Diagnosed with Cancer?

Considering radiation therapy - but worried about side effects. Then please find out whether  guided radiation therapy would be suitable for you.  IGRT Image Guided Radiation Therapy - or Tomo Therapy is now available at a handful of hospitals throughout the UK. This treatment delivers precisely targeted radiation therapy to the tumour. The tumour or tumours are imaged by CT Scan before delivery of the radiation and this enables precise treatment which in turn causes far fewer side effects or damage to healthy tissue. Check out this patient information brochure: Tomotherapy website,  treatment centres in the UK or worldwide,   or find out more about modern radiotherapy options on the OSL website.


Courses

Remember to send through details of your workshops and courses for a free listing on our  Courses page




Love Crosswords? Check out our anatomical quizzes and crosswords.

There are a range of testing anatomical crosswords. Sure to have you scratching your head and reaching for your reference books.  All free and  printable. The latest one will test your knowledge of cranial nerves.  try a crossword now.


Practical ways to help

Earth Tipi are starting to build sustainable housing for some of the poorest people in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. They are a great example of how people can help each other and make a difference in the world. Check out the pictures below showing work on the pallet house.  If you can - help them out by donating or publicising their work.




Upcoming Website re-organisation

Over the next few weeks I aim to make a start on revamping and re-organising Footfairy web site. I hope to simplify the site, moving some of  the content onto the blog pages while developing others. 

Benefits of reflexology massage

Reflexology is a safe, simple treatment which is relaxing, comforting, soothing, stimulating and balancing.

Traditionally touch has been used as a calming, comforting technique - we even calm ourselves by stroking our necks or faces when we're distressed. This pacifying behaviour is totally automatic and it seems that the calming effect is due to the release of endorphins which occur when the nerve endings of the skin are stroked.

Reflexology treatment lasts for almost 45 minutes during which time it is possible to relax deeply. Of course not everyone wishes to relax fully - some clients will want to talk and give feedback on the sensations occurring during the treatment.

Reflexology treatment stimulates the nerve endings of the skin, the muscles of the feet, the circulatory system and the lymphatic system and this has a beneficial effect on the whole body. 

During a reflexology treatment clients may feel tender reflexes or the reflexologist might note sluggish reflexes. It is quite usual to find that reflexes which were tender on the first treatment are no longer tender on the third or fourth treatment.  You are a living, changing person, your body, mind and spirit is constantly changing - and so are your feet.

Some people find they have a very emotional response to treatment and there are some schools of reflexology thinking which emphasize the emotional / metaphysical side of treatment.

Others find that they simply enjoy the tranquillity of an hour set aside for themselves in the midst of busy working lives.

Often people come to reflexology when they are recovering from illness and want to have a treatment which is gentle and has a gradual balancing effect.

Reflexology can be very useful if mobility has been reduced during illness. When the nerves, skin and muscles of the foot are stimulated the feedback enables the brain to keep it's map of the body up to date which in turn helps to get you back on your feet quicker.

Reflexology foot or hand treatments only require that socks and shoes be removed for treatment. Which means that even the shyest, most reserved person can feel comfortable with treatment.

But the treatment isn't for everyone - some people just do not like to have their feet touched - while others are not willing to try complementary therapies because they don't believe they will help them. Certainly to be open to reflexology requires a different attitude towards your health. You are the most important and most powerful  part of the treatment and reflexology is one tool in your healthy being toolbox.


Book of the Month Club

This month my Book of the Month    is Hands Of Light: Guide to Healing Through the Human Energy Field by Barbara Brennan.  This is a classic book for those interested in energy healing. The Barbara Brennan School of Healing holds may workshops throughout the world. This April there will be a Brennan Healing Workshop held in Findhorn, Scotland which is entitled "The Fundamentals of Brennan Healing Science".  Sounds interesting.

For reflexology students, reflexologists and other therapists there are loads of links to equipment, further reading, instructional DVD's and details of courses running in the UK.   Check our our online quizzes and crosswords - great way when to test your recall.  ...play now.