Lorraine Hughes, from Glenina Reflexology focuses on how reflexology can benefit respiratory issues, in this week’s article.
Reflexology can help alleviate symptoms of respiratory issues like recurring chest infections, long covid, asthma, sinusitis and allergies. There are reflex points in the feet corresponding to the respiratory system – from the nose, mouth, sinuses, phaynx (throat) and larynx (voicebox) to the bronchi (airways), lungs and diaphragm. Applying pressure to these reflex points can energise and balance the ‘meridian’ lines connected to the corresponding area. Meridians are also known as zones of energy and circulate in the body in a similar way to the blood, nerve and lymphatic circuits. An imbalance in these can lead to symptoms of any of the respiratory issues mentioned above.
The lungs are sometimes known as the ‘tender’ organ because they are the most easily influenced by environmental factors – toxins, bacteria, viruses and moulds. The diaphragm is king in terms of breathing as it moves down on inhalation and massages internal organs like the stomach, small intestine, liver, pancreas and kidneys. Its also attached to the heart and when you breathe your diaphragm and heart move together which increases blood flow and enhances your heart health.
It might be an idea to develop a daily healthy breathing regime. I’m always encouraging clients to nasal breathe during their reflexology treatment as it deepens relaxation. An interesting breathing exercise is the Magic Ratio 5.5 technique – breathing in to the count of 5 seconds and holding this for 1 second before breathing out to the count of 5 seconds and holding out for 1 second. Do that 5 times and that’s one minute so its easy enough to continue 5 whole times for a total of 5 minutes. This is a simple exercise that could be done once a day or even a few times daily. There are lots of exercises like this in Stuart Sandeman’s brilliant book about healthy breathing called Breathe In Breathe Out.
Healthy breathing is responsible for 70% of the body’s cleansing process also known as detoxification. Toxins get transferred from the blood to our lungs to be expelled. If breathing is compromised in some way or is shallow then the body needs to work overtime to release these toxins. That extra work can make the body weaker and lead to illness.
We are very lucky here in County Clare as we are only a drive away from experiencing the benefits of breathing in salty ocean air. An afternoon spent at the coast can improve lung function and increase oxygen absorption as ocean air is charged with negative ions. These ions help clear the airways, reduce symptoms of allergies and asthma and promote healthy breathing all round.
To book a reflexology treatment contact Lorraine at 087 6595417 or check out www.glenina-reflexology.ie for more details.
