13 User Friendly Things You Can Do to Avoid Stressing Your Immune System Beyond Its Limits
Maintain a positive mental attitude.
Eating a balanced diet helps your immune system fight disease.
Wash hands often with soap and water. Carry and use hand sanitizer when soap and water are unavailable.
Keep hands away from eyes, mouth, and nose.
Avoid people who have colds, flu, etc.
Cover your nose and mouth when you cough, and then wash your hands.
Viruses flourish in dry air. Keep the atmosphere in your home a little on the humid side.
Keep yourself hydrated.
Avoid stress of all kinds. This means not smoking, not indulging in alcohol and other recreational drugs, and not engaging in activities that result in bruises, broken bones, etc.
Get enough sleep. Your body’s immune system can’t work at optimum levels if it’s sleep deprived. (Added bonus: you’ll look a lot better, too.)
Keep your body and environment as nontoxic as possible. You want the air you breathe to be clean. That translates to an air purifier with a clean filter in your home that is turned “on”.
“Detox” all your cleaning products, both personal and household. Your local health food store sells a safe line of cleaning products. Discard appropriately (or give away) the old toxic cleaners including shampoos, soaps, toothpaste, mouth wash. You should begin to feel better in a few weeks.
When inflammation is a factor, try to maintain a peaceful and harmonious attitude to avoid anger, annoyance, fear.
Thanks again for reading this blog/book which comes to you from my healing space in scenic downtown Woodstock, NY.
Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco
What About the Tonsils? What About the Spleen?
The tonsils are an important line of defense in the body against infections. They filter out many toxins before they make it to the bloodstream as they stop what gets past the hair and mucous membranes in our nose, mouth, throat.
The spleen is an interesting part of the immune system. It’s the largest organ in the lymphatic system. It filters the lymph, removing toxins and bacteria. The spleen also produces antibodies. It removes worn out blood cells, bacteria and parasites. It’s actually hard to understand all the things the spleen does. But, for all the things the spleen does, it’s possible to live without it. It’s sometimes necessary to remove a damaged spleen after a person has been in an accident.
The immune system has an emotional quality to it. The thymus works better when we feel better mentally and emotionally. And we also know that the spleen is considered to be an organ of anger…
Don’t like Getting Colds, Flu? Take Care of Your Immune System. It Keeps You Well.
In the last post, we discussed the lymphatics.
The lymph glands need exercise. A good exercise for moving the lymph is to jump for a few minutes each day on a personal trampoline. A personal trampoline is inexpensive, folds flat, and fits under a bed or in a closet when not being used.
Another good way to keep the lymph moving is to receive Reflexology for the Spirit sessions regularly. When the immune system is stimulated the lymph moves.
Keep the lymphatic system moving so the body can remove the clogging waste products which make it harder to fight colds, flu, respiratory congestion, swollen lymph nodes, stiff joints, cysts, slow healing wounds, etc. Thank of a stagnant lymph system as a clogged sewer.
If the immune system is not properly maintained, and never cleaned, the body may end up with problems extending beyond colds, flu and other things. This escalation can include problems such as arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and possibly cancer.
Another major part of the immune system is the thymus. This is a small gland located in the chest cavity below the thyroid and behind the sternum. The thymus gland manufactures T-Cells which strengthen our immune system. One thing that makes the thymus interesting is that it’s a particular size when we are born and doesn’t grow much after that. So, the size of the thymus in relation to the size of our bodies decreases as our bodies grow into maturity.
Thanks for reading today’s post which comes to you from my healing space in scenic downtown Woodstock, NY.
Tomorrow we’ll continue with the immune system as we discuss the tonsils and the spleen.
If you have any questions, comments, please contact me.
Thanks again.
Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco
Introducing the Immune System
We’re beginning a new section with this post. For the next few posts, we’ll be discussing the different body systems. The first system to be explored is the immune system.
The immune system is the group of organs and glands working together to protect you from colds, flu, infections, slow-healing wounds, as well as more serious diseases.
The major parts of the immune system include the lymphatics, thymus, tonsils, appendix and spleen. The thymus is actually an endocrine gland but works with the immune system.
Think of the lymphatics as the sewer system of the body. If you are to stay healthy and not have colds, flu, infections, etc., it’s important to keep the lymphatic system clean and functioning properly. The lymphatics are a system of vessels located throughout the body running parallel to the circulatory system. They collect toxic waste that seeps out of the blood vessels, control the fluid levels in body tissue, and absorb fats from the digestive system.
They drain the toxins into the lymph nodes which are located throughout the body. If you look at a map of the lymphatic system, you’ll see that there are more nodes located closer to the head and heart than lower down on the body. This leads many professionals to believe that one of the jobs of the lymphatic system is to protect the brain.
The lymph glands don’t have a pump. (The circulatory system has a pump: the heart.) As we move our bodies, we move the lymph.
In the next post, we’ll continue with the lymphatics as well as the other parts of the immune system.
As always, thanks for reading this blog/book. Please contact me if you have any questions or comments.
This post is coming to you from my healing space in Woodstock, NY.
Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco
A Canoe and an Angel – A Guided Meditation
This meditation is for you to use…to read to yourself, to use with your client partner at the beginning of a session…or whenever it feels like a good idea to have a guided meditation.
Make yourself comfortable. Relax. Imagine that you are lying in a beautiful canoe filled with cushions. The small boat is just the right size for you. There is no room for anyone or anything else in this canoe. There is just room enough for you to just “be you”. Nothing more.
You are lying in this canoe in the middle of a beautiful pond. The water in the pond is still, clean, peaceful. Let your body become heavy. Sink into the cushions. You are lying in your canoe in the middle of the pond. Notice the space around you. Experience the peace. Feel the energy.
Look above you at the beautiful sky. A few clouds are moving slowly and lazily across the sky.
A gentle breeze begins to move your canoe across the pond. The breeze moves your canoe into a small opening of the pond which becomes a stream. You float down the stream.
Beautiful trees and greenery line the banks of this gentle stream. You feel safe. This is a protected area. As you float along your eye is drawn to the lovely clouds in the blue sky overhead. You see and hear colorful birds in the trees along the banks of the stream.
Breathe in the peace and gentleness of the stream. Enjoy just being. Appreciate the energy of the scene. You don’t have to do anything. Simply breathe. Enjoy.
Slowly the canoe comes to the shore along the stream. You look around and enjoy the beautiful trees, the greenery, the flowers, the birds. You are very, very relaxed and enjoy being in this special place.
You look over to the shore and see a bench. You are called to climb out of the canoe and sit on this lovely bench in a protected area on the shore under some trees. As you sit down on the bench you realize you are not alone.
Coming to sit beside you is a lovely angel. You feel comfortable, and reach out to the angel who touches your hand. You know this angel has come to sit by your side and be with you. You know this angel has come to answer a question for you.
As you sit next to the angel, you notice how the angel looks. What colors surround this angel. Is this angel tall, short? How is this angel dressed? What is the overall feeling you get from your angel? Does your angel give you a name? If so, what is it? If not, it’s okay. No matter.
You pause a moment and ask your special angel a question.
PAUSE
After a moment, this angel answers your question and offers you wisdom, comfort, love.
Then, a breeze stirs and you gently rise from the bench. It is time to say “Thank you” and “Good bye” to this special angel.
You slowly return to the canoe, thankful for having met your special angel.
As you get comfortable in the canoe, you feel an enfolding warmth which is very healing. You feel as if you are part of the earth. You feel strong, healthy. You breathe in peace, strength, health, happiness. You feel very quiet.
You take these feelings into your solar plexus to keep and remember for any future time that you might need them.
Now…return to your body. Become aware of your surroundings. Move your fingers, toes, arms, legs. Slowly open your eyes.
Become fully awake. Know that you have the memory of this time in the canoe with you to return to when you need it.
Maintaining Good Hand Health For Yourself Is Important
Holding your wrists straight is the difference between having a 2-year career as a practitioner and having a 20-year career.
If you find that you must do wrist gymnastics to offer a session, read the instructions again. Adjust the height of your stool or chair, hold the person’s foot in a different way, etc. Do whatever is necessary to protect the health of your hands.
Are you comfortable as you work? If not, you won’t provide a good session.
It’s not necessary to inflict pain in order to be a good Reflexology for the Spirit practitioner. As a matter of fact, many successful practitioners offer a light touch to their clients. You don’t want your touch to be so light that you’re tickling your client partners. But, it’s not necessary to be super heavy either.
So, what do you do if a client insists that your touch is too light and that you should “go deeper” because s/he doesn’t feel anything or because s/he received a session 30 years ago and the reflexologist offered very deep, painful work?
Don’t compromise your standards, your practice, or your thumbs. End the session. Let the person return to the reflexologist who offered the pain in the past.
There is another important reason for this: sometimes people don’t feel anything because they have insufficient, or no, feeling in their feet. This is a health issue. They need to see their primary care health professional.
Don’t get sucked into their illness. If you do, you’ll run the risk of damaging their feet as well as your hands in your effort to offer a session to a person who can’t feel much.
Thanks for reading this post. I hope you found the information helpful. Please leave a comment if you have a question or other observation.
In the next two posts, we’ll focus on the practical application for Reflexology for the Spirit.
As always, this information comes to you from my Woodstock Healing Space.
Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco
The First Step in a Reflexology Session – Part 3
This is the last part of the section on greeting and assessing your client partner. In the previous post, we discussed how the different colors on the feet reflect spiritual issues in a person’s life.
As you study this blogged book further, you’ll learn that each of the things noted in the past two posts has a meaning for you not only for what the observation is but where it is found.
Notice where the feet point when your client partner is on the table. Do the feet point up? Does one foot point out to the side? Do they both point out to the side? Do they both point in the same direction? Do they point inward? Are they crossed at the ankles?
Generally, when a person walks into your healing space with the toes pointed out or inward, s/he has back problems.
On the table, if the toes are pointing outward, the person is pretty open. Some people point their toes inward, and some even cross their feet. If this is the case, the person probably has strong protection issues.
If a person comes to your table with feet that are unpleasant to look at and smell, clean them off with a warm, wet wash cloth. Feel free to spritz them with a cleansing spray.
If a person comes to your table with sweaty, smelly feet, you also have the option of offering hand or ear reflexology. Or, you can even wear gloves. Whatever you do, please remember that a person with smelly, sweaty feet is suffering terribly and is probably in a fight or flight situation of some kind because sweating feet are generally caused by the nervous system working overtime. The operative words here are anxiety, anger, nervousness, etc.
Don’t be afraid to address this situation with your client. The person needs to get a diagnosis from a primary healthcare provider. Smelly, sweaty feet often need medical attention that you as a reflexologist cannot provide. Fungus on the feet needs to be treated by a podiatrist or other professional.
However, don’t worry about a person coming to your table with unpleasant feet. For the most part, this just doesn’t happen. Most people arrive with gorgeous feet. Often, when a person has received a gift certificate, s/he will go to the nail salon before coming for the Reflexology for the Spirit session.
In our next post, we’ll discuss important information you need to know as a Reflexology for the Spirit practitioner or as a regular reflexologist, for that matter.
I hope you found these last three posts helpful. Please leave comments below if you have any questions, etc.
Thanks again for joining me on this journey.
Peace and food for all
Thurman Greco
Woodstock
The First Step in a Reflexology Session – Part 2
In the last post, we discussed welcoming your client partner into your healing space, gaining trust, and offering essential oils. We’re now going to begin the healing process.
Remove the socks. Cover the feet with a towel. Rotate the ankles 4 or 5 times clockwise and then counterclockwise. This ankle rotation will tell you much about the person’s physical, mental, and spiritual health. As you develop your practice, you may find other things that have more meaning for you than the ankle rotation. For now, try the ankle rotations and see how they help give insight into your client partner’s needs.
Observe the skin.
Look for: hard skin, dry flaky skin, cuts, odor, pigmentation, color (red, yellow, pink, white, orange). Are there skin cracks, crevices, swelling, calluses, corns, sores, flaking? Where are your findings located? There are references to all of these things throughout the blog/book.
Hard skin and thickened skin patches represent places in a person’s life where extra protection is needed. Toenails will thicken up when protection is needed.
Hard cracked skin areas represent places where there are issues. An example of this is cracked heels. When you see this, you’re looking at a person with issues concerning core values. Other times it can be disease. If you see hardened skin over the thyroid area of the foot, for example, you’re probably looking at a thyroid imbalance.
The color of the feet reflects your client’s emotional and spiritual situation at the moment. White feet represent a totally stressed out person.
Red reflects anger. Sometimes, if a foot or part of a foot is red and hot, there’s a recent injury. The red heat is the blood rushing to the injury to carry off the toxins generated by the injury. This is a good thing.
Orange feet represent a person who is totally disgusted and may be experiencing a variety of emotions.
Blue and purple places on the feet represent the bruises (or may actually be the bruises) that s/he is dealing with in life.
If the total foot is not a particular color but the color is coming through in spots or places, note what these places reflex to. For example, if a person has white places on the feet in the area of the heart, you’re dealing with a client who is completely stressed out over a “love” issue.
Beyond the skin, examine the foot. Note bunions, hammertoes, flat feet, swollen feet and ankles, deformed or unhealthy nails.
Not only is it important to notice all the things on the feet and ankles, but it’s important to note where these things are.
We’ll finish the “first step” in the next post. I hope you found this helpful. Please leave your comments below and check out the other posts.
As always, this post comes to you from my Woodstock healing space.
Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco
Who Should Receive Reflexology for the Spirit?
The short answer here is almost everyone. Reflexology for the Spirit is safe for people of all ages.
Because Reflexology for the Spirit brings balance on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels through homeostasis, it’s a wonderful tool to be used in our everyday lives.
Babies respond very well to short, gentle sessions. this is a great way to bond with your little loved ones.
Children respond well also. Sessions with children are shorter than they are for adults. (Children’s feet are much smaller.) Children are more receptive to Reflexology for the Spirit when they learn that it helps their sniffles, etc.
Women are wonderful recipients of Reflexology for the Spirit. The balancing effects of the sessions help women with their cycles and offer support in the perimenopausal years. For women, Reflexology for the Spirit is a practical wellness tool when used to help their family and friends. Many everyday health issues faced in a family can be improved with regular sessions. Reflexology also offers women the relaxation they need to get through a stressful week in their lives.
Men are especially appreciative of Reflexology for the Spirit. Many men are in professions that stress their shoulders, hands, feet, legs, etc.
Many chronic illnesses and conditions can be balanced out and minimized or eliminated through regular Reflexology for the Spirit sessions which encourage homeostasis.
Seniors love Reflexology for the Spirit because it offers improved circulation, pain relief, better sleep, etc. Reflexology for the spirit also offers something that many seniors need: the healing power of touch.
I hope you found this post helpful. Please leave your comments below and check out our other posts.
As always, this post comes to you from my healing space in scenic downtown Woodstock.
The next post explains how Reflexology works.
Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco
Who Shouldn’t Receive a Session, and Why (Contraindications) Part 1 of 2
Cancer Patients
Reflexology for the Spirit is wonderful for cancer patients. It’s now offered in many hospitals throughout the country. However, patients receiving chemotherapy shouldn’t receive reflexology for 48 hours after the end of a chemotherapy session. This is for your protection. The theory is that the patient is toxic for 48 hours after receiving chemotherapy. If you decide to offer a session to a patient in less than 48 hours, please wear gloves.
Pregnant Women
Women in the first trimester of pregnancy experiencing an unstable pregnancy should not receive reflexology. Nothing is more wonderful than a reflexology session offered to a woman who is 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 is to 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 pregnancy.
With a regular Reiki therapy client, you can offer sessions weekly and can offer to go with your client partner into the labor and delivery stages of the birth process. Then, of course, you have two clients.
Clients with Infectious Diseases
Infectious disease and/or fever sufferers should not receive Reflexology for the Spirit for your protection. 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.
Thanks for reading today’s post. We will conclude the Contraindication Section in the next post. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me.
This post is coming to you from my healing space in scenic downtown Woodstock.
Peace and food for all.
Thurman Greco
