Self Help

Interactive Reflexology Foot Chart
DK Publishing dazzles with these interactive foot & hand charts. Click here to open the interactive foot chart in a separate browser window, or Click here to open the interactive hand chart in a separate browser window, it is amazing and fun to use!

How to Survive a Heart Attack Alone

If you start experiencing severe pain in your chest that starts to radiate out into your arm and up into your jaw, then chances are, you're having a heart attack. This is a terrifying experience but even more terrifying if you are alone and there is no one to help. Here is what you need to know in order to survive a heart attack when you are alone.

Whether you've had CPR training or not, you still can't do CPR on yourself. Without help, if your heart stops beating properly and you begin to feel faint, you only have about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness. However, you can help yourself by coughing repeatedly and very vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough. The cough must be deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest. And a cough must be repeated about every 2 seconds without stopping until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again.

Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. In this way, heart attack victims can get to a hospital.

K-27 Energy Points -- Boost Your Natural Energies.

If you have any the following symptoms, your K-27's may be out of alignment:

• Low energy
• Always fatigued (tired)
• Low immunity
• Always sick
• Feeling jet lagged

The 27th and last points on the kidney meridians are the neurological center of the acupuncture circuit. This main switchboard is an important organizer of energy flow throughout the body. When the K-27's are out of position, the body cannot express the truth and cannot perform to its maximum potential. When these points are in their proper aligned positions, we are "plugged in" and connected to the universal flow of energy. These points are located between the clavical and the first rib up against the breastbone.

Technique to Realign Body Energy

When self adjusting, use the right hand to stimulate the left K-27 and the left hand to stimulate the right K-27 while the opposite hand is placed over the navel. It is important to always ground at the navel.

Stimulate K-27 points with firm rotary pressure for 15 to 30 seconds each or until the pain at the points subside. If the K-27's are sensitive they need attention. The K-27's may be stimulated as often as necessary.

Stimulate your K-27's before rising in the morning and start the day smoothly!

What to expect when the K-27's are aligned on a regular basis:

• More energy
• Clearer thinking
• Improved vision
• Brightens and straightens the body on all levels
• Ability to perceive the truth
• Feeling "plugged into the universe"
• Feeling in tune and turned on with a huge improvement in everyday living and effectiveness

Menopause Relief using hand reflexes.

Menopause symptoms are different for each woman. Physically, many women experience hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disturbances, fatigue and loss of libido; some may experience joint aches, constipation, breast tenderness, skin itching or increased facial hair (due to higher testosterone balance). Some women have very mild symptoms for only a short time; others may have severe symptoms or symptoms lasting for 5 - 10 years.

Psychological symptoms can include depression, poor memory, anxiety and irritability. These may intensify with other life changes happening at the same time: children growing up and leaving home, job changes or retirement, relationship stress or marriage breakdown.

It is likely that a woman's expectations of menopause, attitudes towards aging, level of self-esteem and degree of contentment with life before menopause influence the degree to which they experience negative symptoms. Women who eat healthy and exercise regularly appear to have more positive experiences of menopause.

To work the hand reflex points for menopause relief, click on the Hand Reflex Chart link above to open the diagram and perform the following steps:

1. Work the Pituitary Gland reflex using the eraser end of a pencil. Find the center of the thumbprint swirl on the right hand and press the eraser end of the pencil into the center of the swirl, you will feel a "pinching" sensation. Apply pressure on this point for an approximate count of 20. The more sensitivity you feel, the more in need of stimulation this point is. As time goes on, this point should become less sensitive. Repeat the same step on the left hand.

2. Work the Hypothalamus Gland reflex on the right hand by applying a rotary pressure on the area indicated using the thumb of the left hand for an approximate count of 20. Rotary pressure is applied by pressing into the reflex and moving in small firm circles. Repeat the same step on the left hand.

3. Work the Thyroid Gland reflex on the right hand by rubbing using gentle but firm pressure to the areas indicated on the thumb and index finger of both diagrams (these reflexes extend around the thumb and index finger in a "ring"). Use the thumb of the opposite hand to rub, working the reflexes on the right hand first then repeat the same steps on the left hand.

4. Do not work this reflex if you have high blood pressure. Work the Adrenal Gland reflex on the right hand by applying a rotary pressure on the area indicated using the thumb of the left hand for an approximate count of 20. Rotary pressure is applied by pressing into the reflex and moving in small firm circles. You will again feel a "pinching" sensation. The more sensitivity you feel, the more in need of stimulation this point is. As time goes on, this point should become less sensitive. Repeat the same step on the left hand.

5. Work the Ovaries reflex on the right wrist by applying rotary pressure on the area indicated using the thumb of the left hand for an approximate count of 20. Rotary pressure is applied by pressing into the reflex and moving in small firm circles. Repeat the same step on the left wrist.

6. Work the Uterus reflex on the right wrist by rubbing using gentle but firm pressure on the area indicated on both diagrams (this reflex extends around the wrist like a bracelet) then rub down the area indicated as the Chronic Uterus. Use the thumb of the left hand to rub, working the reflexes on the right hand first then repeat the same steps on the left hand.

7. Work the Breast reflex if one of your symptoms is tenderness of the breasts. Work the Breast reflex on the right hand by rubbing using gentle but firm pressure on the area indicated using the thumb of the left hand. Repeat the same step on the left hand.

Visit Everything Miscellaneous for aromatherapy recipes for menopausal relief.

Chakra Balancing.

Practitioners of oriental medicine have long since been aware that the balance of our internal life can be influenced by external stimulation of various points along the body.

Inside every human being there is a network of nerves and sensory organs that interprets the outside physical world. At the same time, there resides a subtle system of channels and centers of energy (chakras) which look after our physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual being.

Each of the seven chakras has several spiritual qualities and by keeping these chakras balanced and aligned, we become more dynamic, creative, confident and at the same time very humble, loving and compassionate individuals.

When using reflexology for chakra stimulation, it is important to remember that the points are only for enhancing flow rather than for healing any particular health conditions.

To balance or align your chakras, place your finger or thumb over each end (that is one finger or thumb on chakra 1 and one finger or thumb on chakra 7) and hold with a light pressure for one minute or until you feel balanced, whichever is sooner.

Closing your eyes and taking deep abdominal breaths as you do this will help to center and relax you. You should feel a sense of "centeredness" and well being after you are finished.

Proper Foot Care

People tend to neglect their feet. The only time we really notice our feet is during the summer when we wear sandals and flip flops. The rest of the year, our feet are stuffed into boots or shoes and we rarely walk around without some type of footwear. Keep your feet in shape all year round and avoid any major problems such as corns, callouses and bunions with the following foot care program.

1. Use a pumice stone regularly to remove dead skin. Buffing the feet is extremely important!
2. Use a foot butter on your heels after bathing at least once a week.
3. Exfoliate your feet once a week. Visit Everything Miscellaneous for skin exfoliator recipes.
4. Enjoy a 15 minute foot bath once a week. Visit Everything Miscellaneous for foot soak recipes..
5. Always use good quality nail clippers, never use scissors! Cut the nail straight across to avoid ingrown nails.
6. Moisturize your feet twice a day, morning and night.
7. Walk around barefoot or use a massage ball and roll it around under your feet at least once a day to stimulate your reflexology pressure points.
8. Pick up pencils with your toes - great for flexibility.
9. Wear comfortable shoes - a three-inch heel puts seven times more pressure on your toes than a one-inch heel!
10. Visit a qualified reflexologist at least once a month for a full workout on your feet. Regular reflexology will increase circulation and keep you walking with a spring in your step!

After a couple of weeks, your feet with be softer, smoother and in great shape. Now maintenance is the key. Continue the routine as often as necessary to keep your feet looking and feeling wonderful.

Reflexology treatments are provided in the comfort of your own home or office.
Available in Edmonton Alberta Canada and immediate surrounding areas.
Appointment times are flexible to meet your schedule.