Sleeping Angel

People ask me what are the benefits of reflexology.

Here is a story that suggests better sleep.

In March a mother brought her 6-year-old Betsy to Portland Reflexology. Betsy was shy for about a minute and then began talking and spinning and soon her energy was everywhere. Betsy’s complaint was she couldn’t sleep because her feet were hot, so hot they woke her from a deep sleep at night. This had been going on for several weeks now and the doctor didn’t have any ideas. Nothing had changed at home or at school. Except now both mother and daughter were exhausted.

Because Betsy was too small to fit into my reflexology chair, I made a cozy blanket bed for her on the floor. The moment I picked up Betsy’s small foot, she quieted. Not a peep, not a stir. She just lay quietly and let me touch key points on her feet for 15 minutes. With children, that’s all it takes to balance their energy.

Just before the session ended, Betsy looked at me and said, ‘I see lots of angels in here.”

“Could be,” I said. “I need all the help I can get.”

When I called to check on my young client two days later, her mother reported Betsy had slept 10 hours straight that first night and things were back to normal at their house.

Nancie teaches Self Care with Hand Reflexology

Saturday, May 21 10-11:30

Learn how you can sooth your tired back, clear a headache and feel more energized using reflexology touch points on your hands! Class at Pure Life Clinic, 118 N Killingsworth PDX, 503-288-4454. Class is $25 and each participant will receive a $10 toward coupon for foot or hand reflexology.

Nancie Hines, MA, NBCR

503-867-2778

Portland Reflexology.com

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You're important to Portland Reflexology. You've touched my life in ways you'll never know. You and your feet. Foot Notes is a way to stay in touch and share all kinds of news about stores, products, places and professionals in Portland that contribute to your healthy feet and hands. To keep you working, walking, running, biking, kayaking, gardening, knitting, goggling...you know, all those things we love to do in Portland. My job as your reflexologist is to help keep you on your feet and 100% in your game.

How to buy shoes

85% of the trouble people have with their feet comes from shoes that don't fit. Yet, very few stores measure your feet these days.They don't even use the Brannock device I may have used in my office to measure your feet. So how do you know what your correct size is? It isn't easy with shoes made all over the world and no one using the same standards. But here's a great idea that does work. I learned it from my days selling shoes to those with Diabetes.

Stand on the insole of a shoe

Podiatrist Dr. Ray McClanahan on NW 19^th? (http://nwfootankle.com) has perfected this method and as long as you bring your feet, you can use this technique whenever you shop for shoes. Simply take the inner sole out of the shoe you are considering and stand on it. If you see about a thumb of sole longer than your toes, you have the right length.

Fit Right Northwest's John? Palabrica helps helps me find the right size and style for walking.

For width, make sure the insole is wider than your foot. If your foot hangs over the insole, then you need to ask for a wider shoes size. ?Now put the insole back in the shoe and put the shoe on. Try wiggling your toes up and down. If you can feel your toes at the top of the shoe box, the toe box is too small for your foot.? If the shoe doesn't feel heavenly from the moment you try it on, walk away no matter how cute or how cheap. Because life's too short for tight shoes. Believe me, the bones in your foot will give sooner than your shoe.

Where to find wider widths

One of the great runner's stores in Portland, Fit Right Northwest (http://www.fitrightnw.com/) makes a real commitment to fitting every customer in the right sized shoe and offers an exchange program if the shoes don't work out within 30 days. Fit Right Northwest has an extensive line-up of athletic shoes in medium and wide. With stores on NW Raleigh in Portland and Vancouver. Manufacturers like Brooks and New Balances are long known for their wider widths. Often you can find last year's styles at discount stores at a savings.

Reflexology and Short Shoes

Losing weight, gaining weight, turning 50 and especially pregnancy can affect the size of our feet. So look to see if your feet have changed. Perhaps your feet would feel better in the next size up.

The difference between a size 10 and 10 1/2 is just a quarter of an inch. But it can make all the difference in your walk and in your overall health.  As your reflexologist, I care if your shoes are too short. At the end of your toes (and fingers) you'll find the Brain Reflex and when you wear short shoes, it's like hitting your head against a wall. Not the kind of brain stimulation you want daily.

I am trained to measure feet and advise on shoe fitting problems. Why not schedule an appointment with me and let me help you with this vital issue? Bring your shoes and we'll look at your fit.? I'm happy to do this for you as part of your reflexology session because your happy feet are my top priority.

If you'd like a free reflexology chart, call or email me and I'll send you a full color postcard showing your brain reflex and other important reflexes on the bottom of your feet. Your feet (and hands) are a mini-map of your entire body and it is interesting to see how your reflexology treatment benefits your whole body.

What else would you like to learn to learn about regarding feet, hands and reflexology?? Just ask me at Nancie@PortlandReflexology.com Together we can make Foot Notes something you look forward to reading and sharing with your friends.

Nancie Hines, MA

Portland Reflexology

503-867-2778

Nancie@PortlandReflexology.com

National Board Certified Reflexogist