Get Ready for Spring with Self-Care
When you have a few moments to yourself, open your closet door and take a look inside. Examine each item. As you touch each shirt, each pair of slacks, sweater, you connect with a memory – a moment in your past.
What comes to mind? Do you see yourself at a moment in your past? Were you younger, thinner, busier, more creative?
Look again. Maybe these items are no longer as shiny. Maybe they are not as breathable. You don’t need those pieces of clothing to touch base with your self. Nor do you need the contents of your closet to remind you of who you are.
Now is a good time to remove things you no longer need and use. Take some of these tops and bottoms and put them in a pile on the floor.
Then, gather them up and take them to a local closet or free store.
You are not getting rid of your past.
You are embracing who you are right now. Better yet! You are greeting your future.
Now might be a good time to email your friends and ask them to join you in sharing their clothes by donating them to the free store or closet with you.
Embrace the spring! Embrace the coming months. Welcome the gifts this self-care ceremony in your closet has created.
Do not forget: include a reflexology or reiki session with every self-care event!
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There are other posts throughout this blog which you may also enjoy. Please explore them.
Find out more at www.thurmangreco.com.
What is Your Superpower?
Your superpower is present, right now, in your life. Sometimes you may not be aware of it. At other times, you definitely know it. Or…maybe you don’t.
Whether you recognize your superpower is irrelevant.
It’s there when you make the right decision and then follow through with action.
It’s there when you begin a new project.
It’s there when you align yourself with a higher purpose.
One thing to understand about your superpower: You tap into your superpower when you are developing yourself.
When you engage your superpower, you communicate better. You use your intuitive skills, receive flashes of insight and use your intellect and tap into your spiritual pool.
Ask yourself some questions:
What does my superpower mean to me?
How does it weave itself into my life?
Where do I look for my superpower?
How do I know when I have found it?
What are some ways I can use my superpower to the best of my abilities?
One way to incorporate your superpower into your daily life is to see your potential in a project or situation, and then take action. This can be transformational.
You use your superpower when you see a present situation and are able to understand how it is likely to develop as it matures.
Your superpower works when it reinforces your creative energy and clear mind.
If you aren’t sure how to use your superpower, set a goal for yourself and then stay focused on it until the end.
Beginning with a small project is a good way to enjoy your superpower. When you make it real, it will carry you through to the end.
Your superpower helps you discern the difference between illusion and reality in a situation. When you do this, you are strengthening your intellect, your intuition, and your observation skills.
Finally, with your superpower, magic is present in a small way.
Learning to access your superpower regularly is a deeply personal process of regaining your physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional balance.
Whenever you feel stressed, this is a good time to receive a Reflexology, Reiki therapy, or other bodywork session.
It’s time to ask yourself “Is there something I know I need to do?”
This channel is a good place to learn more about Reiki therapy and Reflexology.
Find out more about Thurman at www.thurmangreco.com
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Letting Go
Recently I was standing in a grocery line, my cart piled high with much needed food. After a couple of minutes, I realized that, not only was it not moving, the line was getting longer and longer – seemingly by the second.
A couple of weeks ago, I was in a similar situation – I was stuck in traffic. It seemed I was in this situation for the duration of the afternoon.
Both cases shot my schedule. I wasn’t going to make it to my next appointment, or the one after that, on time. The most could say about these situations was that they were a crashing bore.
In the grocery line, I shifted into neutral. It was time to chill. This was a situation where I felt everything was going to go the way it was going to go – I was stuck.
This created a perfect opportunity for two things: First, it was time to ground myself and be peaceful. Second, it was time for Reiki energy to join the crowd.
Sure enough – within a moment, I felt Reiki energy energize my hands while it moved through the crowd and grounded everyone. I felt the people in the line calm themselves and take on an entirely new perspective.
When I’m in a crowd and Reiki energy join the group, I’m always grateful that I learned Reiki in such a way that it goes to work as it is needed.
Even without Reiki energy, grounding was a wonderful thing to experience in this situation.
Whenever we’re in a stuck event, the first inclination is to push. When that doesn’t work, the next step is to figure out a way to fight and struggle against the event.
A good option in this situation is to do your best to be calm. This attitude may give you an entirely new perspective.
Is this an easy thing to do? Probably not. But, when you succeed, you may feel you participated in a spiritually grounding event.
WOW!
Truthfully, it’s hard to plan for these events.
When they happen, embrace the opportunity to practice Letting Go. This short time in the grocery line or traffic jam is a good way to release and/or heal the various events and thoughts crowding your life with negativity.
See this situation as a moment for yourself. Think about how you can benefit from it.
Work on releasing any thoughts, habits, or beliefs that clutter your life. If you have doubts, think of the release is a way of loving yourself.
You may want to let go of a person or situation in your life which is uncomfortable or too negative for you. Do this with love and compassion. Ask the universe for guidance and assistance.
You may be able to move toward forgiving someone or some past event.
Because you are in a situation, you may be inspired by the spirituality and grounding of the moment to receive inspiration.
Sometimes the universe sees an opportunity which you didn’t know was there!
This may even be time for self-talk and self-acceptance.
This may even be time to commit to an action.
This may be time to participate in a Letting-Go moment where you release frustrations, mis-guided expectations, and other restrictions into the wind.
Take a moment to blow them away. As you breathe out, send them to wherever they need to go to become positive expectations, thoughts, and goals for others.
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You can also learn more by reading past blog posts. YOUTUBE has information, too.
Do you want to learn more about Reiki or Reflexology? My books and videos on YOUTUBE have more information. I also have a video about reflexology which I made with the generosity of Arlene Ferrieri and Karen White.
Intention – A Road Map to Your Future
Put your future in motion!
And, how do you do that?
Your first step is to set your intention. After all, you can’t know where you’re going until you know where you’re headed.
Take a few minutes to write an affirmation that represents you once you’ve reached your goal.
Your second step is to open your journal and lay out the change you want to see in your life based on your intention.
A Reiki session honoring your intention and the change you want to see is appropriate here.
For example, if you want to get a new job, you may write an affirmation such as “I have the perfect job.”
Visualize what you will look like and how you will feel when that change happens.
Visualize changes you may experience as you move toward your goal.
Next, consider a few things you’re going to do to make that perfect job happen.
They may include:
write a winning resume
search online
network with people
contact prospective employers
follow-up after each interview
Once you have your list of things you’re going to do, it’s time to act on your to-do list.
Occasionally, it’s important to take a look at your notes and see what things have happened. Are you progressing toward your goal?
You may want to include regular Reiki, reflexology, and meditation activities to stay connected with your intention and your journey.
Occasional questions will help: How is the universe intervening in your behalf? Do you need to adjust your intention?
As you begin to circulate your resumes and interview for your job, it’s helpful to remind yourself that you have a job when you have a start date, a specific place to report to work, and know the starting salary.
You may want to include these things in your adjusted intention.
As time passes and events occur, you may want to revisit your notes. Did you reach your goal? What twists and turns occurred along your path?
Finally, is it time to set a new wheel in motion as you adjust your intention.
Ask yourself this: How has the universe moved in your behalf in conjunction with your efforts?
Thank you for reading this blog post. If you have friends who might enjoy this post, please share it with them. Forward it to your preferred social media network.
For more information, check out my books, earlier blog posts, and selected YOUTUBE interviews at “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco”
Connect with me on facebook and at www.thurmangreco.com.
Healing Begins with Balance
BALANCE BEGINS WITH WATER
Sometimes I just get so busy. I wonder how to keep up. With everything happening in our world today, being busy, busier, busiest is a coping mechanism.
When I feel stressed or overinvolved, I come to a stop for a moment and remind myself that my balance begins with water.
Over half of our body weight is water.
Water is included in all the chemical activities that our body generates, whether we’re awake or asleep. Because water plays a vital role in everything we do, even minor dehydration affects our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual balance.
Keeping hydrated is crucial to your balance and grounding.
We lose water when we breathe, sweat, urinate, eat and digest food, walk around the block, sleep. This is a continual process.
The #1 energy drink on the planet: water. You can supplement your need for water with fruits, vegetables, and other beverages like coffee, tea, and juice.
Water flushes out waste and toxins. It prevents constipation. Water optimizes kidney function, preventing kidney stones.
Water holds the balance between air and fire. Its energy is conscious.
Do you want to keep your energy level up and prevent fatigue?
Double your water consumption for two weeks. If you don’t experience a distinct improvement in your energy level and overall feeling of wellness, make an appointment with a well-trained healthcare professional.
The person who might help you the best at this time is someone who will see you as a whole person and an individual. A person who can look at the big picture for you is a good choice. You might have a functional medicine doctor in your area.
Are you thinking of going on a diet? Try this: When you feel hungry, drink a glass of water first.
Are you interested in maintaining your youth? There are several things you can do today along with your exercise: Drink water. Drink more water.
Water is a good health promotion tool.
When you get serious about your water and your health, you are probably going to think about where your water comes from.
It may be time for a good water filter. I have an under-the sink water filter which I use to clean the water I drink, the water I use to wash fresh veggies and fruits, the water I give to my pets, and the water I use to nourish my houseplants.
Your skin is your largest organ eliminating toxins throughout the day.
Bathing and showering are balancing and relaxing activities which can be an essential part of your spiritual and physical grounding program.
Bathing will get rid of heavy metals while getting rid of heavy thoughts.
Use water to unwind when you soak away toxins in a salts bath. Set aside at least 15 minutes to relax in warm water to which you’ve added salts, herbs, essential oils. There are many options here for your enjoyment.
At the end of your soak, shower off with fresh water and dry your body with a clean towel.
Follow this with a dry brushing exercise. Use a natural-bristle brush to softly brush your body, beginning with your feet and working your way up your head.
As you add new balancing health habits, include regular reflexology and Reiki therapy sessions. Homeostasis is easier with regular balancing habits.
Finally, balance is a physical, mental, emotional, energetic, and spiritual experience.
Sometimes, achieving balance for your health requires releasing habits which do not promote balanced healing.
Achieving balance also calls for us to rebuild parts of your lifestyle and your self.
Goal setting is a basic part of the process.
Finally, as you achieve balance, you may find that you are losing a few people in your life. Some new ones may join you.
These things may happen as you achieve a balanced healing state.
It’s amazing what can happen when you begin to drink water!
Thanks for reading this article. Please forward this post to friends and relatives who might enjoy reading it.
For more information, check out my book “Healer’s Handbook”.
More information is available in early articles and on YOUTUBE “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco”
The information you find in these places is a conduit for your own healing.
Thanks for being on the journey!
www.thurmangreco.com
A Third Chakra Meditation – Strength, Warmth, Energy
I open this meditation with three different photos of a sunlit space.
My message is this:
Go with whichever one works best for you. Go with all of them if you like.
The sun gives strength, warmth, and energy so you can access the power of your solar plexus chakra.
Relax yourself as you breathe slowly, deeply. Breathe in clean oxygen, air, energy, light. Inhale slowly, and deeply to fill your body with cleansing fresh air.
When you exhale, let go of everything negative: toxins, anger, anxiety, pain, fear – anything you don’t need anymore.
PAUSE
As you continue to slowly inhale and exhale deeply, feel your body relaxing. Continue to inhale and exhale until your body is as relaxed as possible.
Experience this feeling as it moves throughout your muscles, bones, your chakras.
As you exhale, release toxins through your feet. Feel the toxins leaving through your toes.
Inhaling, feel your body filled with light. – Feel the sun’s rays beaming down on you. Feel the sun’s warmth and power as it blankets your body. This warmth and power nourishes both your body and soul.
Feel this power give you strength and wisdom so you can move forward in whatever endeavor you choose.
Feel this power focus on your solar plexus. Feel light and peace and positive energy. Experience the strength and wisdom in your solar plexus.
Now, breathe deeply and see you are surrounded with a beautiful, loving and peaceful golden-orange light. This light sends you inspiration.
Inhale deeply.
You may notice a spirit being joining you now. Notice how this being appears to you.
How is this being dressed?
What color clothes does this being appear to be wearing?
What kind of shoes does this being wear?
If you want to ask this being a question, ask it now.
PAUSE
You may not receive an answer in the moment. But, you will receive an answer when the time is right –
Feel the presence of this wisdom. Trust that the answer you receive will be the information you need to empower yourself and your development.
Now, stay relaxed in your golden-orange light as long as you want. Bathe in the light. Absorb this powerful, healing energy.
When you are ready to leave this space, offer a blessing:
Amen.
You can return to this meditation, this spirit guide, and this powerful, positive energy whenever you need, by remembering this experience in the light.
Your golden-orange light is waiting to surround you whenever you want.
Thanks for reading this meditation.
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You can find other guided meditations in earlier blog posts.
Much of the info in this blog post was shared from “Healer’s Handbook.”
thurmangreco@gmail.com
Your Third Chakra – Inner Strength and Wisdom
The solar plexus chakra gets its power from its location. It is the third chakra in a line just above the first and second chakras and is located about 2 inches above your navel.
The location of this chakra is important because this is where the abdominal brain is located. Your abdominal brain is a communication hub.
If you are dealing with fear, anxiety, or other negativity, take comfort in the knowledge that your solar plexus chakra releases a yellow-gold light. This power comes to your aid when you feel insulted, cheated, or criticized.
Speak to your solar plexus chakra when you are threaghtened and give it support as it does its work filling you with confidence and respect.
For me, the solar plexus chakra is not quite as heavy as the first chakra but certainly heavier than the heart or throat chakra.
Its distinctive yellow-orange color gives it strength and power. To become closer to your solar plexus chakra, select a stone and carry it with you for several days.
The choices are many but yellow citrine, yellow amber, yellow jade will get you started. There are many stones to choose from – just stick with the yellows. One that attracts me (which is not yellow) is orange tourmaline.
When I was a young woman, I was attracted to a golden topaz. I know now that it offered me strength which I needed.
Your solar plexus chakra will help you achieve your goals when it aligns with your other chakras. An aligned solar plexus chakra radiates empowerment, confidence, and ability.
For many people, the solar plexus chakra is the easiest one to connect because it reveals itself to you more easily than the others. We can all feel the “butterflies” in our solar plexus chakra.
If you are working on your solar plexus chakra, good times for meditation or essential oil blending include the full moon and the summer solstice. You can also work with your solar plexus on any sunny day between 12:00 noon and 1:00 pm.
To empower your soul, spend a 10-15 minutes soaking up the rays of the sun.
A fun exercise is to make an asfidity bag focusing on your solar plexus chakra.
TO MAKE YOUR ASFIDITY BAG
The first step to make your bag is to select items to include in it: a favorite cloth which is about 4″ square, and a couple of stones which have meaning to you. You’ll need some thread to close the bag up.
Include some favorite herbs. Good choices for your solar plexus chakra include lemon, mint, turmeric, or any plant which has a special meaning for you.
You may want to include bits of sand, a seashell, a small photo or other drawing which has meaning for you. Add anything which you feel is appropriate. Include things which feel warm, comforting, beautiful. You may be seeking inspiration and the manifestation of strength and power.
After you make your asfidity bag, wear it around your neck or keep it close to your body for strength and intuition.
You can also keep it on your personal altar.
Moderation in all things is important for a healthy solar plexus chakra.
Are you interested in fitness? Two things that may appeal to you as you align your solar plexus chakra are yoga and a martial arts practice.
Diseases and health issues involving your solar plexus include diabetes, pancreatitis, ulcers, food disorders, reflux, hypoglycemia, hepatitus, chronic fatigue.
Thanks for reading this article. Please refer it to your favorite social media network and share it with your friends and relatives.
Thanks for reading this article. You can find more information in prior blog posts and in “Healer’s Handbook” – in all three editions.
Books and ebooks can be purchased at www.thurmangreco.com.
If you have questions, you can reach me at
thurmangreco@gmail.com.
angel with bird
Your Second Chakra – What it Means
They say your second chakra is all about creativity. This includes anything and everything you create in your life: your sexual experiences, an invention, a project, service to others, and anything else you think up.
Have you ever thought a thought and didn’t know where it came from? Chances are that whack on the side of the head idea had a second chakra boost.
My own personal opinion is that your sacral chakra is involved in everything you do in life.
Are you interested in co-creating? To hone those co-creating skills, go right to your second chakra.
Even if you aren’t interested in co-creating, include your second chakra in every project you embark.
To bring more excitement and fun in your life, start with a list.
Include experiences in your life which bring you pleasure, offer fun, increase your endorphins, or make you smile.
Expand your list. Include something every day.
Your goal is to increase your creativity. You want to empower yourself to feel inspired and more alive!
Make no mistake, second chakra work includes your soul.
First chakra issues have a tendency to encourage a person to isolate or even go inward. A first chakra goal is to learn to live with oneself.
Second chakra issues Include others in your journey. Second chakra issues cause us to make our lives with others. Second chakras communicate with other chakras.
The ultimate example of this is the process of giving birth to and raising a child or children.
While birth is considered a feminine event, the second chakra is about creating things from our hips or second chakra. This applies to everyone.
Second chakra imbalances can manifest themselves as blocks which last for years.
If you experience a writer’s block, have reproductive issues, or have problems with your career development, include sacral chakra therapy in the healing process.
Include extra reflexology, Reiki therapy, and chakra healing sessions.
Any issues involving your genitals, reproductive organs, pelvis, hips, or lower vertebrae, appendix and upper intestines, are affected by sacral blocks and imbalances.
Your second chakra will respond to essential oils such as
ylang ylang, rose, lemon.
Crystals include carnelian, amber, tangerine quartz.
Thank you for reading this article. You can find more information about sacral chakras in previous blog posts and in “Healer’s Handbook” by Thurman Greco.
Purchase this book www.thurmangreco.com and at Amazon.
Thanks for reading this article. Please forward it to your preferred social media network and share it with friends and family.
There are many video productions on YOUTUBE at “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco” Check out the ever-growing list of videos.
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8 Ways to Heal Your Chakras
When you balance your chakras, you change your physical self. This happens because your chakras affect all levels of your body – physical, psychological, and spiritual.
Balanced chakras facilitate homeostasis. A chakra adjustment boosts healing and recovery from illness, emotional wounds, negative lifestyles and other physical and mental issues.
INTENTION
Wherever you are on your healing path, your foundation is your intention to heal, which guides your journey.
Keep it close throughout your travels because healing can often reach into your past. Your health issues may have begun years, decades, even lifetimes ago.
Write your intention. Meditate on your intention. Stay with your intention. It leads your energy, telling it what to do.
Your intention has a second task: it converts your healing goals into your new normal, maintaining your good health and your spiritual wholeness.
Without this second task focusing on your good health goals, your body may revert to its previous state.
Your goal is to make strong and durable changes so you can become your new normal self.
This may be scary stuff. After all, it’s much easier to “keep on keeping on”.
If you really seek healing, change the things you do.
AROMATHERAPY
The sense of smell is primal.
When you focus on grounding and safety, aromatherapy is a good choice because these qualities rely on the sense of smell. This is especially important for health issues affecting your root chakra.
Aromas work on the unconscious self and the physical body.
Smells have a frequency which reaches far back in time to heal your chakras and energetic fields.
Smells reveal memories traveling instantly from the past – beyond this life even.
This time travel can balance chakras. Essential oils can focus on a specific chakra.
I’ve listed various essential oils in previous blog posts. I’ve also listed them in all editions of “Healer’s Handbook”.
If you want to own the fewest number of essential oils possible, lavender can be a good first choice.
Good essential oils for the root chakra include wood-related oils: sandalwood, rosewood.
If you want to use essential oils to promote healing and balance, select only a few for the chakra you are focusing on. Buy the best quality, therapeutic grade oils you can find. Store them in glass in a cool, dark place.
Once you select an essential oil, learn to use that particular oil. Depending on the oil you choose, you may dilute it and then apply it topically.
You may also use the essential oil aromatically.
Finally, you may decide to ingest it.
However you decide to use the essential oil, learn the best way to use it before you begin your treatment.
SOUND
Sound affects us all deeply and instantly. Sound is powerful because it changes our vibration. Going straight to our deepest core, sound alters vibrations of illness and disease.
When using sound to heal, choose those sounds which touch your heart, your chakras and emotions.
You may decide to engage in formal sound healing sessions. Or you may simply choose to pay more attention to the sounds in your life. What sounds promote healing, calming, or balancing? Which ones are disruptive and damaging?
Don’t underestimate the power of healing music.
MANTRAS AND HEALING NOTES
A mantra is a word which is repeated for healing purposes.
Om is a universal mantra. The vibration of the repeated word is the power in the mantra. Vibration, not the word itself, is the power in the singing bowls, tuning forks, chants, and mantras.
It’s not necessary to know the literal meaning of a word for it to work as a mantra.
Tools that create notes for chakra healing include Gregorian Chants, singing bowls, and tuning forks designed to heal chakras.
Singing bowls and tuning forks resonate to the energy of specific chakras. Any word or sound carrying a positive resonance has a powerful, therapeutic effect.
Silence can be powerfully calming and healing. If you are attracted to the vibration of silence, try to practice it a few minutes each day.
YOGA
Yoga poses have been used for ages to boost and balance your chakras. The poses strengthen and stabilize your body. They also activate your chakras.
Yoga poses open, strengthen, and balance different chakras based on their location. There are many different yoga poses, each anatomically related to different chakras.
CRYSTALS AND STONES
For me, crystals and stones live. Each has a unique vibration which communicates with our energetic fields. This communication has the capacity to bring harmony and balance.
The best way to select a crystal or stone is to trust your body’s response. When you hold a particular stone in your hand or place it on a chakra, how does it feel to you? Does it feel bad? Are you positively attracted to it?
If the response is good, you may be on the right track.
Selecting the crystal and gemstones is a personal decision. It’s hard for someone else to choose your stone.
A good way is to select a stone in the same color as the chakra you’re trying to balance.
For example, if you are seeking a stone to balance your root chakra, choose from red stones because that chakra’s color resonates with red.
Occasionally, a stone will call out to you. This happened to me recently. Black tourmaline presented itself to me, uninvited. I saw evidence of this stone everywhere I went.
When I opened books, a picture of this stone would be on the opened page.
When a colleague asked me about stones, she wanted information about black tourmaline.
I visited a tarot store in Great Barrington – and there sat a dish of them, right at eye level.
I simply couldn’t avoid them.
So, I finally gave in!
I bought a stone and silver chain at the Mower’s Meadow Flea Market from a booth there.
I’ve been wearing the black tourmaline for over a week now and I feel totally different than I felt a week ago.
I held out as long as I could and when I finally did what I should have done in the beginning – I felt good.
MEDITATION
Meditations balance and heal on several different levels.
For me, meditations work because energy follows intent. A guided meditation allows you to focus on your intentions in a relaxed state.
If you are looking to find a guided meditation suitable for your chakra balancing, maybe I can suggest a starting point for you. I’ve used several books for years. Larry Moen wrote my three favorite books: “Meditations for Awakening”, “Meditations for Healing”, “Meditations for Transformation”.
I’ve worn out several copies of these books and shared others.
I’ve also written some guided meditations. You can find them in earlier posts of this blog.
REFLEXOLOGY AND REIKI
Both reflexology and Reiki therapy balance your chakras. I wrote about this in my book: “Healer’s Handbook”.
When my chakras need attention, I always turn to reflexology and Reiki first.
While I definitely embrace different healing methods to balance my chakras, I refer to reflexology first.
A reflexology session is my first stop.
Thanks for reading this article! Please forward it to your preferred social media network. Share it with your friends.
Some information in this blog post was shared from “Healers Handbook”. Purchase a copy from www.thurmangreco.com.
Search “Let’s Live with Thurman Greco on YOUTUBE and check out the ever-growing selection of videos focused on reflexology, Reiki therapy, and healing.
Please share this article with your preferred social media network and with your friends.
Thanks again!
Thurman Greco
I’m planning a couple of special year-end blogs and YOUTUBE shows. I hope they work out. Sometimes the universe sends me in different different directions.
Thanking you again!
www.thurmangreco.com
Who Shouldn’t Receive a Reflexology Session, and Why (Contraindications)
My introduction to contraindications began at my first massage therapy class at the Potomac Myotherapy Institute in Washington, D.C back in 1979.
Our first class began on an autumn evening with about 40 students. By the second class, that number had shrunk to a few over 20. Missing students were culled because of contraindications.
A contraindication list changes based on several factors:
Wellness and reflexology writers each have lists based on their experiences and training.
Healers each have a list. My experience in this field tells me that this list is highly individualized, again based on each healer’s experiences and training.
Teachers in both schools and continuing education seminars have opinions. These professionals teach from a list compiled not only by themselves but by the school owners and the states where they teach.
When I first began practicing massage, Kerrith McKechnie cautioned us to not treat cancer patients, or anyone with fever, or a rash. And the list continued beyond that.
Later, when I studied reflexology, Marge d’Urso’s list was different.
Mary Ruth VanLandingham’s Reiki therapy list had no contraindications.
Over the past three plus decades, I have a list of my own. This list has changed over time based on my experiences, and classes taken.
And, of course, this list begins with
CANCER PATIENTS
As a student at PMTI, we were cautioned against working on cancer patients at all.
Years later, I know reflexology offers much for a cancer patient: relief from pain, stress, and nausea.
When I first offered reflexology to a cancer patient, she received her reflexology sessions 48 hours after chemotherapy. The theory was that she was toxic for 48 hours after receiving her chemotherapy.
I waited the 48 hours to protect myself.
The first time I offered reflexology sessions to a cancer patient, I did it because she asked. We discussed the situation and she felt that she had no options left.
To put her situation bluntly, I was offering reflexology to a terminally ill client. She wanted the relief offered from pain, stress, and nausea.
Now, of course, fewer and fewer cancer patients receive chemotherapy.
What’s important here is the journey reflexology and other healing modalities have taken as we learned more about cancer.
Years later, at a seminar at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital, I learned that reflexology, massage, and Reiki therapy are appropriate for cancer patients whenever they want to receive a session.
For me, cancer is no longer a reason to refuse a reflexology session to a client.
PREGNANT WOMEN
I do not offer reflexology sessions to pregnant women experiencing the first trimester of an unstable pregnancy.
Nothing is more wonderful than a reflexology session offered to a woman in her 7th month of pregnancy and has not seen her feet for a couple of months and still has 2 months to go.
The rule I follow: avoid offering reflexology in the first trimester and stay on the bottom of the feet when you offer sessions thereafter.
If you have any concerns, switch to Reiki therapy. Reiki therapy is wonderful for pregnant women at any stage of the pregnancy. With a regular Reiki therapy client, you can offer sessions weekly and can offer to go with your client into the labor and delivery stages of the birth process. Then, of course, you have two clients.
CLIENTS WITH INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Infectious disease sufferers should not receive reflexology for your protection. If you decide to offer a session to someone in a contagious condition, consider some options: gloves, mask, etc.
SEVERE CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE
This is a good time to use your Reiki therapy skills.
GANGRENE
Gangrene occurs when a person’s cells begin to die in a particular place when there is no circulation in a certain place in the body. Gangrene is fairly rare but can be seen in cases of advanced diabetes. This situation requires a physician’s attention.
ADVANCED OSTEOPOROSIS
Persons suffering with mild osteoporosis or osteopenia benefit from reflexology sessions. Use a light touch and a short session taking care not to fracture bones.
The red flag begins to fly when a new client approaches you with advanced osteoporosis. By then, it’s too late for your services without permission from the physician.
EXTENSIVE ATHLETE’S FOOT, ETC.
Whenever there is a rash, an open sore, athlete’s foot, etc., offer hand reflexology instead of working the feet. If you are uncomfortable offering hand reflexology to a person who has a contagious or infectious condition, use gloves.
ADVANCED DIABETES
Clients with mild diabetes respond well to reflexology sessions offered to both hands and feet. Use gentle pressure when working the pancreas. Use a lighter pressure in general for diabetics because their skin may be thinner or more sensitive and bruise easily. Also, reduce sessions to 30 minutes or less for new clients.
HEAVILY MEDICATED CLIENTS
Persons taking a lot of medicine may have a buildup of toxins. Because reflexology sessions offer a natural detoxing action you need to take care not to overload the person. Offer a light thouch and shorter session.
SEVERE SWELLING
Swelling may indicate an internal injury, such as torn ligaments caused by a sprain, strain or fracture. Do not work an ankle, or foot that is swollen and painful. Once a medical professional has ruled out any underlying conditions, you can use your reflexology skills.
OPEN SORES OR CUTS
Cover blisters and cuts to keep them free from bacterial infections. Sometimes open sores may indicate an underlying, chronic condition, such as diabetes. The sores may also be related to contagious skin disorders.
BREAKS OR SPRAINS
Wait for permission from a physician. And, do not remove a cast or bandaging to offer reflexology. Work with what tissue is available to you and focus on a gentle touch and slow movements.
This may be a good option for Reiki.
FEVER
Fever is not a health issue. It is a symptom of an infection somewhere in your body.
For me, fever is one of the most important symptoms you may experience. It can indicate a heart attack, tumor, trauma, or a reaction to a vaccine.
Reflexology offers homeostasis which is important when a person has a fever. Returning your body to an ideal temperature is one of the best outcomes a person with fever.
Giving a reflexology session to a person with a fever can be a healing situation once you understand the cause.
FEAR OR ANXIETY
The final item on my list is highly personal. If I suspect a person is afraid of receiving reflexology or is experiencing anxious emotions about being on my table, I offer to cancel or postpone the session.
Sometimes, people who have never received bodywork or healing are unsure about being ready for a session. This is not the time to change someone’s mind or feelings.
They can always reschedule the session at a time when they feel calmer about their session.
Throughout the years that I’ve offered healing sessions, I’ve had only two people arrive for appointments. I knew the minute I saw them that something wasn’t “right”.
I followed my intuition and offered to cancel or reschedule the appointment. Both people were relieved to receive my offer. And I was happy I offered to cancel or reschedule. The moment the words left my mouth I knew they were the right words.
Thank you for reading this article!
None of the above contraindications occur often. But when they do happen, I like to feel I am following guidelines learned in classes throughout the years.
Please refer this post to your preferred social media network and share it with a friend.
Some information in this post was shared from “Healer’s Handbook”. More extensive information regarding contraindications may be found in prior blog posts and on presentations on YOUTUBE.
If you have any further questions or remarks, I can be reached at thurmangreco@gmail.com.
Thanks again,
Thurman
