8 Ways to Get a Good Night’s Sleep
I estimate that one third of your client partners have problems sleeping. Many of them have just given up on getting a good night’s sleep. This is not a good thing because there are many things that a person can do to sleep well…every night, not just once in awhile.
A person who gets enough sleep looks and acts healthier because there is more energy available to do the things to get through the day successfully. So, here are some suggestions that have proven to be successful. Try them. Share them.
- Receive a reflexology session every week. People who get reflexology regularly tell me they sleep better. This is important for practitioners, too. I receive a session weekly. It’s one of the most important things I do in life.
- Reiki sessions are wonderful for sleep. Do you teach Reiki? Attune your clients to be reiki practitioners so they can give themselves sessions every night when they go to bed. Sleep is sure to follow. A well intentioned Reiki therapy session is better than a sleeping pill.
- Have a regular sleep schedule so that you go to bed every night at the same time. Schedule your evenings so that you plan on sleeping 7-8 hours every night.
- An hour before going to bed, turn off loud music, scary TV shows, and consciously wind down.
- Do you have a lot of things to do tomorrow? Before you go to bed, make out a list of all the things you have to do tomorrow. Then, put that list in another room and forget about it until tomorrow.
- Make your bedroom a sanctuary for sleep. This means moving all the clutter and junk to another part of the house. That includes the TV and anything else that is a sleep distraction.
- Take a look at your bedding. When was the last time you bought pillows, sheets, blankets? Does your mattress sag in the middle? Are you sleeping in worn out sweat pants with holes? It’s time to focus on sleep-inducing comfort.
- Get a pen and journal notebook. Early in the evening, every evening, spend a few moments writing about one thing that you feel thankful for.
Thanks for reading this blog post. I will be offering more sleep tips throughout the coming year.
The book “A Healer’s Handbook is available as an ebook on Amazon an d Nook. The paper version is available on my website: thurmangreco.com. So far, the response to the book is very positive.
Thanks again.
Thurman Greco
9 Things Reflexologists Don’t Do – and 5 Things we Do
Cure – Reflexologists do not cure. Instead, we promote healing, which can be a very
different thing, depending on the issue.
Patient – Reflexologists do not have patients. Physicians have patients. We have client partners. Some reflexologists have clients. But, whatever we have, we don’t have patients.
Recommend – We do not recommend. Instead, we work feet. We concentrate our energies on facilitating healing.
Advise – Reflexologists do not advise. We support our client partners in their healing path. Our work brings about homeostasis and synchronicity.
Examine – We do not examine. We read feet or hands or ears. .We notice where our findings are located. We work the feet, hands, ears, to bring about healing, homeostasis, and synchronicity.
Prescribe – We do not prescribe. That’s for physicians and other medical professionals. We rely on our hands and hearts to tell us what we find, to encourage healing, to facilitate homeostasis, to see synchronicity.
Dispense – We have nothing to dispense beyond the sessions we offer.
Diagnose – We do not diagnose. Physicians assist us in our healing efforts when they offer a diagnosis. This is important because it’s much easier to overcome a health issue if it has a name.
Administer – We do not administer anything. Instead, we read feet, offer sessions. Our noninvasive sessions have been offered to client partners for ages and ages.
Reflexology for the Spirit practitioners use our hands, brains, and hearts.
We do not need to over schedule our days to be successful. Twenty-five appointments a week is a full time practice for a Reflexology for the Spirit practitioner.
We are not wedded to advertising. Some of us don’t even have business cards. Referrals work well for us.
Because Reflexology for the Spirit works well with other modalities, many of us also practice yoga, massage, Reiki therapy, flower remedies. That means we are always growing, learning.
We honor our heritage. Reflexology for the Spirit practitioners take our traditions back many, many years:
Our history takes us far back in time with beginnings shrouded in mystery. What we do know is that early references to reflexology can be found in China, India, Japan, Egypt, Greece, North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, the Mediterranean, South American and North America.
Historians tell us that Egyptians practiced both hand and food reflexology as early as 2500 BC. If you ever travel to Egypt, please visit the burial ground at Saqqara. The Physician’s Tomb there has a famous wall painting showing two people receiving reflexology.
If you ever find yourself in Japan, be sure to visit the Medicine Teacher Temple in Nara. There you’ll find a stone carving depicting the soles of Buddha’s feet in a carving dating to 790 AD.
In India, there are paintings of Vishnu, the Hindu god’s feet with symbols corresponding to several reflexology points.
Ayurveda is an ancient Indian form of medicine becoming popular in our country. Reflexology is incorporated in Ayurvedic medicine.
Reflexology has been recorded in ancient Chinese writings describing pressure being applied to fingers and thumbs.
From this glorious history and recent twentieth century trailblazers, we now have thousands of people practicing various kinds of reflexology throughout the world.
Reflexologists the world over work in tandem with physicians as our field moves toward integrative medicine in the twenty-first century. Integrative medicine works to heal the total person: the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual.
Reflexology has endured the test of time and is modern as tomorrow in the 21st !century.
Thank you for reading this blog. It has been a long time since I’ve posted an article. I have been working full time/overtime on the new book! It’s happening!
Thurman Greco
Woodstock, New York
Progress of the Book
The book is, at last, being edited! Real book progress is being made. I hope to get it to the publisher soon. I plan to go over it one last time about mid July.
Thanks to everyone for your patience.
Please share this exciting news (for me, anyway) with your favorite media network.
Thurman Greco
Woodstock, NY
The First Chakra and Reflexology
All 7 of the major Chakras are reflected in our feet. They line up on the spine and they relate to energy centers found on the body. The first Chakra is found at the base of the spine.
The reflex point for the first Chakra is located on the heel of both feet. First Chakra issues are concerned with
security
survival
connection to our earth – our environment
issues with grounding
one’s connection to the community
protection
FOR ME, IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO LEARN ABOUT FIRST CHAKRA ISSUES WITHOUT QUESTIONING:
Have you put down roots? Or are unable to establish a home?
Do you find it hard to move ahead in life? Or, are you unable to let go of your family?
Do you feel vulnerable? Are you refusing to budge?
Do you eat properly?
Do you hang onto unhealthy relationships?
Can you receive?
Can you give?
Are you in a rut?
Are you afraid of change, even if it is positive?
Are you in your body?
Are you controlling?
There are many first Chakra phrases using the word “heel”:
Cool your heels
Down at your heels
Well heeled
Take to your heels
Drag your heels
Achilles heel
I’m sure you can come up with even more.
Fear is a first Chakra issue. Fear is a culprit in almost every disease, health issue, and problem we encounter in life. Fear keeps us all from being the totally healthy beings we were born to be.
We carry fear over from past lives. And, if you don’t believe in past life issues, just skip them and think for a few minutes about the fear issues we carry from childhood. We can be perfectly rational adults and still carry fear baggage around. Sometimes I see clients whose fear issues weigh more than their physical bodies weigh. Many obese people are holding fear in the form of extreme fat around their bodies.
If you and/or your client partners want to be healthy, it’s important to have a balanced first Chakra. There are several ways to balance one’s first Chakra:
Reflexology for the Spirit sessions offer homeostasis which is the balance of all body systems.
Reiki therapy sessions balance the Chakras.
Meditation. Set aside a few minutes daily to meditate on a balanced Chakra system. The first Chakra needs to be grounded. Take time each day to listen to what your body tells you. If you listen, it will never lie to you. If you listen, you will know when you are not grounded and when your Chakras are not balanced.
It is also easy to tell how balanced your first Chakra is by observing your hips. What is the range of movement for your hips, knees, and ankles? How do they feel? Your ankles, knees, and hips move you forward in this world. They keep you balanced. Stability is important for the first Chakra. Pain, tightness, restricted movement, and inflexibility are strong indicators of a need to balance the first Chakra.
Physically, the first Chakra governs 3 systems:
Immune System
Skeletal System
Lower Digestive Tract.
When you work with your client partner’s first chakra, you offer an opportunity for increased self awareness. What a gift you give!
Thank you for reading this blog/book.
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Photos provided by Renee Ruwee
Thurman Greco
Time-Out for Sharing then Moving on to the Chakras.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been sharing with you. I’ve offered information in each post for you, in turn, to share with your client partners. I’m following the advice of my teacher and mentor Marge D’Urso who emphasized the many things we can all do in conjunction with reflexology to encourage homeostasis.
Not all of this information applies to all of your client partners.
Some people come to our tables in order to feel better. Others want us to help them take greater charge of their own health. Yet others simply want to hop on the table, receive their reflexology session, and go away blissed out. And, there’s nothing wrong with that.
One special group wants to add other things to their lives which will help them
feel better
look better
avoid chronic disease
live longer
enjoy better health.
By sharing this information slowly, in small increments, you can, along with your reflexology sessions, give your client partners an opportunity to completely change their lives for the better in a non threatening way.
These gradual changes when mixed with reflexology offer dramatic improvements over time. The idea is to be sharing opportunities for good health without complicating lifestyles any more than they already are. You’ll be leading your client partners to a a more healthy lifestyle. They can completely change their lives 1 step at a time.
Slowly
Easily
Comfortably
Not all client partners will adopt every suggestion offered. Some won’t choose any suggestions. Some will try everything suggested for a time. Then, they’ll drop the health step after a few weeks. There’s something here for everyone. We are all different. Our attitudes, ages, and lifestyles are all different.
What’s important is that you are gently, without pushing, sharing suggestions for a healthier lifestyle.
When your client partners are ready, they’ll have this knowledge to use in the way which works best for them.
I’m taking a break with this series of posts to offer you, the reflexologist, some more hands-on posts. Then, I’ll return to these wellness posts for awhile longer…until I feel you have something to offer most client partners over a period of a year or more. You want to be sharing something which a person may accept and live with for awhile before taking on another health giving change. It’s important to let an adopted change settle in so they become lifetime habits.
Beginning next week, I’ll offer posts about Chakras and the feet. We have reflex points for Chakras in our feet. I hope you find these articles interesting. I hope you can use this information in your work!
Thanks for reading this blog/book.
Please refer this post to your preferred social media network.
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Thurman Greco
Digestive System: Bottom Line Information, 16 Essential Oils, 44 Foods Which Nourish the Digestive System, and Improvements to be Expected to the Digestive System
BOTTOM LINE:
The digestive system is very quick to tell us if it’s distressed. Marge D’Urso taught that over 50% of people who visit reflexologists suffer from digestive disorders. A well-functioning digestive system is necessary for a healthy body. The importance of the digestive system to our overall health cannot be overrated.
Because the nervous system communicates with the digestive system, focus on the nervous system before working the digestive system. Follow this with attention to the digestive system including a focus on the intestinal tract. Because good health begins in the intestinal tract, work it a often as you can in your sessions whether or not the person has voiced complaints.
ESSENTIAL OILS TO USE WHEN WORKING THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM INCLUDE black pepper, coriander, fennel, ginger, peppermint, rosemary, nutmeg, mountain savory, clove, lemon, tarragon, basil, grapefruit, spearmint, lemongrass, copaiba
FOODS NOURISHING THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM INCLUDE apples, apricots, artichokes, arugula, asparagus, beans, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, coffee, dandelions, eggs, fennel, flaxseed oil, garlic, ghee, grapefruit, green beans, green tea, kale, leeks, lemons, mushrooms, oatmeal, okra, olive oil, onions, papaya, peppers, pineapple, prunes, pumpkin, rutabagas, spinach, squash, strawberries, tea, tomatoes, turnips, water, watermelon, yogurt
Of the foods on the above list, the following foods are also on Johnny Bowden, Ph.D.’s list of the 150 healthiest foods on earth.
apples, apricots, artichokes, arugula, asparagus, beans, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, coffee, dandelions, eggs, fennel, flaxseed oil, garlic, grapefruit, green beans, kale, leeks, lemons, mushrooms, oatmeal, olive oil, onions, peppers, pineapple, prunes, pumpkin, strawberries, tea, turnips, water, watermelon, yogurt.
So, you’ve actually got two lists here. The top list is the list of foods nourishing the digestive system. The second list is those foods on Johnny Bowden’s list. This gets a little complicated but it’s worth knowing. If you have problems with the information and how it’s listed, please let me know.
IMPROVEMENTS TO BE EXPECTED FROM SESSIONS TO THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM:
The importance of digestive system health cannot be overestimated. Both disease and health begin in the intestinal tract. Regular sessions focusing on the digestive system encourage a healthy digestive system. WOW!
Thank you for reading this blog/book.
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Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco
Follow this with attention to the digestive system including a focus on the intestinal tract. Because good health begins in the intestinal tract, work it as often as you can in your sessions whether or not the client-partner has voiced complaints.
Reflexology Blog – Digestive System
THE DIGESTIVE PROCESS BEGINS WHEN WE CHEW OUR FOOD. It continues as the body breaks down the food we eat and turns it into subtances which can be absorbed and used for growth, repair, energy.
The digestive system is composed principally of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, liver, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and the anal canal.
IT IS EMOTIONAL AND IS QUICK TO TELL US IF IT ‘S NOT WORKING PROPERLY. That is one strong argument for reflexology sessions. They bring about homeostasis which is important to digestive health. We have a tendency to hold worry in our stomach.
Once food is eaten, it travels down the pharynx and esophagus to the stomach. When the food leaves the stomach it moves to the small intestine. This is where most of the nutrients are absorbed. This is also where fear can find a safe place.
What actually happens in the process of digestion regarding the food and the interaction of the food with the chemicals and how the body absorbs the resulting nutrients is complicated. This process is not completely understood by many people.
A good description can be found in several chapters of “The South Beach Diet” by Dr. Frank Agatston in which he describes the digestive very thoroughly using a vocabulary we can all understand.
Finally, the large intestine moves the undigested and unabsorbable food to the anal canal and rectum where it is excreted.
Eating and digesting food is not just about getting nutrition. It’s a very spiritual process. How do we assimilate things that are happening in our lives and in the world around us? Our digestive system not only absorbs nutrients and discards those things not needed but we also use our digestive system to absorb feelings, sensations, experiences. When we are forced to hold back our feelings, it’s reflected in our digestive health.
It has been said that health begins and ends in the intestinal tract. It is true that an unhappy, angry, frustrated person has a much harder time maintaining digestive balance and health.
WHEN WE WORK THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM REFLEXES, WE ENCOURAGE THEM TO NORMALIZE THE FLOW OF DIGESTING FOOD THROUGH THE SYSTEM.
Although all the parts of the digestive system are very important in a Reflexology for the Spirit session, work the liver during every session. The liver is a large organ and it has a bigger job to do because it’s a detoxing machine. People are becoming more toxic because of the pesticides in our food, the toxins in our air and water, and the things we eat which aren’t really food.
Pay special attention to the large intestine when offering a Reflexology for the Spirit session. Maintaining a healthy large intestine is extremely important to your client’s overall health.
Thank you for reading this blog/book.
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Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco
Constipation – a Very Common Complaint
MARGE D’URSO TAUGHT ME THAT ABOUT 50% OF MY CLIENT-PARTNERS SUFFER FROM CONSTIPATION. She was not wrong. Many times, a person comes to my table suffering with constipation and doesn’t even tell me about it. However, over time, I hear about the situation when it’s in the past tense.
It is very difficult to receive regular reflexology sessions and suffer with constipation.
Constipation is often accompanied by gas and abdominal discomfort. Physical causes include improper diet, stress, dehydration.
PEOPLE SUFFERING WITH CONSTIPATION OFTEN HAVE DIFFICULTY LETTING GO OF THE PAST – EVENTS, BELIEFS.
People suffering with constipation can be very controlling.
People suffering with constipation can have relationships that need to end, jobs they need to leave, anger they need to let go of……
When offering Reflexology for the Spirit to a client partner suffering with constipation, begin by working the solar plexus and diaphragm.
Work the digestive system as you focus on the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and intestinal reflexes.
Work the endocrine system as you focus on the adrenal gland reflexes.
Finish the session by working the liver and solar plexus.
Thank you for reading this blog/book.
Please refer this article to your preferred social media network.
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Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco
A Very Common but Rarely Discussed Health Issue – Hemorrhoids
AS WE AGE, MORE AND MORE OF US SUFFER WITH HEMORRHOIDS. This makes sense when we realize that aging is part of the situation. Spiritually, as we age, some of us develop an inability to let go of life events. We develop a feeling that life has been unfair as we become critical of ourselves as well as others. Fear is always a factor in hemorrhoids. Fear, anger, lack of self-confidence Many of us cling to beliefs, opinions that are outdated.
ON A PHYSICAL LEVEL, HEMORRHOIDS ARE VARICOSE VEINS IN THE RECTUM AND ANUS AREAS. They are considered to be harmless unless they become infected or rupture. So, hemorrhoids become a part of our daily lives as the bowel movement becomes slower than we want and more difficult.
CHRONIC CONSTIPATION, PERSISTENT DIARRHEA, PROLONGED SITTING, PREGNANCY, AND ANAL INTERCOURSE CONTRIBUTE TO HEMORRHOIDS. Softening the stool, eating a high fiber diet, and being hydrated, help prevent hemorrhoids.
WHEN YOU OFFER REFLEXOLOGY TO A PERSON SUFFERING WITH HEMORRHOIDS, begin by working the digestive system as you focus on the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder reflexes.
Work the endocrine system as you focus on the adrenal gland reflexes.
Work the intestinal reflexes.
Finish the session by working the liver and solar plexus.
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Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco
When you work the Digestive System, you Help the Intestinal Trct Normalize Itself
Constipation is common in people seeking the services of Reflexology for the Spirit Practitioners. The good news is that the condition seldom continues as regularly scheduled Reflexology for the Spirit sessions progress. This is true of both children and adults.
Risk factors for constipation include a sedentary lifestyle, eating a low-fiber, high-fat diet, not getting enough liquids and, in my opinion, not getting enough vitamin C.
It’s difficult for the human body to achieve optimum health without a clean intestinal tract. Many conditions throughout the body can be improved as the intestinal tract begins to function properly.
Often, when you have a client partner coming for regular session to deal with constipation, you will begin to see a person who feels better, looks better, develops better eating habits, has more energy, and has a more generous outlook on life.
Although sessions offer a gentle detox, a colon cleanse followed by a liver cleanse will improve things immensely.
In normalizing colon function, dry brushing after bathing, lymphatic cleansing with exercise, weekly Reflexology for the Spirit sessions and regular use of a mini trampoline in addition to the cleanse will help.
AREAS TO WORK: digestive system, immune system, lymphatics, urinary system, liver and solar plexus
ESSENTIAL OILS: anise, peppermint, ginger, fennel, tarragon
Thank you for reading this post.
Peace and food for all
Thurman Greco
