Reiki is a Japanese form of energy healing that involves placing of hands over parts of the body for a period of time. Hands can be either placed on or above the body, hands do not need to touch the body. The hands act as a conduit for energy to flow into the body and the energy knows where it needs to go for healing. For the purposes of using Reiki for digital use relief, follow the image above with attention to the areas around the head especially the eyes, neck and head area. You can couple this with applying therapies to the face, find that on the reflexology for TMJ post.
“TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorders) disorders — a type of temporomandibular disorder or TMD — can cause pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement”. Read more about it here.
Reflexology is the pressure of reflex points on the body used to help with pain management. This does not replace medical / dental treatment, please see a professional for proper diagnosis and treatment. However, reflexology is a great modality to use as a complimentary treatment for pain relief.
Feet and hand reflexology approach: There are a couple of things to try for TMJ. First by approaching it through the hands and the feet, see the video below. Both parts of the hands and feet work the same, do what is easier for you. I would advise engaging with the full spectrum of the toes/fingers front and back with emphasis on pressing around the base where a ring would be positioned. Take a look at the video below for direction and also read the video comments from people who have used the techniques and reported relief.
Note that I have not yet worked with anyone dealing with TMJ pain specifically however I have used reflexology for rotary cuff tendonitis – it resolved my pain after half a year when nothing else worked, so this is worth trying. For me it took consistent application and didn’t solve over night, it may take days, or weeks. Here’s an additional hand map I made (based on the Reflexology Association of Canada) that guide to other points, mirrored on the feet in the same places.
Face massage and reflexology approach: Another approach is to massage the face itself. There are a couple of different ways to do this: I use tools on my face – one tool that could bring some soothing is called a Dien Chan beauty brush which is made of metal smoothed spikes (like a metal hair brush). A smooth basalt stone is another soothing tool especially with some coconut oil applied to the stone first. I use the stone/brush and sweep upwards on the face and circle around and under the jaw, temples and neck area. Of course your hands/fingers work just as well they just feel different; I use all 3.
Similarly, here’s a video of using myofascial release to watch and try on yourself:
Facial reflexology works with pressure points similar to acupressure and acupuncture. You can try by gently pressing in on the points and massaging in a circular motion. This area (on the jaw hinge next to the where the ear meets the head) can be pressed down for 30 seconds or longer, several times in a row – according to your comfort level. This can be done as needed. There are several areas along the side of the head/ear that can be pressed (see image above). Also give the sides and back of the neck some massage as well.
I can’t make any promises however you’re welcome to try some of these routines out and remember, it might take time of consistent application. This is what I found when I had rotary cuff tendonitis and I was told I would need surgery to repair it – after trying other modalities that didn’t work for me. I managed to get the pain control down using reflexology (of ear, hand and foot) and then was able to rehabilitate on my own. Now I have full recovery of my arm.
I have assembled this reflexology kit which consists of a handmade reflex ring for rolling up and down the fingers and good for pressing the base of the fingers, a basalt beach stone hand picked by me from the beaches of Vancouver Island – that can be used on face, hands, feet and an ethically wood sourced reflexology stick for adding extra pressure to hands and feet.
Disclaimer: Reflexology does not diagnose, prescribe or treat for specific conditions. Always seek proper medical attention should you suspect you have a medical problem. Reflexology is not a replacement for medical treatment.
Sorry I’ve not blogged for a while but we have moved, sold our old desktop computer and bought a new lap top! In December, I passed my reflexology exam (yay!) and am now a certified reflexologist through the Reflexology Association of Canada.
I wanted to share something I have been doing recently to relieve my allergies. This year, my winter allergies have been very bad; I used to live in Mexico during the winters to get relief but haven’t done so for 10 years now. As it turned out, consistent but careful doses of natural vitamin D really helped! (Take your vitamin D!) So in order to find some natural relief from sinusitis and rhinitis, I have started to practice a lymphatic drainage routine for the face (overlaps the sinus area including two points I added in for rhinitis, on the forehead following inner edge of eyebrow halfway up) followed by a nasal rinse and a herbal tea Throat Coat. I found that doing this routine does an incredible job of emptying out the sinus cavity so be sure to have lots of tissue handy during and after this sequence hence why a nasal rise after is so effective. I am also working on strengthening my immune system with larger doses of vitaminD, omega oils, probiotics and fruits and vegetables.
On top of this, I am giving my vagus nerve (key parasympathetic nerve) lots of love. If you’re curious about why this is important, read this. Speaking of vagus nerve, I have targeted that reflex point on my ears with seeds, as it felt tender. The point is located about halfway down the dorsal (back) side of the ear at the crease – where the ear meets the head. As I’ve just completed this session, I am breathing much better.
I found this video by Me Leonora to be incredibly helpful. I happen to have several Dien Chan tools but you can use other items or your finger as well. So if you are challenged by allergies and are looking for a natural way to find relief, try this sequence followed by a rise and a tea!
Aside from having a full foot reflexology treatment, here is something that can be tried by applying pressure to the hands for reducing Edema symptoms of swelling. I have done my best to cover the key reflex areas emphasized for dealing with Edema which include the following: endocrine, cardiovascular, immune & lymphatic, nervous and urinary systems. Work on both hands.
The large zig zag or mountain areas represents the lung, chest, breast and rib areas, the palm centre star is the solar plexus, the hearts represent the heart, and the lighting bolt represents the hypothalamus. When it comes to the thumbs, try to press the star in the centre of the thumb pad (pituitary). The arrow means to follow the motion down from the large circle (kidney) to the smaller circle (bladder). Stars on the back of the hand represent lymphatic reflexes while the circle at the tip of thumb the pineal gland.
Should you run into a tender area, you can go over that spot more times to see if the soreness reduces. Happy reflexing! Please leave a comment below to share your experience. I am eager to know!
Disclaimer: Reflexology does not diagnose, prescribe or treat for specific conditions. Always seek proper medical attention should you suspect you have a medical problem. Reflexology is not a replacement for medical treatment.
Are you feeling anxious or stressed? Is COVID19 getting you down? I find do-it-youself hand reflexology especially helpful when I am feeling nervous at a dentist, on a flight etc. You will find that rubbing your hand feels really good and it also takes your mind off of whatever it is that is worrying you. I specifically love the solar plexus reflex (star). Go ahead, download and try this at home!
Can you name the reflexes? Hint: the brain, the eyes, solar plexus, pituitary, hypothalamus, thyroid, adrenals and heart.
Advice: Press the star in the centre of the thumb pad and the bolt on the inner side of the thumb (couldn’t get it in the photo).
Disclaimer: Reflexology does not diagnose, prescribe or treat for specific conditions. Always seek proper medical attention should you suspect you have a medical problem. Reflexology is not a replacement for medical treatment.
It’s allergy season and so I thought I would put this easy to follow hand reflexology image together for you to try experimenting with your own hands.
Endocrine, respiratory and lymphatic immune systems are included: Plantar (inside): large star=solar plexus, mountains=lungs, stars=sinus, thymus, and Dorsal (outside): star=lymph reflexes, bolt=hypothalamus and dot=pineal gland.
Press on these points several times a day. It feels really good so give it a try. You’ll be amazed at how much love your hands want! This will probably also sooth anxiety.
Let me know in the comments if you notice any changes.
Disclaimer: Reflexology does not diagnose, prescribe or treat for specific conditions. Always seek proper medical attention should you suspect you have a medical problem. Reflexology is not a replacement for medical treatment.
