Hormone Imbalance
Hormone Imbalance
HORMONES
Skincare Products. Everything you put on your skin gets absorbed in to your bloodstream and could cause toxic overload in your system and imbalance your hormones. Some of these chemicals include formaldehyde parabens, phthalates, triclosan, perfume, lead, DEA, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate. Switch to natural and organic products, which are just as good, such as Blumain Organics (Blumáin Organic Skincare).
Plastics which contain BPA can be hormones disrupting and can be found in canned foods, water bottles, plastic containers and bags etc.
Certain pharmaceutical drugs.
Hormones, pesticides and fertilizers found in animal products and non-organic fruits and vegetables.
chemicals found in shampoos, conditioners and soaps. Also in make-up, nail polish and nail polish remover.
Chemicals in artificial air fresheners and perfumes.
Unfiltered water.
Alcohol.SO HOW DO YOU KNOW YOUR HORMONES ARE IMBALANCED ?
WHAT CAN YOU DO ?
Hyperemesis Gravidarum
HYPEREMESIS GRAVIDARUM
I can talk to you first-hand about this debilitating condition after having it for the guts of 7 months with my second son. That was 16 years ago but I remember it as if it was yesterday because it traumatised me so much.
For me it started really early on in the pregnancy, before I even did a pregnancy test ! But as time went on, it just got worse and worse. I found it impossible to keep anything down, not even water. I could barely walk up the stairs with the lack of energy. Everything was a huge struggle because I had no fuel in my body to keep me going. What I never knew was, that morning, or should I say, “all day” sickness could be so bad. It was like having a bad tummy bug for 7 months. Even doing my shop online initiated a bout of nausea when I was on the meat aisle 🤣🤣. What was also very difficult was my inability to plan anything in advance because I just didn’t know if it was going to be an okay day, or a bad day. Also, I didn’t feel great in the car. The slightest bump in the road could initiate that dreadful feeling.
My Fears
The one fear I had at this time, was for the life of my unborn baby. The experts tell you about all the nutrients and good foods you need to be taking in to support this new life inside you. The guilt and fear I felt for not being able to keep anything down, was huge and also for the fact that I had not been taking Folic Acid or any multi-vitamin beforehand, as this little baby had not been planned. However, thankfully the growing baby got everything it needed from my body. My fat, my calcium and everything else it needed !
I persevered with this bad morning sickness until my first visit with my Consultant in the Coombe at 12 weeks. I told him how sick I was and and was prescribed an anti-nausea tablet which you melt under your tongue. It did work a bit but like all pregnant ladies, I was a bit fearful about taking medication during the pregnancy, so I only took it when I was really bad and couldn’t get out of bed.
At 20 weeks, I went to the GP to ask when this sickness was ever going to stop. For most women it stops at around 12 weeks but for 1% of ladies, it is ongoing. At this stage they took me in to the Coombe. They kept me on a drip for days in a bid to rehydrate me and get my ketones down. It was a blessed relief.
I did go on to have a very healthy baby boy who weighed 7lb 2oz at 38 weeks so not bad going for someone who couldn’t eat !!
So, How Did I Get Through It ?
- Well, I lived off Complan which is a supplement drink. I tried to sip it to get some goodness in to me.
- My arms were decorated with seabands which I felt helped me a great deal. They work by applying continuous pressure on the acupressure point (Nei-Kuan Point) on the wrist which reduces the nausea. You buy them in the chemist and they can be washed.
- Loads of people advised ginger tea, but I don’t think it helped me any, but it might help you.
- I accepted all the help I could get, especially with having a 6 month old baby too. Rest is very important.
- Medication from the doctor. Nowadays, Cariban seems to be the medication of choice.
- Try eating small amounts more regularly. Sometimes eating can also settle the nausea a bit, especially on days when you feel slightly better.
- If you are struggling to keep water down, try sucking on an ice pop or a piece of watermelon.
Hyperemisis Gravidarum – The facts
- 70%-80% of women will get morning sickness but only 1% of women are affected by this severe form of morning sickness.
- It can be caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy.
- If your mother or sister suffered from it, you could suffer from it too.
- A lack of B6 in the body can make symptoms worse. I have to say, when they put me on the B vitamin drip in the hospital, I felt great for about a week !
When Should You Get Help ?
- If you can’t keep fluids down
- If your urine is dark in colour
- If you are losing weight
- If you feel faint
- If you haven’t passed urine for 8 hours
- Pain on urinating
- Blood in urine
- If you’re vomiting blood
What Can I do to Help You ?
A couple of treatments that may help you at this time is Pregnancy Reflexology. This treatment is very relaxing and will give you an hour out to just rest. It will also very gently help to balance the endocrine system giving some relief to the nausea.
I also do Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping) to help relieve the symptoms of nausea and the stress that goes with this debilitating condition.
Who Do You Contact For Help ?
- First port of call is your GP who can do a urine test to check for dehydration and arrange appropriate action.
- Your obstetrician, if you have one.
- Contact the Emergency Department at the Rotunda Hospital Dublin on 1800 522 687
- Contact the National Maternity Hospital on 01 6373100
- Contact University Maternity Hospital Limerick on +353 (0) 61 234850
- Contact Cork University Maternity Hospital (021) 492 0500
- Visit www.hyperemesis.ie
To this day, I will be forever grateful to all my family for all their help, especially my sister Helen for stepping in to the breach to help out with my then 6 month old elder son. 💗
Endometriosis
Endometriosis
Through my Fertility Reflexology, I work a lot with women who suffer from Endometriosis. Clients report that Fertility Reflexology seems to have a calming effect on the pain, which is good news. It is also amazing for balancing the hormones and keeping them in check. I also have first hand experience with this condition myself ! But did you know that 1 in 10 ladies suffer from this chronic condition and the symptoms may differ for every woman. It usually starts at around sixteen years of age but can begin at any age.
There are some symptoms that distinguish Endometriosis from a normal period which you may not be aware of. These include;
- Bad pelvic pain (dysmenorrhea)
- Have you needed to take time off school, college our work because of the pain?
- Do you experience painful urination or bowel movements?
- Are you having issues trying to conceive?
- Do you experience pain during or after sex?
- Do you sometimes suffer with fatigue, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating or nausea especially during menstruation cycle.
- Have you got very heavy periods
- Do you vomit or faint with the pain ?
If you have some of these symptoms, then you may have Endometriosis.
SO WHAT IS ENDOMETRIOSIS?
Endometriosis is where the lining of the womb starts growing on the outside of the womb and can involve the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, colon, rectum etc. It has even been found in places like the brain and the eyes, so it can be very problematic. These deposits react to hormones like the lining inside the womb. They thicken, break down and bleed with each menstrual cycle causing such pain that can leave you on the couch for days. However, when these deposits bleed, the blood has nowhere to go and it becomes trapped causing adhesions which can then cause other pelvic tissues and organs to bind together.
HOW IS ENDOMETRIOSIS DIAGNOSED?
The most reliable way for endometriosis to be diagnosed is by having a laparoscopy. This is surgical procedure that can diagnose and treat this condition.
It is a low risk and minimally invasive procedure involving a long thin viewing instrument to be inserted via the abdomen wall through a small incision. This allows the doctor to see what’s going on inside and can remove cysts, implants and scar tissue that might exist there.
I’ve had this procedure done myself and I found the most uncomfortable part was the bloating afterwards from being pumped with air during the procedure. After a few days I was fine !
Risk Factors
First of all, Endometriosis can be seen running down the family line so if someone in the family is suffering from the condition, the chances are, if you are suffering with heavy painful periods, you may have endometriosis too.
A big risk factor is the environment. Our exposure to toxins and pollution in the air and the water can have a negative impact on our endocrine system. If you live or lived in the country, you could be exposed to pesticides and other chemicals that are being sprayed on crops.
Think about the chemicals you put on your skin in the forms of soaps, shampoos, hair dyes and makeup. These may contain ingredients that will upset your endocrine system causing hormone imbalance. Using skincare that is as clean as possible will really help. I have an account with Neals Yard Remedies which sells clean skincare so if you would like to take a look at their products, then Visit my shop.
Other risk factors include using any plastics which contain BPA. These can also include using tinned foods which are lined with plastic, using cling film and check your water bottle. Also beware of non-stick pans as the coating on them can be toxic to the body.
Endometriosis and Fertility
Endometriosis can have a negative impact on your fertility, however if you have mild to moderate endometriosis, you can still get pregnant naturally. It can hinder fertility by covering or growing into the ovaries or by distorting or blocking the fallopian tubes. It can also hinder conception or the development of a fertilized egg. Fertility issues with regard to endometriosis can be improved after having a laparoscopy. If a couple still have trouble conceiving after getting treated with a laparoscopy, then Assisted reproductive techniques (ART) such as Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) may be suggested if there are no male factor issues. IVF/ICSI may be considered if there is a male factor issue.
Endometriosis & Diet
To fight inflammation and pain caused by endometriosis, you need to look after your gut. It is recommended to eat and consume a well-balanced diet that’s primarily plant-based which will improve the diversity of the microbiome in the gut. Take little steps if you want to try some of these recommendations !
- Whole, intact grains that are high in fibre are best as they are more slowly digested carbohydrates such as whole or cracked wheat, oatmeal, brown rice and wholegrain breads, cereals, pastas and crackers. If you have a predisposition to gluten intolerance, then avoid grains which contain gluten.
- Fibrous foods such as fruits and vegetables, especially those that are in season would be good to include in your diet. Also include beans and nuts.
- Foods rich in Iron such as dark leafy greens, broccoli, beans, fortified grains, nuts, and seeds.
- Omega rich foods are abundant in fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, herring, trout. Omegas can also be found in walnuts, chia seeds and flax seeds.
- Include antioxidant-rich fruit and vegetables found in a rainbow of colours such as oranges, berries, spinach, aubergine, blueberries and beets. Also, throw in dark chocolate !!
- Drinking plenty of water is a must to stay hydrated. I use a Reverse Osmosis system to clean the chemicals out of the water.
- Avoid trans fats as the more trans fat in the diet, the greater the chances of ovulatory infertility (Book Fertility Diet)
- Increase healthy fats in your diet such as olive oil, creamy avocados and nut oils whilst cutting back on saturated fats from red meat.
- Drink green tea to inhibit growths.
- Cut back on your coffee, alcohol and sugar intake.
Visiting a Herbal or Nutritional therapist would be good to get advice from !
My story !
Like a lot of ladies, I only found out I had endometriosis when I was trying to get pregnant. I had symptoms but I never realised what it was. I guess they crept up on me so slowly and I just lived with them. Unlike a lot of other ladies, the pain I had was bearable, but what wasn’t bearable was the pain on my colon every month. After a year of trying to get pregnant, I had a laparoscopy in the Rotunda Hospital where I was told that I had Grade 2 Endometriosis. They managed to clear the deposits of endo on my bowel and bladder and I really never looked back after that. However, I still wasn’t getting pregnant. I embarked on 2 IVF’s, one in the Rotunda and one in Sims, but unfortunately, both ended with a negative result 😢. It was a horrendous time.
We decided that we would do no more IVFs and headed straight to Adoption. This took 3 years to complete and we brought home our lovely baby boy to Ireland. However, we were only home 5 days when I discovered I was pregnant. Yes, you heard right. After 7 years of trying for a baby and never once getting pregnant, we discovered we had a baby onboard !!! We ended up with 2 baby boys in nappies, crawling around the place. Our family was complete.
After all our struggles in trying to build our family, I decided it was my mission to help other couples who are trying to get pregnant.
Endometriosis Association of Ireland
If you suffer with endometriosis and in light of it being Endometriosis Awareness Month, the Endometriosis Association of Ireland are running a number of Information Days which you might be interested in.
The first will take place on Saturday 20th March at 10.30am and 11.30am. There will also be a talk on 27th March at 10.30am
Here is a link if you want more information on these talks
Male Infertility, under the Microscope
So, if I asked you what Andrology is, would you know…… anyone ?
If I asked you what gynaecology is ? Yes, of course, everyone knows what gynaecology is.
So, if 50% of fertility problems are female and 50% are male, why do we all know what gynaecology is and not andrology ? This got me wondering, especially after watching Rhod Gilbert on Stand Up to Infertility which was shown on the BBC recently.
Is it because us as women, we tend to be more open about our issues, fertility or otherwise ? Are we more inclined to get things checked out with our doctors ? Are we more inclined to try all methods including complimentary therapies like Reflexology and Acupuncture ? Is it because fertility clinics can bypass men’s issues with advanced techniques like ICSI and Tesa so there is no need to get a more advanced check with an Andrologist ?
I think the answer is all of them and as a result, there is very little support for men who are faced with fertility issues.
And, the thing is, if a couple are under 35 and have been trying to conceive for a year, or if they are over 35 and have been trying for 6 months with no success, you need to get checked out. Getting the semen analysis done first is a quick, non-invasive test which will easily help to rule out issues from the male perspective before commencing on the more invasive procedures that women go through.
So, what is a Semen Analysis ?
This is a test which gives detailed information on sperm quantity and quality and therefore, your fertility potential. In the test they look at the following;
- That the ejaculate is the right PH of 7.2. A higher reading can indicate an obstruction or absence of sperm ducts
- The Morphology of the sperm i.e. the shape and size of the sperm. There needs to be above 4% of normal looking sperm.
- The Motility i.e. the most forward moving sperm. Above 40% is normal
- Sperm concentration should contain at least 15M/ml (millions per millimetre) of sperm
- Other cells such as white blood cells which could indicate an infection which can be treatable with antibiotics
- Anti-sperm antibodies which if in high concentration can make it difficult for the sperm to fertilise the egg.
Another bit of interesting information is that a poor semen result can be indicative of other underlying health issues such as diabetes, kidney failure and liver disease.
So, what can you do to improve things ??
- Keep your tackle cool by wearing loose fitting underwear and trousers
- Don’t use your laptop on your lap
- Do not take hot baths
- Smoking cigarettes and other substances can cause genetic damage thus affecting fertility
- Alcohol consumption especially in high quantities can affect sperm quality
- Caffeine intake has been shown to contribute adversely to sperm quality
- Taking recreational drugs is a no no
- Some medicines either prescribed by your GP or the pharmacy can affect male fertility. So check with your GP if you are trying for a baby
- Maintaining a healthy body weight by eating a balanced and if possible, organic diet (avoid pesticides)
- Cutting back on processed meats
- Eating a diet high in dairy can have an adverse affect on sperm
- Stress can have a limiting affect on sperm production by affecting hormones
- Moderate exercise will help
- To boost your fertility, have a daily handful of walnuts
- Be aware that men have a biological clock too !
- Anabolic steroids can have a severe affect on sperm production
- Cycling can have a negative impact on male fertility with the heat generated “down there” whilst on a cycle
- Taking Omega 3’s has been shown to improve sperm quality
From a Fertility Reflexologists point of view, Fertility Reflexology is great for first of all, reducing stress levels in the body and secondly, for stimulating the reproductive reflex points.
So, If you are looking for support with Male Infertility, Rhod Gilbert has set up a website called HIMFERTILITY.com It gives lots of information on tackling the issue of Male Infertility.
Watch Rhod chat about Male Infertilty below
If you are looking for support, you can also join Rhod’s group on facebook. Here’s the link
Not Sleeping ? Let me see if I can help
Insomnia
“Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that can make it hard to fall asleep, hard to stay asleep, or cause you to wake up too early and not be able to get back to sleep.”
What an absolute scourge it is and I have been there and I think I can relate to all parts of this definition i.e. falling asleep, staying asleep, waking too early and not being able to go back to sleep.
We all experience bouts of not being able to sleep which reflects what is going on in our lives at any given time.
When I was at my worst, I was only getting 2 hours sleep a night and I was exhausted. No matter what I did, I couldn’t get a night’s sleep. And the scary thing was, my body was getting used to not sleeping so that some days I actually felt OK on 2 hours sleep. But let’s face it, it’s not good. Your body needs it’s rest to regenerate.
I remember when I was at my worst, I had to ask my husband to drive me to work. I would also go for long walks and exercise a lot thinking I would ware myself out, but no it didn’t help. I was told that it was “all in my mind”, it definitely wasn’t ! My body adapted to that rhythm and took it as the norm. I eventually had to go and get help to get my body rhythm back to normal.
So, what can you do to help yourself ?
There are a number of things you can do to help yourself
- Light can suppress the production of melatonin in the body which increases naturally in the evening time to help you relax before sleep. Lack of melatonin will make it difficult to fall asleep, so when you are watching TV or looking at your devices, wear tinted glasses which block the blue light.
- OR, it is advised to come off all devices 1 hour before bed so that your mind can have time to switch off and calm down.
- Try some Yoga Nidra. It is a relaxing technique which allows each part of the body to “let go” bit by bit. Youtube will have videos on how to do this. Try it before bed.
- Do not look at the news before bed as it will replay in your mind and cause you to be restless.
- Don’t decide that bedtime is the best time to have a big discussion with someone. This will have your mind going through every bit of the conversation leaving you restless.
- Stimulants, after 3pm don’t have any tea, coffee, chocolate. If I had any of those, I would still be awake at the same time the next day !
- Try not to eat 3 hours before bed time because your body could be digesting and not allowing you to relax.
- Chamomile/Sleep Tea. I have a cuppa every evening. And who says you can only have one teabag in the cup ??? At bad times I have put up to 3 teabags in the one cup to make a lovely strong brew. And sometimes when if I wake up in the night, I will go and make some sleep tea.
- Get a big tub of Epsom Salts and enjoy a fist full in a relaxing bath in the evening times. Between the heat of the bath and the muscle relaxing Magnesium in the Epsom Salts, you will be ready for bed in no time.
- They say your bed should be used for sleep and sex, so no TV in your bedroom and no reading. I don’t have a TV in my room but I have to say, reading really does help me to drift off, so its up to you !
- During my worst time, a friend of mine recommended meditation to calm the mind. There are many types of meditation (I will do a blog on this another time !!) but at the time, I used the free version of Headspace and found I got some relief. I signed up for a few years after that. I would meditate almost every day now.
- Did you know that between 10pm and 12am is when your body does a lot of its regeneration so it is best to get to bed at 10pm, if you can. I sometimes find I am gone to bed before my children !!! You do feel a lot better the next day.
- I always wear an eye mask to ensure all light is blocked out. Any kind of light affects my sleep.
- No devices in the room or if you have to have them in your room, make sure they are switched off. Electromagnetic fields can have an impact on your sleep.
- Try a herbal remedy ! There are plenty of herbal remedies out there like Nytol, or my favourite Melissa Dream. They might be worth a try.
- One last thing, did you know that REFLEXOLOGY can really help with sleep !!!
Anyone else got any hints or tips for getting a good night’s sleep ???
Fertility Reflexology, how can it help
So, what is Fertility Reflexology ?
When I am carrying out a Fertility Reflexology treatment, what I am doing is working the reflex points of the endocrine system on the foot, in a very specific order, to correct any imbalances leading to infertility and thus significantly increasing your chances of having a baby. Each time I work a reflex point, signals are sent to the brain which sends communication signals to the hormonal system. These positively re-balance the organs and systems within the body and specifically the reproductive system. This process also removes blocks in the “energy pathways” also known as meridians, allowing the flow of energy to go exactly where it is needed.
Stress and anxiety can have a negative impact on fertility by raising your cortisol levels and affecting your chances of conceiving. I always start the treatment with a full Reflexology routine to balance the body and the mind before commencing on the Fertility part of the treatment. I also use Emotional Freedom Techniques (tapping) to help reduce stress levels and bringing about a positive mindset.
I have successfully worked with clients with the following issues;
- Hormonal Imbalances
- PMS
- Inconsistent cycle
- PCOS
- Endometriosis.
This would also be a good treatment for ladies going through the menopause.
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
Reflexology is amazing if you are trying to conceive naturally or embarking on IVF, ICSI, GIFT, Donor Egg, ZIFT etc. or any other method of assisted conception. It can support both members of the couple both mentally and physically leading towards a positive outcome by keeping stress and anxiety at bay thus giving the treatment the best possible chance of succeeding. The routines used will support you at every stage of the assisted reproductive process and will never harm the treatment. It is good to start fertility reflexology before embarking on your treatment.
Damn Corona !
Damn Corona !!!
Really and truly, what on earth is going on ?
A year ago I spoke to a good friend of mine, Jean, about my concerns over chemtrails, 5g, climate change and lots of other things that affect the environment and the health of the animals and people. She said to me at the time, don’t worry Catherine, the earth will look after itself. I think that time has come and I think the world we live in is resetting and changing.
First of all we had the bush fires in Australia which caused people to lose their homes, their lives and the lives of many,many animals.
Now we have the Corona Virus, or Covid-19 as they call it, which apparently originated from people eating bats in China. Now China are over the hump of this terrible virus and will be supplying Ireland with ventilators, hospital gowns etc. Their economy is now going to boom again.
Through the fear of contracting this virus or the fear of my parents and other elderly people in our society getting it, I decided to focus on the positive things which are coming out of this pandemic.
We are no longer operating as a “Me” anymore. We are operating as a “We”. We have come together as a family and as a community to help each other through this crisis. We’re ensuring that our elderly neighbours have shopping in, that they can go shopping at a quieter time when there is a less chance of contracting the virus. Our friends in social welfare have been working around the clock to ensure that those who lost their jobs, would get a payment. Thousands of people have volunteered themselves to help out in the hospitals. You also have random volunteers offering to mind children whose parents have to work through the crisis.
Because of the “Lockdown”, we have less planes in the sky and less cars on the road improving the quality of the air we are breathing. And did you see in Venice, you can now see the fish in the water because there are no boats polluting the water.
I believe the world is changing for the better. The way we work, the way we school and the way we do things will all change. Employers will see that it is now possible and cost effective for staff to work from home. This in turn will reduce gridlock which will also reduce our air pollution.
Maybe schools will see that there may be other ways to educate our children. It also gets us parents to be more involved in our children’s schooling.
And one more thing, being in “lockdown” is forcing us to slow down and relax a bit more. It’s giving us time to do the things we like to do like reading a book, being creative, gardening.
And for me, I have more time to do my meditation which keeps me grounded and in the “Now”. It sets my mind straight and keeps me calm especially when the boys are driving me mad 🤣🤣.
So, that’s the end of my positive diatribe on the Corona Virus. We must take our responsibility to ourselves, our families, our neighbours and the public very seriously. We have a duty to be mindful of everything we do right now.
- Keeping our hands washed following the recommendations to wash for 20 seconds
- Sneezing and coughing in to our elbows or tissues instead of in to the air
- Using plastic gloves in public whilst shopping and getting petrol
- Ensuring that we keep our distance (2 metres) from others and that our children keep their distance from others too
- Don’t share bottles or cups.
- Keep surfaces clean and disinfected
So, watch this space, the world itsa changing !
Be safe everyone
New Years Resolutions
“Tomorrow is the first blank page
of a 365 page book.
Write a good one !!!
~ Brad Paisley
So, Happy New Year everyone and I hope you all had a great Christmas. Let 2020 be a great year for you all !
I have to admit, I was one of those people that quit making New Year’s Resolutions, basically because I never keep them. It really is so difficult, which is why we all tend to quit !
However, this year, my approach is going to be completely different because I believe that you need to make resolutions that bring you Joy and are a joy to do.
So, this year I’m getting ORGANISED because it will make me really happy if I can balance my Family, my business and taking time for myself. And to help me with getting organised, my hubby gave me a wonderful Christmas present called a Rocketbook.
Rocketbook, what is that I hear you ask ??? Well, in a nutshell, it is a reusable notebook which you can use for planning, journaling, calendaring or for anything you want to use it for. You simply write up what’s on your mind, your plans, goals, calendar and take a snapshot of your page and it is filed in the cloud. (I use Evernote for most of my “cloud” work). You then wipe your page with a damp cloth and start again. So my plan is to use it to set my goals, write up my todo lists and include checkboxes to make sure I complete all I need to complete.
So, what’s on my Resolutions list this year. Well there are some things which are non-negotiable for me. Most of these things I have been doing in some capacity anyway;
- MEDITATION to bring inner calm and allowing me to see things more clearly. I have been doing meditation for many years now and I love it.
- JOURNALING, a way to get everything out of my head and down on paper. This includes my thoughts, ideas, feelings and anything else that’s on my mind. And while I am writing in my journal, I will also be doing my
- GRATITUDE LIST. Being grateful for what you have attracts other things in to your life. Read my other Blog Post on Gratitude !
- TAPPING. Clearing my negative blocks by tapping on certain meridians on the body and tapping the positives in to my subconscious.
- YOGA, another great way to connect with yourself and the universe whilst also keeping you trim and fit.
- TAKE TIME OUT for myself to read and learn and do somethings that I want to do. Because, as the saying goes, “All Work and No Play, Makes Jack a Dull Boy !”
- GET FIT AND HEALTHY. I say it every year but sometimes everything just goes to pot because I simply run out of time in the day to exercise and have healthy snacks on the ready.
And last but not least, and it’s bad news for my family, but I will be DELEGATING some housework to the rest of my family so I can slowly remove that sign on my forehead which says “SLAVE” !!
In a nutshell, ORGANISING myself to include everything that I love to do is what 2020 is all about for me and is what will guide me to success.
I would like to wish everyone many blessings for the New Year and hope to see you all soon.
Catherine
The Monthly Pain
“”Instead of getting periods, can girls just get a text once a month from Mother Nature saying “you’re not pregnant, have a nice day!”. – Unknown”
If only it were that easy !
No, for some of us, it’s like hell on earth. Pains in your tummy, pains in your back and pains in your legs. And yet we are expected to keep going about our day with a smile on our face, as if nothing is happening.
However, there also those exceptional ladies that put up with these symptoms and more, year after year. They are the ladies who have conditions such as Endometriosis and Polycystic ovaries. With Endometriosis, you literally feel like your insides are being ripped apart by glass….ouch !! Your whole body is being turned inside out. And to add insult to injury, having these conditions also makes it difficult to get pregnant.
Well, there is some good news. In the course of working with numerous ladies performing Fertility Reflexology, I have noticed a dramatic decrease in the monthly pain, and not only that, it has returned the cycle to a normal pattern and length.
How does this work you might ask ?
Well, Fertility Reflexology has a number of very balancing practices which are performed each week of the cycle. For instance we do
- an Endocrine Balance to balance out the hormones
- we perform a linking routine to get our organs to work in harmony with each other
- we perform a specific routine for each week of the cycle to enhance what is going on at that time. This routine is also specific to the conditions being dealt with at the time.
Some of these routines are also great for ladies who are going through the menopause who feel their bodies are out of balance.
So, as you can see, Fertility Reflexology is fantastic for any lady no matter where they are in their reproductive life cycle. From your teens to your 60’s !
Gratitude, what’s it all about ?
“Gratitude is a way for people to appreciate what they have instead of always reaching for something new in the hopes it will make them happier, or thinking they can’t feel satisfied until every physical and material need is met. Gratitude helps people refocus on what they have instead of what they lack”
www.health.harvard.edu
And really that is what it’s all about !!
I love thinking of all the things I am grateful for, first thing in the morning because it really starts the day off in positivity to make it a GREAT day. Initially when I started, I had my little notebook and wrote everything down, and this may well become my New Years Resolution again but mostly, I will now do it in bed, in my head, before I get up. Having said that, during the day I might come across something that makes me envious (like someone in Dublin winning the lotto !) and I have to stop myself and say “you know Catherine, you have a lovely warm house to live in, a loving family, you have it all !!”
Hopping out of bed in the morning in the hopes of sitting down to do your Gratitude Diary sometimes doesn’t work as you very swiftly find yourself pulled in every direction, things to do, people to see, dogs and children needing to be fed, lunches to be made. And it goes on and on !
Night time is a great time to sit and contemplate all the great things that happened during the day and to give thanks. You may find that you have time to get the diary out and write everything down at this point. Start each line with “Today I am grateful for……..”
My Gratitude Routine
Firstly I will take about 10 very deep breaths to put me in the zone.
Then I use my 10 fingers to count 10 things I am grateful for, and I give thanks for each and every one of them. I also like to look inside and include some of the great personal qualities I have.
Benefits of Practising Gratitude
- Protection from stress and depression
- We sleep better and so have less fatigue
- Encourages us to develop patience, humility and wisdom
- It strengthens our relationships
- Increases job satisfaction
And one other thing, if you feel the practice of gratitude isn’t the right thing for you at this moment of time, it may work for you at a future date !
Holistic Facial
“.
So What is a Holistic Facial, you might ask ??!
Well, I got asked this very question the other day, so I thought I would try to explain what it is. We all know what a normal Facial entails and a Holistic Facial starts the same way
- Cleanse – we start with a cleanse using either a cream cleanser or a cream wash
- Tone – next we use a fine mist to refine the pores and tighten the skin
- Exfoliate – for a deeper cleanse, we use a facial polish which has slightly abrasive ingredients to clear the skin which is currently shedding
- Mask – for extra hydration we apply a mask to thoroughly clean the pores and which will allow the moisturisers to be absorbed more efficiently
- Moisturise – serums and oils are applied to feed the dermis layer of our skin while a moisturiser will nourish the outer layers.
And we throw lots of hot towels in to the mix to make this a very luxurious treatment indeed !
With a “Holistic Approach”, our aim is to treat the whole body and not just the skin. We do this by using massage techniques to relieve stress from the upper chest area, arms, shoulders, neck, head and face. This is done during the “Mask” phase.
The products we use are Natural and Organic from Neals Yard Remedies. They use organic essential oils which help to bring balance and wellbeing to the client receiving the treatment.
This is a great treatment to incorporate with a Mini Facial Reflexology or Advanced Facial Reflexology. Or try our Top to Toe Treatment which involves a Holistic Facial, Foot Reflexology and Reiki Energy Healing.
It’s All In The Face
Our faces tell a story….the story of our lives !!
Have you bumped into a friend in the school yard or on the street and said “You didn’t get much sleep last night !”. Or you see this smiling face coming towards you and you think “oh, they’re really happy”. Everything we do, feel or think is shown in our faces. Consciously and unconsciously our thoughts are displayed in our facial expressions, which are another form of communicating with others. It is all these facial expressions that can build tension in our facial muscles adding to our lines and wrinkles.
In comes Facial Reflexology (Bergman Method)
By releasing tension in the muscles in the face, we can release built up stress and emotions. Because of the proximity of the face to the Central Nervous System, Facial Reflexology is powerfully effective for releasing stress, anxiety, tension headaches, sinus issues, inflammation etc. Like Foot Reflexology, the areas of the body are mapped out on the face. Your therapist focuses on these Reflex points to stimulate the body’s healing mechanisms which in turn helps improve circulation and nerve conduction whilst encouraging the release of toxins from the body via the lymphatic system. Some of the techniques used in this treatment are derived from the Native Americans.
Anti Aging
But it’s not only good for the body and soul. Due to the rhythmic massages and manipulation of the Facial Reflexes;
Your facial tissue is Oxygenated
Fine lines and wrinkles are smoothed out
The production of Collagen and Elastin is stimulated
The circulation to the face and head area is improved
Your skin is toned
Puffiness is reduced or eliminated
Lymphatic Drainage is improved aiding the release of toxins and waste products
Glowing and Radiant skin
But I have Botox and Fillers……
If you have Botox in just a small localised area, then Facial Reflexology can be performed after 3 weeks have passed. Facial Reflexology helps eliminate toxins from the body and may remove the botox effects which you have paid for.
If you have fillers, I can treat you after the inital 3 weeks have passed however, I may not be able to effectively stimulate certain Reflex points where the filler is located.
12 weeks of Zone Face Lift which is based on Reflexology can take 10 years off your face !!!
Your First Reflexology Treatment
So, you have never had a Reflexology treatment before and you would love to know what happens ?? This post will give you a brief idea of what happens…….
Reflexology Consultation Form
Prior to or on the day of your treatment, you will be required to complete a Reflexology Consultation Form so that I will have an understanding of your medical history and can tailor the treatment to you. At the beginning of every treatment, we will also have a discussion on what’s going on and what you would like to achieve from your session. Some medical conditions may need a further Consent Form to be completed by your GP to say that it is OK for you to have a Reflexology Treatment.
All therapists will give a brief description of how Reflexology works. Reflexology will not cure a specific illness, but what it will do is reduce stress and balance the body systems so that the body can nurture and repair itself and reduce any pain that the client may have.
As a therapist, I can perform Reflexology on the feet, hands and on the face. Sometimes I may perform a treatment on two areas in one session, for instance, I might do a mini treatment on the Face and then move to the client’s Feet. They are all wonderfully relaxing treatments and most clients will fall asleep. During a treatment, because you are so relaxed, it is not unusual for your stomach to start rumbling. This is known as the therapists applause !!
Is Reflexology tickly ?
A lot of people will not get Reflexology on the feet because they think it might be tickly. Well, it’s not !! A therapist uses their fingers, thumbs and hands to gently walk and massage every part of the foot and lower leg looking for imbalances (like small crystals under the skin). They will bring balance to this area which corresponds to a different part of the body. I have had clients who feel tingling sensations in their body corresponding to the part of the foot I am working on.
On rare occasions, some clients may even feel a bit of pain, when certain parts of the foot are touched. Generally, the client feels relaxed or will have a sense of “lightness”.
Feedback during the session is encouraged, and you can request that the session stop at any time.
But I don’t like anyone seeing my feet
The amount of people I have come across who don’t like their feet and don’t like anyone else looking at them either. Well, I am here to tell you that Reflexologists are so comfortable working with feet that they don’t mind what your feet look like. Feet tell a story.
However, if you still don’t feel comfortable getting Reflexology on your feet, why not try Reflexology of the face. Not only are you balancing the body through reflexes on the face, but you are also getting a lovely anti aging facial massage.
Focus of your Treatment
No matter what your presenting condition is (it could be stress, migraine, constipation, nausea, sciatica), the therapist will gently work the whole body first but will pay particular attention to the corresponding area on the foot relating to the presenting condition.
Every internal organ, gland, muscle group, bones, lymphatic system and nerve network are worked during a session.
REFLEXOLOGISTS CAN NOT AND DO NOT DIAGNOSE
What happens at the end of the treatment ?
I like to close the session with holding the Solar Plexus points and getting the client to take 3 big breaths. This process gently brings the client back in to the room. You can take your time and you will be offered a drink of water and advised to drink plenty of water for the rest of the day.
After your Treatment
Most people get no reaction at all after a treatment however, others may have a healing response which is actually good. The response may include, nausea, frequent urination or bowel movements, mucous discharge, tiredness and enhanced sleep, extra energy, pain relief, emotional release. Reactions may last 24-48 hours.
Frequency of Treatments
To keep the body in balance, it is advisable to have a treatment every 4 – 6 weeks. For Fertility Reflexology, the frequency of treatments could be weekly whilst the therapist brings balance to the endocrine system to prepare the body for pregnancy. Some conditions may also require more frequent treatments but you can discuss this with your therapist.
Can I claim back my Reflexology Treatment Costs ?
Yes, because I am a member of the National Register of Reflexologists in Ireland, this entitles you to claim back part of your treatment costs from your private health insurer. However, do look at their website or give them a call to see what you are entitled to !
Autumn is here……
I was out for a walk this morning and was blown away by the myriad of colours before me. It was a sheer joy to see. As much as I love the sunshine in Summer, you just can’t beat the colours of the leaves on the trees and on the ground. I just want to paint the picture !! It got me thinking about Autumn though and how these beautiful leaves indicate CHANGE. It emphasizes how life is always changing and we are always changing also.
As leaves change their colour, we also make changes to bring extra COMFORT in to our lives. We wear warmer clothes, we pull out the blankets (well I do !) and we dig out the hats and scarves in preparation for the colder weather. We also bring comfort to our houses by making them cosy and snug by ensuring we have our logs in, that our oil tanks are full or our gas boilers are working.
Autumn is also the time for PROTECTION. It’s the time when we think about our health by boosting our immune system with vitamins, healthy foods, probiotics and ensuring our cough bottles, echinacea, essential oils and other remedies are on hand.
As the Autumn Equinox kicks in, Day and Night are the same length, bringing BALANCE in to our lives. This would be a great time to bring further balance and equilibrium into your body, mind, and soul by seeking a holistic treatment such as Reflexology, Reiki, Yoga etc. which are designed to do this for you and are also a joy to receive.
What your Nail Varnish Colour Says About You.
As a Reflexology Therapist, I am very drawn to feet. Even though many people are squeamish about showing off their feet, it doesn’t bother me in the slightest, because every pair of feet I have the pleasure of meeting, tell me a story. It could be findings I have come across as I perform reflexology, it could the where the calluses are placed on the feet, it could be the colour of nail varnish you wear on your toes.
Although you might think that you are picking a certain colour of nail varnish to maybe go with an outfit, it could also be that your subconscious is drawing you to a certain colour depending on what is going on in your life at that time and how you are feeling. So here is a little run down of what the different colours mean;
Red – Energy
A lighter red indicates that you are an ambitious person whilst a darker red indicates that you wish you had more energy in your life to fulfil your ambitions.
Orange – Joy
Wearing the wonderful bright colour of joyful orange means you want to attract more fun in to your life.
Yellow – Detachment
A very bright person wears yellow. You are full of curiosity and wish to attract more happiness in to your life.
Green – Harmony
If you wear green nail varnish, you tend to look for the best in everyone. You strive for peace and calm in your life.
Blue – Relaxation
Wearing blue indicates that you wish to attract patience, perseverance and peacefulness into your life. You also want to attract truthfulness and honesty.
Indigo – Perception
Do you want to be more perceptive and intuitive ? When you want to achieve something difficult, you will wear this colour.
Violet – Dignity
You will wear violet if you want to be respected for who you are.
Magenta – Compassion
Wearing this colour indicates that you would like to be more organised and feel better about yourself. Magenta is the colour used to help us let go of the past and to change any habits which no longer serves us. It is the colour of compassion and nurturing.
White – Completeness
Wearing white nail varnish indicates that you want to attract more peace and overcome problems in your life. It tends to be worn by people who are feeling stressed out.
Black – Control
Black is worn by people who want to ward off negativity or want to stand on their own to feet and face their fears.
Brown – Comfort
Do you want to attract more comfort and security in to your life ? People who wear this colour also want to feel safe and grounded.
Pink – Love
Wearing pink indicates that you want to attract more love and affection in to your life.
Gold – Maturity
You wear gold when you need to meet new challenges and sparkle.
Silver – Reflective
Silver is the colour to wear when you are going through a phase of reflection and want to resolve emotional disputes and stay calm.
Turquoise – Independence
Wearing turquoise indicates that you want to attract more freedom and independence in to your life.
I have taken the above information from a wonderful book I am reading called The Foot Reading Coach by Jane Sheehan.
The Power of Positive Thinking
I love this quote by Dr. Swati Kannan;
Whatever you believe in your heart
to be true is a reality in your life.
As a result, you then attract events,
experiences and people in your life
to match your ‘loves’ or ‘beliefs’.
I am really good at talking to my children about thinking positively and up until now, haven’t been so good at doing it myself. Like my son said to me last week, mammy, I might get 60% in my French in the Summer exam, and he would be happy with this because it is not a subject that he excels in. However, if you aim for 60% you have already limited yourself. We had a little chat about being a little bit more positive and maybe aim for a higher result, just to push the potential a little further.
I find that sometimes I get bogged down with what life throws at me that I don’t stop to think of the good in a situation. And like lots of people I talk myself out of achieving my goals before I ever take my first steps towards achieving them. So, to bring positivity back in to my life, there are a number of things which I make time to do in the morning and they really set me up for the day. Like most things, positive thinking is a habit which you can change and there are a number of ways to do this. Repetition is key. They are;
Self Hypnosis
I first came across Self Hynosis whilst reading the book “My Life Goals Journal” by Andrea Hayes. It is all about journaling and writing out your goals so you have them in front of you and can assess them every day. And, as part of this book, I was pointed to Andrea’s website www.andreahayes.ie where she has month by month Self Hynosis audios to listen to and are free to access by anyone. What self hypnosis does, is move your goals and beliefs from your conscious mind, in to your subconscious mind. It has proven to be very effective in helping people to change their thought processes and eventually behaviours, making you more confident and focussed on achieving your intentions and goals. So I am a work in progress on this one !!!
Meditation
There are two types of meditations which I do to get rid of my “Brain Junk”. The first one is from headspace.com which teaches you how to be mindful in many different situations. I first came across this when I went through a phase of bad insomnia and found it great for relaxation and also a great way to manage things which worry me or cause anxiety. With Headspace, they offer you 10 minutes for 10 days free and then if you like it, you can sign up.
The second type of meditations I do are the Visualization type meditations. There are numerous ones on Youtube to suit every taste. I like to do meditations to balance my energy centres and also some to manifest my goals. Imagining what you want to achieve keeps you focussed on your goals and what you want from your life.
Mantras
Mantras or Affirmations are proven methods of self-improvement because of their ability to rewire our brains. Much like exercise, they raise the level of feel-good hormones and push our brains to form new clusters of “positive thought” neurons. Just saying positive mantras in your head every day can make your day more positive. Here are some mantras I have come across but you can make up your own too;
- Today, I am brimming with energy and overflowing with joy
- My body is healthy; my mind is brilliant; my soul is tranquil
- My marriage is becoming stronger, deeper, and more stable each day
- I am blessed with an incredible family and wonderful friends
- I acknowledge my own self-worth; my confidence is soaring
- I am conquering my illness; I am defeating it steadily each day
- My fears of tomorrow are simply melting away
- I overcome fears by following my dreams
It is reported that Positive thinking has many health benefits such as;
- helps lower stress in the body
- lowers rates of depression
- increases your lifespan
- better relationships as you look for the good in everyone
- because of the reduction in stress, it lowers your risk of cardiovascular disease
- better coping skills when you’re going through a rough patch
- boosts your motivation so you can reach your goals
- more successful
- your inner beauty will shine as happy smiley people are more attractive
So its definitely worth a try. Remember……
Think Positively by Dreaming big, Thinking big, Acting big
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I love this quote by Dr. Swati Kannan;
Whatever you believe in your heart
to be true is a reality in your life.
As a result, you then attract events,
experiences and people in your life
to match your ‘loves’ or ‘beliefs’.
I am really good at talking to my children about thinking positively and up until now, haven’t been so good at doing it myself. Like my son said to me last week, mammy, I might get 60% in my French in the Summer exam, and he would be happy with this because it is not a subject that he excels in. However, if you aim for 60% you have already limited yourself. We had a little chat about being a little bit more positive and maybe aim for a higher result, just to push the potential a little further.
I find that sometimes I get bogged down with what life throws at me that I don’t stop to think of the good in a situation. And like lots of people I talk myself out of achieving my goals before I ever take my first steps towards achieving them. So, to bring positivity back in to my life, there are a number of things which I make time to do in the morning and they really set me up for the day. Like most things, positive thinking is a habit which you can change and there are a number of ways to do this. Repetition is key. They are;
Self Hypnosis
I first came across Self Hynosis whilst reading the book “My Life Goals Journal” by Andrea Hayes. It is all about journaling and writing out your goals so you have them in front of you and can assess them every day. And, as part of this book, I was pointed to Andrea’s website www.andreahayes.ie where she has month by month Self Hynosis audios to listen to and are free to access by anyone. What self hypnosis does, is move your goals and beliefs from your conscious mind, in to your subconscious mind. It has proven to be very effective in helping people to change their thought processes and eventually behaviours, making you more confident and focussed on achieving your intentions and goals. So I am a work in progress on this one !!!
Meditation
There are two types of meditations which I do to get rid of my “Brain Junk”. The first one is from headspace.com which teaches you how to the mindful in many different situations. I first came across this when I went through a phase of bad insomnia and found it great for relaxation and also a great way to manage things which worry me or cause anxiety. With Headspace, they offer you 10 minutes for 10 days free and then if you like it, you can sign up.
The second type of meditations I do are the Visualization type meditations. There are numerous ones on Youtube to suit every taste. I like to do meditations to balance my energy centres and also some to manifest my goals. Imagining what you want to achieve keeps you focussed on your goals and what you want from your life.
Mantras
Mantras or Affirmations are proven methods of self-improvement because of their ability to rewire our brains. Much like exercise, they raise the level of feel-good hormones and push our brains to form new clusters of “positive thought” neurons. Just saying positive mantras in your head every day can make your day more positive. Here are some mantras I have come across but you can make up your own too;
- Today, I am brimming with energy and overflowing with joy
- My body is healthy; my mind is brilliant; my soul is tranquil
- My marriage is becoming stronger, deeper, and more stable each day
- I am blessed with an incredible family and wonderful friends
- I acknowledge my own self-worth; my confidence is soaring
- I am conquering my illness; I am defeating it steadily each day
- My fears of tomorrow are simply melting away
- I overcome fears by following my dreams
Avoid Negative Thoughts
Lots of people talk themselves out of achieving their goals before they ever take their first step toward achieving them. You can be better than that by learning how to avoid negative thoughts and instead focus on the positive.
It is reported that Positive thinking has many health benefits such as;
- helps lower stress in the body
- lowers rates of depression
- increases your lifespan
- better relationships as you look for the good in everyone
- because of the reduction in stress, it lowers your risk of cardiovascular disease
- better coping skills when you’re going through a rough patch
- boosts your motivation so you can reach your goals
- more successful
- your inner beauty will shine as happy smiley people are more attractive
So remember……
Dream big, Think big, Act big
Sinus Problems
What is it about this time of the year when everyone has an issue with their sinuses ??
Sinus infections can be caused in a number of ways. For me it is a combination of consuming dairy products and having the heating on in the house which causes inflammation and congestion. Exposure to other airborne allergens such as cigarette smoke, dry air, dental infections, having a cold, can also trigger the condition.
Having a sinus infection can make your whole face and teeth ache and can make life very uncomfortable in general. A few things you can do to relieve symptoms are:
- Drink plenty of water
- Use a nasal rinse to wash out the sinuses
- Run a diffuser in your house with organic essential oils to clean the air
- Make a lemon, ginger and honey drink to have during the day
- Make a Master Tonic. Recipe can be found here (https://www.happy-mothering.com/04/health-2/natural-remedies-master-tonic-recipe/)
- Reflexology
As you can see from my diagram above, the Sinus reflexes are in the pads of your toes (not including the big toe). What you need to do is gently massage the pads of every toe, maybe 30 seconds to a minute on each. What you may find is that one of your toes feels like it has a little bit of grit in it. Spend a little extra time releasing this blockage.
Also use your fingers to walk around the base of your big toe a few times, this is your neck area. After that you can massage the front of your big toe from the bottom of your toe up to your nail. This will provide some relief to the mouth, jaw and teeth.
For a headache, massage the top of every toe, front and back for a few minutes.
The same principals can be used on the hand. Massage the pads of each finger a few times to release and blockages.
It is very important to drink plenty of water after receiving reflexology or performing reflexology on yourself. This will help to flush toxins out of your system.
You may find later on that your nose will start running and clearing out. Generally if I have a reflexology session myself, my nose starts running, usually when I go to bed.
I hope this information can provide some relief to those of you who are suffering !
Reflexology for Detox
The good thing about January is, you get to start everything afresh again. After indulging in all the Christmas delights, I welcome the opportunity to make decisions on how I want to detox my life… body, mind and even my house. I’ve already cut out my beloved Brennans batch bread because it induces terrible brain fog when I eat too much and I have introduced probiotics in the form of ferments like Milk Kefir, Sauerkraut, ginger bug, Master Tonic and Kombucha. Of course, we can also detox our bodies by being mindful of the creams and cosmetics we put on our skin. Everything we put on our skin gets absorbed in to our blood stream. For this I use products from Neals Yard Remedies which are natural and organic, https://ie.nyrorganic.com/shop/catherinerutherford. Exercise is another way of improving our health and also helps to detox the impurities from our bodies. An app like Headspace is a great way to learn mindfulness which will organise your mind. It only takes a few minutes every day to meditate but if you’re like me, it is hard to find those few minutes, so note to self, first thing in the morning is good !!
Reflexology………
BUT, how would you like to get rid of all those nasty toxins by lying on a bed and letting someone else massage your feet ? Yes it is that easy ! Reflexology naturally encourages the body to flush out toxins by boosting blood circulation and lymphatic movement. Every organ and function in the body has a reflex point on the foot which a Reflexologist applies pressure to and massages, stimulating every organ to release stored toxins. It also has the added benefit of relaxing the mind and inducing a state of calm bringing the body back to homeostasis, thus maximising its ability to heal – physically, emotionally and mentally. Having a reflexology session every 4 to 5 weeks will help keep the body in balance.
It is important that plenty of water or herbal teas are drunk to aid in the detoxification after a reflexology session.
Contact me on catherine@soultherapies.ie to make an appointment.
