Tag: health

Reflexology & Heart

Posted on by Maria Bo Peronino in Cancer, Markus, Reflexology
@lunarainforest

💞 🦅 ✨ #ValentinesDay #reflexology #pendulum #reiki #heart #chakra #relax #stressrelief #tarot #oracle #zen #healing #eagle #cardread #calm

♬ Tibetan Monks Chanting Om Mantra – Acerting Art

Today is Valentine’s Day and this made for a perfect treatment day for my husband, Markus. As some of you may or may not know, he walks up to 30k a day on his job as a letter carrier at Canada Post and reflexology is a necessity for his rest and recovery. I love rubbing his feet with Cherry Rocky Mountain Body Butter, it makes his feet silky and smooth while giving me good traction.

After his foot treatment, I did a chakra sweep with the pendulum as a closing ritual and found his heart chakra to be active (the pendulum made small circles – I recaptured this in the video to the left). I placed a rose quartz on this chakra while reciting some of the characteristics. The heart chakra represents love, healing touch, walking (in the forest), and joyful endeavours. I use the chakra system as a means to reflect on different things in our lives, such as the activities over the past weekend.

Vancouver Island just had a huge winter storm bringing with it tons of snow so yesterday we took a walk in the forest near our home. It is a magical thing to be able to walk out of our home and in the old growth forest. Interestingly, Markus heard the eagles while there and today he picked the eagle card (representing truth, power, karmic transformation) from the Wild Unknown oracle deck. He also picked the ‘Right Brain Hado’ Water Crystal Card; a healing card representing creativity.

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.

Markus is still recovering from skin cancer; in June it will be his 1 year since surgery. You can see in this photo – the scar is still slightly visible but he is no longer in any pain. There is still one spot under observation that emerged over the surgical site and will be taken care of in the spring. Skin cancer sucks and I now dread summer because of this. Although we don’t get as much sun during winter, he still needs to protect himself. We need to observe him often as we learned that both Basal cell carcinoma and Melanoma run in his family. I thought this photo provided a decent visual update on his recovery.

Natural Allergy Relief

Posted on by Maria Bo Peronino in Dien Chan, Do-it-yourself, Reflexology

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.

@lunarainforest

Helping myself with #reflexology #lymphdrain #allergy #sinus #rhinitis #point #acupressure #selfhelp #healing #dienchan #vancouverisland #relief

♬ Wild Roses – Of Monsters and Men

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!

Skin Cancer Update

Posted on by Maria Bo Peronino in Cancer
Markus in Vancouver

We headed over to Vancouver for Markus’s 3 month post surgery check-up on Sept 21. Surgeon was amazed to see the level of recovery and stated that there has been rapid changes showing incredible recovery of upwards to 6 months. He recommended we keep doing, what we are doing. (This strategy has been a combination of careful consistent coverage of the scar, diet and facial therapy combined with home-mixed jojoba / lavender oil. Markus uses Dien Chan tools and techniques about twice a week to help irrigate and level out the scar.)

There is concern about a new spot that has emerged overtop of the newly formed cheek on the left cheek. The surgeon observed the new spot but says it’s too early to diagnose as the skin is still forming and healing from surgery. It is suspected to be the same that emerged on the left side of his face; a precancerous spot. He is to go to a local dermatologist should he need any intermediate attention for this. We will return at the end of May of 2021 for a 1 year post surgery update where the surgeon will be able to diagnose the spot better as the skin will have healed. At that point, that spot can be treated, like the one on the right side. Because the right side was sprayed by a local dermatologist office, he recommended following up with them to observe that progress.

(Left image: bulging of cheek swelling, right image: irritation, Sept 29 at 11 pm)

Markus followed up with the local dermatologist office on Monday Sept 28 who quickly examined his right cheek and cleared him of precancer on the right side since receiving the treatment spray. He then proceeded to harshly press (with long finger nails) into Markus’s freshly recovering cheek and scar area unnecessarily. Markus pulled back and verbalized pain during the session but the Dr proceeded anyways. Markus is now on day 3 of recovering from pain, swelling and redness to this area after this visit. Markus feels as though he has been punched in the face and it’s been affecting his sleep and is bothersome at work. Markus has consulted the surgeon with photos, to make sure no long term damage was done. We hope this is not the case but either way this is completely unacceptable especially to someone who is currently in the healing process from such major facial trauma.

As this office has shut down, Markus is now left trying to locate a doctor who can over see his situation. Markus went in to pick up his medical records with the local office and found falsified information on his records. Markus will be filing an official complaint. Read the timeline of events to see full scope of problems.

This has been a stressful, frightening and frustrating process for us both.

Reflexology & Winter

Posted on by Maria Bo Peronino in Cancer, Case Study, Markus, Reflexology

This past weekend I continued to practice reflexology for Markus. I always carry through a full foot routine while after accentuating stress relieving reflexes (solar plexus) with the new tuning fork. The session allows the Markus the opportunity to rest the mind while the body experiencing homeostasis (rest and recovery) through pleasurable pressure to the reflexes. Markus felt relaxed and later he noted how exhilarating his feet felt, giving his body a rejuvenating boost after visiting the parasympathetic mode.

Markus has Basal Carcinoma (cancer) on his left cheek and it has been very quiet over winter however he has experienced some awakening sensations and observant cues that the area is no longer dormant. We are concerned about these new changes. It was a very dark and rainy winter here on Vancouver Island with very little sun exposure. I suppose this played a role in its dormant state. As we head into springtime, we are watching to see what happens.

Cards selected for todays session includes the Great Bear from the Wildwood Tarot representing the dark winter months we are now transiting out of in combination with the Winter Water Crystal card.

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.

Covid-19 Protocol

Posted on by Maria Bo Peronino in Covid, Uncategorized

UPDATE March 16: Sessions will be suspended until further notice. I will contact people to rebook.

I take all viruses and flues very seriously. In 2004, after contracting a virus, I was left with long lasting vertigo complications. Since major surgery in 2018, I have noticed I am not as resistant to flues and viruses as I used to be, and they can circle back around several times, lasting much longer. Last year when I travelled to Europe, I caught a virus on the plane that took 2 months to resolve. I have a sensitive immune and nervous system, which means I must take extra precaution for myself and for you.

My future protocol reflexology: I check in ahead of session to see how the subjects are feeling. If anyone is feeling unwell, I reschedule and have done so several times as of lately. I am also enforcing hand-washing protocols when people enter our unit and have disinfectant wipes for all surfaces. I have masks and gloves on hand for every session.

I have also hoarded 10 packages of toilet paper, just in case (joke).

My traveling kit consists of three types of masks: Humidiflyer, Virus Shield and surgical masks. I will also carry hand sanitizer and gloves.

Please familiarize yourself with the following information.

Those at risk:

  • Who are aged 65 and older.
  • With compromised immune systems.
  • With pre-existing medical conditions.

You can help flatten the curve by:

  • Self-isolating.
  • Avoiding touching your face.
  • Washing your hand thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
  • Trying to keep a distance of 1.8 metres from other people when in public.
  • Avoiding large crowd gatherings.
  • Limiting travel.
  • Working from home if you can.

Things to look out for:

  • Fever.
  • Coughing.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Pneumonia (which would be confirmed via a chest X-ray).
  • Symptoms could present between 2 and 14 days after exposure. Not everyone with COVID-9 will have symptoms, and some will only experience mild discomfort.

Source: https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/news/article/coronavirus-covid-19-symptoms-resources-and-tips-on-flattening-the-curve

China Beach

Posted on by Maria Bo Peronino in Lifestyle, Nature, Relaxation

Taking advantage of the longer days, my husband and I took a drive out to China beach this past weekend. It was glorious and so well needed. The soft dark volcanic sand hugged the big black basalt stones rising out of the sea floor contrasting perfectly against the bright pacific ocean colours and the blue sky backdrop. It was a west coast serving of intoxicating sights and sounds. Along the way, we admired some beach stones and other ocean treasures such as chiton shells, fish heads, sea weed and even a bit of sea glass. I always feel better when I am surrounded by nature. We are fortunate to be at an arms reach from these places but of course I dream of being even closer; to immerse ones self in nature is a perfect life and it’s one I strive to achieve.

There is no doubt in my mind that even the inanimate natural objects hold more secrets than we can ever know. We take for granted the abundance of black stones all around us, for they are non living, non feeling objects. But they serve a structural purpose for our earth. The interconnectedness of not only living beings but the matter that upholds life provides a ground to stand on. Better yet, it provides a way to ground our own bodies, first making contact with our feet, better experienced without shoes. Spring is close and as the warmer temperatures draw near, it is the perfect opportunity to rub bare feet against these ocean floor basalt stones; for they are the natural masters of massage. Next time you find yourself around soft stones, go ahead and give your feet (and hands and face) a rub. You might be surprised as to how good it feels. At the very least, take a moment to observe their purpose and presence.