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The dilution of reflexology Part 1.

24/6/2020

The title of this blog may be surprising — if reflexology has become diluted, why is it so popular?
Before continuing, I must make clear that I am not out to ‘bash’ all of the well meaning and dedicated reflexologists out there.
My aim is to reveal the trajectory that reflexology has made since the time of Eunice Ingham until today. It is from this that the essence of what was known as reflexology has indeed become diluted.

I have the value of hind-sight due to the length of time I have been involved with reflexology and through my long association with the Ingham ‘family’. It is because of this that I am able to relate the difference between reflexology then and now.

The primary purpose of reflexology is to detect and ‘work out’ relevant reflexes. The techniques which were developed by Ingham for this purpose, are identified as the classical techniques, which is the default ‘walking’ type of contact popular today. This forms (or should form) the foundation of reflexology.
However, it is here that the first dilution of reflexology occurs - The classical (walking) techniques cannot be used in conjunction with any type of lubrication. Somehow the use of combining the classical techniques of reflexology with a lubricant has become commonplace. It has changed reflexology into something akin to a shuffling thumb, type of foot massage, which is not the reflexology I was weaned on! There are specific techniques (such as those of A.R.T.) which are designed to be used in conjunction with lubrication, should it be needed, but, I repeat, never with the classical techniques!

What is the identification of reflexology today?
Today, the general aim of a reflexology treatment is to relax the client, indeed this is the way that the therapy is now accepted. I admit, that having someone apply a lubricant to the feet and give a light massage with the perambulation of fingers and thumbs is relaxing — however, it is not reflexology!

What was the original purpose of reflexology?
The original purpose of reflexology is readily understood by paraphrasing Eunice Ingham’s ‘Find a sore spot and work it out” mantra.
This was the way that we were all taught in those days — to find a sore spot (disturbed reflex) and work it out using the classical techniques (without lubrication).
This process may not have been particularly relaxing to the client at the time. The remit was to apply specific contacts in a positive way and focusing on the disturbed reflexes for sometime minutes — not just a fleeting wisp from an oil-infused thumb. The aim of each treatment was about its therapeutic benefits and not relaxation. The sensation experienced by the client was one of a ‘good or sweet pain’.

In fact, this is what clients expected and paid for in those days, many experiencing therapeutic benefit and relief from even long-standing ailments very quickly. We must have been doing something right, as we were booked weeks in advance for this type of treatment. I can remember working from 9am through to 9pm on my London clinic days.
There is a great and largely untapped potential for this original approach to reflexology — it only needs a change to the concepts of reflexology and to the way treatments are given.

What is the problem with using lubrication with the classical techniques?
The aim of effective reflexology is to be able to detect and then apply appropriate contacts to the disturbed reflexes. This will not be possible on feet that are swathed with lubricant, particularly on the dorsal areas of the feet where the finger tips are used to detect and contact the reflexes — the reflex applications here are such that they demand a dry lubricant-free surface to be effective.

This is the reason why I divide treatment sessions into two phases.
Phase 1 & Phase 2 . I shall explain the reason and value of this in this in my next blog.

Best Wishes

Tony Porter

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Fascia, the communicating matrix of reflexology

3/5/2020

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Dear ARTists and Reflexologists everywhere
My thoughts are with you during these difficult times, and I hope that you are keeping healthy and active. Besides all the tragedy caused by Covid-19, there is a positive side. People are finding time to discover activities rather than being glued to a T.V., phone or computer screen all the time. (I ditched my T.V. several years ago which proved to be a revelation).

I am in the process of sorting out my archives which have accumulated over 46 years of reflexology. The extra incentive to complete this task was through a request by my friends Ignatio Santchez & Daniel Pontent, founders of the proposed Eunice Ingham Museum of Reflexology, which will be based in Florida once a permanent site has been found. They want my archives to be part of the museum display.

During the sorting out I found there was a lot of information which I thought would be of value, and for this reason, I decided to place some of the information here on the A.R.T. website. The following notes have been taken from articles I wrote over the years, the ones here include some of the most recent.
I have included a small selection for your perusal. Apologies for the lack of grammatical accuracy or subject order as most of them were jottings made on my travels. Despite this, I hope you will glean something of value from them.

Round, like a circle in a spiral, like a wheel within a wheel
Never ending or beginning on an ever-spinning reel.
From the ‘Windmills of your mind’
By Michel Legrand
Lyrics A&E Bergman

The lyrics above describe the ‘energy’ and action of reflexology perfectly, and I hope that by reading the blog, you will also agree.
The general view that reflexology works through direct, nerve pathways from the feet to the organs is built on shaky foundations.

The reflex stimulus we give to the feet is conducted to the brain and not directly to the various structures of the body. Although this view has gained credence, it still does not explain by what pathway the reflex, stimulus uses to reach the brain? It is known that the Vagus nerve is a major player as it has such a large area of influence and conducts efferent and afferent communication to and from the brain.

During my early training in various aspects of physical therapy, I was taught of the importance of manually releasing the soft tissues of the neck before anything else. (This was performed manually) Very often this was enough to resolve a long-standing problem of the lower back or elsewhere.

I have to thank my dear, late friend, teacher and mentor Arthur Lincoln Pauls, Founder of Ortho-Bionomy, for making me aware of the integrity of the body all those years ago.
Releasing the soft tissues of the neck (which is performed passively) has an influence on the vagus nerve as it exits through the skull and into the neck at the Jugular Foremen.
The far-ranging release, which came about through relaxing the neck, gave me a clue to the existence of an inherent ‘web’ of communication throughout the body.

I became increasingly aware of the complete harmonious integration of the entire panoply of the body. Being aware of this gives a deeper understanding of reflexology. As an example taking the case of low back pain, or for that matter, pain emanating from any level of the spine.
Examination of the spinal reflexes of the feet will reveal the symptomatic disturbances corresponding to the pain. If there was a trauma to the spine, this would be a valid reflex area of treatment. The majority of spinal or structural pain is not always caused by direct trauma. But through being in prolonged, unnatural postural positions, such as sitting in front of computers for long periods or hunched over mobile phones which are just two examples of practices which place continuous strain on the entire structure, causing a myriad of problems elsewhere in the body.

Originally, body-workers of many disciplines were weaned on the mantra of ‘Structure Governs Function’ — meaning that lesions in structural tissues will affect function in their related areas. A lesion is an abnormality in the tissue, caused by disease or trauma. So an example would be the way a lesion in a structure can affect the function to its related part.
However, this can take place the other way round - Function Governs structure.

I have seen instances where a disfigurement of areas of the feet were caused by a diseased organ such as the heart. It is a well-established observation that the existence of bunions is common amongst those with thyroid hormone problems, and not forgetting severely cracked skin on the heels, which keeps on returning after being filed away — this can be sign of a metabolic disturbance such as that caused be thyroid, hormonal problems.
These are examples of disturbed or abnormal function within the body, gaining an external expression.
You may be thinking by now how this fits in with back pain?

Once you have grasped the complexity of the integration of the body, it will be understood that any disturbed reflex in the feet can have involvement to the spine and other parts of the skeletal system.
To make my point clear. In the case of low back pain, for example, the direct or symptomatic reflexes will, no doubt be detectable, but what of the factors such as those of the stomach, liver, colon, reproductive reflex areas of both sexes and so forth. These can also be significant, contributory or causative factors in the same way that a gall bladder/liver problem can also be a significant factor in shoulder pain and function.

It is for this reason that the textures of the reflexes play such an essential part of the initial reflex assessment. What I mean by textures is the change in the tone of the soft tissue at a reflex point — there is a range of various types of textures displayed. These only occur when the reflex is energetically ‘disturbed’ and therefore making it a valid reflex to treat.

It can be understood what an advantage it is to work in this way as only the valid (disturbed) reflexes receive the proportional amount of attention required. These disturbed areas, occur all over the surface of the body and are not only confined to the feet.

When these factors are taken into account and recognised as being potential factors in whatever condition which is presented, it will give a most significant boost to the efficacy of treatments. It gives credence to the fact that reflexes also relate to other areas of the body and not only to their direct correspondences — a type of mirror or ‘phantom’ correspondence.

What has to be understood is that the reflexes, apart having a direct correspondence to their related parts of the body, also have other areas of influence — a type of reflex shadow of influence over other areas.
To sum up on this somewhat rambling explanation. No matter what the presenting symptoms or indications are, it is necessary to be able to locate the disturbed.
Any painful and disturbed reflex can be the cause of a problem elsewhere in the body no matter how distal it may be. As an example, that disturbed reflex in the small intestine area, could be a contributory factor in a fertility problem.
To Quote Eunice Ingham ‘Let the feet reveal the answer’

The feet will reveal the answer if we listen through our hands and fingers:

‘In all the myriad sounds of Earth’s many-coloured dream. There runs a secret tone for the one who knows how to listen’
Friedrich Schiegel

This is part of a separate paper.
This can be demonstrated and experienced by working specifically on the toes, with the most effective range of techniques. If the techniques are used correctly, and with sufficient focus, a response will manifest in other areas of the body, which seemingly have no reflex relationship to the reflexes of the toes. The more I used this modality, the better the responses became, and as I have already mentioned, it had an ‘amplifying’ benefit to the general treatment.

I have repeatedly stated that it is possible to give a full treatment just by working specifically on the toes. The toes have a wide area influence in the body, and this is something which has always interested me.
(The techniques of working the toes, form a major part of A.R.T. training.)
I could not accept that it was only due to the reflex or the classical neurological model. — there had to be something else.
It was during this time that I had an invitation to give a presentation at a conference on the influence of the Fascia several years ago that I realised what that ‘something else’ was.

As the various presenters gave their presentations on the Fascia, I realised that it was this which formed the primary communication between the feet and areas of the body.
I discovered that the existence of the Fascia is not only confined to the human body but is ubiquitous throughout nature.

The Fascia - connects everything in the body as one functional unit. It is truly a matrix — a ubiquitous web of support and communication to and from all parts of the body. It covers every one of the 5,000 structures of the body; Every nerve, muscle, organ, gland etc. are covered by different types of fascial tissue. It keeps moving parts of the body protected and prevents them from sticking to each other, like a well-oiled engine.

The illustration shows the extent of the Fascia of the body, a version of the human internet.
The fascia is a continuous web of communication throughout the body. The Fascia is the most universal tissue in the body, and yet its influence is only really being investigated. It holds a great amount of secrets waiting to be discovered, and is a major influence on reflexology and also acupuncture.
Consideration of the fascia will enable a better understanding of the principle of reflexology. In the next chapter I will explain that on some reflex areas of the feet, there is a reflex within a reflex.

The fascial, web is not just related to the Human form.
It is of interest to note that a type of fascial web runs throughout nature and even the universe.
As an example, right here on planet earth, nature’s fascia casts its influence beneath our feet. The next time you go for a walk in a forest, or park, look at the trees, it may seem that they are individuals existing on their own. Nothing could be further from the truth. Beneath the soil is an enormous structure — a mycelium, a fungal network, an internet of nature a ‘Wood Wide Web’ connecting everything.

Those trees you see as being individuals are all interconnected to other trees through the mycelium web of the fungus. The mycelium is composed of millions of thread-like structures. It is these that create a network of communication between the trees and plants even though hundreds of meters apart an organic internet.
This fungal network serves not only as a means of communication but also as a means of support. For example, if a tree is having difficulties in surviving, other trees will send extra nutrition, or in the case of an infection a chemical antidote.

The Mother tree
There are trees which are older and larger than the others; these will be the Mother or sacred trees which, for want of a better description will be a centre (hub) of communication with the other trees of the forest, acting as a server in natures wood-wide net. From here it directs nature’s pharmacy, sending organic ‘medicines’ through the strands of the mycelium giving help to the trees which need it.
We become aware of this web in the autumn when various types of fungi appear, which are the flowers of the mycelium.

The role of the Mother Tree was very well depicted as Eywa by Director James Cameron in his film Avatar.
Eywa was the biggest and oldest tree in the forest. It was the guiding force and deity of Pandora, which was one of the moons of a fictional planet which acted to keep the ecosystem working in perfect homeostasis.

(The film is analogous to the way mankind is wantonly destroying areas of the Amazonian rain forest. While on this subject 280,000 square miles have been destroyed since 1978 This continues at the rate of 80,000 acres daily!)

James Cameron, apart from being a great director, obviously has infinite knowledge of the Gaia principle, which is that all living organisms interact with each other for the purpose of maintaining the homeostasis of the planet.

There is an incredible similarity between the strands within the fascia, the tissue of the synapses of the nervous system and the strands or filaments of the mycelium.
This is not all, It is thought that a cosmic web exists, linking everything in the known universe.
It is by becoming aware of the infinite complexity and influence of the nervous system and the fascia, (which is accepted as being a second nervous system), which gives reflexology greater credence.

It is because of this complexity that the reflexes cannot have exclusivity to an organ, gland or structure of the body; there will always be overlapping onto other structures.

There is a new world to the understanding of reflexology emerging. The simplistic view of pushing button A to produce a response to button B can no longer remain as being valid. It is this belief which is the reason for the continuing dilution of the therapy to nothing more than a spa-type foot pampering. Thankfully there are those involved in reflexology which are not of this persuasion.

Having a deeper understanding of reflexology reveals the futility in believing that a reflex, for example of the stomach, relates exclusively to that organ is a fallacy. A disturbed stomach reflex could quite easily be the cause of neck or shoulder pain. In this case, working on the reflexes to those areas will, at the most only be palliative. This is why developing the ability to detect disturbed reflexes is the golden key to effective reflexology.
Everything and everyone is connected, there are no empty spaces in the body or anywhere.
With this in mind, I leave you with the following quote:

The world is a mirror of infinite beauty, yet no man sees it. It is a Temple of Majesty, yet no man regards it. It is a region of Light and Peace, did not men disquiet it. It is the Paradise of God.
Thomas Traherne 1636 - 1674

Best Wishes, good health, stay safe and be positive.

Tony Porter ©
Director/Founder A.R.T and Focused Reflexology.

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COVID-19 VIRUS

23/3/2020

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Dear Artists and Reflexologists everywhere
These are challenging times for everyone, particularly for those in the ‘hands-on’ therapies such as reflexology. My thoughts go to colleagues throughout the world, particularly those in Italy who are suffering so badly from the Covid-19 virus.

I have been receiving communications not only from members and students of A.R.T. but from reflexologists across the spectrum questioning whether they should continue practising in these times?

The professional, physical therapy organisation to which I belong issued a notice which has to be placed, at the entrance to the treatment room.
It asked patients to inform the therapist if they have recently returned from various countries which are effected by Covid-19.
It also gave instructions that each patient has to apply professional hand sanitiser on entering and leaving the treatment room.

The treatment room also has to be really deep cleaned using antiviral products on all surfaces door, door handles, treatment couch, chairs, mirrors , etc. Please note that evidentially, the virus remains on metallic surfaces for up to nine days!
People are becoming increasingly nervous about the situation and even if they did want a treatment, having to read the directives above, would make them even more concerned.
It was because of this, and the fact that we can never be too careful I decided to cease treating. Yesterday I cancelled a busy week of clients, and all future treatments until the emergency is over.

I know theses times are financially challenging for all of us. It is something which will affect millions of people across the world. We are health professionals and cannot chance passing the virus on to our clients or visa versa.

I shall be posting regular blogs over the coming days and weeks.
Despite all the tragedies throughout the world from Covid-19, there are positives which I shall highlight in my next blog.
All things pass, and Covid-19 is no exception.
Things will gradually get back to normal, although, perhaps a different and better type of normality.

Until then, we need to maintain a steadfastly, positive outlook.
I wish you all well

My Very Best Wishes

Tony Porter

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The influence of the neck on the reflexes of the feet.

23/2/2020

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In my early physical therapy days back in the 1970s. I was fortunate to have met and taught by Arthur Lincoln Pauls, osteopath and founder of Ortho-Bionomy - a passive system of structural correction.
Arthur made much of the fact that no matter where the imbalances or ‘lesions’ were in the body, lesions (tensions) in the neck always had to be corrected first.

It was not until I had been in practice for sometime, that I became aware of the significance of his assertion.
It was a frequent experience to observe how a presenting problem, far distal to the neck such as low back pain would ‘magically’ resolve, following passive, manual applications to the soft tissues of the neck. At least it would provoke a general relaxation of the body, making each treatment session more effective.

However, throughout my years in reflexology practice, I have noted the correlation between the integrity of the soft tissues of the neck and the 'tone' of the reflexes of the feet. It was as if there was a direct communication between these areas other than reflexes.
It reminded me of an oriental, therapy maxim which states that the mobility or otherwise of the great toe/s would be reflected in the neck and vice versa.

My experience has shown the difference in the ‘tone’ or ‘feel’ of the reflexes of the feet before giving attention to the tensions in the neck to that after giving attention can be dramatic. The level of ‘release’ correlates to the amount of tension in the neck.
The same principle can be used during a reflexology session. If there is, for example a low back problem. It will be found that thoroughly working on the reflexes of the neck/shoulder, metatarsals and upper spine, first will have therapeutically positive benefits, in the alleviation of low back problems, before actually giving reflex attention to those areas.

There is such an intimate communication between the two ends of the spine — each affecting the other, that tightness and reflex disturbances causes a reflex conflict between the two. This is why the proper and positive execution of mobilisation techniques in conjunction with reflexology is so beneficial in helping to balance out these types of problems. Tight metatarsals = tight upper back and neck.
Those who are qualified in massage as well as reflexology can easily understand the manual techniques used on the neck.

It is important for me to mention that the manual techniques are passive, specific and are not a form of manipulation. They can be incorporated into reflexology practice by those qualified in massage of other types of bodywork. They are demonstrated at my seminars.
In those early days, I was puzzled about the nature of the link between the neck and the feet and all pats of the body. Since then, I have become aware that it is the fascia which gives this ubiquitous communication. In fact, it is the fascia and the conditions within the fascia which produce the reflexes of reflexology.

This subject forms a large part of the foundation of A.R.T. teaching and philosophy, and is included in my long-overdue book, which now that I have cut down on my busy practice allows me time to complete while I am hopefully still around!

My Best Wishes

Tony Porter
Founder/Director A.R.T® and Focused Reflexology®

Details and Booking of my seminars on seminar page

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Eunice Ingham

17/2/2020

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These are two rare books by Eunice Ingham.
The one on the left was written in 1959 and consists of her seminar transcripts.
The one on the right was published in 1945 and outlined her work on the glands. Things were so simple and effective in those days.

They were presented to me by Dwight Byers, Eunice Ingham's nephew.

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HUMANOID REFLEXOLOGY 2084

10/2/2020

1 Comment

Reference notes for Reflexologists

5/2/2020

2 Comments

I have been in the process of compiling various notes and writings which I have accumulated over the years.
As I looked through the files, I decided to put a few of them in a blog as they could be of interest to fellow reflexologists.
Unfortunately not many are referenced as they were taken down in haste at conferences ,etc. However I am sure that if you search on the internet, you will come across the article plus the reference.
Best Wishes
Tony

The Pineal Gland - 30% of its molecules are metallic and therefore magnetically sensitive.
(Oschmon 1997)
(Think about this when holding your mobile next to your head!) T. Porter

Optimists have half the mortality rate of pessimists, and lowering your stress can add 10 years to you life.
(Giltay, Gelejnae, Zitman, Hoekastra & Schouten, 2004, Deiner & Chan 2011)

The skin is entirely replaced every month.
The lining of the stomach is renewing itself every week and the colon even faster.
The lining of the digestive tract is replaced every four days.

Heart tissue contains regions of stem cells that are available to replace damaged or dead cells — the entire heart regenerates itself at least three times in the course of a persons life.
(Laflamme & Murry, 2011)

Our bodies produce one Trillion new red blood cells each day.
(wahlesteot, et. al, 2017)

Our bodies are made up of 37 Trillion cells. This is a much bigger number than the galaxies in the known universe. (Bianconi et al 2013)

The relationship between poor blood sugar control and Alzheimers disease in particular is so strong that researches are now calling Alzheimers disease - Type 3 Diabetes.
High blood sugar is one of the biggest risk factors for depression as it is for Alzheimers.

Leptin and Endocrine function
We need to be aware of other factors affecting endocrine function. This is one example:
Leptin is a protein produced by fat cells — a hormone which regulates appetite amongst other things.
Leptin not only controls thyroid function, but has a major influence on the entire endocrine system, particularly the adrenals and the sex hormones.
Importantly, these issues will not be resolved until leptin is brought under control.
This is a reminder that in reflexology, endocrine function is influenced by working on other areas of the feet, apart from those relative to hormones. (Tony Porter)

Gluten is another hormonal disruptor, reducing blood flow to the brain, while also interfering with Thyroid function and depletes Vitamin D.

Not to do with Reflexology, but food for though at these times:
‘You are a slow learner, Winston’
‘How can I help it? How can I help but see what is in front of my eyes? Two and two are four.
‘Sometimes, Winston, sometimes they are five. Sometimes they are three. Sometimes they are all of them at once. You must try harder.
It is not easy to become sane.’

George Orwell, 1984

More posts later

My Best Wishes, Tony Porter
Founder/Director A.R.T. Reflexology and Seminars.

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A.R.T. Seminars with founder Tony Porter

3/2/2020

1 Comment

Dates for your Diary

For details of Tony Porters A.R.T. Seminars in the UK. France and Belfast click here: www.artreflex.com/seminars

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Getting back to the origin...

31/1/2020

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I have witnessed the various transitions that Reflexology has gone through since I began my journey in 1972. I now find myself back where I began — at the source, and getting ready to learn to plough…..

MERLIN ON LEARNING

‘The best thing for being sad,’ replied Merlin, beginning to puff and blow, ‘is to learn something.
That is the only thing that never fails.

You may grow old and trembling in your anatomies, you may lie awake at night listening to the disorder in your veins, you may miss your only love.
You may see the world about you devastated by evil lunatics, or know your honour trampled in the sewers of baser minds.

There is only one thing for it then-to learn!
Learn why the world wags and what wags it.
That is the only thing which the mind can never exhaust, never alienate, never be tortured by, never fear or distrust and never dream of regretting.

Learning is the thing for you.
Look at what a lot of things there are to learn, pure science-the only purity there is.
You can learn astronomy in a lifetime, natural history in three, literature in six.

And then after you have exhausted a million lifetimes in Biology, Medicine, History and Economics, why you can start to make a cartwheel out of appropriate wood, or spend fifty years learning to beat your adversary at fencing.

After that you can start again on mathematics, until it is time to learn to plough.’

With gratitude to T.H. White - ‘The Once and Future King’ a great read.

Best Wishes
Tony Porter

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Wheels within wheels

24/1/2020

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Round like a circle in a spiral, like a wheel within a wheel, never ending or beginning on an ever spinning reel.
With gratitude to Michel Legrand and M.&A, Bergman

A principle of A.R.T. philosophy is the ability to identify disturbed reflexes.
In my view, disturbed and sensitive reflexes are indicators of inflammatory responses within the body - a significant cause of dis-ease.
‘Disturbed’ reflexes have distinct textures as opposed to that of normal, surrounding tissue.

Developing the ability is to identify these areas is essential for truly effective reflexology. They are ‘markers’ of the primary cause of imbalance within the body.

The reflexes of the feet are part of a vast neural macrocosm bound together through the fascia and other structures. The application of focus to the disturbed reflexes, no matter where they occur will encourage therapeutic response where it is needed.
The example below goes a long way in making my point:

One of the main culprits of inflammation is a pro-inflammatory protein called Leptin which is produced by fatty tissue. Apart from the inflammatory response it causes, Leptin also exerts a significant influence on Thyroid function and even the entire endocrine system; it also influences the nervous system.

My Best Wishes

Tony Porter

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The dilution of reflexology Part 1.

Fascia, the communicating matrix of reflexology

COVID-19 VIRUS

The influence of the neck on the reflexes of the feet.

Eunice Ingham

HUMANOID REFLEXOLOGY 2084

Reference notes for Reflexologists

A.R.T. Seminars with founder Tony Porter

Dates for your Diary

Getting back to the origin...

MERLIN ON LEARNING

Wheels within wheels

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