Reflex Renew Reflexology

13/11/2025

Feet come in all shapes, sizes, and levels of “I forgot to moisturise.”
We’ve seen it all - and we love them all. ❤️😃
Because when we say we’ve got you from the ground up… we mean it. 👣

13/11/2025

12/11/2025

Fatigue - whether chronic or seasonal - affects both body and mind 🍂 🍃
Changes in light, temperature, and daily rhythm can lower energy and disrupt our natural balance.

Reflexology offers a gentle, evidence-based way to support recovery.
Reflexology can be tailored to each person - whether through the feet, hands, face, or ears - with each area offering its own gentle way of restoring harmony within the body.

By stimulating reflex points linked to internal systems, it helps regulate the nervous system, improve circulation, and promote deep relaxation.

Reflexology reminds the body how to rest - helping energy flow where it’s needed most.
A calm, grounded practice for times when you feel depleted.

Recent research supports reflexology as an effective complementary therapy for reducing fatigue and improving wellbeing. Meta-analyses and clinical trials show that stimulating reflex points on the feet can significantly decrease fatigue severity, improve sleep quality, and lower stress levels.
Studies published in journals such as The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2011), Journal of Clinical Nursing (2018), Medicine (2023), and Holistic Nursing Practice (2025) found consistent benefits across various groups - including individuals with chronic illness and treatment-related fatigue. These findings suggest that reflexology promotes relaxation and autonomic balance, offering a gentle, evidence-based approach to managing both chronic and seasonal fatigue.
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12/11/2025

Reflexology and the vagus nerve are often discussed together in holistic and integrative health circles because both influence relaxation and parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) responses.

🧠 The Vagus Nerve

The vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve (cranial nerve X).

It’s a major part of the parasympathetic nervous system, controlling heart rate, digestion, and mood regulation.

When stimulated, it can lower heart rate, reduce inflammation, and promote calm and healing.

👣 Reflexology and Its Connection...

Reflexology involves applying pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears that are believed to correspond to organs and systems in the body.

While scientific evidence is still developing, reflexology may influence the vagus nerve indirectly in a few ways:

1. Parasympathetic Activation

Reflexology tends to lower stress and heart rate, suggesting activation of the vagal parasympathetic response.

Gentle, rhythmic pressure on the feet or hands can help shift the nervous system away from “fight or flight” toward “rest and digest.”

2. Foot–Vagus Reflex Connection

Some practitioners believe the reflex points along the inner edge of the foot (especially the area corresponding to the spine and diaphragm) can help regulate vagal tone.

Stimulation around the solar plexus reflex point (center of the foot arch) may help calm the body and support vagus nerve activity.

3. Stress Hormone Reduction

Studies show reflexology can reduce cortisol and improve heart rate variability (HRV)—both of which are influenced by vagal activity.

💆 How Reflexology Might Support Vagus Nerve Function

🦶 Foot Reflex Points:

Solar plexus area (center of the foot arch) – for calming and stress release

Spinal reflex line (inner foot edge) – supports nerve communication

Neck and head areas (toes) – may help with vagal nerve pathways originating in the brainstem.

Techniques that help:

Slow, deep breathing during reflexology

Gentle rhythmic pressure rather than firm, stimulating strokes

🌿Other Complementary Ways to Stimulate the Vagus Nerve...

Even beyond reflexology, you can support vagal tone through:

🫁Deep breathing (especially long exhales)

🎵Humming, chanting, or singing

🧊Cold exposure (e.g., splashing cold water on the face)

🧘‍♀️Meditation and yoga

😄Social connection and laughter.

Would like to find out more about how Reflexology can benefit you?

Contact Reflex Renew Reflexology through DM or Whatsapp 086-0666779

10/11/2025

Our hormones influence everything. Our mood, energy, and sleep, metabolism, fertility, and emotional resilience. When they’re out of balance, we can feel it in every part of our lives.

Reflexology offers a gentle, holistic approach to supporting the endocrine system - the network of glands that produce and regulate our hormones (including the thyroid, adrenals, pituitary, and ovaries/testes).

When we’re under chronic stress, our bodies release high levels of cortisol, the primary stress hormone. Over time, this can throw other hormones off balance - affecting menstrual cycles, thyroid activity, weight regulation, and even immune function.

By calming the nervous system and promoting deep relaxation, reflexology helps lower stress hormones and encourages the body to return to homeostasis - its natural state of balance.

🧠 How it works:

Reflex points corresponding to endocrine glands are stimulated, helping to improve communication between these systems via neural and circulatory pathways.

Activating the parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) response reduces cortisol and adrenaline levels.

With less stress load, the body can better regulate hormones like oestrogen, progesterone, insulin, and melatonin.

📚 What the research shows:

A 2019 study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research found that women who received reflexology during their menstrual cycle experienced reduced PMS symptoms, less pain, and improved mood.

In Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice (2017), researchers reported that reflexology helped reduce anxiety and fatigue in menopausal women, suggesting a beneficial effect on stress-related hormonal imbalance.

Other studies note reflexology’s potential to lower blood pressure, improve sleep, and enhance overall wellbeing - all indicators of a more regulated endocrine system.

✨ The bigger picture:
While reflexology doesn’t replace medical care or claim to “fix” hormonal disorders, it can be a valuable complementary approach to help the body find its rhythm again.
For many, it offers a sense of calm, better sleep, and renewed emotional balance - the foundation for healthier hormone function.

10/11/2025

We are delighted to confirm that Reflexology is accepted by another major medical insurance company - The St. Paul’s Garda Medical Aid Society. 
This is a huge step forward for our field, recognising the value and benefits that reflexology offers to people’s health and well-being.
With this acceptance, more people can now access holistic care as part of their wellness journeys, and we couldn’t be happier!
To our amazing Members and all fellow reflexologists, thank you for the work you do every day.
This achievement reflects your dedication to making a real difference in people’s lives. 
Let’s continue to grow, heal, and show the world the Power of Reflexology. 
NRRI TEAM 🩵

05/11/2025

Reflexology isn’t just relaxing. Studies show it can lead to real, measurable changes in the body.

A review published in National Center for Biotechnology Information looked at what happens physiologically and biochemically when people receive reflexology. Here’s what they found 👇

✅ 1. Stress hormone levels can change
Several studies showed reductions in cortisol (the body’s main stress hormone) and salivary amylase after reflexology. Lower stress = better balance for many systems in the body.

❤️ 2. Heart rate and blood pressure may respond
People often experience a calming effect — including lower heart rate and blood pressure during or after a session. This reflects activation of the parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) system.

😊 3. Improved relaxation and emotional wellbeing
Participants consistently reported feeling calmer, more centered, and less anxious after reflexology. This isn’t just subjective — some studies observed measurable shifts in physiological markers of stress.

⚠️ Important note:
These changes don’t mean reflexology treats or cures disease. But they do show that what happens during a session is more than surface-level pampering. It can support the body’s natural stress regulation pathways.

A relaxed body has more capacity to heal, regulate, and restore balance. Reflexology supports the body’s natural balance by encouraging deep relaxation and reducing stress. Small shifts inside can make a big difference in how you feel on the outside.



Source: McCullough, J. E., Liddle, S. D., Sinclair, M., Close, C., & Hughes, C. M. (2014). The Physiological and Biochemical Outcomes Associated with a Reflexology Intervention. National Center for Biotechnology Information

05/11/2025

As nature turns inward and the trees release their leaves, autumn invites us to slow down and let go of what no longer serves us.
Our bodies often mirror this seasonal shift - we may notice tighter chests, shallow breaths, or changes in digestion.
Emotionally, this can be a time of reflection and release.

Reflexology offers gentle support during this transition. By working specific points on the feet, it encourages balance through the body - easing the breath, calming the nervous system, and soothing the digestive tract. Treatments at this time of year often focus on the chest and digestive reflexes, helping to:
🍂 Open the breath and relieve tension in the chest
👣 Support healthy elimination and reduce bloating
🍂 Promote relaxation to ease stress-related symptoms such as IBS

Many clients describe feeling lighter, more centred, and emotionally clearer - as if they’ve exhaled deeply and made space for something new.

🍂 Book your autumn reset 🍃
Find balance in your breath, calm in your belly, and a moment to simply let go.

Find your local practitioner:
https://nationalreflexology.ie/find-a-reflexologist/

02/11/2025

Reflexology for Sport: Overview & Benefits

🏃🏃‍♀️🎾🏈🏑⚽⛳🤾‍♂️🚴⛹️‍♀️🏐

Reflexology — the practice of applying pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears that correspond to different organs and systems in the body, is increasingly used as a complementary therapy in sports and athletic performance.

While it doesn’t replace conventional training or physiotherapy, it can enhance recovery, support injury prevention, and promote overall well-being.

⚽ What Reflexology Can Do for Athletes:

1. Promote Faster Recovery

Helps stimulate blood and lymphatic circulation.

Encourages removal of lactic acid and metabolic waste after intense activity.

Reduces muscle soreness and fatigue.

2. Enhance Relaxation and Focus 👀

Reduces stress and anxiety before competitions. 🧘

Promotes a sense of calm, improving concentration and mental clarity. 😌

3. Support Injury Management 🩻

Reflexology can target zones linked to muscles or joints under strain.

May help reduce inflammation and promote natural healing. 🌿

Complements physiotherapy or massage in rehabilitation routines.

4. Boost Energy Levels ⚡

Balances energy flow (according to reflexology theory), reducing feelings of sluggishness.

Can improve sleep quality and recovery rate, leading to better athletic performance.

🦶 Common Reflex Points for Sports Support

👣 Feet (arches) Spine, back, and core
Helps posture and spinal alignment

👣 Toes Head and neck Eases tension headaches, improves focus

👣 Heel Sciatic nerve and hips Relieves lower back strain

👣 Ball of foot Chest, shoulders Loosens upper body tension

👣 Hands Joints and flexibility Aids grip strength and dexterity

🧘‍♀️ When to Use Reflexology

Pre-event: To calm nerves and center focus.

Post-event: To accelerate recovery and prevent delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).

Off-season or during rehab: To maintain balance, circulation, and well-being.

⚠️ Precautions

Reflexology should be performed by a qualified practitioner familiar with sports-related conditions.

Avoid treatment over:

Fresh injuries or fractures.

Areas with inflammation, infection, or open wounds.

Immediately after intense activity without proper cool-down.

DM to find out more about how Reflexology can benefit you...or Whatsapp 086-0666779

01/11/2025

“November: a time to reflect inwards.” 🍂

November naturally invites introspection.
The year begins to quiet down; daylight shortens, the air cools, and nature itself seems to rest. It’s a month that encourages slowing down, looking back on what has unfolded, and turning inward to realign before the year ends.

🌙 Symbolically:

Trees shed their leaves — a reminder to release what no longer serves us.

Darkness arrives earlier — an invitation to rest and seek inner light.

The stillness of nature mirrors our own need for contemplation.

🕯️ Spiritually or emotionally:

A good time for journaling, gratitude, and forgiveness.

Space to honor ancestors and memories (as many traditions do this month).

Preparation for renewal as the year’s cycle nears completion.

30/10/2025