Dr. Oz on Reflexology, baseball and healing from the heart.

Dr.Oz in his book, "Healing from the heart" also describes the benefits of complementary therapies in his work and the lives of his patients. 

At one point he uses the example of a famous baseball player, Frank Torre and the positive effect Reflexology had on him. 

Dr.Oz as a surgeon "teaches us" the therapists what he wants from Reflexology and other CAM, that deep restful sleep.

Reminds me of the Greek God Hypnos.

Getting back to Frank Torre, we first have to go back in the past and get a feel of this former athletes life 

at that time, on his wiki page we read...

In 1996, as his brother Joe was managing the New 

York Yankees to a World Series title over the Atlanta Braves, Torre received a heart transplant from doctors Mehmet Oz and Eric Rose after a two-and-a-half month wait.^[4] Due to its proximity to Yankee Stadium, Joe brought him to New York-Presbyterian Hospital for the procedure.^[5] Many were worried about Torre dealing with the pressure of watching his brother, but he watched from his hospital bed as Joe managed the Yankees to the World Series title the next night.


Dr Oz is preparing Frank for his transplant and at some point recommends methods to reduce the need for pain medication...

Although he was a good candidate for hypnotherapy, Frank took to another therapy, reflexology, as if it were the ultimate elixir for good health. 

A therapy with roots in Ancient Egypt, Greece and China, reflexology is designed, so say its practitioners, to correct or relieve “imbalances” in the body that may be causing illness by manipulating different pressure points on the feet-toes, soles, sides, and heels-that correspond to different organs and parts of the body.

Frank used to like what he called “that footsie thing” so much that his eyeballs would sometimes roll back and he would fall into a deep, restful sleep after a forty-five-to sixty-minute treatment.

This link takes you to the specific page in the book.

Frank kept on having Reflexology until he passed away, 

says Dr. Oz, thats what worked for him.

There is one other sentence that really got to me and I want to share here with you...

"The saddest patients are those who seem to have given up the fight for life."

Never give up!

Orthopedic Reflexology training in Greece!

For those interested in 

attending Orthopedic Reflexology training in Greece I have schedualed the following two dates for 2020...

Spring training will take place in Athens on the 15th - 17th of May 2020

The adress of the venue will be Pandrosou 31 Palaio Faliro area, (the school where I teach  Natural Health Science www.nhs.gr) very near to the Athens riviera and to the center of Athens. 

Location via Google map 

There are plenty of airbnb at great prices nearby. I can help you out with 
this also. You can look into your accomodation at this link:
https://www.airbnb.gr/s/Pandrosou-31--%CE%A0%CE%B1%CE%BB%CE%B1%CE%B9%CF%8C-%CE%A6%CE%AC%CE%BB%CE%B7%CF%81%CE%BF--%CE%95%CE%BB%CE%BB%CE%AC%CE%B4%CE%B1/homes?checkin=2019-05-05&checkout=2019-05-08&adults=1&children=0&infants=0&place_id=ChIJxYoCvzC8oRQRbMHYPRW7M3U&refinement_paths%5B%5D=%2Fhomes&allow_override%5B%5D=&s_tag=BoGF6ozd


The course will be held between 10:00 am - 17:00pm, lunch break included. Beginning even earlier is even better.

This gives you more then enough time for sight seeing or enjoying the sea in Greece's capitol. During our 3 day course my full attention will be at you the participants visitors so as to accomodate your visit and so you get the most out of it! If you wish I will guide you personally in the afternoon and evening so this will give you a local feel.
A visit at the Acropolis museum along with a small sight seeing tour will be organized. (Admission fee's to museums and meals are at the participants expense.)


In general for those who like, we will spend time together after the course and most likely with other Greek colleagues. 
The extra for this choice is that all sports teams are ending the season and we will possibly have the oppurtunity to work on them. Anyone fancy playing in the finals?



Summer training is schedualed 
for the 18th-20th September 2020.
Indian Summer in Greece but we still have great weather so you will have the oppurtunity to enjoy the sun and ocean!






Our venue location will be at the old seaside village of Tolo in the Argolis prefecture with the beautiful sandy beaches. This is where are three courses have been already held with much success!

More specifically the course will take place at the T7 beach bar, you can have a look at the location on the map here .

But also this video will give you an idea of the surroundings.

I have chosen this venue because it is a very beautiful place and thus a great oppurtunity to combine a summer vacation in Greece with one of the most popular and successfull reflexology trainings offered at the moment. It is also very near to historical archaeological sites so we will be able to visit those too.


Regarding the date, I chose late September because the weather is still great, yet not that hot, there are less tourists, and most importantly airfare tickets and accomodation costs are lower then usual.

There are plenty of hotels and offers through airbnb at great prices nearby. I recommend you choose something near the beach. You can look into your accomodation at this link here. Our course venue will be at the hotel Artemis you might want to have a look too.

The course will begin in the morning and finish late afternoon/evening. 
I avoid being specific about the timetable because their is no stress about it, during the three days training we will spend a lot of time together and within our small group (maximum number of participants is 8) we will make the daily planning together.



During your 3 day course my full attention will be at you the participants so as to accomodate your visit and you get the most out of it!
A visit to Mycenae , the Pyramid of Elliniko, Nafplio  and other attractions will be organized. 

(Admission fee's to museums and meals are at the participants expense.)

The number of participants is small in order to offer my full attention to all, think of it like a private lesson! Many particpants in the past have quoted that besides the training they enjoyed very much that they got the oppurtunity to "feel" Greece not just like a tourist but to actually blend in.
Of course because we spend a lot of time together particpants get a good feel of me as a reflexologist and sometimes are inspired by this also!


Orthopedic Reflexology Course Fee: 380euro/320euro* 

*(Early Bird Course Fee for the Spring course is until the 10th of January, and for the summer course early bird ends on the 1st of June.

Included as a gift will be the "cup of greed of Pythagoras", organic beeswax handmade by me and the OR training DVD!)

For persons who have already completed the OR training but wish to attend a 50% discount applies according to the early bird or other rates.

For enquiries or to book your place please contact: spirosreflex@gmail.com 

WhatsApp: + 03 6936163040

ORTHOPEDIC REFLEXOLOGY

Orthopedic Reflexology is about utilizing the experience one has obtained in discriminating the reflex areas or the condition of the foot's tissues and then applying the correct technique, the proper amount of pressure for the appropriate amount of time, to achieve the "medium" as taught by Hippocrates in order for nature to heal. Orthopedic Reflexology practitioners use the condition of the tissues of the feet as a guide. Anatomical charts to understand the reflexes, zones, meridians and fascia, as well as to effectively manipulate the feet.

Orthopedic Reflexology will teach the theory and practical approaches of Hippocrates and Galens guide on the effects of "rubbing" – Anatripsis; the four meridians of Hippocrates, Orthopedic reflexology maps, understanding pain and a deeper exploration of the history and origin of reflexology and the "science" behind it. In Orthopedic Reflexology we also learn how to assist many local foot problems such as halux valgus and hammer toes, which in turn affects and helps treat disorders of the myoskeletal system and the internal organs.

Orthopedic Reflexology is based on the teachings of Hippocrates, the father of western medicine.This regards the art of rubbing - Anatripsis. Hippocrates wrote small concise passages on rubbing which he considered easy to learn and apply. Scattered in the Hippocratic corpus many references to rubbing (and of the feet) can be found.

During this 3 day instructive course you will be taught the anatomy of the feet which will include the four muscle layers, connective tissue e.g plantar fascia and retinaculum, the location of the bones of the feet and the route of the tendons and peripheral nerves entering the feet. Participants will be taught how to effectively treat all these structures, and make correlations within their existing knowledge and integrate the new techniques into their own existing practice.

The basis of the training is learning the theoretical and practical approaches of Hippocrates and Galen on the effects of "rubbing" – Anatripsis, as they have been handed down to us from their original books. Hippocrates describes in detail four main “veins” that are considered the forefather of the Chinese meridians. The Hippocratic veins will be outlined theoretically in detail, and approached practically until the knee and elbow respectively.
During the course attention is given to understanding modern concepts of pain and the “science” behind Reflexology and utilizing this knowledge in our every day work. The history and origin of reflexology is reviewed.

Upon completion of training in Orthopedic Reflexology participants will have the capacity to alleviate complementary to standard care of local foot problems such as hallux valgus and hammer toes, which in turn reflexively affect and help treat disorders found in other parts of the body.

Please note - Orthopedic reflexology is open to all, not only reflexologists. Therapists who are new to working the feet will notice the differences, and body workers can integrate the techniques learnt immediately into their practice.

In short...

- if you ever wanted to specialize in the lower limbs (anatomy physiology),
- if you ever wondered why what you already do with Reflexology is helpful,
- if you wonder why you are NOT helping,
- if you ever wanted to be introduced to the sphere of Greek medicine

This course is for you!

The majority of the course is focused on the practical applications of the Orthopedic Reflexology techniques. There are many structures in our feet and each one requires a unique technique.

Orthopedic Reflexology 3 Day Course 

• Hippocrates and Galens guide on the effects of "rubbing" Anatripsis
• Anatomy of the foot
• Hippocrates 4 pairs of Veins (meridians)
• Muscle chains/ Zones/ Chinese meridians/ Nerve pathways
• Orthopedic Reflexology Maps
• Hippocrates Holistic approach
• The 'science' behind reflexology
• Effective techniques for local foot problems such as hallux valgus and hammer toes
• Explain Pain-understanding the modern concepts
• Referenced Reflexology History - Why is this important for the outcome of your treatment and for our future as a profession?

Students will receive the Hippocrates corpus in digital form, the four Hippocratic meridians and many other resources which can be used for reference purposes and for personal marketing.

Εκπαίδευση στην Ρεφλεξολογία 2019-20

Πληροφορίες και το πρόγραμμα μαθημάτων για την Ρεφλεξολογία όπως και το πρόγραμμα σεμιναρίων μας για το νέο εκπαιδευτικό έτος 
2019-20 εδώ















Το πρόγραμμα των εισαγωγικών ομιλιών όλων των μαθημάτων εδώ

Ρεφλεξολογία για ισχιακή προβολή.

Μία φυσική, ακίνδυνη και παραδοσιακή πρόταση εφαρμόζεται με επιτυχία από την αναισθησιολόγο Dr. Belkiz Berna Kulah στο Saglik Bilimleri University

Είναι ένα Πανεπιστήμιο επιστημών υγείας, με ερευνητικό τμήμα στις παραδοσιακές και συμπληρωματικές πρακτικές στην Άγκυρα. 


Πολύ απλά...
Στην περίπτωση της ισχιακής προβολής στην 33η-35η εβδομάδα προτείνουν και εφαρμόζουν την μοξαθεραπεία, την καύση του βοτάνου Artemisia argyi σε συγκεκριμένες περιοχές και βελονιστικά σημεία του σώματος. Στην περίπτωση λοιπόν της ισχιακής προβολής πρακτικά η ιατρός πλησιάζει ένα αναμμένο πούρο να φανταστείτε, την μόξα, στο μικρό δάχτυλο του ποδιού. Στην άκρη του δαχτύλου δίπλα από το νύχι του. Η εφαρμογή έχει ξεκινήσει το 2017 και καταγράφουν ποσοστό επιτυχίας 60%, κάτι που όπως λένε θα βοηθήσει στην μείωση της αυξημένης συχνότητας καισαρικών τομών στην Τουρκία και στον κόσμο. 
  
Το σημείο που πλησιάζουν την μόξα είναι το βελονιστικό σημείο 67 του μεσημβρινού της ουροδόχου κύστης. Για όσους τους φαίνεται ότι είπα Κινέζικα έχουν δίκιο, η πρακτική αυτή ανήκει στην παραδοσιακή Κινεζική ιατρική. 

Την πρώτη συνεδρία γνωριμία την κάνει η ιατρός και μετά συστήνεται η καθημερινή εφαρμογή για μία εβδομάδα.
Η εφαρμογή διαρκεί 10 λεπτά για κάθε σημείο στα δύο πόδια.  

Ρεφλεξολογία 

Ο βελονισμός ανήκει στην μεγάλη κατηγορία των αντακλαστικών θεραπειών όπως φυσικά και η ρεφλεξολογία. Το συγκεκριμένο σημείο στην βασική ρεφλεξολογία αντανακλαστικά ανταποκρίνεται στην περιοχή γύρω από το αυτί, τον κρόταφο και μασητήρες. Ως ρεφλεξολόγοι θα είχε ενδιαφέρον εάν οι έγκυες είχαν κάτι να παρατηρήσουν σχετικά με αυτές τις περιοχές, πρακτικά θα ανιχνεύαμε δια της αφής την περιοχή και στην συνέχεια θα εφαρμόζαμε τεχνικές ρεφλεξολογίας κατάλληλες πάντα μέσα σε ένα ολιστικό πλαίσιο προσέγγισης.

Οι ενδιαφερόμενες δεν θα μπορέσουν να το κάνουν μόνες τους με αυτή την κοιλιά, ευκαιρία να βοηθήσει ο σύντροφος. Κυκλικές κινήσεις, στατικές πιέσεις πάνω στο σημείο, να "ζεσταθεί" να αιματωθεί καλά πάντα ανακουφιστικά. 
Και το υπόλοιπο πόδι αγόρια!!!


Στην ώτο-ρεφλεξολογία το αυτί μοιάζει με αντεστραμμένο έμβρυο, ίσως εκεί να βρίσκεται η σχέση. Κεφάλι ο λοβός, οι κόγχες τα όργανα, το σκάφος του πτερυγίου το ισχίο.






Τέλος θα ήθελα πω ότι μόνο αναμενόμενες είναι αυτές οι ευχάριστες εξελίξεις στην έρευνα, εκπαίδευση και ενσωμάτωση των εναλλακτικών και συμπληρωματικών θεραπειών ΣΕΘ σε ιδιωτικό και κρατικό επίπεδο στην Τουρκία και καθόλου τυχαίες. 
Με σχεδιασμό προαγωγής του τουρισμού υγείας αλλά κυρίως ευεξίας, με την πρώτη Κυρία πέρυσι να ανοίγει με ομιλία της το πρώτο εθνικό συνέδριο ΣΕΘ δεν πρέπει να μας κάνει εντύπωση.

Θυμάμαι όταν προσκλήθηκα να παραδώσω σεμινάρια Ρεφλεξολογιάς σε ιατρούς και φυσιοθεραπευτές στην Άγκυρα την έκπληξη μου από τις γνώσεις τους στις ΣΕΘ. Δεν περίμενα στην ζωή μου να μιλούσα για την ρεφλεξολογία σε ιατρούς και μάλιστα να την εξασκήσουν να την μάθουν έστω λίγο.  

εδω και εδω

The connection between Vagus nerve & Ear reflexology.

In a nutshell, the auricular branch of the vagus is in the concha area. 
Vagus innervates organs, most of them. In the concha we find the reflexes to our organs in ear reflexology!

Coincidence? 
I do not think so!

Reflexologists that have been working on the ears have been utilizing the positive effects of the vagus nerve for a long time now, most of them/us without even knowing we were!

More and more research is showing that vagus nerve stimulation via the external ear using electronic devices has been shown to increase the "relaxation response" of the parasympathetic nervous system thus reducing inflammation and reducing fight-or flight stress 
responses driven by the sympathetic nervous system. The research suggest that this stimulation helps to rebalance the autonomic nervous system and may slow the adverse effects of aging in people over age 55. Tension, depression, anger, confusion and low energy and sleep quality were associated with greater improvements.

The reason for this has to do with the innervation of the outer ear!
The outer ear is innervated by three  different nerves. 
Since our interest today is the vagus nerve we will focus on the concha area (yellow area) which is inervated by the auricular branch of the vagus nerve.

The concha is the large hollow area of the auricle, or floor of the auricle. It is divided by the crus of the helix (the diaphragm line in ear reflexology) into the cymba above and the cavum below.
On the right of the above picture you can see an example of non-invasive transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation device (tVNS). The stimulating current is administered using a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machine.

The vagus (wandering) nerve is called this way because it's the longest nerve in the human body and travels from the base of the brain up into the ears and down into the lower intestines. It is the tenth cranial nerve and is also referred too as pneumogastric nerve (greek for respiratory & gastrointestinal nerve).


The vagus innervates (parasympathetic) the greater part of the digestive tract and other abdominal viscera. it also has a big effect on swallowing and speech becuase in the neck area it is a skeletal nerve. Keep an eye out for such signs during history taking with your clients. You might want to include the ear!

The interesting coincidence is that in auriculotherapy and/or ear reflexology the area of the concha which is innervated by vagus, who in turn, among other functions, innervates our organs, is exactly the same area!
Look at the charts at the top again. 
The auricular branch of Vagus is in the concha which in auriculotherapy is commonly associated with the following disorders

Concha - Visceral organ disorders.

Superior Concha - Disorders related to abdominal organs, such as the dysfunctions of the pancreas, gall bladder, kidney, and urinary bladder.

Inferior Concha - Disorders related to thoracic organs, such as heart problems and lung disease. It is also used for the treatment of substance abuse.

Concha Ridge - Disorders related to the stomach and liver.

Concha Wall - Dysfunctions associated with the thalamus of the brain, including general pain, sympathetic nerve problems, and vascular circulation disorders. 

Source: here 

So keep on working on the ears of your clients, or finish a session with the ears, or suggest to clients to work on the concha specifiacally and the ear in general to affect all the reflexes and the vagus nerve. 
Especially for the conditions mentioned in the first paragraph of this blog.




Did you know?


The oldest chart of Ear reflexology could be that of Zone Therapy pioneer Dr. Joe 
Shelby Riley.










In this chart on the left he states about the ears No.14 
"Affects whole body"








In 1957, Dr Paul Nogier a physician resident in Lyons, France, first presented his observations of the somatotopic correspondences of the ear. He is actually considered the Father of modern auricolotherapy. Dr Nogier originated the concept of an inverted fetus map on the external ear as can be seen on the first image of this post.

In Cranio Sacral Reflexology all the 12 pairs of cranial nerves are found on the phalanges of the toes or fingers 2, 3,4 and 5.
Vagus nerve will be found on the distal phalange of your little toe or finger.

Chart source here






I hope you enjoyed this blog, and if you found interesting the tought process behind it there is a lot more to be shared during Orthopedic Reflexolgoy training. The next course is end of September 2019 in Greece, for information visit here.
There is an extra FREE 4th training day in Hippocratic Anatripsis!

Dr. Fitzgerald's theory of longitudinal zones might be inline for merit!

There exists the opinions in Reflexology that

when approaching reflexes for the face and head (let's say for the left side) that the Reflexologist should...

a. work on the left foot on the corresponding reflex zones in line with Zone theory of Dr. Fitzgerald
b. work on the right foot on the corresponding reflex zones because sensory transmission will ascend and crossover along the spinal cord or higher brain centers depending on the stimulus in line with physiology of the nervous system.
c. examine the corresponding reflexes on both feet and work thoroughly on the reflexes were a needle like or sharp pain exists, a "sore spot" as Ingham described, and/or a crystal formation is present (Ingham), a calcification is present (Ida Rolf) or multiplied and "larger" nerve endings (Manzanares).

I myself choose and recommend to those trained in #orthopedicreflexology to follow option c.
But my point today is to share findings possibly validating Dr. Fitzgeralds theory or at least recommend we all keep an open mind because we all still have a lot to learn and discover.

First of all there are a few fMRI studies in Reflexology and these have shown both ipsilateral and contralateral effects. The ipsilateral ones caused surprise.
Secondly, it is scientifically accepted that any kind of touching of the feet would have a more or less effect on the pelvis and lumbar area either viscera either myoskeletal thanks to the dermatomes. This would be a segmental reflex action, but does not explain at all the positive acquired effects of foot reflexology on issues refering to the face and thorax.

Recent research has stumbled on to something that might explain and validate the teachings of Fitzgerald and add one more explanation to why/how reflexology works.

Read the research here:
A Human Sensory Pathway Connecting the Foot to Ipsilateral Face That Partially Bypasses the Spinal Cord
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2019.00519/full

And here:
Researchers discover new nerve pathway in the body.
https://m.medicalxpress.com/news/2019-06-nerve-pathway-body.html

End of September 2019 Orthopedic Reflexology training will take place in Greece. If you like our approach to Reflexology why not join us for four days of training?
https://spiros-reflexologia.blogspot.com/2019/07/orthopedic-reflexology-indian-summer.html?m=1

Vagus nerve is getting a lot attention lately!

Either you know it or not, there are many ways we reflexologists are already working on the vagus nerve, directly or indirectly, the latter meaning in a reflex manner...

Hope you enjoy and find helpfull the chart of the vagus nerve on the foot. Vagus is yellow and laryngeal branches green and purple. Helpful for hiccups and swallowing, voice and other. In the 3rd published book of Eunice Ingham she states that at that area is where she begins ALL her treatments.
Wise woman!
On the ear, the area of the concha is innervated by the auricular branch of the vagus nerve, it should come as no surprise to us that this is exactly where the organs are in ear reflexology. 
I will get back to the ear as I have more to share on this exciting subject!
On the feet in a orthopedic reflexology approach those who have trained will remember the two plantar nerves. These nerves influence all organs and thus indirectly affect the vagus nerve. Where the nerves travel are reflex zones of the organs.

Here is a recent interesting article that brings in breathing which I have found very effective when brought in the treatment.

Much success to everybody!

"I was surprised by the idea that it’s specifically the exhale that triggers the relaxation response, but Norcliffe-Kaufmann confirmed: “Vagal activity is highest, and heart rate lowest, when you’re exhaling.” She mentioned that the ideal, most calming way to breathe is six times a minute: five seconds in, five seconds out. She also noted that in the study that determined this rate, researchers found that this style of slow breathing is also what practitioners naturally lapse into during meditation with mantras, and during the Ave Maria prayer with rosaries. “Each time you do either the rosary prayer or a meditation mantra,” Norcliffe-Kaufmann said, “it naturally synchronizes your breathing at six times per minute.” 

https://www.thecut.com/2019/05/i-now-suspect-the-vagus-nerve-is-the-key-to-well-being.html?fbclid=IwAR0tjj3uqI4oDKYHnqZPTakpSrxL4ZZyiNbWXMXdAzP9UfJ3Mb8NaZGD0DY