Holistic Archives -

Health, Holistic, Lifestyle, Reflexology

Do you live in pain?

August 9, 2022August 9, 2022 Anne

Do you suffer from a painful condition? Many of us live with pain and take painkillers although we may not want to. We do this because we think there is no alternative.

Some of my clients who struggle with long term chronic pain or have acute pain have noticed that reflexology reduced their symptoms. From back problems, arthritis and tight shoulders to menstrual pain and headaches.

You’ve heard me say that reflexology doesn’t ‘cure’, so how does this work?

We still don’t understand the science behind why this works. It could be associated with the relaxation that comes with a reflexology treatment or even a placebo effect if you believe strongly enough that it will help. Or maybe there really is a neurological connection between the reflexes on the feet and the associated parts of the body?

It doesn’t work for everyone but for many it can have a profound effect. And one that lasts with regular treatments.

In this article from the Federation of Holistic Therapists Carol Samuel, PhD, FFHT, discusses reflexology in the management of pain.

Here are some of the comments from my clients:
“My body tells me when I’ve missed my regular appointment”
“Regular reflexology keeps on top of my aches and pains”
“I just needed to tell you that 2 days after my session with you I no longer have pain in my right knee so now I’m pain free in both my knees.”

If you feel that reflexology is something you would like to try then this link will take you to my Treatment List and booking page.

Aromatherapy, Holistic, Meditation, Reflexology, Reiki

Welcome

July 11, 2022February 23, 2023 Anne

Holistic, Reflexology, Reiki

Planning for return to hands on treatments!

June 12, 2020October 2, 2020 Anne

This is still very much dependant on the Government’s advice nearer the time, but hairdressers have been advised that they may be able to start to return to hands on treatments from 4th July. As therapists, we have a similar or even smaller amount of contact with our clients, and our guiding organisations are advising us to prepare for the same.

Things, however, will obviously be done very differently.

The UK Reiki Federation and Guild of Holistic Therapists have already sent out guidance of steps we can start preparing towards and will send out more as the Government issues it. From the information I have received so far, I am running risk assessments on my treatment room and practices. From this I am creating a protocol that will work for me, for my clients and at the same time aim to keep us as safe as possible.

In the meantime there are a couple of things you can do to help us both get treatment room ready:

Let me know you’d like to be one of the first on my appointment list
If possible purchase or make a face covering. I will have a supply of a multi-layer fabric masks that will be washed after each client.

I have been busy too and have done a course and achieved Covid-19 certification in understand how the virus is spread and infection control generally.

As soon as I know when I will be able to start seeing clients I will contact those on this list first to book your appointments. I will also send out the new protocol to you, it is likely to include steps such as

cleaning of furniture, equipment, door handles etc,
length of time between clients to allow for thorough cleaning,
PPE to be worn by me and my clients,
reducing fabric coverings on couch and chair to make surfaces easier to clean,
what clients can and cannot touch (where possible)
checking on recent health/Covid-19 symptoms at time of booking and prior to appointment

This will definitely be a different way of working but at least I should soon be able to return to hands on treatments and welcome you back again.

Holistic, Lifestyle

Join my new Facebook Community

June 11, 2020January 27, 2021 Anne

Don’t you find that Facebook is very much like brussels sprouts? People either love it, hate it or hate it but know it does them good!

I definitely fall in to the latter category and didn’t even have a profile until I started up Medulla. At this point I was advised that a page was a great way to connect with existing and potential clients. And so the first incarnation of the Medulla Facebook page was born. It was known then as Medulla: Mind, body and soul, and of course with a name like that it was difficult to find – you learn as you go along in business and technology alike.

Why a group?

There are many reasons why a group is better than a page on Facebook, A lot of it has to do with algorithms, the programs behind the scenes that choose what you see and what you don’t on Facebook. Ever wondered why you can’t find the post you saw earlier – if you didn’t click on it the algorithms think you’re not interested and not only are you not likely to see that post again but it will reduce the chance of you seeing similar posts too. Therefore a post I put on my page might only go to a very small percentage of my followers. However the more you click on posts from my page the more you will see from it, this rate in increased further if you interact with posts ie like and comment.

In a group, however, where you have chosen to join, the posts are shown to a much higher percentage of group members. In reality this means that the information I take time to write and to share with you, is far more likely to be seen by you and not left floating around in the ether somewhere. The whole idea of having space on a platform like Facebook is to inform clients, not just of sales and offers but also with tips and advice, items of interest and when this isn’t getting to many of my page followers it can be very disheartening.

I have much I want to share

Suffice to say I wanted to connect with more of my lovely clients, particularly those who share similar values to me, who care about the earth and about their own holistic well-being. I wanted to create a community where I can share my knowledge, knowing that it would actually reach people and help them. I also wanted to hear from my clients about their thoughts and views on various topics because they too have much to share and we can all learn from this.

And so I have created this group called Medulla Holistic Living and in this space we really do have conversations about the things that matter to us. We talk abouts being kind to ourselves, our planet and all those who share it with us. We also share ideas and support each other with natural well being, holistic therapies, spiritual development and environmental issues. From crystals to recycling, wheel of the year celebrations to eating well – I’m hoping we can share recipes and plastic reducing tips as well as deeper thoughts around spirituality and living a holistic lifestyle from a human perspective.

Let’s keep this small though

The group is a private group and not visible to the general facebook public, you have to apply (or be invited) to join it and I’m not looking to grow it to hundreds of members. I’d rather keep it smaller and more intimate so that we can be open and frank (but kind) in our discussions on more sensitive and personal issues. You’ll find you’ll get to know me a bit better too, the real me will shine through more in the group than it can on the page (my public face of Medulla Holistic Therapies). Lastly the group will be the first to know about many special offers and promotions run by Medulla Holistic Therapies but also by Neal’s Yard too.

If you’ve read this far and this sounds like a group you’d like to be part of and contribute to then please join us by clicking this link. Come and tell us about yourself, share your thoughts and ask questions. I look forward to chatting with you in the group!

Holistic, NYRO, Product of the month

March Product of the Month – Organic Echinacea Tincture

March 3, 2020March 26, 2020 Anne

I had all kinds of ‘refresh and rejuvenate for spring’ ideas for my March product of the month but with the Coronavirus getting ever closer I felt I should offer some natural and organic ways to try and keep healthy. Alongside a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables we can take a number of supplements that can help to boost our immune system. Now I’m not a herbalist or nutritionist and as you know Product of the Month started as my favourite of the moment from the wonderful and wide range from Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic. So this is me sharing with you what I’m taking and using currently, rather than telling you what you should use or take.

There are many supplements that claim to boost the immune system but my favourites are Echinacea Tincture and Elderberry Syrup (which was my October Product of the Month)

Why is it even important to boost our immune system? I don’t know about you, but “boosting the immune system” is a phrase I see a lot of online and in the press. And for me it’s almost become one of those phrases that loses it’s meaning in the constant repetition – a sound-bite or whatever the press jargon phrase is these days!

So let’s go back to basics. The immune system is the body’s internal defence mechanism which guards against disease-causing organisms – namely bacteria and viruses. Because it affects the whole body it is also affected by everything that goes on in our lives – good and bad. We can use vaccinations, a healthy diet and supplements to improve our immune system but as it can be negatively affected by stress, it is also a good idea to make changes to our lifestyle too. Creating habits that avoid stress such as regular exercise, meditation or time in nature, which are my favourite stress busters, can all be beneficial to helping our immune systems and increasing the likelihood of our remaining healthy.

And finally, one other candidate for product of the month in this little group is the amazing Organic Defence Handspray (or essential oil blend for a diffuser). A blend of herbs and essential oils with antiviral and antibacterial properties which work together as an effective and oh-so-lovely-smelling hand sanitiser.