Reflexology for Fertility

Reflexology helps with a wealth of difficulties. Some benefits of reflexology are proven scientifically, some are anecdotal experiences.
Reflexology to support in fertility is well documented with studies and experiences of both therapists and clients. There are now a multitude of training courses for reflexologists out there to better adapt their treatments for fertility support.

To begin with, some foundational knowledge could be useful. So, if you have the time, please read previous blogs by following the links below:
The Reproductive System: https://www.almaentera.com/learning/the-reproductive-system
The Menstrual Cycle and Menopause: https://www.almaentera.com/learning/menstrual-cycle-and-menopause
Infertility and Pregnancy: https://www.almaentera.com/learning/infertility-and-pregnancy

How Reflexology Can Help Support Fertility

One of the most important things a reflexologist can do is support the client with preparing for pregnancy through getting up to date and accurate information. There is so much advice out there, some that is based in truth, some not so much. A lot of what is useful about a reflexology treatment is a comprehensive initial consultation. Of course, there are some basics such as having a healthy diet, exercising regularly and reducing any behaviours such as binge drinking and smoking may help.

Another thing that a reflexologist who is knowledgeable about fertility can do, is help you increase your odds of conceiving. For example, talking about the timing and frequency of sexual intercourse (if you are happy to share). Becoming aware of your own body can help too. For example, if you have a biologically female reproductive system, being aware of your cervical mucus and its amount, consistency and colour can help you know when is a good time to give it a go. Speaking to a reflexologist about all of this may be helpful because they have time to talk to you, and are not a friend (although hopefully friendly), so can be completely non-judgemental.

In terms of the practical application of reflexology, if you are aware of any existing conditions that you think are effecting your chances of conception, then reflexology can work on the reflexes that are imbalanced. For example, with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, the reflexologist can work directly on the pituitary and ovary reflexes to help bring the body back to balance.

One of the most beneficial things about having reflexology for fertility difficulties, is the bringing down of stress levels in the body. When we are stressed, stress hormones dominate the endocrine system, suppressing some of the important hormones required for pregnancy to be achieved. Again, here, the reflexologist can encourage the body to come back to balance with a lovely balancing and relaxing treatment for you, whilst working on some of the reflexes related to stress.

What’s more, the way we think affects the way we feel and so talking to your reflexologist can be really helpful. Those attending reflexology for support with fertility often haven’t had the easiest journey , whether that’s because of primary or secondary infertility. So, its only natural to be thinking critically of themselves or others. Talking is one of the most useful things you can do, so why not speak to your reflexologist?

If you are going through fertility treatment of some sort, the reflexologist can decide with you what is the best course of action. What do you need most? A treatment plan can be devised, based on the timings of the medical intervention. For example, with IVF, there may times to have a stimulating treatment vs a downregulating treatment. What ever your treatment, speak to a reflexologist, they may be able to offer you some support.

A word of caution…
Now, reflexology is a wonderful complementary therapy, but it is not a catch all. Yes, the reflexologist can adapt the treatment to suit where you are in your journey. However, it does not promise pregnancy. Reflexology for fertility is a support and a COMPLEMENT to other interventions whether that be medical, alternative, or lifestyle interventions.

A note…
I am aware that this information page has been focussed more towards a biologically female person. This was intentional, as most of my clients that I see for fertility are female. However, there is much a reflexologist can do to help a male during the same process. Moreover, I have worked with single individuals seeking support with fertility. Whatever your circumstances and your experience of being human, I am more than open to hearing from you and your journey of fertility.

I hope you have enjoyed reading about reflexology for supporting with fertility. If you have any questions or comments, please reach out via the details on the contact page.

The Cardiovascular System

It seems reasonable to start with the heart. Its about the size of your clenched fist and while it does sit almost in the centre of your chest, the left side is slightly larger. It has four chambers, along with a host of valves, layers of tissue and linings, ventricles, atriums, arteries and veins. Its purpose is to pump the oxygenated blood around the body and pump the de-oxygenated blood to the lungs where it will pick up oxygen.

The tissue inside the heart is self-beating. For this to happen an electrical signal comes from within the right atrium (from the sinoatrial node). However, the nervous and endocrine system also impact on the rate that the heart beats (slowing it down or speeding it up).

Veins, arteries and capillaries help the rest of the body live. Veins go towards the heart and are elastic tubes with valves which prevent the back flow of de-oxygenated blood. Arteries contain oxygenated blood and are large hollow tubes that go away from the heart. They have thick muscular walls so that it can cope with the higher pressure. Capillaries are fine blood vessels which are only one cell thick which allows goodness such as nutrients to pass through them. Capillaries are the connections between the veins and arteries.

Blood, another vital part of the circulatory system. Blood transports nutrients, oxygen, waste materials, hormones and white blood cells to infected sites. Blood also protects the body by being involved in temperature control, healing of wounds, fights against invading organisms and clots to stop bleeding. Blood is made up of red blood cells (carry the oxygen), white blood cells (infection fighters), platelets (for clotting) and plasma (contains all sorts e.g. hormones and enzymes).

Massage can help increase blood flow, reduce heart rate and lower blood pressure (which can explain why you might feel dizzy when you get up from the massage table after a treatment). We know that stress can impact on the circulatory system, such as increasing blood pressure, and so massage can help reduce the impact of stress on the body and then in turn on the different body systems.
Aromatherapy can involve oils that are hypotensive or hypertensive and so caution should be taken when choosing your oils if you have high or low blood pressure. The nervous and hormonal system impact on the cardiovascular system. So, if you become relaxed in a treatment, your cardiovascular system may indeed feel some benefits.
A number of crystals have been identified for the physical heart, blood pressure and circulation. Contact me if you are interested in using crystals along side conventional treatment for your condition.

Now that it’s coming up to Christmas, go gentle on your cardio system by eating right, exercising and being generally kind to your body.

If you have any questions or want to know more, email me or message me!

Aromatherapy

“Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment that uses natural plant extracts to promote health and well-being. Sometimes it's called essential oil therapy. Aromatherapy uses aromatic essential oils medicinally to improve the health of the body, mind, and spirit. It enhances both physical and emotional health” (Healthline).

An essential oil is a natural oil collected, typically, through distillation. The oils have the characteristics of the plant or the source it was extracted from. It’s the highly concentrated goodness of leaves, flowers, twigs etc.

Oils are absorbed into the body through the respiratory system or through the skin (in the main).

Skin: According to studies, molecules under 500 dalton can get through the skin’s barriers. Once it is at the fat layer (please see skin post), it can be absorbed into the blood capillaries and lymph. The circulatory system transports the molecules around the body.

Respiratory: the oil is sensed by the 40 million sensory neurons in the nose, the oil then travels to the olfactory cortex where the conscious perception of the smell happens. From here it ends up in the limbic system (which controls things like blood pressure and heart rate). From here it goes to the cerebellum where the interpretation of the smell happens. The molecules are introduced into the circulatory system and then oils leave the body through the urine, lungs, skin or faeces.

While there are a multitude of benefits to aromatherapy, here are a few healthline have found. Aromatherapy could help manage pain, improve sleep quality, reduce stress, agitation, and anxiety, soothe sore joints, treat headaches and migraines, alleviate side effects of chemotherapy, ease discomforts of labour, fight bacteria, virus, or fungus, improve digestion, improve hospice and palliative care and boost immunity.

Blending Methods:
Enhancing – looking at pairing up oils that have similar qualities e.g. anti-viral oils used together
Classical – this is looking at the balance of top, middle and base notes to create harmony in the blend
Balancing – some oils are deemed to be stronger smelling than others e.g. eucalyptus is a stronger smell than clary sage. This method ensures no one oil dominates the blend.

Top, Middle and Base Notes:
Top notes are sharp and clean, they tend to be the more citrusy smells. They don’t last very long but they tend to be the first smell people notice in a blend as they evaporate first. Lemon is a typical top note.
Middle notes are used to give body to a blend. They tend to be warm and soft in smell. Lavender is a typical middle note.
Base notes are used to deepen and centre the blend. Base oils can slow down the evaporation of the top notes. A typical based note could be something like patchouli.

Oil Safety:
There are a number of contraindications (reasons to adapt or not have a treatment) so it is really important you talk to an aromatherapist to see which oils are safe for you. Oils can cause irritation, phototoxicity, sensitisation and general toxicity – this is another really important reason to reach out and get advice about how much of the oils to use and which ones. Please always dilute your oils. If you are blending at home for family and friends, it’s still necessary for you to label your blends with the latin names of the oils (so that people know exactly what toy have given them). This can be really useful if someone has a reaction to the oils you give them. Aromatherapy should not be used in replacement of medical treatment. If you are worried about using oils with conventional medical treatment, have a quick chat with your specialist or your GP.

You can have aromatherapy in isolation e.g. in a bath oil or you can have it as part of a massage. An aromatherapist can look at your conditions or needs and blend with the oils that could help that and suggest the best way for the oils to enter the body. The therapist may use a combination of blending techniques to really aid your treatment. I personally love aromatherapy and have felt the benefits myself. I also really enjoy blending for clients. Get in contact if you have any questions, as aromatherapy is a bit of an information minefield.

Top Tip – use an essential oil diffuser that is electric, not diffusing by burning a candle. Burning by candle is not only environmentally less safe (fire hazard) but also the heat can burn the oils (if not monitored) meaning you don’t get the benefits.

https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-aromatherapy
https://www.healthline.com/health/what-is-aromatherapy#benefits

The Endocrine System

The endocrine system is comprised of many glands that secrete hormones (which are chemical messengers) into the blood stream. Hormones are made up of protein. The hypothalamus in the brain links the endocrine and nervous system and is in control of your emotions, mood, stress, sleep, appetite, thirst, temperature control and heart rate (amongst other things). Your hypothalamus is also responsible for homeostasis, the gentle balance required in the body to keep it functioning. The hypothalamus sends messages to the pituitary which then goes and secretes the required hormones. The pituitary is considered ‘the master gland’ but is only the size of a pea. It is responsible for secreting hormones that then have a direct on other glands in the body. For example, a hormone called ACTH is released by the pituitary which then triggers the adrenal glands which sit on top of the kidneys to produce cortisol and adrenaline. If we manage to relax , our parasympathetic nervous system will come into play, which will cause our bodies to stop releasing these hormones.

We have spoken in part about the pituitary gland but there are so many more glands. Here is a brief list of the glands and what they affect.

The pineal: controls body rhythms in response to daylight with melatonin  
The pancreas: regulates blood sugar levels with insulin and glucagon
The parathyroid: regulates calcium levels with parahormone
The thyroid: firstly, using thyroxin it stimulates metabolism, growth and development. Secondly, calcitonin prevents the removal of calcium from the bones
The thymus: produces thymosin which is involved in the production of immune white blood cells
The testes: produce testosterone which is responsible for male characteristics e.g. sperm production
The ovaries: produces oestrogen and progesterone which is responsible for female characteristics e.g. widening of hips
The adrenals: produces a lot of hormones that regulate sodium/potassium levels, helps with the inflammatory response, helps with reducing feelings of pain, metabolises fats, proteins and carbohydrates, assist with sexual development and the well-known stress response – fight or flight.

People who have practiced meditation regularly are able to condition their body into relaxing on demand, and so taking over from the nervous systems ‘auto drive function’.  A reduction in the secretion of the stress hormones will mean that our heart rate will slow down, decrease the blood going to our muscles and reduces the conversion of glycogen to glucose (needed for energy in a crisis). If you keep training our parasympathetic nervous system, your hypothalamus should then end up having an easier time managing your emotions, mood, stress, sleep, appetite, thirst and temperature control amongst many other things.

Massage (including Indian head massage) can potentially help balance mood and stress levels, inspire relaxation and help rebalance the hormonal system. Have you ever noticed that when you get onto the massage table, you already start to relax? Your brain is expecting relaxation and triggers the relaxation response.

Essential oils also have an effect on the endocrine system, for example with some oils having balancing properties, some oils having oestrogen like qualities and also some oils can aid the relaxation response in the brain; whether the oil is absorbed through the skin or inhaled.

A number of crystals have been identified for the balancing of hormones. Contact me if you are interested in using crystals along side conventional treatment for your condition.

I hope you have enjoyed learning about the endocrine system with the links to some therapies. Remember, we are all hormonal beings.

Indian Head Massage

Alma Entera provides Indian head massage. Due to the training (Level 3 Diploma), there are a number of options for you. Indian head massage can be offered clothed or with oil on your upper back and throughout the massage, including in your hair. Whether your upper body is clothed or not is your choice. There is a 25-minute shorter treatment covering upper back, shoulders, upper arms, neck, face and head.  You can add lower arms and hands for a longer treatment of 45 minutes. By adding body parts, that aren’t the head, it becomes a westernised treatment. Typically, you will have the treatment seated, and with pillows and towels to assist your comfort. If you fancy, you can also have chakra balancing following the massage treatment.

Indian head massage is thought to be based on the ayurvedic system of healing. It’s a great treatment if you are feeling stressed and tired. Indian head massage works on the skeletal, muscular, circulatory, lymphatic, nervous system and of course, the skin.

Indian head massage has many benefits. It may help to relieve tension and aches/pains, encourage relaxation, improve/uplift mood, aid sleep, improve skin condition, hair condition and help energy levels. There are so many more potential benefits. While Indian head massage is fabulous, working on both physical health and mental health, it shouldn’t be used as a substitute for medical treatment.

Here are some of the possible benefits from Indian head massage, separated by system.

Skeletal: possibly improves blood supply to the bone and loosens the joints
Muscular: possibly improves blood supply to the muscles, removes waste so there is an improvement in condition of the muscle, muscles warm so helps ease tension, aids relaxation, reduces pain and stiffness; due to massage techniques, muscles may stretch and improve in elasticity
Circulatory: possibly increase blood flow through the areas treated and speeds up venous return, aids recovery and repair  
Lymphatic: possibly speeds up the flow of lymph and increases the transfer of fluid across vessel walls
Nervous: slow, rhythmical movements can possibly produce a sedative action of sensory nerves, vigorous massage may have a stimulating effect on the nervous system
Skin: possibly helps improve the condition of the skin because of increased circulation, the medium used can help with skin condition and massage aids the clearing out of the skin

There are different oils that can help with different things. As a therapist, as standard I tend to use sweet almond oil (a good all round oil) but sometimes add or change oils to one more suited to the client’s needs or depending on where I’m placing it e.g. may choose a different oil for the face. After a treatment, you may choose to keep the oil in your hair to help improve your hair condition, or feel free to wash it out!

If you have any questions (maybe you are wondering how Indian head massage could benefit you) please go to the contact tab and let me know how I can help.  

The Skin

Skin, the largest organ of the body, is a strange and wonderful thing. It’s waterproof but can adsorb. It’s a body warmer or cooler. It’s elastic. It’s a waste releaser. It’s a producer of vitamin D (which has been linked to mood). It’s a protector against the big and the little. It’s a sensor. Multi-functional wonderfulness.

There are pretty dead cells at the top of the epidermis; these dead cells flake off all the time. At the base of the epidermis new cells are formed, so don’t stress too much. The dermis, underneath the epidermis, is where all the good stuff is. Hair roots and follicles, various sweat glands, sensory nerves, muscles and more. Here there is a blood supply. The subcutaneous layer is essentially a layer of fat or adipose tissue.

The skin varies in thickness all over the body. The thickest places tend to be the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. The thinnest part seems to be the eyelids, as an example. Melanin is the pigment that determines skin, hair and eye colour. Melanin is produced by skin cells when exposed to the sun.

For your skin to celebrate your diet, it needs vitamins A, B2, B3, C and iron. When you skin gets unhappy, it can be a deficiency of these vitamins and/or:
- lack of water
- smoking
- drinking excessive alcohol
- spending a long time in air-conditioned spaces
- moving between hot and cold frequently
- excess sunlight

When the skin is damaged e.g. gets grazed, the area become inflamed, blood might come along and clot. Epithelial cells multiply which can bring an open wound together. Granulation ensures there is a blood supply to the wounded area. The granulation tissue is replaced with scar tissue. Scar tissue does not contain the sweat glands and hair follicles that a typical dermis contains.

Massage, aromatherapy and Indian head massage have a lot to do with the skin. Massage directly stimulates the skin; it can improve its condition e.g. nourish it if its dry. Indian head massage does this but also can help improve hair condition. Massage can help the skin release anything that’s clogged up. It removes dead skin and also moisturises it. Essential oils also impact on the skin, whether its them being absorbed by the skin, impacting on its blood vessels or helping improve the condition.

If you want to show love to your skin, please wear sun cream! If you are concerned about your skin, please see your GP or a dermatologist who will guide you in the right direction. Here is the NHS Website where you can find information about skin problems >>> https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/#S

Physical Activity

Following very aptly from the musculoskeletal learning page, lets talk about physical activity.

Physical activity is basically anything involving moving – not being sedentary (like sitting and watching tv or lying in bed).

The NHS advises the following for the average adult :
- to aim to be physically active every day
- to do strengthening activities that work all the major muscles at least 2 days a week
- to do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week (75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity can give similar health benefits to 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity).
- to reduce time spent sitting or lying down and break up long periods of not moving with some activity

To achieve this, they say:
- do several short sessions of very vigorous intensity activity (running up and down the stairs)
- do a mix of moderate, vigorous and very vigorous intensity activity

It's medically proven that people who do regular physical activity have:
up to a 35% lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke
up to a 50% lower risk of type 2 diabetes
up to a 50% lower risk of colon cancer
up to a 20% lower risk of breast cancer
a 30% lower risk of early death
up to an 83% lower risk of osteoarthritis
up to a 68% lower risk of hip fracture
a 30% lower risk of falls (among older adults)
up to a 30% lower risk of depression
up to a 30% lower risk of dementia

Being a mental health nurse, I am interested in the mental health benefits. Research shows that physical activity can also boost self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy, as well as reducing your risk of stress, depression, dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Regarding sleep, please see a previous post. What’s more, is that Nick Littlehales, an elite sports sleep coach, talks about exercise and sleep in his book. An Oregon state university found that the improvement of sleep quality from 150mins of moderate to vigorous activity per week was 65%! He says if you can’t get along with the gym, go outside and engage in other activities like yoga or cycling. He says recovering from exercise is vital, hydrate and fuel up. Try not to exercise too soon before bed or else you may be too alert to drop off.  

Take a second to count how many minutes of exercise you are engaging with each week.

For me this week on:  
Monday – 60 mins of yoga
Tuesday – nothing
Wednesday – 60 mins of yoga
Thursday – 60 mins of walking
Friday – 60 mins of yoga
Saturday – 30 mins run
Sunday – nothing

So even for someone that considers themselves ‘healthy’, I haven’t met the ideal of exercising every day, I could reduce the amount of time I am spent sat down/lying down and not much of my exercise is considered ‘vigorous’. If you are struggling to be the ‘ideal’, let go of the ideal it is likely to cause you more unhappiness. Instead, change one small thing you can change today.

Take this free easy quiz to see how things are going. If you are struggling with physical activity, this quiz will let you know how to reach your targets. Select here >>> https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/how-are-you-quiz/

"If exercise were a pill, it would be one of the most cost-effective drugs ever invented," says Dr Nick Cavill, a health promotion consultant.

So, we know what physical activity is, we know the benefits physically and mentally, including the improvement in sleep and finally after thinking about how much activity you do each week, you can take the test and get some tips!

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercise-health-benefits/
Littlehales, N. (2016) Sleep. Penguin: Milton Keynes

The Musculoskeletal System

Moving. Running. Jumping. Yoga. Climbing the stairs. Rolling. Stretching. Contracting. Breathing. Typing. Balancing. Digesting.
Thank your musculoskeletal system.

Here we are going to discuss the muscular and the skeletal system as a pair. Why? Because they work as a pair all the time. Not only does the musculoskeletal system provide the body with movement, it provides support, form and stability.

Your skeletal system: gives structure and allows movement, provides attachments for the muscles, develops blood cells, provides protection for organs and is a mineral reservoir.

Your muscular system: gives movement to the skeleton, maintains posture and generates heat.

We could do into a whole anatomy and physiology class but that’s a bit much. Here are the basics.

The skeleton is separated into the axial skeleton (central bits such as the spine) and appendicular skeleton (limby bits such as the arm and leg bones). There are long bones (leg bones), short bones (carpels in the wrist), flat bones (skull bones), sesamoid bones (kneecap) and irregular bones (vertebrae).

There is compact bone (hard bone) and cancellous bone (spongey bone). Within the hollow centre of the bone there is bone marrow which is soft and jelly-like; red blood cells are produced here.

Joints are classified as immovable (like the skull bones), slightly moveable due to cartilage (like the vertebrae) and freely moveable (like the ball and socket joint of the shoulder, the hinge joint of the knee and the pivot joint of the upper neck).

The bridge between the skeletal and muscular systems are ligaments and tendons. Ligaments link the bones together, while allowing movement. They withstand tensions and give the joint stability. Remember the connection of ligaments is bone to bone. Tendons, however, connect muscle to bone. As a muscle contracts it will pull on the tendon which then pulls on the bone, this is what we call functional movement.

Muscles respond to stimulus, they change their shape, they can be stretched but also return to their normal length. Muscles are utilised for strength, speed, endurance and tone. For the muscles to move, it must be told to by the central nervous system. Each individual muscle fibre is supplied by a nerve!

There are different types of muscle. Cardiac muscle, you got it, is found only in the heart. Its controlled by the autonomic nervous system (see the nervous system post). Smooth muscle is particularly good at connecting with nerves at the bar. Dad joke over, this muscle is also controlled by the autonomic nervous system and is found in the uterus, stomach, bladder, intestines etc. Skeletal muscle is controlled by the somatic nervous system. These are the muscles that are used in the movement we know about.

Movement Is Most Extraordinary…

Giulia Enders who wrote the book ‘Gut’ says ‘Movement is the most extraordinary thing ever developed by living creatures. There is no other reason for having muscles, no other reason for having nerves in those muscles, and probably no other reason for having a brain. Everything that has ever been done in the history of humankind has only been possible because we can move’ (page 115).  An example of where this is true, the sea squirt (a little sea creature) starts off as a tadpole like thing. Once it finds a place to anchor itself to, it dissolves or digests its own brain. No longer does it need to move!

When you go for any treatment involving manual manipulation of the body e.g. osteopathy and massage, the therapist will look at your posture (the result of a combination your muscles and bones). A common issue is the rolling inwards of the shoulders. Thanks a lot rubbish work desk and chair.

When you go for a massage, the therapist typically moves their hands in the direction that the muscle fibres run to create more length. Working the muscle is important to increase heat and encourage blood to circulate where it may have retreated from (e.g. inside knots). Massage may help enhance range of motion (client reviews found this to be true), enhance posture, facilitate movement, help manage muscular pain, help warm up or cool down the body and release muscular tensions. While some sources say that massage can help with muscular and skeletal injuries or issues, an assessment would be needed to see if the client is contra-indicated.

Some essential oils are also great for reducing pain, cramps, stiffness, spasms, weakness, dystrophy or tension in muscles. There are several crystals that can be used for muscle cramps, toning, spasms, strengthening and soreness.

So, there you go, a very quick tour of both systems, how they work together and how movement is the most extraordinary thing ever.

Enders, G. (2016) Gut. Scribe: London

Chakras

Let’s get stuck into the basics.
Chakras are spinning wheels of energy.

Chakras are points in the body that transmit and receive energies between the body and the aura. There are many chakras all over the body, but western spirituality concentrates on seven main ones. Chakras are a vital in Hindu, Tibetan Buddhist and yogic traditions. Chakras do not exist on a physical level and so cannot be measured. If a chakra becomes blocked this can lead to dis-ease (lack of harmony in the body and/or the mind).

Starting at the bottom (literally)…

Root Chakra - RED: Grounding, basic survival instincts, senses, physical functioning and reproduction

Sacral Chakra - ORANGE: Connection and ability to accept others, wellbeing, spontaneity, acting on urges, also linked to fertility, comfort, satisfaction and sensual pleasure  

Solar Plexus Chakra - YELLOW: Confidence, control, self-worth and self-esteem, conscious mind, logic, mental power, independence, integrity and uniqueness

Heart Chakra – GREEN: Ability to love, relationships, emotional stability harmony with self and others, altruism, compassion, connection with people and the natural world

Throat Chakra - BLUE: Ability to communicate and express ourselves, idealism, ideas, listening, speaking and giving creative form to thought 

Third Eye Chakra - PURPLE: Focus, decision making, ability to think and use intuition, unconscious wisdom, psychic powers, inspiration and awareness of the beyond and communication with your higher self

Crown Chakra - WHITE: Spiritual connection and completeness

Alma Entera uses a range of techniques to create harmony between the chakras once again. Once prepared for a healing session, I will use reiki and crystals to identify any blocked or unbalanced chakras. When using a crystal pendant, if it spins in a clockwise motion, it indicates that the chakra is healthy and open. Other movements from the crystal pendant mean various different things. I will then spend time balancing the subtle body with the gentle energies of crystals and reiki. Meditation may be a tool to work on particularly blocked chakras. Essential oils may be suggested to help keep balance in the body. The client may experience various sensations and experiences but the most common is a deep sense of relaxation.

There is a whole lot of information about chakras but I hope you have enjoyed reading about the basics.

The Lymphatic System

The lymphatic system is almost parallel to the blood circulation system. The lymphatic system, unsurprisingly, carries lymph. The main functions of this system are transportation, protection and purification.

Transportation – nutrients to cells, excess fluid from between cells and dietary fats
Protection – from unknown invaders, it does this by producing antibodies to fight and lymphocytes to destroy
Purification – filters lymph, removes toxins and other waste products

When plasma and other things need to be reabsorbed back into the circulatory system, the bits that are too big to get reabsorbed (such as micro-organisms) end up in the lymph system. This fluid (which is full of fighter cells) is filtered by the lymph nodes (to remove the nasties), collected in the lymph ducts and then it is passed back into the blood stream.

Interestingly, lymph fluid does not get pushed around like the blood does but instead is moved by muscular action (movement of the body muscles), a slight pressure from tissue fluids, upward movement of the chest when breathing and suction when the lymphatic ducts empty.

You have some lymph nodes behind your knees, in your groin, a few in your abdomen, in your armpits, top of the arm, by your jaw and in your neck.

The spleen is the largest lymph organ. It sends out fighter cells into the lymph fluid. Tonsils also have a part to play in producing anti-bodies. There is more but I won’t go on.

Instead, lets talk about immunity. There are two responses. A primary response is when the immune system meets an antigen for the first time, the system can’t create the antibodies quick enough to stop the invasion! The disease will take over and you become sick. The secondary response is when your immune system already knows an invader as it has met them before, so its ready to fight!

You can meet invaders in advance, so your body is prepared, in a few ways:

- From your mother e.g. breast feeding or transferred across the placenta
- From being injected with ready-made antibodies (this is not like getting the flu jab)
- From being immunised by a dead or weakened virus
- From being injected with ‘toxins’ that have been made harmless

ALL of these ways ensures your body is ready to jump into action!

Given the recent pandemic, if you want to read up on vaccines and get your facts straight, BEFORE BELIEVING ANYTHING ON SOCIAL MEDIA, please visit https://vk.ovg.ox.ac.uk/vk/

Fun Facts:

Positive mood has been linked to better immune function

If you have a cold its most likely to be ‘rhinovirus’ (rhino means nose in this case)!

Therapies:

Massage may reduce swelling, reduce inflammation and stimulate circulation. Have you ever noticed that when you are receiving a back massage, you can get a blocked nose?  That’s proof that your lymph fluid has been encouraged in the right direction.
You’d probably noticed that mostly therapists put more pressure moving up the body than down; this is because massage therapists are trained to move the lymph fluid to the nearest nodes.
Had you noticed that you feel a little dehydrated, lightheaded, need a wee or are being asked to drink water after a treatment? One of the reasons for this is that your lymph is drawing in moisture from the rest of the body to rid yourself of toxins.

Essential oils can work on the immune system, firstly, by improving mood. The second way is that essential oils have a direct impact on pathogens (invaders) including virus’, bacteria and fungus. Contact me if you want to know which oils may be safe and beneficial to your immune system.

Crystals are also a gentle way to make change. Crystals are said to adjust the subtle vibrations of the body. You can use crystals to improve your mood, just as with essential oils but also specific crystals can help with immune function. Sodalite is said to boost the immune system, promoting lymphatic cleansing and elimination of toxins. Contact me if you are thinking of using crystals for healing; advice on how best to use them may help. Just was with crystals, reiki is a gentle healing method that can benefit the immune system.

The Nervous System

I want to start by saying that the nervous system is MASSIVE and complex. So, what you will read in this short mind splat is truly an overview and not in the least bit detailed. However, every day is a learning day, so I hope there is a nugget of new for you.  

In the beginning there was the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system involved the decision-making part of things (which include the spinal cord and brain). The peripheral nervous system involves the information transport part of things (which involves all the other nerves not included in the central nervous system). Our nervous system detects, transports, interprets and responds.
Then there was the somatic nervous system which controls voluntary movement (do a squat) and the autonomic nervous system which controls involuntary movement (digest that avo). So much of what we do is unconscious!

Under the umbrella of the autonomic system are the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve supply. The sympathetic nervous system is the ‘stress response’; it supplies all internal organs. So, for example, blood pressure will increase, and the skin will secrete sweat. The parasympathetic is responsible for slowing and balancing the body systems. The parasympathetic consist of mainly vagus nerves. The parasympathetic nervous system is what we bring in to play when we breathe slowly, meditate and be mindful. We need more of this and less of the stress response.

The central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) contains many a control centre. The left side (logic, language and numbers) controls the right side of the body. The right side (creativity), you guessed it, controls the left side of the body. Some people dispute this. The cerebellum controls movement. The hypothalamus controls hormone release and the autonomic nervous system. The hypothalamus is the part that can speak via nerves or hormones and so is the main link between the endocrine and nervous system. A truly magical part of the brain, for sure. The thalamus is part of the limbic system which is involved in sensory perception and regulation of motor functions. The brain stem joins the brain to the spinal cord. Grey matter is where processing takes place. White matter is involved in communication and regulation of many things, including emotion and temperature. There is so much more going on under your hood!

The peripheral nervous system comprises of cranial nerves, vagus nerves and spinal nerves. The cranial nerves supply the muscles and sensory organs of the head and neck. The vagus nerves are part of the parasympathetic nervous system and controls the stomach, intestines, lungs, heart, kidneys and much more. The spinal nerves are named after the vertebrae that they are connected to e.g. lumbar nerves.

I’ve been going on about nerves, so, here’s the basics. A nerve (which can be up to 1metre long) is made up of lots of neurons (or nerve cells). A signal will be passed electrically within the neuron but then it is passed chemically when the signal moves across to another neuron (through a synapse). Nerves can be damaged by a lack of oxygen and, mostly, they cannot be replaced when they die. Recovery from nerve damage is variable. Receptor cells detect energy changes in the environment and turn them into electrical impulses, could this be the explanation for sensing reiki? Afferent neurons take information from an organ, whereas efferent neurons send information to the organ.

Now, for some fun facts:

- The stimulation of the nerve receptors in massage can result in the endocrine system releasing its good guys (happy hormones).
- Nerve impulses can travel at a speed of 100 meters per second – THAT’S FAST.
- Essential oils properties contain properties that are said to influence the nervous system e.g. nervine relaxant oils.
- The sciatic nerve (goes from lower back, through the hips and down each leg) is the thickest nerve at approx. 2cm!
- Reflex actions that need to happen quick, such as taking your finger out of that boiling melted camembert, are decided in the spinal cord!
- The vagus nerve consists mainly of afferent (from organ to brain) neurons. Imagine how much information is being passed to the brain if only 20% of the nerve is efferent (from the brain to the body).
- The vagus nerve is said to influence breathing, digestion, microbiome, inflammation and immune activation, heart rate, stress, sleep and sociality (apparently more than this from other sources).
- Pain modulation and then pain perception are factors in the transmission of pain signals through the nervous system to the brain. This can help explain why we have different responses to pain or have different pain thresholds. Pain sensitisation is also something that can occur when nerve cells are over stimulated.
- Up to one third of people seen in an average neurology clinic have neurological symptoms that cannot be explained. The two most common psychosomatic illnesses are fatigue and pain. Interesting!
- Our brain signals can cause physical responses to emotions. For example, you cry when you are happy or sad (salty water, random right?), the child gets a stomach cramp when he is being bullied at school and the blushing that occurs when you see your crush. It’s not as simple as a ‘to and fro’ of information, emotions get involved.
- Mindfulness is being researched in its ability to help with the experience of pain, the smaller studies are there, however more and larger randomised control trials are needed. Cognitive behaviour therapy is a talking therapy which is frequently used at present. Reconsider your sources of healing.

Next time you meditate, observe if there is a parasympathetic response.

If you need help, reach out, I have lots of resources.

I hope I have tickled the cells in your grey matter. I hope there has been a nugget of new.

For a further nuggets, please see my book suggestions below.

For a book about neurosurgery, my suggestion is ‘Do No Harm’ by Henry Marsh – fascinating and not a dry read.

For a book about psychosomatic illness, my suggestion is ‘It’s All In Your Head’ by Suzanne O’Sullivan – highlight the complex nature of our brain and also fascinating.

For a book about all of the body, my suggestion is ‘Adventures In Human Being’ by Gavin Francis – an easy to read overview.

References:
Anatomy and Physiology Revision  
Habib, N. (2019) Active Your Vagus Nerve: Unleash your body’s natural ability to heal.  Ulysses Press: Berkeley
Marsh, H. (2014) Do No Harm. Phoenix: London.
Melzack, R. (1973) The Puzzle of Pain
Francis, G. (2015) Adventures in Human Being. Profile Books: London.
O’Sullivan, S. (2015) It’s All In Your Head. Vintage: London

Sleep

I have recently read a book about sleep. ‘Why we sleep’ by Walker, M. has been a fascinating read. There are lots of gems in this book, but to save you time and/or to spark your interest to get the book, here are a few scary facts about sleep along with some pointers on how to sleep well.

You have a natural sleep cycle which is called the circadian rhythm which helps dictate when you feel sleepy and when you feel awake. This rhythm is why we feel sleepy after lunch. Teenagers circadian rhythm naturally differs from adults, making it hard for them to sleep before 11pm. We also have a thing called sleep pressure which builds and builds throughout the day. This pressure to sleep will only drop once we sleep.

You have a NREM phase which is the deep sleep phase, this is when memories are stored. It is bursts of electrical activity called spindles on long brain waves that store memories helping them to not be forgotten. REM sleep brain waves appear to look a lot like awake brain waves. This is when dreaming (considered a natural therapy, in most cases) takes place. The amount of REM and NREM sleep changes significantly throughout a person’s life span. For example, deep quality sleep reduces as you become older which contributes to cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s.

We need sleep before and after learning and without sleep we struggle to absorb new memories. Pulling ‘all nighters’ before an exam leads to a 40% deficit in learning. In those who are sleep deprived, there is no memory storing activity found in an MRI scan of the hippocampus. 

Men who sleep 5 hours a night have smaller testicles that those who sleep 7 hours or more and a lack of sleep will age a man by 10 years. Sleep loss affects the immune system. With only 4 hours of sleep on one-night, one time, this leads to a 70% drop in killer cell activity. Lack of sleep will erode your DNA. Losing one hour of sleep is enough to impact your cardiovascular system, and so with daylight saving time, when we lose 1 hour sleep there is a 24% increase in heart attacks for that day. Likewise, there is a 21% reduction in heart attacks when we gain 1 hour sleep. Similar stats can be found for suicide rates and car crashes etc. The link between cancer and lack of sleep is so strong that the WHO has classified any form of night-time shift work as a probable carcinogen (a substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue). Ultimately, the shorter the duration of sleep and the poorer the quality of sleep, predicts mortality.  

Remember, there is no such thing as making up for lost sleep.  Sleep is a non-negotiable biological necessity. People are embarrassed to prioritise sleep and so currently there is a silent sleep loss epidemic.

Ways to improve sleep:

1.       Stick to a sleep schedule - regularity is key to improve quality and quantity

2.       Exercise but not too late in the day

3.       Avoid caffeine and nicotine

4.       Avoid alcoholic drinks before bed

5.       Avoid large meals before bed

6.       Some medicines can disrupt sleep, talk to your health care provider if you think this is the case

7.       Don’t take naps after 3pm if you can help it

8.       Relax before bed (meditate, read)

9.       Take a hot bath before bed

10.   Have a dark, cool, gadget free bedroom

11.   Get some natural light during the day

12.   Don’t lie in a bed waiting to sleep, do something else and then go back to bed when you are sleepy

https://www.ted.com/talks/matt_walker_sleep_is_your_superpower?language=en#t-552544
Walker, M. (2018) Why We Sleep. UK: Penguin.

Massage

To Start, Here Are Some Massage Related Facts

- the skin is the largest organ of the body
- there are approximately 5 million touch receptors in our skin (3000 receptors are in the fingertip)
- a 60-minute massage can have the same good effects as 7 to 8 hours of sleep
- muscle nerve impulse travels at the speed of 390 feet per second, allowing us to feel everything in an instant
- more than 80 different types of massage treatments with emphasis on different body parts are available around the world
- when we receive a massage, our body releases endorphins which are natural pain killers
- massage effects many of the body systems including the lymphatic, muscular, skeletal, circulatory, digestive, endocrine… the list goes on!

History

Massage has been used throughout history to aid healing. Evidence that massage was practised exists in cave and tomb paintings. Egypt, Greece, China and India are amongst the countries that first started using massage as an aid to healing. There is evidence in museums that massage was practised in China around 3000BC. Ancient Chinese evidence shows lists of techniques which included pressure techniques (which could have led to acupressure and acupuncture). It was Peter Henry Ling (Swedish physiologist) that developed what is known today as Swedish massage and listed the many of the terms that are used today e.g. effleurage.

Philosophy

The basic philosophy of massage therapy is the belief that the body can heal itself. In massage, therapists can work the whole body with a range of techniques to reduce tension and improve relaxation. Other therapies focus on one area of concern. Massage can assist in improving skin condition, blood supply, lymph flow, mental well-being and physical well-being. There are many types of massage and some examples include: aromatherapy, sports, deep tissue, Swedish, acupressure, infant/child massage, Thai, hot stone and lymphatic massage.  Many of these require further, specific training.

Client Consultations

Before a massage takes place, the therapist should ask the client several relevant questions including about their health and what they want from the treatment, amongst other things. All will be recorded on a few forms. Medical information is taken to ensure that the massage is safe to do, and if it is, what adjustments should be made to make it safer. What people can want from massage is: relaxation, stress relief, better sleep, improvement in mental health, better skin condition, feelings of well-being, an improvement of physical health, posture, muscle tension, lymphatic drainage, pain relief and improved energy levels. Treatments would be tailored to get the best results for the client. The client’s preferences should be taken in the consultation. A treatment plan may be devised if needed/wanted.

Techniques

Effleurage, petrissage, frictions, percussion or tapotement, vibrations and deep tissue work are some of the different techniques that a massage therapist could use to meet the clients needs/wants. The therapist will use their fingers/thumbs, hands, arms and elbows to get the desired effects for the client.  Each technique is unique but are used to complement each other to get the best results.

Massage Mediums

Wax, oil, power and creams/lotions can be used in massage. Often the client will have a preference but so will the therapist. For example, lots of therapists prefer the use of either oil or wax for massage performance, cost implications and effect on the skin (mediums used vary and can be dependant on the type and location of massage).

After Care Advice and Feedback

The client may be given some aftercare advice, some of this will be the same for most people e.g. drink water and rest. Some advice will be specific to the client e.g. asking the client to consider speaking with their GP about a medical condition. A number of things that may happen to the clients body following treatment such as increased urination, this will be explained in after care advice.
This is the clients time to give verbal feedback. Being honest with your therapist is welcomed, this makes your treatment more personalised next time.

https://www.myohealingmassage.com/fun-facts-massage/
https://www.swizzlesticks.com/blog/49-blog.html

Honest Self-Care

There are many interpretations of what self-care is and how to go about it. One google away is a multitude of advice about how best to live your life. EXERCISE, EAT WELL AND SLEEP! Often people like to split up the different areas of self-care e.g. physical, emotional, social and spiritual. The trouble is, it is hard for anyone to know how to advise someone on something so personal. Only you know how and what changes you could make.

I believe that ‘self-care’ includes the concept of ‘mindful living’. Through living mindfully, you become conscious of your basic life choices. Simply put, mindful self-care is anything that we do slowly and deliberately, in order to take care of ourselves. Once we live in this way (consciously, deliberately and mindfully) we will see the positive impact on not only ourselves but others around us.

All too often, we can find ourselves mindlessly traipsing along on the treadmill of life, step after step, going through the motions, out of control. Self-care in its honest form is about taking back the reigns of the treadmill and slowing it down so you have time to think. If you drive a car, have you ever had to turn the music down so you can think well enough to cross a tricky junction? Turning down the music allows us to be more present and more deliberate. Once the music is turned down in your life, you can decide what is right for you and what you need. With honest self-care, you are making choices for your life with the intention of improving your well-being.

Some people find it useful to categorise their lives. Sleep, am I getting enough? Should I go to bed earlier? Diet, should I eat more veg? This may work for you and that’s okay. Sometimes though, this can be overwhelming trying to meet each of the categories ‘requirements’. One way to take care of yourself, deliberately and mindfully, is to adapt what you are already doing, one small thing at a time. Spend longer in the bath, spend less time watching TV, put one less sugar in your tea…

So next time you are doing something mindlessly… Stop. Breathe. Make a conscious choice. You can still eat chocolate and have a takeaway while being self-caring and improving your well-being. You don’t need to go on a strict no-carb diet. You don’t need to walk to work every day, but in the same breath, you can if that’s what is right for you. You do you, just do it slowly, deliberately, mindfully and consciously. This is NOT selfish.

Read that book that’s been on the shelf for a year, take that annual leave, go to bed early one night, have a takeaway with your family, wake up earlier to do yoga, colour that colouring book, get a mattress topper to make your bed more comfy, day dream, sit outside, borrow your friends dog, potter around the garden shed, write your diary, dance in the shower… you choose, your options are endless.

Simply Meditation

What is it?

Where did it come from?

How does it help?

What types are there?

How do I do it?

Meditation is a practice where someone uses a technique/s (e.g. mindfulness or visualisation) to train attention and awareness. It is often an activity to achieve a mentally clear, emotionally calm and stable state. By its nature, meditation is hard to define. Some words that could be connected to meditation are contemplation, thought, consideration, reflection, prayers, deliberation and study. The English word “meditation” stems from meditatum, a Latin term meaning “to ponder”. The purpose of meditation is whatever the person needs (e.g. relaxation or being in the present) but some would say that the overarching purpose is to reach a heightened level of (spiritual) awareness.

Meditation is believed to have been practised thousands of years ago in India, by Hindu traditions. The practice was quickly adopted by neighbouring countries and formed a part of many religions throughout the world. Meditation is now often practised by individuals who do not affiliate with any particular religion.

Physically, stress stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, causing a surge of adrenaline and cortisol. Too much adrenaline can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Too much cortisol can increase blood sugar levels, suppress the immune system and constrict blood vessels. Eventually, chronic spikes in stress hormones can lead to an increase in blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol level, disrupting immunity, energy levels and sleep.

Stress reduction is important because it lowers blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen consumption, which results in higher energy levels, better immunity and sleep. Plus, stress reduction is key for diminishing the physical symptoms of many health conditions. When the body and mind are relaxed, the parasympathetic nervous system is stimulated, causing the body to stop releasing stress hormones. Many people who meditate regularly have learned to condition their body to relax on demand, and according to research, can effectively manage stress this way.

Well known positive psychological side effects of meditation are increased awareness, resilience, focus, clarity, compassion and a sense of calm. Meditation has been found to reduce anxiety and depression.

How to meditate in different ways:

Mindfulness Meditation
Pay attention to your thoughts as they pass through your mind. Remain aware and present in the moment. Try not to judge your thoughts.

Spiritual Meditation
Reflect on the silence around you and seek a deeper connection with your God or Universe.

Focused Meditation
Concentrate using any of your five senses (for example, count beads or observe a candle flame).

Movement Meditation
Practice yoga, walk through the woods, garden, do Thai Chi and any other gentle forms of motion.

Mantra Meditation
Use repetitive sounds to clear the mind (words, phrases, or sounds).

Transcendental Meditation
Think silently of a mantra without contemplation or concentration. It requires little effort. The goal is to rise above your current state of being.

Loving Kindness Meditation (Metta Meditation)
Open your mind to receiving love and kindness. Then send messages of loving kindness to the world or people. Repeat the message many times.

Body Scan and Progressive Relaxation
Start at one end of your body and work through the whole. Notice how your body feels. Squeeze muscles and let go of the tension.

Breath Awareness Meditation
Breathe slowly and deeply, counting your breaths or focusing on your breaths.

Kundalini Yoga Meditation
Practice yoga that blends movements with deep breathing and mantras.

Zen Meditation
Practice mindfulness often and with discipline.

Guided Meditation (Guided Imagery or Visualization)
Form mental pictures or situations that you find relaxing. Use as many senses as possible, such as smell, sounds, and textures which evoke calmness. This may be led by someone else.

Vipassana Meditation
Pay disciplined attention to physical sensations in the body, to establish a deep connection between the mind and body; and you may transform yourself through self-observation.

Chakra Meditation
Focus on the seven main energy centres in your body, visualise its colour. Use relaxation techniques to bring balance and wellbeing to your chakras.

If you would like to chat about meditation, go to contact and simply send me a message!

Crystals

centre - rose quartz
12 o’clock - green aventurine
2 o’clock - amethyst
5 o’clock - blue apatite
7 o’clock - clear quartz
10 o’clock - yellow citrine

I have to say, I was a little sceptical about the use of crystals/stones in therapies generally. I had purchased a few rough stones (rose and clear quartz, amethyst, yellow citrine, green aventurine and blue apatite), mainly because they are lovely colours. I had used my green aventurine for when I had a cold months ago as green aventurine has healing influences on the sinuses and lungs, it is also good for guarding the body against infection (Hall, 2005). I went to sleep full of a nasty cold and woke up breathing freely without any respiratory blockages. The sceptic in me said it may have just been potluck rather than the stone.

After this, in all honesty, my collection at home got neglected. Until my wonderful massage course weekend this month. We played around with chakras and crystal pendants. Our teacher showed us that crystals respond to subtle energy vibrations (such as chakras). When we held a pendant over chakra areas on the body (spinning wheels of energy) the pendant too would move in the ‘wheels’ direction (unless there was a blockage, and we learnt how to help unblock this). The crystal responded to my teacher giving it directions. For example, my teacher said, ‘give me a yes’ and it moved, then when she said ‘give me a no’ it moved in a completely different way. I have to say, I now excited to use crystals more often for myself and in my therapies… if that is something my client is wanting.

At the moment, I use crystals in groups, letting participants pick a small tumble stone, and say why they were drawn to that one, in particular. We discuss what uses that stone could have for them (if they want to talk about it). I find crystals a useful tool to highlight to ourselves areas in life that need more time and attention.

A little about my small collection:

Rose Quartz – the master healer for the heart and emotions, a useful stone for love, grief and forgiveness, this stone can be used in trauma or crisis as it is deeply soothing and helps assist accepting change, helpful for mental clarity and clear expression, helps with self-acceptance. Healing influences on: heart, lungs, kidneys, genitals, liver, thymus, adrenal glands, circulatory and lymphatic systems and works on the heart chakra (Hall, 2005).

Clear Quartz – containing the full spectrum of visible light, clear quartz is the master healer for the mind and crown chakra, it works on many levels and can bring harmony to the entire body system, it amplifies energy and so can be useful if held during affirmations, it can unlock memories and strengthens concentration. Works on all organs, pituitary and pineal glands, immune system, and harmonises all chakras but actives the highest crown chakra (Hall, 2005).

Amethyst – the healer of emotions and spirit, activates intuition and focuses attention on higher realms, an effective pain reliever that transforms blockages at any level, boosts and regulates the production of hormones which can be beneficial for the menopause. Healing influences on: lungs, intestines, brain, pineal gland, many body systems, and works on the brow, throat and crown chakras (Hall, 2005).

Yellow Citrine – gentler than crystal quartz, capable of melting tension and pain, encourages the gentle flow of warming energies that create a sense of wellbeing and rebalances the body, dissolves stress caused by money worries, energises and balances the solar plexus chakra, being yellow in colour stands for happiness and knowledge. Healing influences on: memory, anxiety, depression, digestive system, allergies and detoxifies all chakras but opens the solar plexus chakra (Eason, 2001).

Green Aventurine – an excellent all-round healer bringing wellbeing and calm, it promotes tranquillity, resonates with the heart chakra so acts as a heart protector and healer, extends beyond the heart and neutralises the environment, a positive stone that attracts abundance and good fortune to life. Healing influences on: heart, lungs, sinuses, eyes, thymus and adrenal glands, connective tissue, nervous and muscular systems, works mainly on the heart chakra (Hall, 2005).

Blue Apatite - known for its power to achieve goals, clears away confusion, negativity, and then stimulates the expansion of knowledge and truth, a stone of the throat chakra, it helps with communication. Apatite helps eliminate over-activity, under-activity, blockages and congestion in all of the chakras. Healing influences on: bones and teeth, cartilage, and is useful in the treatments for rickets, joint problems, arthritis, and motor skills, it is generally supportive in healing all glands, meridians, and organs, and reduces hypertension (crystalvaults.com).

There is way more to know about these crystals, this is not an extensive list of their uses.