Beauty & Style during Pregnancy

When it comes to looking good and feeling great throughout your pregnancy, a little information can go a long way. Here you’ll find articles and expert advice about dealing with acne, stretch marks , skin care, hair care, and more during pregnancy. Plus, learn the secrets of maternity dressing and find a checklist of fashion essentials for hip mamas.

How to feel good about your pregnant body?

Whether you’ve dreamed of being pregnant for years or it’s taken you by surprise, chances are you’ve imagined what pregnancy might look and feel like. You may be looking forward to the changes your body will undergo as your baby grows — or you may be dreading them.

If you’re apprehensive about the transformation or worried that pregnancy will cause you to “lose your looks,” remind yourself that the changes are happening for a good reason: You’re creating a new human being! With that in mind, here are a few pointers to help you revel in your nine-month metamorphosis.

 1.     Stay active

a)    When you feel bloated and sick to your stomach, simply getting off the couch can seem challenging. But resist the urge to loaf. Even a ten- or 15-minute walk will leave you feeling energized and more like your pre-pregnancy self.

b)    Here’s another reason to get moving: Exercise promotes muscle tone, strength, and endurance, so it can help you manage the extra weight you’re carrying, prepare you for the physical stress of labour, and make bouncing back after the baby much easier. See more on the benefits of prenatal exercise.

 2.    Don’t underestimate the power of makeup

a)    Makeup can do wonders during pregnancy. It can be used as a tool to feel pretty and in control. That’s particularly important during a time when many women feel like they’ve lost control of their body.

b)    So go ahead and have some fun: Try a new shade of lipstick or eye shadow. “Makeup can be washed off — it isn’t permanent and it’s a great way to give you a quick pick-me-up.” Read more about looking great during pregnancy.

c)     Avoid hair-raising hairstyle changes: One of the perks of pregnancy — thanks to pregnancy hormones — is thicker, more lustrous locks. (You’re not actually growing more hair — you’re just losing less than usual.) Some women also notice that the texture of their hair changes or their strands become shinier.If you normally have a thick head of hair and fear that any more will be unmanageable, you may find a shorter cut easier to wear while you’re pregnant. But don’t assume the changes are permanent and take drastic steps to accommodate them. “Don’t go for a dramatic change. After all, your body is going through enough changes as it is”. Work with your stylist to find a cut that suits you. “Try using clips, barrettes, and combs to enhance your style. But don’t overdo it. “Less is more.”

3.     Maternity clothes used to fall into two categories: muumuu or bow-festooned. And everything was pink. But today there are so many     hip maternity clothes available that your biggest challenge will be sticking to your budget. “With so many great choices, you’ll have no trouble finding something that suits your style.”

i)      Here’s a helpful hint: Black — the colour of choice for chic, non-pregnant fashion plates — works wonders for future mommies as well. Add a little oomph to basic black with a bright piece of chunky jewellery or a colourful silk scarf, or by tying a cardigan around your shoulders. (For more fashion pointers, see our articles on the secrets of maternity dressing and how to dress for the workplace.)

4.     Don’t neglect your skin: The same pregnancy hormones that send your emotions into an uproar can wreak havoc on your skin. Your complexion may look great, thanks to that much-touted pregnancy glow, or you may find yourself breaking out like you’re a teen again. Or your skin may become drier than usual and look splotchy. A good moisturizer can work wonders anywhere your skin feels dry — including your expanding belly. “The best way to prevent that annoying itching as your belly expands is to keep it well-moisturized with Vitamin E Oil. You may even want to try one of the belly creams, purported to prevent stretch marks. While experts say they do not work, moms who have come
through pregnancy stretch mark free swear by them.

i)  Splurge on a spa treatment: A manicure or pedicure (or go for both) or facial can lift your spirits and give your self-image a quick
boost. Throw in a pregnancy massage for good measure. There’s nothing like having someone pamper you to make you feel like a queen for an hour or two. If you can’t afford to treat yourself at a spa, do a mask and manicure at home — or throw a “pampering party” with a few close friends, or get your beloved partner/husband or even a friend to buy a Gift Voucher if you have a special occasion soon like a birthday or a party or going on a holiday before it gets too late to board a plane.

ii) Talk yourself into a good mood: If all else fails, remind yourself that even though you can’t squeeze into a slinky dress or your favourite jeans right now, you’re still fabulous. Beauty is a state of grace, not a certain look, size, or weight. You’re glowing, you’re pregnant, and you’re beautiful.

£15 OFF – Introductory Offer for Pregnancy Massage 60 minutes

For all Pregnant Women, we offer you a 60 minutes massage to ease your back and legs pains for an amazing introductory offer – Normal Price £60.
Offer is valid ONLY on Thurdays – Bookings BY APPPOINTMENTS ONLY.
Offer expires on 30th June 2012. Hurry places are limited. 
Call us on 02072427745 or email us at infor@thebeautytherapyroom.co.uk to book your appointment.

We all know that as you get older it can become more difficult to ensure your body stays in good nick. Your metabolism seems to support you less and less, meaning that as the years go on, you can no longer eat what you want, and have to work harder at the gym to shed those unwanted kilos (that pesky metabolism, never around when we need it most!).

Unfortunately, the same thing happens with your skin. As you get older, your skin-support mechanisms start slowing down, so it’s up to you to help boost your skin’s fitness and ensure you’re doing everything you can to guarantee your skin stays looking healthy and beautiful no matter what your age. Here are three integral steps to maintaining fit and healthy skin…

Exfoliation

Have you noticed that your complexion doesn’t look as naturally radiant as it once did? This is because as you age, cell turnover is decreased, which means that the dull, dead skin cells take longer to flake off, leaving those radiant, new cells hidden under layers of dull skin.

The secret to battling dull skin is exfoliation – by simply adding a gentle exfoliation into your skin care regime (we recommend 2-3 times a week), you’ll help to stimulate your circulation, quicken your cell turnover, stimulate the fibroblasts in the dermis of the skin to produce more collagen and elastin to maintain its suppleness and tonicity. And your skin will appear less dull in the process.

In addition to that home care, you can consult with your specialist therapist about having few sessions of combined Microdermabrasion & Microcurrent Treatment to enhance the skin’s functions and to get it working for your own benefit and to glow better all year round.

We like:

1. Danné Micro Peel, Danné  Exoderma Peel & Foamy Masque for Face
2. Danné Hydra Louffa for Body
3. Australian Body Care Facial Exfoliator
4. Danné Detox Facial & Danné Enzyme Facial
5. Microdermabrasion & Microcurrent Treatment

Deep pore cleansing

You may think that deep pore cleansing is only essential for teens suffering from breakouts, but believe it or not, we could all benefit from it in our skin regime. In this day and age pollution is unfortunately on the increase, which means that even if you don’t wear a lot of make-up or feel like your skin is ‘clogged up’, environmental grime can still collect on the surface of your skin and in your pores and create an older, more weathered looking complexion. Plus, pores that are full of muck equal pores that become stretched and enlarged, and we know you won’t want that!

Incorporating a deep pore cleansing product into your skin care regime (we recommend twice a week) helps to rid your pores of the deepest grime and pollution build up, resulting in skin that looks healthier, radiant and more flawless.

We like:

1. Danné Deep Pore Cleanser or Danné Total Cleanser for Face
2. Danné Hydra Louffa for Body

Moisturising

As you get older, your skin loses its ability to naturally retain water, making it look sallow and lined and leaving you looking older than you actually are. The key to sporting skin that looks healthy, hydrated and ultimately younger, is to arm yourself with hard-working moisturisers that penetrate deep down below the epidermis (the top layer of the skin) and to use them EVERY SINGLE DAY, morning and night. Look for products with ultra-hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, Shea butter or Aloe Vera to get the best results for your skin. Incorporating a hydrating eye cream into your regime will also help to ward off wrinkles and make your entire face seem
brighter and more youthful.

It’s also important to note that dry skin doesn’t just affect those in their 40s and 50s either. If you compare the skin of a 20-year-old to that of a new-born baby, the difference is incredible, so ensuring your skin is properly moisturised from a young age will prevent creping and  prematurely aged skin in later life.

We like:

1. Danné Hydrophilic Crème
2. Danné Biogen C Crème
3. Danné Direct Delivery C Serum
4. Danné Transdermal Sunblock

Not sure what your skin concerns are?

While the three steps mentioned above should be included into everyone’s skin regime, there may be other skin concerns that could be affecting the overall health of your skin, such as rosacea, pigmentation or acne. The best way to identify and treat these issues is to seek the assistance of a professional skin care consultant. You can always book a consultation with our Danné Therapist to assess your skin’s conditions and to discuss all the home and salon care necessary to maintain a healthy and glowing skin in all weathers and seasons.

Check our website for more detailed information on all our Specialised Beauty Treatments as well as the Promotions and Offers that we may have – http://thebeautytherapyroom.co.uk/. You can also find the information on our Facebook Page where if you “LIKE”
us, we will send you a Gift Voucher for Beauty Treatments to pamper yourself.

£15 OFF – Introductory Offer for Pregnancy Massage 60 minutes

For all Pregnant Women, we offer you a 60 minutes Pregnancy Massage to ease your back and legs pains for an amazing introductory offer – Normal Price £60.

Offer is valid ONLY on Thursdays and expires on 30th June 2012.

Hurry places are limited.

Call us on 02072427745 or email us at info@thebeautytherapyroom.co.uk to book your appointment.

Are you too shy to strip down to your bikini this summer because of ingrown hairs, cellulite or stretch marks?

Embarrassing beauty problems fixed

We’ve found a few treatments to help ease you into a more confident summer. Get bikini ready now and put your best foot forward with these top tips.

Stretch marks

Seventy per cent of women complain of stretch marks, so next time you dress down to your togs, remember you’re not alone.

Stretch marks are most commonly caused by fluctuations in weight, like during pregnancy, after rapid weight loss and during puberty (as a result of growth spurts). When they’re red in colour, they’re relatively new, unlike those that are older and have faded to white.  Get bikini ready now and put your best foot forward with these top tips.

Stretch marks: How to treat it

If the stretch marks are relatively new, there are laser treatments and topical treatments (like Retin-A, prescription only) that may reduce their appearance. For another type of cosmetic treatment, try Danne Body Sculpting Treatment in salon and use at home the Body Sculpting Crème from Danne combined with Direct Vitamin C Serum. And for other temporary cosmetic solutions, you can try St Tropez Air Brush and makeup.

Many experts recommend massaging the affected areas after doing some good exfoliating sessions by using in the shower the Danne Hydra Louffa then moisturise with Danne Maximum Moisture. You can add few drops of Vitamin E Oil to increase the regeneration of new cells.

Ingrown hairs

Ingrown hairs are when the hair curls back or grows sideways into the skin and may be accompanied by an infection of the hair follicle. Ingrown hairs are usually caused by shaving or using the electrical epilator or bad waxing and can make stripping down to a bikini undesirable if the bikini line is affected.

Ingrown hairs: How to treat it

If you already have ingrown hairs, use a cleanser with salicylic acid to clean the area or Danne Hydra Louffa every day. Then apply on the areas infected Ingrow Go Solution daily. If hair is appearing from the follicle, you can use tweezers to wheedle it out but it is best to leave it to grow normally and have a professional waxing. To prevent this in the future, exfoliate regularly to unclog pores and moisturise regularly.

Try Danne Montague King’s Follicuzyme in-salon treatment, available from DMK Salons and Therapist. This is a treatment which combines Alkaline Wash treatment with Enzyme Therapy to eradicate the problem – very efficient.

Facial hair

Most women have facial hair, but for some unfortunately it can be darker and more visible than others. Unwanted hair can appear on the lip, around the jaw line and can be due to genetics or a hormone imbalance.

Facial hair: How to treat it

There are a few ways to remove superfluous facial hair. Waxing works a treat on lip and light coloured hair, but if your strands have a darker pigment and can be found growing around the jaw line, we recommend trying laser hair removal, which is more permanent.

At salon, for all types of hair colours, you can have Electrolysis, waxing and even Alkaline Wash which can work very well on downy facial hair. If the hair is coarse, then Electrolysis can be the best treatment for them.

Cellulite

There are lots of reasons why women get cellulite — diet, lack of exercise and genetics generally play a big part, but you don’t have to let dimpled thighs hold you back from hitting the beach this summer.

Cellulite: How to treat it

A spray tan can quickly hide any lumps and bumps on the skin surface, but to treat long term, we suggest a good healthy diet, exercises to tone the area and to firm the skin, try massaging a cellulite cream daily to the area such as Danne Body Sculpting Crème.

It helps reduce the appearance of cellulite and it smoothes and firms loose body skin. Inch loss is measurable after most applications.

In salon, Danne Body Enzyme Therapy or Body Sculpting Therapy is suitable for this type of skin condition.

Adult acne

Do you still suffer from acne, just like when you were a teen? It can be stressful and embarrassing but you’re not alone. One in five women between the ages of 25 and 40 suffer from adult acne, which can be related to stress, genetics, cosmetics, hormone imbalances and medications.

Adult acne: How to treat it

First we recommend consulting a doctor or dermatologist to get expert advice on why the problem is still occurring. Also, make sure you’re cleansing your face morning and night to remove impurities. Avoid squeezing as this only spreads infection and also change your pillow case
every couple of days.

Danne Acne Wash or Danne Deep Pore Cleanser with 5 or 10% Benzoyl Peroxide & Moisture Balancer have had great results in treating adult acne. The three step process of cleansing, toning and repairing is a good start to clearing problem skin.

Over-partied skin

Too many late nights and alcoholic beverages can really show on your face. Dry, dehydrated skin, breakouts, under-eye bags and a dull complexion are the price you’ll pay for burning the candle at both ends.

Over-partied skin: How to treat it

To keep late nights from showing up on your skin, stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and make sure you don’t go to sleep without taking off your make-up. We recommend Danne Deep Pore Cleanser and follow with a rich but light eye moisturiser Danne Eye Tone followed by Danne Biogen C Crème or Betagen Crème. You can do a home treatment by using one a week Danne Foamy Lift Masque mixed with Danne Exoderma Peel.

Just Remember that Danne products are not sold via online website as they are home prescriptives and the Danne Therapists need to see every clients for a consultation before prescribing and selling any of the Danne Products.

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We are in the process of updating our website pages and one of the most important pages is the “Testimonials”. In the past and present, few of our clients have been very generous to send us some testimonials or reviews and we have added them on to this special page on our page.

But this year, we have decided to reward our loyal clients with a £15 Beauty Gift Vouchers every time they perform the following:

1. When you write a testimonial or a review about The Beauty Therapy Room and the experience you had during your visit to the salon. This can be done by emails to info@thebeautytherapyroom.co.uk, or by simply replying to the weekly e-newsletters that you receive from us. If you know any of your friends or colleagues who have visited us and do not receive the e-newsletters, may be you can explain to them the benefit of the e-newsletters to them and encourage them to subscribe to them by going to our website: www.thebeautytherapyroom.co.uk and adding their details on the Home Page.
2. Every time, you recommend a friend, or a colleague or a member of your family to visit The Beauty Therapy Room and you make sure that they mention your name to us during the treatment or when they fill in the client’s record card details. Then we will post you the Reward Gift Voucher so you can pamper yourself too. This voucher is sent for every recommendation you make to us – the number is unlimited.
3. The Beauty Therapy Room has a FACEBOOK PAGE where we edit few things on it, from promotions, to new treatments we  undertake, to special news about our products like the New Arrival of Jessica Nail Colours or other products. You are welcome to browse the FACEBOOK PAGE and see for yourself what we write for everybody there. And during the browsing, if you click on “LIKE” on our Facebook Page, and leave a small message for us, then we can send you the Gift Vouchers too. We will need either your email address or your postal address which you can email it to us at our email address for privacy.
4. And finally, we have a Holistic Therapy Promotion, where you can buy 3 sessions of 60 minutes of either Holistic Massage, or Deep Tissue Massage or Reflexology; we will give a Gift Voucher to spend on Beauty Treatments too. To find out about these promotions, you can browse our website in the OFFERS & PROMOTIONS” Page, under the HOME Page.

We look forward to hearing from you soon with your reviews/testimonials and to welcome your friends and colleagues to our Beauty Salon. We thank every person for their kind and generous loyalty.

Ethos Medispa & The Beauty Therapy Room has joined forces to offer to our clients a superb promotion for the Cosmetic Medical Clinic that is held on a monthly basis at our salon in Holborn, London.

Call in for your FREE £25 Gift Voucher to use on ANY Botox, Derma Fillers or Wrinkle reducer treatment.

POP IN NOW at the salon and pick up your Gift Voucher to use at our Next Cosmetic Medical Clinic on Wednesday 28th March 2012 between 12.00 pm & 2.00 pm.

** One person per Voucher and Valid for New Customers ONLY!!

Once you have picked your £25 Gift Voucher from our salon, then you can contact Ethos Medispa on 0845 6016441 to book your appointment with our Medical Consultant Kathryn Tilley on her next Clinic session on Wednesday 28th March 2012.

So HURRY and DON’T DELAY it, come in and take the vouchers and pamper yourself for your Special Day whatever that may be, or you can get it for your Mother to give to her in good time as an additional Gift on her Mother’s Day 18th March 2012.

In this week newsletter, we thought it would be best if we pinpoint to our clients few new things that are happening at The Beauty Therapy Room and to juggle your memory on some of the schemes that we run at the salon so you will take part in them and benefit from them too:

1. Well, recently The Beauty Therapy Room has decided to back another charity – Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity in
   addition to the Lennox Children Cancer Fund which we have been raising monies for them for the last 5 years now.
2. Therefore, since the beginning of March 2012, we have displayed at our reception the two collection boxes for these two great charities. And we like to ask every client and visitor to help us raise as much monies for them because they are such formidable
   charities who do superb work for the Children and especially for those who have very difficult medical conditions such as cancers and other medical ones too. The Beauty Therapy Room will display also the logos of these two charities on our website to remind everyone who browse the website of our charity work.
3. On another note, we like to remind all our clients, friends and colleagues that The Beauty Therapy Room will be CLOSED for
   the EASTER HOLIDAYS from Friday 6^th April to Monday 9^th April 2012 inclusive. We will be back to work on the morning of Tuesday 10^th April 2012 as per our normal working hours – 10.00 am to 8.00 pm. And we like to extend our very best wishes to ALL for a very HAPPY EASTER.
4. For all our clients who have used JESSICA Products and even had the Jessica Treatments to include Le Remedi Facial for Hands & Feet and the latest GELeration Treatments, we like to inform you that the new range of Jessica Nail Colours “HEAVY PETAL” is in store now, as well as some new GELeration Nail Colours too. If you like to view the Jessica Nail
   Colours and to purchase any of them, please feel free to pop in at the salon and we love to show them to you.
5. In addition, there is a big selection of Jessica Nail Colours & Gift Sets that are on 15% Discount. So you can increase your choice of nail colours for the coming Spring and Summer Seasons.
6. Recommend  a Friend/Colleague or a member of your family to The Beauty Therapy Room and receive a £15 Gift Voucher to spend on Beauty Treatments. These vouchers are valid for 3 months from their date of issue and to be used for treatments of £30 and above. They allow you to pamper yourself with some new beauty treatments every time you recommend to us a new person. So get on and tell your friends and colleagues about The Beauty Therapy Room and encourage them to book their appointments with us, and especially to mention to us your full name so we can send you the Gift Vouchers soon.
7. ETHOS MEDISPA who runs the Cosmetic Medical Clinic at The Beauty Therapy Room has started a promotion:
1. £25 OFF any BOTOX or DERMA FILLERS or WRINKLE REDUCER TREATMENT.
2. Call in at our salon in Holborn to collect your FREE £25 VOUCHER to use on BOTOX or DERMA FILLERS or WRINKLE REDUCER TREATMENT.
3. One Voucher per person and valid for NEW CUSTOMERS to ETHOS MEDISPA CLINIC.
4. Once you collect the FREE £25 Voucher you can contact ETHOS MEDISPA on 0845 6016441 to book your appointment with the consultant at their next available clinic at our salon.
8. Last Winter, we started a Holistic Therapy Promotion:

i) Buy 3 Sessions of 60 minutes of Holistic Massage or Deep Tissue Massage or Reflexology & Receive a £15 Gift Voucher to spend on Beauty Treatments to pamper yourself with some other relaxing beauty treatments.

ii) We are extending this promotion for another 3 months until 30^th June 2012.

iii) The cost of 3 Sessions of 60 minutes of Reflexology is £195.

iv) The cost of 3 Sessions of 60 minutes of Holistic Massage is £195.

v) The cost of 3 Sessions of 60 minutes of Deep Tissue Massage is £210.

vi) This promotion is valid ONLY on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 1.00 pm to 8.00 pm.

So we leave you with these promotions and ideas of pampering sessions, you can call us on 020 7242 7745 at any time if you need any further information about them or email us at info@thebeautytherapyroom.co.uk with your queries and we will endeavour to reply to every person.

Meanwhile we wish everyone a VERY HAPPY EASTER and we look forward to hearing from you very soon.

Aloe vera is a succulent plant that grows in arid climates such as Africa and India. It is claimed to have many health and beauty benefits. One of the first documented users of aloe vera was Cleopatra, who lived from 68 to 30 B.C. She is said to have used the gel on her skin as protection from the sun, and to have thought the gel helped to keep her skin young-looking.

Today aloe vera continues to be widely used around the world. Studies have shown that it can speed up the healing process, particularly in burns, including those from radiation. It is also used by dermatologists to speed healing after facial dermabrasion, which removes scars from the skins top layers. Aloe vera is an important ingredient in natural anti aging skin care recipes because it can do wonders for your skin; it has the ability to firm the skin tissue and bring back elasticity that your skin has lost, automatically reducing the wrinkles. Aloe vera also provides your skin with oxygen and adds to your skin’s overall strength.

To use Aloe vera from a plant, break off a leaf when you need it and use it as soon as possible as it’s healing properties decrease over time. Aloe vera gel can also be purchased but it is most effective when used fresh.

Rub aloe vera on sunburned skin. Apply aloe vera with a poultice to more severe burns and skin ailments. Use it to treat acne, eczema, arthritis and oily skin. Aloe vera has both anaesthetic and anti-bacterial properties, which soothes the skin and helps it heal sooner. Plus it also has tissue restoration properties to help skin heal without scarring.

Foot Reading
How can you read feet? A foot is just a foot isn’t it? How can you tell things about me from my feet? These are a few questions that people ask when I
say I am a ‘foot reader’. Foot Reading has its basis in modern reflexology and the synthesis between the feet and body has been charted for centuries, dating as far back to ancient Egypt, where the correlation between foot health and body health was established.

Unlike foot reflexology, foot reading aims to look deeper than just the representation of physical health onto the feet. Its primary aim is to demonstrate how the feet are a microcosm of your entire being, a mini reflection of you. From this aim stems another more personal outcome, in that it empowers the person to become more aware about their own wellbeing, attributes and potential.

Chris Stormer, a renowned expert on how feet reflect our true selves, describes as follows: “…feet reflect past and present perceptions of the ubconscious mind. Thoughts determine bodily conditions and mould feet according to inherent and attained belief systems.”

It is this link with our subconscious that is of most interest to the foot reader. Sometimes we are blissfully unaware of ourselves and motivations unless there is a reason to confront issues in our lives. By being more aware through the focus on our feet we can allow ourselves to change positively and with less resistance if we were not equipped with this readily available self-knowledge.

A reflexology foot chart will show you the reflex points of the bodily parts, organs and systems mapped out onto the feet. This is just a starting point, as the physical body is merely a vessel for all sorts of other complicated mechanisms; our emotions, our thought patterns, our personality traits, our
current focus in life and hidden subconscious desires and motivators.

So looking beyond the physical we can delve into the complex arena of who we are. This encompasses emotional, mental and spiritual outlooks; past, present and future issues; elements; thoughts and dominant traits.

The foot reader does not need to know anything about that person because it is all there presented to them via the feet. Using intuition and by deciphering the many signs and indicators on the feet, a foot reader can give feedback on what they see and interpret it according to the individual. These signs and indicators include colour changes, shape, temperature, texture, position, markings and flexibility. In relation to each other these important pointers can be read in context, matched with past and present issues and demonstrate astonishingly accurate information about that person.

We use expressions in our language to describe people related to their feet, for example, ‘he is light on his feet’ or ‘she put her foot in it’. Initial impressions are usually instinctively correct and foot shapes are a starting point when reading the feet as they contain the overall information needed about dominant personality traits.

Here are some examples that you can try out with friends and family:

1. Wide feet – denotes active, hard working person, someone who rarely sits still, needs to be on the move. Organised and methodical.
2. Slender feet – finds it easier to relax and enjoys the pleasures in life. Likes to allow others to wait on them! Just like a princess they will often
   adore being spoilt.
3. Short feet – happy to stay behind the scenes, no need to seek attention as they like to sit and watch before making their move. Great in support roles where they can just get on with it.

These simple analogies can give you a brief overview of a small aspect of foot reading. Reflexologists may find foot reading helps when applied alongside their treatments. Sometimes a particular reflex may appear unbalanced or different but this may not make sense when related to that physical body part. By using their knowledge of the feet and corresponding reflex points as a subconscious reflection of that person, the reflexologist can extrapolate the underlying meaning. Here are some examples using observations of the skin:

1. Hard skin on throat reflex (neck of big toes) = built up protection from having to swallow undesirable verbal communication. Conceals true expression.
2. Yellow, hard skin on shoulder reflex (below 5^th toes) = tension and resentment relating to responsibilities, can feel burdened at having to take
   it all on for oneself.
3. Flaking skin over hard skin on pelvic reflex (heels) = irritated at having to protect and justify movements. Heels relate to security for growth, movement and development.

The increase in popularity of natural therapies arises from the inability to find relief from bodily ailments in the physical world. Drugs, alcohol, food and smoking may provide temporary relief from some symptoms but cannot address the emotive causes unless a conscious change of attitude occurs. By using our knowledge of how feet reflect our subconscious and unconscious patterns, we can release ourselves from unhealthy thoughts and behaviour.

Massage Therapy and Pain Relief

As a massage therapist, it is important when treating clients that we are aware when not to diagnose and can refer a client to another therapist if a problem is beyond the realms of our expertise. Many people come to a massage therapist in the hope that they may be able to “fix” their bad back or “get rid of” their migraines. As is often the case with complementary medicine, persistence with treatment over time along with appropriate lifestyle changes and finding ways of dealing with whatever might be exacerbating the problem is more likely to produce a successful result. This is opposed to a blind faith in the therapist to immediately cure the problem. I believe that it is when you take responsibility for your own health seriously that the really miraculous changes start to occur.

Massage is well known for reducing stress and promoting relaxation but it is commonly perceived by the British public as something slightly seedy or hopelessly self-indulgent. This perception is, however, being increasingly challenged and massage is being valued for its enormous physical, emotional and spiritual benefits. As massage therapists we cannot make sweeping claims, however, a growing body of research shows that massage therapy is
extremely effective for relieving and managing chronic and acute pain. Recent clinical research in the States has shown that massage is more effective for chronic back pain than other complementary therapies. It is also effective in promoting relaxation and alleviating the perception of pain and anxiety in cancer and stroke patients.

Recently the results of three surveys confirmed that more people are seeking massage therapy to relieve and manage their pain. According to a consumer survey conducted by an American association, 47 per cent of those polled said they have tried massage for pain relief – 58 per cent of which are between the ages of 18-24 and 35-44 years. Additionally, 91 per cent of the adults polled said massage therapy is effective in reducing pain.

Pain is a complex phenomenon and is difficult to define as it can vary from a transient ache to a sensation that makes people scream. As any definition needs to take into account physiological, psychological and sociological factors, perhaps the simplest is McCaffery’s (1988) ‘Pain is what the experiencing person says it is, existing whenever he says it does.’ Pain is a subjective, unique and complex experience and can be influenced by many
factors, e.g., age, sex, culture, personality, social class, and family influence, as well as anxiety, fatigue or depression.

Whilst there is evidence that sensation thresholds in humans are similar, pain perception threshold and particularly pain tolerance can be influenced by a number of factors, e.g. If a person’s attention is focused onto the pain it may be perceived as more intense, so distraction can relieve or diminish pain perception.

It is suggested that, transmission of pain impulses are via different types of nerve fibre.  This knowledge lead in 1965, to Melzack and Wall outlining the Gate Control theory. The theory attempts to explain pain modulation. The theory has become quite refined and complex but, in essence, proposes the existence of a neural mechanism in the posterior horn of the spinal cord which acts like a gate, increasing or decreasing the flow of nerve impulses from the periphery to the central nervous system. The degree to which the gate increases or decreases pain transmission depends on activity in other fibres and on descending influences from the brain. 

The central nervous system modifies pain by releasing chemicals which bind with receptors throughout the nervous system and alter pain perception. These chemicals include the endogenous morphine like substances known as endorphins. So, it is likely that massage has an effect on pain perception in a number of ways.

Massage produces relaxation and diminishes arousal and this lone may achieve pain modulation. As exercise increases the amount of circulating endorphins, it is likely that massage would produce an increase in them too. Massage stimulates touch and pressure receptors which transmit impulses along fast conducting fibres. Stimulation of these may help to ‘close the gate’. Massage also improves the circulation and thus may help to remove the substances that sensitise nociceptors from the affected area. Finally, it may allow patients to focus on something other than the pain and thus act as a distraction.

My experience as a therapist so far has enabled me to witness the increased positive effects in my clients with the use of aromatherapy oils during massage. The pharmacological, physical and aromatic effects of essential oils can greatly relax and improve physical and emotional wellbeing. In massage, essential oils are absorbed into the body and interact with the body’s chemistry. The neurotransmitters along the nerves are subtly altered by
the presence of essential oils, which soothe and help to relax once absorbed into the skin.

When we breathe in, some essential oil molecules travel to the lungs to be absorbed into the blood. Other molecules go directly to the brain. This is the quickest route and the most effective way to heal weak or fragile emotions and states of mind, such as stress and depression. The nose not only warms and cleans the inhaled air, but it also enables us to identify substances by their smell. Tiny hairs in the human nose called cilia send information via receptor cells to the brain to identify the inhaled molecules. This information is received by the limbic are of the brain, which is the area associated with memory, emotions and instincts.  The brain then releases neurochemicals and these have either a sedative or a tonic effect depending on the aroma. This is why aromatherapy massage can have such a powerful effect on our moods.

A user of aromatherapy massage quickly realizes they have found a form of drugless therapy to assist in reaching their objective of freedom from pain or stress. Massage is one of the earliest remedial practices for restoration of proper and healthy body function. It is a natural and instinctive and combined with the powerful properties of essential oils, the most wonderful effects can be achieved.

To try a session of a massage therapy, you can book with our Holistic Therapists at The Beauty Therapy Room. They are present at our premises every Tuesdays & Thursdays between 1.00 pm & 8.00 pm and they offer you a choice of treatments from Holistic Massage to Deep Tissue Massage to Reflexology and Pregnancy Massage. All you have to do is call us on 020 7242 7745 or email us at info@thebeautytherapyroom.co.uk and we will happy to assist you with your bookings.