1704 North 24th

 
 

Quincy IL.  62301

 
 

Business Hours: Monday - Saturday  BY APPOINTMENT  

 
 

For appointments call (217) 222-9876  

 
    
 

 
 

At Body-Mind-Spirit we offer a complementary-holistic approach to healthcare and

general well being. Providing therapeutic massage along with a variety of special  

techniques to help aid in physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing.

 

Relaxing the Body,  Clearing the Mind, Touching the Spirit

 
 
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More F.A.Q

What is Reflexology? | What Is Lymphatic Drainage? | What is Trigger Point Therapy? | What is CranioSacral Therapy?

 What is Acupressure? | What is Reiki? | What is Paraffin Hand & Foot Treatment?  | What is Healing Touch?

What is Reflexology?

 
Interested in a gentle, non-invasive treatment to complement your current medical care?

Welcome to the very “hands-on” practice of reflexology. Reflexology is the application of appropriate pressure by thumbs and fingers to specific points and areas on the feet, hands, or ears in order to improve the recipient’s health.

Reflexologists understand that these areas and reflex points correspond to different body organs and systems, and that pressing them has a beneficial effect on the organs and person’s general health. For example, reflexology holds that a specific spot in the arch of the foot corresponds to the bladder point. When a reflexology practitioner uses thumbs or fingers to apply appropriate pressure to this area, it affects bladder functioning.

Although reflexology is not used to diagnose or cure health disorders, millions of people around the world use it to complement other treatments when addressing conditions like anxiety, asthma, cancer treatment, cardiovascular issues, diabetes, headaches, kidney function, PMS, and sinusitis.

Reflexology is growing increasingly popular as both as a complement to other treatments and as preventive measure across Europe and Asia. One example is Denmark, where various municipalities and companies have employed reflexologists since the early 90’s.

According to several studies, this practice in Denmark has resulted in reduced sick leave and absenteeism (and significant economic savings for the employers). Employees have consistently reported complete or partial improvement in conditions where they sought reflexologists’ help and even relief for additional problems related to stress. In one municipal district, almost one-third of the employees reported greater satisfaction with their jobs after completing six sessions with a reflexologist.

Where are the reflexology points and areas?

In reflexology, points and areas on the feet, hands, and ears correspond to specific organs, bones and body systems. Practitioners access these points on the feet and hands (bottom, sides, and top) and the ear (both inside as far as the finger can reach and outside) to affect organs and systems throughout the entire body.

Maps of reflex points have been passed between practitioners across the globe. Understandably, there is not agreement among all reflexologists on all points; however, general agreement does exist on major reflex points. Some scientific documentation of linkages between the skin and internal organs also exists.

To represent how the body systems correspond to one another, reflexologists use reflexology “maps.” A good example of a reflexology map exists for the feet. Each foot represents a vertical half of the body:

  • The left foot corresponds to the left side of the body and all organs, valves, etc. found there.
  • The right foot corresponds to the right side of the body and all organs found there. For example, the liver is on the right side of the body, and therefore the corresponding reflex area is on the right foot.

The illustration to the right shows a reflexology map for the feet. For a map of the hands, see www.reflexology-research.com

A reflexologist may perform a general, integrated session; or may focus on specific problem areas on the feet, hands or ears. For example, if time is limited and the person really needs to relax, the reflexologist may choose just to work on the ears.

Whatever the approach, the reflexologist attempts to release congestion or stress in the nervous system and balance the body’s energy.

How does reflexology relate to other therapies?

Acupuncture and Acupressure: Reflexology is similar to acupuncture and acupressure in that it works with the body’s vital energy through the stimulation of points on the body. However, acupuncture/acupressure points do not always coincide with the reflex points used in reflexology.

Reflexology and acupressure are both “reflex” therapies in that they work with points on one part of the body to affect other parts of the body. While reflexology uses reflexes that are in an orderly arrangement resembling a shape of the human body on the feet, hands, and outer ears, acupressure uses over 800 reflex points that are found along long thin energy lines called meridians that run the length of the entire body.

Massage: Some people confuse reflexology with massage. While both massage and reflexology use touch, the approaches are very different.

  • Massage is the systematic manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, using specific techniques (for example, tapping, kneading, stroking, and friction) to relax the muscles.
  • Reflexology focuses on reflex maps of points and areas of the body in the feet, hands, and ears using unique micromovement techniques such as thumb or finger walking and hook and backup to create a response throughout the body.

In short, massage therapists work “from the outside in,” manipulating specific muscle groups or fascia to release tension. Reflexology practitioners see themselves as working “from the inside out” -- stimulating the nervous system to release tension.

Another difference between massage and reflexology is that a client will stay fully clothed for a reflexology session except for removing footwear, whereas clients remove clothing for a massage session.

Where does reflexology come from?

Because reflexology is an ancient practice, its origin and history is difficult to track. However, reflexology is thought to have been passed down through an oral tradition, and possibly first recorded as a pictograph on the Egyptian tomb of Ankhamor in 2330 BC along with other medical procedures.

Reflexology symbols are also thought to be recorded on the feet of statues of Buddha in India and later China. The Chinese classic, the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, which was written around 1,000 BC, has a chapter on “Examining Foot Method” and is the beginning of discussions in print about the connection of life force and points and areas on the feet.

It is believed that Marco Polo translated a Chinese massage book into Italian in the 1300s, thus introducing reflexology and massage to Europe. In 1582, a book on an integral element of reflexology called zone therapy was first published in Europe by Dr. Adamus and Dr. A’tatis.

In the United States, William H. Fitzgerald, MD, who is frequently referred to as the father of reflexology, wrote in 1917 about ten vertical zones that extended the length of the body. He found that the application of pressure to a zone that corresponded to the location of an injury could serve as relief of pain during minor surgeries.

Dr. Fitzgerald’s work was expanded by Dr. Shelby Riley, who developed a map of horizontal zones going across the body and a detailed map of reflex points on the feet and hands. He also suggested pressure points on the outer ear.

Eunice Ingham, a physiotherapist who worked for Dr. Riley, is another prominent figure in the development of reflexology. In her research with zone therapy’s pressure points, she found the feet to be the most sensitive and responsive. She developed the foot maps still in use today and introduced reflexology practices to the non-medical community in the 1930s. Ms. Ingham also designed one of the most commonly used reflexology charts, which has since been refined by her nephew, Dwight Byers, at the International Reflexology Institute.

In 1957, Dr. Paul Nogier recorded a reflex map of points on the outer ear. His work has been expanded by Oleson and Flocco and is now being taught as part of an integrated approach to hand, ear and foot reflexology.

References

Eriksen, L. (1992). Municipal Reflexology. Zoneterapeuten (Journal of the Danish Reflexologists Association, FDZ), 6.

Eriksen, L., & Levin, S. (1995). A Closeup View on Company Reflexology (Committee Report): Danish Reflexologists Association.

Enersen, O. D. (1994-2007). Head's Zones. Who Named It? Accessed May 24, 2007, from http://www.whonamedit.com/synd.cfm/636.html.

Frequently Asked Questions. (2007). Frequently Asked Questions Retrieved March 5, 2007, from http://www.americanacademyofreflexology.com/FAQsOf.shtml#DiffMass.

History of Reflexology. (2007). American Academy of Reflexology Retrieved March 4, 2007, from http://www.americanacademyofreflexology.com/HistoryOf.shtml.

Kristese, K., Moller, E., & Rasmussen, I. (1996). Reflexology as Personel Care in the Arthus District Corporation: Take Good Care of Your Fellow Employees. Zoneterapeuten (Journal of the Danish Reflexologists Association, FDZ), 1.

Madsen, S., & Andersen, J. (1993). Postal Reflexology (Committee Report): Odense Danish Reflexologists Association Research Committee Report.

Terp, H. (1995). Municipal Reflexology in Svendborg, A study of the Effect of Reflexology Treatment in the Eastern District of the Municiaplity of Svendborg, Denmark (Committee Report): Danish Reflexologists Association.

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What Is Lymphatic Drainage?

Developed in the 1930s, lymphatic drainage is a delicate form of massage that stimulates the body’s lymphatic system, improving the metabolism, helping the body to eliminate waste and toxins and providing a boost to the immune system.

How does it work?

The lymphatic system is responsible for helping fluid and waste leave the body and for regulating the immune system. When the lymphatic system becomes blocked, fluid builds up and stagnates, causing the entire system to become toxic, making us feel sluggish and more susceptible to viral or contagious diseases.

By stimulating this system through massage, it works more efficiently, which in turn boosts the immune system, clears blockages, eliminates toxins, transports nutrients to cells and increases the metabolism.

What does it involve?

Lymphatic drainage is essentially a form of massage carried out by a specialist practitioner. The first session involves a consultation to determine the client’s needs and, at that point, the number and frequency of future sessions is decided upon. Unlike some other forms of massage, lymphatic drainage utilises a very light pressure combined with soft pumping movements in the direction of the lymph nodes. The process can take anywhere from 30 minutes with the masseur concentrating on a localised area, to two hours when working on the whole body.

What is it good for?

Lymphatic drainage massage is especially useful for individuals who seem to suffer regularly from common illnesses like colds and flu. It is also recommended for people who lead sedentary lifestyles, or those who want to reduce puffiness or swelling. It has been cited as having a positive effect on problem skin, cellulite, dysfunctional respiratory systems and people with low energy.

What are the benefits?

Lymphatic drainage massage boosts the immune system so, as well as helping the body ward off illness, treatment can facilitate general feelings of health and vitality. It also has a positive physical effect, improving the appearance of the skin and reducing puffiness caused by water retention, poor circulation or pregnancy. As with other massage, it can help with pain from fractures and sprains and rheumatism, and it promotes the body’s own healing mechanisms. Lymphatic drainage massage utilises very light pressure

What are the side effects and when should it be avoided?

Lymphatic drainage should not be used by people with acute inflammation, malignant tumours, thrombosis or major heart problems. Because of its effect on the immune system, people with cancer, diabetes, thyroid or kidney problems, asthma or epilepsy should seek medical advice before treatment. It is also advisable that women do not undergo lymphatic drainage while menstruating.

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What is Trigger Point Therapy?

Trigger point therapy is a bodywork technique that involves the applying of pressure to tender muscle tissue in order to relieve pain and dysfunction in other parts of the body. Sometimes massage and trigger point therapy are performed together.

Trigger point therapy is also called myofascial trigger point therapy. It was developed by Dr. Janet Travel in the United States in the 1940s.

What are Trigger Points?

Trigger points are areas of tenderness in a muscle. There are two basic types of trigger points: active and latent.

Active trigger points cause muscular pain and will refer pain and tenderness to another area of the body when pressure is applied. Latent trigger points only exhibit pain when compressed, they do not refer pain to other areas of the body. Latent trigger points are believed to be one of the causes of stiff joints and restricted range of motion of old age.

Trigger points may be associated with myofascial pain syndromes or fibromyalgia. Trigger points are very common. They are also referred to as muscle knots.

Trigger points differ from acupressure points. Acupressure points are concentrations of energy or blockages of the body's energy pathways. Trigger points are physical phenomena that can be felt by touch.

The pain caused by trigger points may be the biggest cause of disability and loss of time in the workplace.

What Causes Trigger Points?

Trigger points have several causes. Some common causes of trigger points are: birth trauma, an injury sustained in a fall or accident, poor posture, or overexertion.

What is the Purpose of Trigger Point Therapy?

The purpose of trigger point therapy is to eliminate pain and to re-educate the muscles into pain-free habits. After several treatments, the swelling and stiffness of neuromuscular pain is reduced, range of motion is increased, tension is relieved, and circulation, flexibility and coordination are improved.

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What is CranioSacral Therapy?

CranioSacral Therapy is a very gentle, hands on manipulation that allows the therapist to access the core nervous system in an unobtrusive manner. Inside the lining of the head is a membrane system, called the dural membrane system, which also extends downward into the lining of the spinal cord and connects to the sacrum. Hence the name cranial for cranium and sacrum for sacrum. Inside the lining of this membrane system, which is only about as thick as a newspaper on end, flows the cerebral spinal fluid or csf. The motion of this fluid is able to be felt anywhere on the body. As I palpate, or listen to your CranioSacral rhythm, I am able to tell where there are restrictions, or areas that are less mobile, and where the body is more mobile and less restricted. As I listen at specific points on the body, I am drawn to areas that would like to be released, or made less restricted or more mobile. I then use specific techniques which release restrictions and help bring the body into greater balance. The result is greater relaxation, more balance in mind and body, and a restoration to greater health and well being.

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) has a wide range of applications to the treatment of the 'whole person.' Based on the original precepts of Osteopathy founded by A.T. Still over a century ago, this innovative branch of mind body medicine calls upon the inner intelligence of the body to self regulate and heal itself.

How can CranioSacral Therapy help me? That depends to some extent on what your body has to say. What I mean by that is depending on your medical, emotional, and physical history, CranioSacral Therapy may be more useful for some applications than others. I've found that for headaches, digestive disorders, tmj, head trauma, car and horse accidents, post operative recovery and physical insults to the body, to name a few, CranioSacral therapy can be quite effective. It can also be effective in addressing traumas that have an emotional component, and that this can be addressed, if necessary, in a very safe way.

In the most general sense, CranioSacral therapy works for balance, and to restore harmony to the body at the level of the core nervous system. Because CranioSacral therapy works by directly accessing the central nervous system, we allow the body to most effectively use its inner intelligence to repair, re-regulate and reharmonize old traumas and insults that we have experienced in life, whether they are recent or very old. It may help you to completely release something that has never 'gone away', make you more comfortable or function better for a condition that is chronic or irreversible, or just simply allow you to feel more relaxed and in touch with your body.


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What is Acupressure?


Acupressure is an ancient Chinese technique based on the principles of acupuncture, and involves the use of finger pressure (without the needles) on specific points along the body.

Acupressure is is a way of accessing and releasing blocked or congested energy centers in the body. Chinese cultures believe the points to be junctures of meridian pathways that carry energy called chi. Western scientists have also mapped out and proven the existence of these points using electrical devices.

Acupressure massage therapy stimulates and activates the body’s own energies to help fight illness and restore harmony. Some of the acupressure points are significant as they relate to a specific part of the body while others are more general in their effect.

Acupressure can help alleviate ailments such as tension, stress, aches and pains, arthritis or menstrual cramps. Acupressure can also be used for general preventative health care.


 What is the Purpose of Acupressure?


The purpose of acupressure is to stimulate the body's own recuperative powers by stimulating the various points on the body. The stimulation removes energy blockages by diffusing the toxic build up that accumulates in the muscle tissue. The accumulation of toxins causes stiffness throughout the body. Stiffness in muscles puts abnormal pressure on nerves, and blood and lymph vessels. The pressure on blood and lymph vessels affect both skeletal systems and internal organ functioning.


How is Acupressure Performed?


Acupressure is usually given in a similar fashion to traditional massage. Points on the body are massaged using finger or thumb, and sometimes a blunt object, in a fairly rapid circular motion with a medium pressure. Massages last between 5 and 15 minutes.

Some of the most common acupressure techniques are: Rubbing, Kneading, Percussion and Vibration. Fingers, hands, elbows, knees and feet are often used to massage other parts of the body.

Acupressure can be performed sitting, standing or lying down.

Acupressure can help alleviate:

Pain, headaches, migraines, insomnia, depression, toothache, dizziness, menstrual pain, digestive disorders including diarrhea and constipation, nausea, morning sickness, motion sickness, stress and tiredness.

In all cases, acupressure massage techniques are employed in collaboration with other appropriate medical care.

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What is Reiki?

Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.
The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy.

A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many  beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that  everyone can use. It has been effective in    helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

An amazingly simple technique to learn, the ability to use Reiki is not taught in the usual sense, but is transferred to the student during a Reiki class. This ability is passed on during an "attunement" given by a Reiki master and allows the student to tap into an unlimited    supply of "life force energy" to improve one's health and enhance the quality of life.

Its use is not dependent on one's intellectual  capacity or spiritual development and therefore is available to everyone. It has been successfully taught to thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds.

While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. It has no dogma, and there is nothing you must believe in order to learn and use Reiki. In fact, Reiki is not dependent on belief at all and will work whether you believe in it or not. Because Reiki comes from God, many  people find that using Reiki puts them more in touch with the experience of their religion rather than having only an intellectual concept of it.

While Reiki is not a religion, it is still important to live and act in a way that promotes harmony with others. Dr. Mikao Usui, the founder of the Reiki system of natural healing, recommended that one practice certain simple ethical ideals to promote peace and harmony, which are nearly universal across all cultures.

 

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What is Paraffin Hand & Foot Treatment?

Paraffin Wax has been used as a healing remedy for ages. The Romans poured hot oil and waxes on the body as a heat-inducing prelude to massage, while the French brushed melted paraffin on wounds. The British established paraffin as a modality for orthopedic disorders in the military hospitals of WW1.
Paraffin therapy reduces pain and stiffness around joints by removing excess fluid from surrounding tissue while providing lubrication. Paraffin is especially beneficial in the treatment of arthritis, bursitis, tendentious, tennis elbow, overworked and fatigued muscles, scar tissue, as well as being extremely beneficial for many types of sports injuries.
Paraffin not only effectively heats the tissues and muscles to provide pain relief, it also leaves the skin hydrated and soft. Paraffin can also provide relief from eczema, psoriasis and dehydrated skin. Paraffin can also increase circulation of the skin. Paraffin is colorless, tasteless and odorless and extremely heavy in molecular structure. It is a by-product of petroleum and is refined by distillation, purified by boiling, chilled and pressed through a filter, which creates a heavy oil, or Paraffin Wax. Since Paraffin is heavy in molecular weight, it increases the blood supply to the area being treated and traps moisture from the underlying layers of the skin, resulting in rejuvenated, hydrated and nourished skin."
 

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What is Healing Touch?

 
Healing Touch is an "energy therapy" that uses gentle hand techniques thought to help re-pattern the patient’s energy field and accelerate healing of the body, mind, and spirit.

Healing Touch is based on the belief that human beings are fields of energy that are in constant interaction with others and the environment. The goal of Healing Touch is to purposefully use the energetic interaction between the Healing Touch practitioner and the patient to restore harmony to the patient’s energy system. 

In a Healing Touch session, the practitioner begins with a centering process to calm the mind, access a sense of compassion, and become fully present with the patient. The practitioner then focuses intention on the patient’s highest good and places his or her hands lightly on the patient’s body or makes sweeping hands motions above the body.

Healing Touch practitioners believe that this process balances and realigns energy flow that has been disrupted by stress, pain, or illness. The process eliminates blockages in the energy field so that the patient is in an optimal state for healing to occur.

Healing Touch complements other healing techniques a patient may already be using, including conventional medical practice in hospitals, clinics and in-home care, or other body-mind oriented therapies such as massage, guided imagery, music therapy, acupressure, biofeedback, and psychotherapy. It is not intended as a cure.

More than 86,000 nurses and other health professionals use Healing Touch in American hospitals and throughout the world each year. Many non-professionals have also learned the techniques.

What are energy therapies?

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), this category of complementary therapies involves the use of various types of energy fields. In general, the goal of energy therapies is to bring energy into the patient or balance the energy within a patient.

There are many kinds of energy therapies, some which use treatments such as light, sound, and magnets. These treatments are relatively easy to measure. Other kinds of energy therapies, such as Healing Touch, Reiki, Qigong, and therapeutic touch, are "intended to affect energy fields that purportedly surround and penetrate the human body." These therapies cannot be as easily measured or researched.

Even though the results of these therapies have not been measured quantitatively in a reliable way, some new instruments, such as the superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) are showing promise for research with energy therapies.

Moreover, and importantly, many of the techniques used in energy therapies come from practices in shamanistic and Asian traditions with thousands of years of use. For example, more than 2,000 years ago, Asian healers believed that the flow and balance of life energies were important in maintaining health, and that illnesses were due to energy imbalances. They developed therapies and practices, such as acupuncture, yoga, and Qigong to correct these imbalances. Modern energy therapies such as Healing Touch are based on the same principles.

Where does healing touch come from?

Healing Touch was developed as a touch therapy program by Janet Mentgen, a nurse who has used energy-based care in her practice in Colorado since 1980. Mentgen and some of her colleagues developed a training program that incorporated the techniques of many well-known healers, as well as concepts borrowed from ancient shamanic and aboriginal healing traditions.

An evolving Healing Touch curriculum supports students in broadening and deepening their skills as energy healers as they move from the beginner to advanced level.

References

Hutchison, P. (1999). Healing touch. An energetic approach. American Journal of Nursing, 4, 43-8.

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Energy Medicine: An Overview. Retrieved February 2007, from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/backgrounds/energymed.htm.

Umbreit, A. (2002). Healing Touch. In Snyder, Mariah & Lindquist, Ruth (Eds.), Complementary/Alternative Therapies in Nursing (4th edition) (pp. 165-182). New York: Springer Publishing Co.

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