Carla's Healing TouchSummer 2013

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Incorporating Reflexology into Your LifeFootprints for Health

The foot has a greater quantity of sensitive nerve endings than other body parts.

Life is likeriding abicycle. Tokeep yourbalance, youmust keepmoving.-Albert EinsteinOffice Hours and Contact

Carla Fernandez Della RosaGould's Day Spa & Salon901-767-3888Mon. 12pm - 7pmTue. - Fri. 8am - 3pmcarlafernandez.massagetherapy.com

In this Issue

Incorporating Reflexology into Your LifeBe Smart About SunscreenThe Appropriate Portion

You walk on them all day, but did youknow your feet do more than carry youfrom one place to the next? They alsohave a unique connection to balancedhealth and well-being. In a form ofbodywork known as reflexology, the feetare said to contain reflex areas thatmirror and connect to all parts of thebody--and pressure on these points canactually influence your state of health.

What is ReflexologyThe roots of reflexology draw, in part,from the ancient healing art of footmassage, practiced the world over, fromAsian and Egyptian civilizations to tribalcommunities of the Americas. Earlyarchaeological digs have revealed statues

of Buddha in China and Japan, andVishnu (a Hindu god) in India,depicting markings of specific areas onthe feet. But it has only been within thelast century that this work has establisheda foothold, so to speak, in Westernpractice.

As we know it today, reflexology isviewed primarily as a stress reduction or

relaxation technique. Using the thumb,finger, and hand, gentle pressure isapplied to reflex areas of the feet inorder to decrease stress and bring thebody into equilibrium. While somereflexologists also apply treatment to thehands and ears, the foot--with itsgreater quantity of sensitive nerveendings--is considered the mostamenable to this approach.

Although simplistic in application, theeffects of the treatment can beprofound. Through activation of nervereceptors in the hands and feet, newmessages flood into the body system,changing its tempo and tone. In essence,the foot or hand becomes a conduit forsharing information throughout the

body. Function in the connecting area isimproved and, at the same time, thebody experiences overall relaxation andbenefits to the circulation andelimination systems. When the body'ssystems are at optimal functioning,self-healing is enhanced.

Scientific studies have documented the benefits of reflexology for a variety of ailments.

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In this sense, reflexology is not amedical treatment for specific symptomsor diseases, but rather a way to facilitatethe body's inherent healing power.Therefore, it stands to reason thatpaying attention to your feet can also bea great preventive measure and oneeasily incorporated into a daily routine.

How and why reflexology works the wayit does is still up for debate. Some say itinvolves communication through thenervous system; other theories point toopening blockages of chi, or vitalenergy, in the body. Regardless,scientific studies have documented itsbenefit for a variety of ailments, rangingfrom acute disorders to chronicdiseases. The majority of reflexologyresearch has come from China where thetechnique is commonly used in hospitalsand homes for both healthmaintenance, and as adjunct to medicalcare. Some of the positive findingsinclude reduction of pain, improvementin circulation, release of tension, andimproved effectiveness of medication, aswell as benefits for diabetes andheadaches.

Fancy FootworkKevin Kunz, author of severalreflexology books and codirector of theReflexology Research Project,emphasizes the importance of makingreflexology a part of your life.Consistency is key if you expect results,and foot homework is a low-cost,efficient way to extend the benefits ofweekly sessions with your reflexologist.The techniques can be practiced evenwhile you're busy doing something else.You can purchase devices such as footrollers for use under the desk, but eveninexpensive homemade devices will do,Kunz says. "You can put a golf ball in asock, tie it up, and you have a roller.Anything to cause stimulation has abeneficial effect."

Reflexology is also a safe and effectivetechnique for infants and children,soothing their emotions and promotingsleep. Naturally available andnoninvasive, this approach can enhancecommunication between parent andchild and aid in developing the child'sphysical awareness.

Feedback andStimulation

According to Kunz, lack of stimulationfor the feet is a major problem in oursociety. We box our feet in shoes andforbid them to traipse the naturalenvironment. Some American feetnever even see sunlight, much less travelnaked on a forest floor. "The feet carrythe body, in more ways than one," Kunzsays. "Constant feedback from the feet isneeded in order for the body to makethe proper responses." There is nochallenge for the foot in walking on flatsurfaces. Feet crave stimulation, andthey were built for a variety of surfaces.

The Japanese, as well as Europeans, haveaddressed this basic need by creatinghealth pathways to stimulate every part ofthe foot. "This comes from taki fumi,"Kunz says, "to step upon bamboo. Herewe call them stroll pathways. The idea isthat you stroll along, and as you do, youare strengthening the system. It's greatexercise and gives you more endurance."

In Asia, pathways frequently featurecobblestones for stimulation, but asandy beach or rocky hiking trail canprovide variation underfoot.

Whatever path you choose, get off thepavement, free your feet, and let themdo their thing. "Over thousands ofyears," Kunz says, "every culture hasdiscovered it in some shape or form.The foot is it."

Make sure you are protected from UV rays.

Be Smart About SunscreenJason Barbaria

The Appropriate PortionSmall Diet Modifications Can Mean Big Changes

According to the American CancerSociety, more than 2 million people arediagnosed with skin cancer in the UnitedStates each year. There are more than2,000 over-the-counter sunscreenformulas on the market today. How canyou tell which sunscreens are the safest,most effective, and represent the bestvalue for your money? In most cases, theanswer comes down to the differencebetween the two types of filteringingredients. Here's what you need toknow.

Chemical or Physical?The UV radiation in sunlight consists ofUV-A, UV-B, and UV-C rays. UV-Aand UV-B are both responsible forphotoaging, skin cancer, sunburn,tanning, and wrinkling. UV-C is not afactor in skin health, as it is absorbed bythe Earth's atmosphere and does notreach us in significantamounts.Broad-spectrum sunscreenprotects against both UV-A and UV-B.This protection can work in one of twoways: chemical or physical.

Chemical UV Filters-Work by absorbing UV radiation.-Require application 30 minutes beforesun exposure.-Provide partial protection from UVspectrum.-May irritate the skin and eyes.-Not regulated for safety by the US Foodand Drug Administration (FDA); somemay even be carcinogenic.-Not photostable (exposure to sunlightdegrades effectiveness).-Avobenzone is the most commonlyused chemical filter ingredient.

Physical UV Filters-Work by reflecting UV radiation.-Start protecting immediately upon use.-Provide full broad-spectrumprotection.-Non-irritating to skin and eyes.-Safe, as particles do not penetrate theskin.-Highly photostable (exposure tosunlight does not change effectiveness).

Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the

most commonly used physical filteringredients. Clothing and shadestructures also count as physical filters.

Jason Barbaria is director of marketing atDermagenics, a skin care line that includessunscreen, cleansers, and moisturizers.

Dropping a few extra pounds may meanreversing the voice in your head thatsounds suspiciously like your mothertelling you to clean your plate. Here'swhy: eating just one hundred extra dailycalories--which may come fromfinishing everything on your plate, evenafter you're full--can represent tenadded pounds in a year. Conversely, andfortunately, reducing your daily intakeby just a small amount can help youmanage and even lose weight. Followingare a few portion control tips to helpyou meet your goals.

Eat at HomeDine in, and fill your own plate. Studiesshow that most people serve themselvessmaller portions at home, but eat morewhen someone else fills their plate.Restaurant portions have grownsignificantly in recent years, in some

cases doubling, and research has directlytied obesity with regular dining out.When you dine at home, serve yourselfonly what you think you can comfortablyeat. Store leftovers in individual servingcontainers, and freeze them or takethem for lunch the next day.

Slow DownPay attention to how fast you're eating.Slowing down helps you eat less andbetter recognize when you're full. Whenyou dine out, ask your server for a box.If you continue to pick at your platewhile talking with friends, you'll sooneat the whole thing without eventhinking about it. This mindless eatingcan account for a lot of calories.

Divvy up DinnerSharing an entree with your diningpartner and ordering an extra salad is a

great way to avoid eating a large meal. Ifyou're traveling and dining alone, try anappetizer and salad.

You've heard the reports: Obesity is oneof the greatest risk factors for heartdisease, degenerative arthritis, andcancer, and it's now epidemic in theUnited States with an alarming 66percent of all adults obese.

The good news is watching yourportions, slowing down, and beingmindful of the food you consume canmake a difference. Even your motherwould agree, you don't always need toclean your plate.

Let food be thymedicine andmedicine be thyfood.-Hippocrates

I hope everyone had a great summer. We had a great time inBranson, MO, and Edmond, OK. My son's soccer teamfinished 3rd in the Southern Regionals Tournament. Theywere awarded the "Fair Play Award" for their age group. Wayto go TN!

My daughter went to Orlando, FL, with her soccerteammates from High School. They did a week ofconditioning at the ESPN facilities, and are ready to start theseason. She also went to a church trip in FL.

While in OK I turned half a century, that means that now I amwiser. The soccer team moms organized a surprise party forme. We had a great time.

I hope you enjoyed reading the articles in this issue,specially "Incorporating Reflexology into Your Life". I use thisancient Asian technique on a daily basis.

Carla Fernandez Della Rosa - LMT

Carla Fernandez Della Rosa

1203 Ridgeway Rd. - Gould's Park PlaceMemphis, TN 38119