woman touching her back
Health, Holistic, Lifestyle, Reflexology

Do you live in pain?

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.

RLD approved practitioner logo
Journeys, Reflexology, RLD

I am now an Approved RLD Practitioner

I am so pleased to have completed my training and case study work and that I have now been placed on the register as an Approved RLD Practitioner.

RLD (reflexology for lymph drainage) is an award winning reflexology technique which focuses on stimulating the lymphatic reflexes on the feet. The aim is to cause an effect on the lymphatic system in the body. It is a unique sequence that has been researched and developed by Sally Kay, whilst she was working in cancer care. The results appear to support the theory of reflexology.

RLD is reflexology for lymph drainage and was originally designed from manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), a recognised technique which reduces breast cancer related lymphoedema.  Lymphoedema is defined as tissue swelling due to the failure of lymph drainage. After breast cancer a person may experience psychological or emotional difficulties due to altered body image, and a swollen limb can exacerbate this.

Other Uses

MLD may be useful with the following conditions and RLD can be used similarly:

  • Arthritis
  • Asthma
  • Eczema
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Long Covid
  • ME
  • Sinus problems
  • Migraines
  • Headaches
  • Muscular tension
  • Aches and pains 
  • Premenstrual Syndrome

I use this reflexology system extensively with the patients at Bedford Daycare Hospice. I am now also incorporating it into the treatments offered to my private clients because it is helpful in maintaining general health and well-being as well as recovery from illness and stress.

If you are affected by lymphoedema or any of the other conditions that RLD can help them please click here to my booking form.

Icy winter foliage
Holistic lifestyle, Journeys, Wheel of the Year

Welcome to 2021!

Welcome to 2021!

I don’t know about you but my inbox and social media field have been filled with people saying good riddance to 2020.  Initially I was in agreement, but it got me thinking.  I often try to discourage myself and others from wishing time away or wishing things hadn’t happened and it’s not just because it’s a pointless exercise but actually it’s because we learn from everything that happens in our life – especially the difficult times.

So, I ask you to look back and find the positives from last year rather than focusing on the hardships.  For me it was a year of spending time outdoors – in the garden and long walks.  A year of strengthening relationships and friendships.  I studied, I baked, I picked up an old craft project, I spoke to my family a lot more and I found new ways to work.  I’m immensely grateful to all of you who supported me and my business and who, in turn, I was able to support through the last year too.

We obviously can’t ignore the challenges, that would just be naïve, but we can look at them in terms of what we have or can possibly learn from them.  Whether this is in terms of work, health, grief, relationships, finances or any other challenge that presented itself to you in the last year.

Reflect

January, mid-winter, the new year it’s always a time of reflection – so think about what you have learned from last year or even the last national lockdown and see what you can do better or just differently this time round.  Finish the course you started last time, or the craft project.  Plan your garden for this year.  Increase or start your meditation or other spiritual practice as well as some exercise.  Schedule time to talk or video-call with friends into your diary.

And most importantly keep hold of the light.  Whether that’s the light at the end of the tunnel, the light of the new Age of Aquarius or the light of your own faith, bring it inside you each day and let it grow and brighten your whole being.  Because the brighter you let it shine the easier you, as an individual, will get through the next few months.

2021 at Medulla Holistic Therapies

Unfortunately, the national lockdown means that I am not able to do hands on treatments for the foreseeable future but I can do Distance Reiki and our meditation circle is going from strength to strength.  Look out for my new plans and ideas over the next few weeks, starting with bespoke aromatherapy which will be wonderful for helping to boost mental health as well as skin, muscle and digestive issues.

I’d love to hear what you’re all up to too, so please drop me an email, message me through Facebook or Instagram (@medullaspace) or comment on my posts.  I’m missing our conversations so contact from you is more important than ever to me at the moment.

As ever – keep safe and keep strong.

In love and light

Anne x

meditation helps mental health
Journeys, Meditation

How joining online meditation circle could help you cope with the mental effects of lockdown.

Why Online Meditation?

Like you, I hear and read the news and know that so many people are struggling with loneliness and mental health issues during this time of enforced isolation.  These issues are not new but the lack of human contact, mental stimulation and concern over the virus are often bringing them to the surface.   If this is you, then you are not alone and joining an online meditation circle could really help.  There is a sense of group, of community in a meditation circle despite the fact that I am the one doing most of the talking by leading the guided meditation.  The small detail of our being in our own homes and many miles apart, also has no bearing on the sense of togetherness that practicing meditation in a group can bring.

It is a year or so since I ran regular meditation circles in my sitting room.  However, my concern for people’s mental wellbeing as they became more isolated from society, was one of the main reasons I decided to bring the circles back.  Of course it’s now in an online format, but you can join me every Monday lunctime and Thursday evening (we’re finished in time to clap for the keyworkers) and I’ll even send you a reminder that morning so you don’t miss the sessions.

There are other things that meditation can help us with, particularly at the moment as we are learning to accept change and dealing with an emotional rollercoaster or new emotions as we come to terms with what is going on with the world and the virus.

  • mentally stepping away from the difficulties we are facing at any point

  • show how sitting with our emotions can help us accept and deal with them in a  kinder fashion

  • bring focus and clarity to the thoughts we really need to focus on, rather than being constantly distracted

I want to introduce,  or re-introduce, more people to meditation and to these benefits.  So if you’ve never tried meditation before, but have maybe heard it’s a good thing, then this could be your time to give it a go – half an hour of your time and your don’t even have to travel anywhere.  You might find that the quiet of a guided meditation is just what you need.

You’ve tried it but don’t think it’s for you,

A lot of people say to me that they have tried but can’t do meditation or that it wouldn’t work for them because their mind is too busy and my answer is always the same – you have to try it, I mean, really try it and you have to practice regularly.  You wouldn’t take up a new hobby, sport or musical instrument and expect to be perfect straight away.  You would expect to have to practice and to strengthen certain muscles, you would expect to start at the beginning and make mistakes along the way.  Meditation is no different.  We are training the brain, like a muscle, to undo what it has done all our life, over think.  We have to learn to do things that are different and don’t come naturally, we will have days when we can do it and days when we can’t – and that’s ok.  In fact the journey of learning and recognising your reaction to what happens on your journey is what it is all about – that is meditation.

I’ve done a lot more meditation than usual during lockdown and at first I thought it was the escapism I was enjoying, but actually it’s the space I’m loving. The space in my mind between the thoughts. The space when it all stops. It doesn’t happen easily or all the time but the more I practice the more often it happens. Funny that, isn’t it?

And if it’s not for you, do you know someone who could use one of these benefits – even if they don’t realise it themselves.  Then please forward this blog to them or send them my email address meditation@medulla.space – you could be doing them a huge favour!

Would you like to try the session first, here is a link to my You Tube channel where I have uploaded a few meditation videos that you can use at any time.

Pamper, Reflexology, Reiki, self-love

New treatment loyalty card

I’m keen to reward and show my gratitude to those who return to me and so am launching a new treatment loyalty card scheme to say THANK YOU.

I have many wonderful regular clients who find great benefit from their treatments with me.  Whether that’s working through some difficult emotional issues, easing away the stresses of a difficult time or gaining strength from regular top-up treatments.

Loyalty cards are well known and an easy to use concept, I hope this will be just the same.

All you need to do is book and attend nine full-price treatments and I will take 50% off the price of your next session.  You can use if for either Reiki or reflexology or a mix of both.  The new Luxury Foot Treatment is also included.

I hope you like the idea of this and will take full advantage of it.

You can book your next appointment here:

 

Terms and Conditions:

  • You are responsible for bringing your card and ensuring it is signed by me at each session
  • Cards cannot be shared with
  • Distance Reiki is only included if each session is an hour