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Professional Manicure and Pedicure. Rosie Watson
Читать онлайн.Название Professional Manicure and Pedicure
Год выпуска 0
isbn 9781607654339
Автор произведения Rosie Watson
Жанр Сделай Сам
Издательство Ingram
• Long or unruly cuticles need to be trimmed with cuticle nippers to prevent the skin tearing which can be very painful and take a while to heal.
• Always warm the cuticles in warm water before treating them as they will expand and soften slightly in water.
• Keeping cuticles soft not only looks good but also prevents hang nails, which appear as loose, torn cuticles (pterygium) on the sides of the nails. If left these can become painful and unsightly.
Anatomy
One of the best parts of a hand or foot treatment is the massage. When applied correctly this series of stroking and kneading movements can evoke deep relaxation and tension release and it is all down to the bones, muscles and nerves in the hands and feet!
Bone tissue is strong and when used all the time, as with the hands and feet, the joints that link the bones together can become stiff and painful. Massaging around the bones can loosen the joints and muscles which lie in between the bones.
THE HANDS
The bones in the hands are grouped into three categories: the carpals, which are the bones found in the wrist; the metacarpals, those in the palm of the hand; and the phalanges, which are the finger bones. The muscles are interlinked with bones to give power and strength to our grasp and pull movements. Along with the muscles in the hands which enable a plethora of movements, the arms and shoulders are also involved with most hand movements and therefore should be massaged alongside the hands and wrists.
The complex nerve network in the hands comprises sensory nerves that lie under the skin allowing us to feel pain, heat and pressure. Motor nerves carry messages from the brain and spine to the hands to activate the muscles to move. When treated with massage both motor and sensory nerve endings are stimulated and soothed to enforce relaxation.
n When massaging, remember to massage around the bones, too.
THE FEET
The bones in the feet are also grouped into three categories: the tarsal bones are the ankle bones; the metatarsals are the bones making up the sole of the foot; and the phalanges are the bones in the toes. The nineteen muscles that make up the foot help us to achieve balance, run, walk and stand in various positions. The muscle and nerve structures are similar to those of the hands and will therefore have a similar effect when treated with massage. Often though, feet can be susceptible to foot problems as more often than not we may feel they are too far away to bother with!
Nail therapy
Nail treatments are not only designed to make the nails look groomed, they contain ingredients designed for pure pampering, and the deeper tissues of the skin, muscles and bones are stimulated and affected. Joints can be mobilised and skin complaints treated as well as circulation increased to bring warmth to the extremities and increase the feeling of wellbeing. Massage can be very invigorating but other forms of manipulation can be used to treat zones in the body that have specific energy functions. Treatments like reflexology, reiki, and trigger point massage are a few which work really well on the hands and feet and have the added advantage of being preformed pretty much anywhere!
REFLEXOLOGY
Reflexology is an age-old treatment on the hands and feet to treat other areas of the body through various pressure points found on the palms and soles. The diagram below shows a ‘body map’ of the palms and soles.
Before commencing a reflexology session, warm the hands or soles first to increase blood circulation and enforce warmth on to the colder areas. After this warming massage, apply pressure to the area you wish to treat, slowly at first, then once pressure has been applied, complete a series of pumping movements to increase the effectiveness of the treatment. Apply small circular movements as you gently release the pressure from the pressure point. For a quick fix at work, the hands are a more practical option but when relaxing at home the more powerful effects will be felt from a foot treatment.
If you are not sure which organs are responsible for what, consult the anatomy guide below for the low-down on organ function.
,Pressure points enduce holistic therapy and pure relaxation.
x This foot reflex map may help you treat minor health problems yourself.
All reflexology treatments treat the body holistically and indirectly help to relieve pressure in the body and release the symptoms of psychosomatic illness (physical illness caused or influenced by emotional factors and stress). Examples of these illnesses are headaches, backache, excessive perspiration, eye strain and anxiety. Ongoing illness or pain should always be treated by a doctor before self treatment is applied with foot or hand massage and pressure points. However, ‘self reflexology’ can be very relaxing: link the pressure points shown above with these common ailments:
Sinuses Found under the forehead bone, sinuses go from the top of the nose to the forehead and at the sides of the head, and when blocked feel like pressure around the eyes and nose. Sinuses are like fingerprints and are different for everyone. They can become painful with infection, colds and viruses so apply pressure to fingertips or toe tips to help release that bunged up feeling or discomfort in this area.
Lymph drainage Lymph is a substance that travels around the body, clearing it of toxins and waste. Light pressure applied at the base of the big toe space or in the thumb space will stimulate detoxification of the body and help reduce swelling in the body tissues if you suffer from puffy feet.
The brain Some headaches are thought to be caused by blood flowing incorrectly around the brain causing pain in different areas of the head. Reflexology here may well soothe a headache. Apply a slight pressure to the tip and side of the thumb or big toe to relieve symptoms.
Pituitary gland This endocrine gland is responsible for secreting important hormones which keep the body working and balanced. If hormone levels are unbalanced you may feel lethargic, sick, dehydrated and generally unwell. A light pressure applied to the point just below the thumbprint or at the base of the big toe will help balance problematic hormones.
Adrenal glands Treat these when stressed as the hormones adrenalin and cortisol produced by these glands are responsible for the ‘fight or flight’ mechanism which kicks in in times of stress. Pressure applied in the centre of the foot or hand can help to relax and calm from the inside out.
Thyroid gland This butterfly shaped gland in the neck region is responsible for regulating the body’s metabolic rate, so if you feel unusually tired or hyperactive apply pressure on the inner upper foot area or at the base of the thumb.
Solar plexus This is known as the centremost part of the body and feelings of negativity and stress can be released when applying pressure in the centre of the palms and soles.
Small intestine This is where most of the food in our body is absorbed and digested to use for energy. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and other digestive complaints such as diarrhoea or constipation may be soothed with a light thumb pressure on the lower inside of the soles and centre of the palms.
Colon