Lakes Holistic - Julie Brockbank Holistic & Remedial Therapist

Reflexology 

Reflexology  as we have come to know it today is due to the pioneering work of Dr William Fitzgerald and Dr Edwin Bowers in the early 1900’s when it was then referred to as Zone Therapy. In the 1930’s Eunice Ingram a physiotherapist expanded on the concept of Zone Therapy by charting areas on the feet to corresponding areas of the body where physical effects were noticed, she called this therapy Compression Massage, later changing its name to Reflexology. 

Reflexology is based on the theory that there are reflex points on the feet (and hands) that correspond to every organ, gland and area of the body. For example, the toes represent the head, brain, and sinus regions, the ball of the foot represents the chest and lung region, and the length of the instep represents the spinal column etc. 

Today Reflexology’s increasing popularity throughout the world is due to its simple, and yet extraordinary effectiveness in maintaining good health, as well as relieving various forms of physical, mental and emotional discomforts. 

Reflexology induces a deep state of relaxation for the receiver creating space for the mind, body and spirit to heal. 

A Reflexologist cannot offer a diagnosis or a cure the intention is purely to encourage the body’s own natural healing ability, this is done by stimulating very small pressure points on the feet.

 On your first visit an initial consultation will be taken to assess your past and present health. The consultation will involve finding out about any medication which you may take, and what you take it for, any recent operations and any ongoing illnesses which you may have. Your consultation also takes into account your diet and lifestyle and ensures that there are no contra-indications thus determining the most effective course of treatment for you as an individual. Any. details given at your consultation remain completely confidential, and subsequent visits will just note any changes to your health. 

You will never be asked to undress for reflexology you will however be asked to remove your shoes and socks, it is best to wear lose comfortable clothing so that you feel relaxed. After a foot soak you will be asked to relax on the treatment couch, you may wish to close your eyes, lye back and relax, or you might prefer to converse during your session, this is entirely your choosing. 

During your treatment both feet will be worked; beginning with the application of a working medium, this is usually a light cream or lotion. Some general relaxation techniques will be carried out on the feet first, followed by a precise thumb or finger walking technique. The technique aims to apply a firm even pressure to every reflex area on the bottom of the foot (the plantar aspect), and some to the top of the foot (the dorsal aspect). When working the feet the left foot represents the left side of the body and any imbalances on the left side of the body will be found on the left foot, and visa versa the right foot representing the right side of the body. If a particular part of the body is out of balance, the corresponding reflex point may feel tender or sore during the treatment. It is important that you let the practitioner know of any tenderness, so that steps may be taken to rectify this discomfort. 

Generally people describe any areas of tenderness as a ‘sweet pain’ which is both bearable and beneficial, and this usually eases with massage. Pressure can be adjusted to suit your individual sensitivity, and ticklishness is not usually a problem most people find the treatment pleasurable, relaxing and therapeutic.

 Reflexology is suitable for all ages; it is a gentle effective therapy that may in many cases bring relief from a wide range of both acute and chronic conditions. 

Following your treatment it is advisable to take some time out to relax, you are also advised to avoid stimulants like coffee, tea and alcohol, instead flush your body through with plenty of water. Herbal teas and pure fruit juices are acceptable alternatives to water, ty to avoid a heavy meal after your treatment, just take some light refreshment.

Ear Candling 

Ear Candling also known as Hopi Ear Candles or Thermal Auricular Therapy, is a pleasant and non-invasive treatment of the ears used to treat a variety of conditions. The candles are hollow tubes about 10 inches in length, Tapered at one end and made from natural ingredients. The basic ingredients are beeswax, honey extracts, and organically grown flax, some candles also include sage, St Johns Wort, and chamomile. The candles work on a chimney principle, the physical heat from the flame creates a stimulating, warming effect which creates a spiral vortex. This vortex helps to remove excess mucus in the middle ear, inner ear, sinuses and nose. Lymphatic drainage is stimulated and pressure is equalised in the head, sinuses and ears. While ear candles do not physically remove ear wax they do create conditions whereby the body’s own defences restore balance. 

Though results may vary from person to person clients have reported ear candles to be helpful with excessive or compacted wax in the ears. Irritation in ears and sinuses. Pressure regulation in cases of sinusitis / rhinitis / glue ear / colds / flu / headaches / migraine and especially after flying or swimming. Stimulation of local and reflex energy flow. Energetic revitalization in cases of hearing impairment, Relaxing and calming effect in cases of stress. Noises in the ears, ringing, tinnitus. 

Very few side effects are known but as a precaution it is advisable not to use ear candles thus avoiding a reaction: If grommets are in place. If there is inflammation or infection. You have a known allergic reaction to any of the contents of ear candles i.e. St Johns Wort, bee’s wax, or honey.If you have had a perforated ear drum in the last 12 months.

Following a consultation and explanation of the treatment you will be asked to lie comfortably on your side on the treatment couch, a small towel will be used to cover your hair. The unlit candle is then placed gently into the auditory canal, and you will be asked if it feels comfortable in the ear. The candle is then lit at its furthest end, and held in the ear in a vertical position by the therapist. The therapist’s hands cover the ear keeping the candle steady in position whilst the client experiences a warm comfortable feeling. As the candle burns down the residue ash (if it falls) will just turn to dust and is trapped inside the candle. The time taken for the candle to burn down varies from person to person but it typically takes between 8 – 10 minutes.

Once the candle has burnt down to within 4 inches of the therapist’s hands it is removed and extinguished. You will be asked to stay still for a few moments before being asked to turn over to repeat the process in the other ear. When both ears have been treated you will be asked to lie comfortably on your back whist a facial massage is carried out with some essential oils followed by a short Reiki treatment allowing you to further relax and ultimately obtain maximum effect from your treatment. Once your treatment is complete you will be offered some water, and asked to spend few minutes commenting on the treatment. You will feel very relaxed after your treatment and it advisable to arrange a time / day when you can relax, unwind and feel the full benefit of your treatment.

Reiki 

Mikao Usui was responsible for developing Reiki, he was a Tendai Buddhist born in 1865 who died in 1926. Reiki is an energy healing system based on channelling and working with energy.

The energy is quite often referred to as chi, it is the energy that underlies all oriental medicine. When an acupuncturist practices acupuncture he/she uses needles to encourage energy to flow through a person's meridians, he/she are working with the same energy (chi) that a Reiki practitioner channels. If we think of Tai Chi the energy cultivation technique where the various graceful movements that are made serve to build up the body's personal reserves of energy, you are again referring to chi.

The energy is also known as Prana, it is the energy that you work with when you practice yoga.

 From the Oriental point of view,chi doesn't just flow through us but it surrounds and engulfs us too, those working with Feng Shui arrange their living environment to allow the better flow of chi through their household. 

When we work with Reiki we are connecting to, and channelling the same external source, a chi that flows through the practitioner into the person being treating. Reiki is not attached to or allied to any particular religious belief, therefore it is acceptable to all people whether they have no religious beliefs or very strongly held beliefs.

When we talk about receiving a Reiki treatment, while it can vary a great deal from one person to another in terms of what is felt when receiving a treatment, you can generalize about the sort of things that most people will experience. The 'big three' sensations when receiving Reiki are deep relaxation, heat from the practitioner's hands, seeing colours.

Reiki treatments make you feel relaxed, sometimes deeply, deeply relaxed.  Most people while receiving Reiki end up drifting in and out of a very relaxed state, a state that is often referred to as an Alpha state, in such a relaxed state it is not uncommon for a client to lose track of time and sometimes an hour on the treatment couch can feel like only 15 minutes. Some people fall asleep, and for others it's very common to feel a lot of heat from the practitioner's hands, sometimes really intense heat., an explanation for this is that it appears that the body can't feel the energy in a distinctive way, and the best approximation it can come up with is to feel the energy as heat. Another common experience during a treatment is seeing colours against your closed eyelids; it is quite common to see blue, lilac, violet, and purple. 

One thing that Reiki seems to do for most people, is that it helps them to feel calmer, content, and serene. It helps one to feel more positive, better able to cope, and not so affected by stressful people and stressful situations.

Following a treatment you may experience some emotional ups and downs, you may feel dissatisfied with things; you may have some physical symptoms that come to the surface like a cold or a headache. This is simply the energy is starting to bring things into balance, and part of the process of bringing things into balance involves releasing thoughts, emotions, and physical symptoms. It is normal for this re-balancing to last about 3 days, and during this time it is advised that you ‘go with the flow’ listen to your body. It is also advisable that you aid this re- balancing by drinking plenty of water, eating healthily, and taking plenty of rest.

Reiki works on all levels, it not only deals with physical problems but it works on the mental and emotional levels too. 

Reiki has always been, and will always be my number one treatment choice, it was Reiki combined with Acupuncture that gave me my life back over 20 years ago.

What a wonderful gift we have in Reiki - something that cannot be explained by words but must be experienced to be appreciated!