an accompanying headache. Try these points next time you wake with a stiff neck. They can work very quickly to relieve any discomfort. Find them here: https://solevitality.com.au/neck-pain/

Do you every overeat or get abdominal cramps if you have eaten something that disagrees with you? Maybe you have had a stomach bug with abdominal spasms? I recently had some gut issues and although I needed medical intervention and consequently medication, these nerve points helped relieve a lot of my discomfort, while I was waiting for the medication to work. You can use these points whenever you have an upset stomach or abdominal cramps. Follow this link here: https://solevitality.com.au/gut-or-abdominal-pain/

This next reflex point is also known as a Resuscitation point. If someone collapses, obviously call for an ambulance and start whatever First aid is warranted. This point however, has been found to be very useful for fainting or to expel a foreign body if someone is choking. If ever you are feeling faint yourself, you can work this point too. You can find it here: https://solevitality.com.au/resuscitation-point/

These are just a few examples of how Facial Reflexology can be used as a First Aid tool. Often these nerve points will ease the symptoms without further intervention being needed. Sometimes when the pain persists, these points will support you until you can receive additional help and remember, always seek medical assistance if pain persists or becomes a serious issue.

It’s very easy to pop a pill whenever pain strikes but many medications have side effects. Of course, medication may be needed for a disease process or chronic condition but if sudden pain strikes, try these nerve reflex points to see if they can make a difference. You may be surprised at how effective they are.

Warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

References: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/back-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20369906, Multireflexology Dien Chan by Patrick Cassara and Anna Roca.

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.

relaxation, well being, pain free

Taking the Power out of Pain

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Relaxation, mindfulness, pain free.

Taking the power out of Pain is possible.

We have all experienced pain at some time in our lives. It may be from a headache, a cut to your finger, a broken bone or from a disease process. Many people live with chronic pain. Many others suffer emotional pain from heartache, a broken relationship, abandonment, loss or grief.

Pain has been described as an unpleasant sensory or emotional experience that can start as a mild discomfort or something more severe. It can be just an irritation or it can be agonising and we all experience it in different ways. This is dependent on the actual pain and our tolerance to it and is also influenced by our attitudes, beliefs, personality and social factors. It can affect our emotional and mental wellbeing and totally dominate our lives.

We can however, take the power out of Pain. What do I mean by this? We can look at the power and attention we give to our pain and change this. We can change our attitude towards pain and our focus on it. I am by no means, diminishing the extent of the pain that you may be feeling. Pain is real and if we are in severe pain, our whole life can be dominated by it.

However we can address the response we give to pain. Pain is influenced by emotions, and the cycle of pain and emotions are connected. Emotions may also affect physical change. For example, when you are anxious or angry, your muscles may tighten, and this change can contribute to increased pain. Our thoughts also influence how we feel pain. If we are anxious, our sense of pain heightens and we feel more pain and become more stressed, which in turn exacerbates the pain. Pain will also affect our sleep and if we can’t sleep, we don’t cope so well with any discomfort we may be feeling.

So what can we change? How can we live more comfortably with pain?

The first step is to acknowledge and accept that you have Pain. This may sound rather obvious as your body is screaming at you that you are definitely uncomfortable, but by taking this step you are starting to take back control. You are acknowledging what is there and now you can do something about it.

Pain does not define you! It is something you are currently living with but it is not who you are. Recognise this because it means that you still have a life outside of your physical and emotional feelings.

Stay informed about measures you can take in your life. If you need to take medication then become aware of what is available. Look at complementary therapies that can help too. Facial Reflexology is a very powerful therapy used in the treatment of pain. Regular treatments will reduce stress and inflammation and improve the nerve supply and circulation to help ease your discomfort. Specific charts can be designed for your particular area of pain so you can take back some control and become involved in your own care.

Practice meditation and deep breathing. This helps reduce stress and relaxes your body and takes the focus off any negative thoughts you may be experiencing. Engage in some exercise every day. Even if it’s a short walk outside. Do what you enjoy. Every time you move your body, you are helping strengthen your muscles, bones and joints. You are also reducing stress and improving your sleep. Just try it for short periods and increase when you feel more able to.

Look at your diet. Try and avoid foods that cause inflammation, as inflammation in the body stimulates the immune response. A heightened immune system, that is, one that’s always on alert, will affect our nervous system. This stimulates the brain to produce hormones, such a cortisol, that bring on anxiety and depression, rather than our ‘feel good hormones such as serotonin, that make us feel better. If our bodies are stressed or inflamed, they become more sensitive to pain, so that pain management techniques may not be as effective.

Foods that cause inflammation include dairy, refined flours, sugar, cakes, biscuits, vegetable oils such as safflower, sunflower and corn oils, fried foods, processed foods and alcohol.

The best anti-inflammatory foods include foods that are as unprocessed as possible, fresh whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, oats, whole grain breads and pasta, beans, lentils, chick peas and other legumes, nuts and seeds, fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines, seafood and poultry. Spices such as turmeric, ginger, rosemary, cloves, cinnamon and thyme have also been found to reduce inflammation.

Know that you can have an impact on how you experience pain. Acknowledge where you are without judgment. We all deal with pain differently and no way is right or wrong. Then look at your lifestyle and see what changes you can make. Take back control.

Pain is not an easy thing to live with, especially if it’s chronic pain but you can take the power out of it.

Let me know if you need any help.

Warmest wishes,

Judy xxx

I am also offering online consultations to help with Pain relief. They can be booked here. https://solevitalitybooking.as.me/?appointmentType=13076781

References: www.painaustralia.org.au/about-pain/what-is-pain, https://www.hss.edu/conditions_emotional-impact-pain-experience.asp, https://www.msk.org.au/pain-guide/

Do you have Fibromyalgia………could Reflexology help?

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 In my recent Webinar and eBook, I spoke about many areas of pain and how you could treat them using Facial Reflexology. However, what if the pain was everywhere? Could you still use these points and if so, how?

One such condition is Fibromyalgia.

In Fibromyalgia, Facial reflexology nerve points will help but there is a lot more involved in the treatment.

Fibromyalgia literally means fibrous tissue, muscle and pain which translates to pain that is felt in muscles and surrounding tissues. The pain experienced can occur all over the body affecting your muscles and joints. Your muscles may feel as if they have been overworked, even without exercise and sometimes they burn or have deep stabbing pains.

It is believed that painful sensations are increased because of the way the brain processes pain signals. There is an abnormal increase in levels of certain chemicals, (neurotransmitters) in the brain that signal pain . Also the pain receptors of the brain seem to develop a memory of the pain and become more sensitive, meaning they can overreact to pain signals.

Fibromyalgia is debilitating and exhausting and affects your sleep, memory and mood. It is also associated with tension headaches, jaw disorders, Irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety and depression, hypersensitivity to cold or heat, inability to concentrate, dryness of the eyes and mouth, numbness or tingling in extremities, abdominal pain and incontinence, as well as that awful neck, shoulder, back or hip pain.

Everyone experiences the symptoms differently and not everyone suffers from all the symptoms.

The cause is unknown though there are thought to be genetic influences, infections that trigger the onset, or some physical or emotional trauma and some consider it to be an autoimmune condition.

Treatment involves a healthy diet, regular exercise, strategies to help you sleep, relaxation and stress relief. Complementary therapies such as Reflexology, massage, acupuncture, yoga and tai chi have also been shown to help.

So how can Reflexology help if you have Fibromyalgia?

Facial Reflexology looks at areas of your face related to Traditional Chinese Medicine, where the imbalance in your body first commenced. Fibromyalgia is believed to have a strong emotional basis and it has been said that 85% of illnesses have an emotional basis. A traumatic event or a severe stress will affect different people in different ways but it will definitely affect your hormonal system.

Our hormonal system reacts to any stress by releasing adrenaline, our ‘fight or flight’ response. Insulin levels also increase as our brains need glucose to react and make decisions. Facial reflexology treats the gland that is most affected by the stress response and also the whole hormonal system. The reason a sufferer has so many symptoms is because the hormonal system doesn’t act in isolation. If one gland is affected then another will be affected and so on.

The Brain is also treated. Within our midbrain we have what is called the Limbic system. This is where our emotions and memory are stored and our memories of pain. In turn, other areas of the brain are believed to be involved and this affects our tolerance to pain.

A Facial Reflexology treatment looks at the whole body and treats it accordingly. It has been shown to help improve sleep by relaxing the body and assisting the  Hormonal system to regulate your sleep pattern. It  reduces IBS symptoms by relaxing the colon, eliminating toxins and reducing inflammation. It helps with mental clarity and fatigue by working the areas of the brain affected and most importantly, it helps reduce the pain by addressing the reasons behind it.

Fibromyalgia is a complex condition but treatments are available and there are many support groups in each state.

Remember that if you take an active role in your illness and recovery, you will feel more in control of your health and will have a much better outcome and recovery.

Take care,

With love,

Judy xxx

 

References: www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-condtions/fibromyalgia. www.fibromyalgia-symptoms.org/fibromyalgia_reflexology. www.webmed.com/fibromyalgia/guide. Webinars of Lone Sorensen/Facial reflexology. Image ‘sad-girl’ dreamstime.com.

Disclaimer: Please note that all information in this article is the opinion of the author and obtained through her research and knowledge and the above references. It is not meant to replace medical advice and a medical opinion should always be obtained for any health condition.