Through the course of our day, many of our emotions or psychological responses are repressed and stored in the body, due to a number of factors including ones personality tendencies and social or familial conditioning. The natural healing process includes the release of that which has been stored (in the body or psyche) that blocks the flows of life force, or contributes to disease or disharmony on the physical, emotional, psychological levels. Detoxification is followed by toning and rejuvenation. Therefore, it may be expected that when the natural healing process is facilitated, the client may experience the release of stored “toxins”.

Some examples of experiences that your clients may have following massage include:

Physical: As massage moves metabolic waste into the blood and lymph for cleansing, cold or flu symptoms, headaches or sinus congestion may be temporarily experienced. Flushing the system with a great deal of water (preferably distilled with lemon as properties aid in flushing toxins), should alleviate the symptoms promptly. Blemishes, acne, rashes that emerge following a massage, are also indicative of toxins beneath the surface and are the body’s way of eliminating them. Again, measures should be taken to aid the body in cleansing, rather than using substances, which suppress that which the body is rejecting.

On the emotional and psychological levels, when the muscles are reflex and parasympathetic nervous system functioning takes over, some of the stored “toxins” on those levels are also released. Clients very often report remembering vivid dreams the night or nights following a massage, or even during the massage. A client may also experience weepiness, anger, fear, grief, or any emotions, which have been locked in the musculature rather than being experienced and released. This emotional release may occur during or following the massage. The emergence and release of stored emotional and psychological toxins is an important part of the natural healing process and should be honored with the detached awareness of letting go.

Psychoneuroimmunology, a term coined in 1982, is an allopathic study which has grown out of the acknowledgement of the ancient wisdom that body, mind and emotions are inseparably linked with regard to disease, health and well being.

While the term “crisis” often carries a negative connotation, it serves as a motivational force and generally precedes significant growth patterns on the level or levels on which it is occurring. With this in mind, it may be noted that any temporary discomfort associated with symptoms emerging due to natural therapies, will eventuate in greater health and well-being.

Third Eye Chakra

 The Brow Chakra is associated with the color indigo. It is also often referred to as the "third eye" or the "mind center." It is our avenue to wisdom - learning from our experiences and putting them in perspective. Our ability to separate reality from fantasy or delusions is in connection with the healthfulness of this chakra. Achieving the art of detachment beyond "small mindedness" is accomplished through developing impersonal intuitive reasoning. It is through an open brow chakra that visual images are received.

Associations

Color - indigo (Gemstones – purple fluorite, lapis)

Physical Location - center of the forehead

Purposes - action of ideas, insight, mind development

Spiritual Lesson - understanding, reality check point, detachment, open mind

Physical Dysfunctions- brain tumors, strokes, blindness, deafness, seizures, learning disabilities, spinal dysfunctions, panic, depression

Mental and Emotional Issues - fear of truth, discipline, judgment, evaluation, emotional intelligence, concept of reality, confusion

Information Stored Inside Third eye Chakra - seeing clear picture (symbolic or literal), wisdom, intuition, mental facilities, intellect

Area of Body Governed- brain, neurological system, eyes, ears, nose, pituitary, pineal glands

 Crown Chakra

 The Crown Chakra is associated with the color violet or white. We use the seventh chakra as a tool to communicate with our spiritual nature. It is through this channel that the life force is dispersed from the universe into the lower six chakras. It has been referred to as our "GOD SOURCE" - but this terminology might be confusing to anyone who equates God with religion, because of this it is called - a spiritual connection or communicator. This chakra is often pictured as a lotus flower opening to allow spiritual awakening in an individual.

Associations

Color - violet, white (gemstones – amber, diamond)

Physical Location - top of head

Purposes - intuitive knowing, connection to one's spirituality, integration of the whole

Physical Dysfunctions- mystical depression, diseases of the muscular system, skeletal system and the skin, chronic exhaustion not associated with physical ailments, sensitivity to light, sound, environment

Mental and Emotional Issues - discovery of the divine, lack of purpose, loss of meaning or identity, trust, selflessness, humanitarianism, ability to see the bigger picture in the life stream, devotion, inspiration, values, ethics

Information Stored Inside Crown Chakra - duality, magnetism, controlling patterns, emotional feelings (joy, anger, fear)

Area of Body Governed- top center of the head, midline above the ears

Reflexology teaches us that the vital energy or life force of our body circulates in a balanced rhythmic way between all the organs of the body. It also permeates every living cell and tissue. If this energy becomes blocked, the organs relating to the blockage becomes diseased. Also, bacteria and virus related diseases can upset the energy balance in the body.

This energy is circulating between two points, the top of the head and the feet. It flows between these two poles, in ten separate energy currents, five in each sides of the body. The currents flow in perpendicular lines called zones and within these zones located are all the organs and muscles of the body.

Apart from these energy zones, the feet are also divided into three transverse zones. The first division lies between the phalanges and metatarsals. In that first zone are the reflexes of the head and neck. The second division lies over the metatarsals and houses the reflexes of the chest and upper abdomen. The third division continues down from the waistline to the calcaneus. In the third zone we can find the reflexes for the abdomen and pelvis.