allergies and asthma - reflexology ·...

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HOLLY TSE , TRADITIONAL CHINESE REFLEXOLOGIST

a CHINESE REFLEXOLOGY SELF-STUDY GUIDE

ALLERGIES AND ASTHMA

Strengthen Your Body Naturally

With Chinese Reflexology

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ALLERGIES AND ASTHMA How to Strengthen Your Body Naturally with Chinese Reflexology By Holly Tse Copyright © 2014 by Holly Tse www.ChineseFootReflexology.com All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, copied, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means – graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval systems – without the prior written permission of Holly Tse, except where permitted by law. The information in this self-‐study guide and accompanying video are for educational purposes of a general nature to help you in your quest for wellness. It should not be used as a substitute for medical advice or treatment. The creator of this guide does not dispense medical advice nor prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. If you use any of the information in this guide or accompanying video, which is your constitutional right, the creator of this content assumes no responsibility for your actions. We live in interesting times where people give away responsibility of their health to others. You are in command of your health and vitality. Choose wisely. Use your common sense and listen to your body.

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“Man is born of the Qi of heaven and of earth, and is nurtured by the ways of the four seasons.” -‐ Nei Jing, The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine

“Unleash your life force” -‐ Fortune Cookie Saying

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Table of Contents

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 5

Inspiration .............................................................................................................................................. 6 CHAPTER 1 .............................................................................................................................................. 9

CHAPTER 2 ........................................................................................................................................... 13 CHAPTER 3 ........................................................................................................................................... 17

CHAPTER 4 ........................................................................................................................................... 18

CHAPTER 5 ........................................................................................................................................... 20 CHAPTER 6 ........................................................................................................................................... 22

CHAPTER 7 ........................................................................................................................................... 23 CHAPTER 8 ........................................................................................................................................... 24

CHAPTER 9 ........................................................................................................................................... 26

CHAPTER 10 ........................................................................................................................................ 29 CHAPTER 11 ........................................................................................................................................ 31

CHAPTER 12 ........................................................................................................................................ 33

CHAPTER 13 ........................................................................................................................................ 34 CHAPTER 14 ........................................................................................................................................ 36

ONLINE RESOURCES .......................................................................................................................... 38 ABOUT THE AUTHOR ....................................................................................................................... 39

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHINESE REFLEXOLOGY ........................................................................ 40

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Introduction Have you ever wondered why some people outgrow their asthma and allergies, while others don’t? It’s not some freakish luck of the draw. It’s because they built up their Qi (life force energy) so that their bodies grew stronger and became more effective at dealing with pollen and irritants. As a result, what used to trigger a reaction in an overwhelmed system, no longer has the power to do so. Since most people don’t know what Qi is, they may not even have been aware that they were strengthening their Qi. However, if you look closely, you’ll find that they likely made healthier choices and had healthier options available to them. They shifted their thinking into believing they could get better and then, they went out and made the choices that enabled it to happen. When your body is in balance, it’s stronger, healthier and more resilient. Small things like a bit of pollen or dust no longer send your body into overdrive. This doesn’t happen overnight, but small changes and positive choices add up over time and can lead to big improvements in the future. What’s most important is that you implement and practice these changes consistently. As you make healthier choices, watch your body respond in kind to the kindness. Congratulations on taking the first step to building your Qi.

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Inspiration When I first started my website, ChineseFootReflexology.com, I had no idea that one day I’d be teaching online workshops to students all over the world. I had much more humble beginnings. I came up with a 5-‐minute reflexology routine to help me get over a cold fast so that I could get back to my full-‐time job as a mom to a toddler. The reflexology routine got me back on my feet within 24-‐hours and it worked so well, I wanted to share it with all the moms I knew. That’s how my blog began. I posted my first article online and wondered if anyone would even read it. All I had to go on was the belief that what I had to share could help a lot of people and so I was compelled to write. That article eventually led to my first workshop on cold recovery and prevention. When it came time to choose a topic for my next workshop, I once again drew inspiration from being a mom. While I was visiting my sister in Toronto, my niece had an asthma attack. Watching her struggle to breathe and then inhale a puffer full of steroids, was very disconcerting and I wanted to help. I wanted to create a resource so that my sister could learn the reflexology points that would help strengthen my niece’s lung Qi to help her outgrow her asthma. Back home in California, another young child was also an inspiration. My son was invited to his friend’s house for a playdate. His little pal (let’s call him Rob), was so excited that he ran out of his house to greet us. However, after the initial excitement wore off, I noticed that Rob kept rubbing his eyes and seemed a bit lethargic. His mom told me that Rob had allergies and she brought him a wet facecloth to soothe his eyes. As the little guy held the cool cloth over his face, I felt so bad for him because he was so small to be suffering from allergies. I showed his mom some reflexology points. After rubbing her son’s eye reflexology point for about 30 seconds, she studied him carefully and remarked that his eye looked better. When I saw how quickly her son had responded to the reflexology (children often respond very quickly to energy healing), I knew that my next workshop topic had to be Chinese Reflexology points for asthma and allergies.

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And, of course, there’s the story of my cat... This is Furball. When my husband and I first began dating, I learned he was severely allergic to my cat. The first time he visited my apartment, his throat started closing and he had difficulty breathing. We had to spend the rest of our date in the hallway. Of course, when you first start dating, a cat allergy isn’t a big deal. However, as the relationship progressed my cat became the proverbial white elephant in the room. How could we move forward in our relationship when my boyfriend (now husband) could hardly breathe around the cat? Would I have to choose between my cat and boyfriend? Could I really give up the cat when I had made a promise to look after him for life? What happened was that my husband and I ended up living like freaks. We had cat-‐free zones where the doors were closed all the time and I had a half dozen HEPA air purifiers running 24/7. My condo sounded like a wind tunnel. Meanwhile, my husband was popping allergy pills like candy. They helped a bit at first, but over time, they became less effective. We needed a better solution. At this point, we were married and living together, but my poor husband was suffering. He’d go to bed wheezing at night and sometimes wake up at 3:00 a.m., hacking away with great difficulty breathing. During one of these episodes, I showed him the reflexology point for the lungs. He began massaging the point and it helped him breathe clearly enough to fall back to sleep. He also started seeing an acupuncturist and taking Chinese herbs. I’m talking about the hardcore herbs where you boil a sack of roots that fill your house with a pungent stink and leave you with a cup of concentrated bitter broth with things that looked like toes floating in it. My husband used to try to sneak a kiss with me after downing his herb drink and as I tried to spit out the horrible aftertaste in the kiss, he’d gleefully exclaim, “Herb kiss! Got ya!” We noticed after getting acupuncture, he’d get better, but the effects would wear off within a couple of days after the treatment. That’s when he decided to start massaging his reflexology points daily to help him maintain the benefits of the acupuncture. It worked. It kept him on track and there was no more sliding back. Over the course of two years, the shift was so gradual, we didn’t notice until one day, we realized that Zunaid was no longer allergic to the cat.

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Today, Zunaid is allergy-‐free. He didn’t just build up a tolerance to our cat. He’s no longer allergic to any cat and he can even sleep with down pillows and comforters, which he couldn’t before. We keep a cat-‐free bedroom, but that’s mainly because we don’t want to brush black fur off our bed. The cat roams (owns) the house and my hubby is a bonafide cat person. While breathing clearly might not lead to a new four-‐legged pal in your life, it can certainly open the doors to outdoor adventures and activities. Are you ready to learn? Let’s begin!

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CHAPTER 1

Chinese Reflexology 101 Before diving into the reflexology points, let’s first go over the basics of what Chinese Reflexology is and how it works. Reflexology is an ancient healing art practiced by many cultures, including the ancient Chinese and the early Egyptians. The traditional Chinese style of reflexology is based on principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). One of the core principles of TCM is Qi, which can be described as “life force” or vital energy. Your body has a system of energy pathways to circulate Qi throughout the body. When Qi is flowing smoothly, our bodies are in harmony and we experience wellness. When the flow of Qi is disrupted (too much, too little, or blocked), if it is not brought back into balance, this can lead to dis-‐ease in the physical body. Because the energy meridians flow through your feet, the “master control” points for harmonizing the flow of Qi are also located in the feet. These are your reflexology points. Your feet are like a microcosm for your whole body. If you put your feet together and imagine a human outline over top, you’ll see the approximate location of the reflexology points of the body. Points that feels sensitive to the touch correspond to areas of the body that are experiencing energy imbalances. By massaging these reflex points, you can help restore the proper flow of Qi through your body. At the heart of this style of traditional Chinese Reflexology is a reflexology stick. It’s a small wooden rod that tapers into a rounded point at one end. A reflexology stick allows for stronger and more targeted stimulation. It hurts, but it works! I’m often asked by readers where they can get their own reflexology stick and my answer is always the same. I don’t recommend that people get a reflexology stick unless they receive

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proper instruction on how to use one. This is because the strong stimulation of a reflexology stick can move your Qi very powerfully. It’s important to practice correctly so that you don’t negatively affect the flow of your Qi. That’s why I only GIVE reflexology sticks to students who enroll in my Foundation Course on Traditional Chinese Reflexology. I know that if you’ve signed up for the course, you’re committed to learning how to use a reflexology stick correctly. In my short workshops and self-‐study guides, I teach a gentle style of reflexology where you use your fingers, thumbs and knuckles to massage the points on your feet. This gentler approach is still very beneficial, but if you accidentally massage the wrong way, the effect is so mild that your body can easily rebalance. This is because Qi always wants to flow the right way. It takes a sudden injury or prolonged disturbance to alter the proper flow of Qi. It takes much less time to return to balance. The gentle method of Chinese Reflexology is very similar to Tai Chi. Most people don’t realize that Tai Chi is actually a deadly martial art. A flowery hand gesture can disguise a move to gouge out an eyeball. Practicing Tai Chi as a martial art makes it incredibly powerful. When you see people in the park practicing Tai Chi, they’re most likely not practicing it as a martial art. However, the movement and flow of the postures is still very beneficial for the body. This is the same for the gentle method of reflexology. It may be subtler and changes may take longer, but there’s still great benefit in massaging the reflexology points on your feet. Consistency is the key. Practice regularly and small shifts will add up to big changes over time. What You Need to Know Before Practicing Chinese Reflexology IMPORTANT: DO NOT USE CHINESE REFLEXOLOGY AS A SUBSTUTE FOR PROPER MEDICAL CARE. IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING AN ACUTE REACTION SUCH AS AN ASTHMA ATTACK OR ALLERGIC REACTION, SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION. Chinese Reflexology is not intended to replace medical care. It works by strengthening your body over time through consistent practice. During an acute reaction, seek medical treatment immediately. After the acute phase has passed, that’s when it’s appropriate to use reflexology to help bring your body back into balance naturally. It takes time and consistent practice to get the most benefit from Chinese Reflexology. Generally speaking, it is very safe to practice reflexology and there are few if any side effects when you practice correctly and in moderation—especially when you’re practicing

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the gentle method of Chinese Reflexology. That said, there are a few instances where you should NOT practice reflexology or proceed even more gently. 1) If you are PREGNANT, DO NOT PRACTICE REFLEXOLOGY There are acupuncture points on the feet and around the ankles that stimulate labour. Without proper training and extensive hands-‐on practice in knowing where these points are and how to avoid them, it is recommended that you don’t practice reflexology if you’re pregnant. In my case, I enrolled in a Masters in Chinese Medicine and spent hundreds of hours learning channel theory, point location, and needling techniques as well as many hours interning in the clinic. That’s the type of proper training and hands-‐on practice I’m referring to—not reading an article on the Internet or taking a 6-‐week birthing course. 2) If you have an ACUTE HEART CONDITION, DO NOT PRACTICE REFLEXOLOGY Do not practice if you have an acute heart condition. Once the acute phase has passed, ask your doctor if it is okay for you to practice reflexology. Then, use very gentle pressure and reduce the massage time to what feels comfortable. 3) If you have DIABETES, practice gently and pay extra attention If you have diabetes, use a very light pressure and massage your feet for less time. This is because diabetes can cause your feet to be less sensitive and you may not be aware if you are pressing too hard. If you press too hard without knowing it, you could inadvertently give yourself a bruise. 4) If you have a COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEM, practice gently If your system is immunocompromised, there’s a lot going on and it’s more important to support your body as a whole rather than focus solely on allergies or asthma. If your body is weak, you need to build it up holistically and as you do that, you’ll often find other symptoms and conditions improving. 5) If you’re EVERYBODY ELSE, read this… If in doubt, ask your doctor if it’s okay for you to practice reflexology. Basically, if you’re an average person with no major health concerns other than allergies and/or asthma, and you’re currently not experiencing a severe allergic reaction or asthma attack, then this is the perfect time to practice Chinese Reflexology. However, before you begin, please note the 3 guidelines below.

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3 Guidelines When You’re Practicing Chinese Reflexology 1. Massage your feet at least one hour before or after eating a meal. That’s because your

body’s energy is focused on digestion and the reflexology won’t be as effective. 2. Drink lots of warm or room temperature water to help your body flush out any toxins

that may be released. 3. Absolutely no alcohol! Alcohol affects the flow of Qi in your body and is very hard for

your body to metabolize. When strengthening your body, it is best to lighten your toxic load in order to assist your body in returning to balance.

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CHAPTER 2

Root Causes of Allergies and Asthma Allergies and asthma involve the whole body, not just the respiratory system. Even though an allergy may have seemed like it started overnight, it takes time to manifest in the body, both physically and energetically. That’s why it also takes time for your body to come back into balance. In Chinese Reflexology, some conditions respond very quickly to foot massage. For example, people usually feel better immediately after they practice my 5-‐minute reflexology routine for a common cold. On the other hand, if you have a chronic condition that’s been going on for years or even decades, it takes longer to heal. Don’t be discouraged! It won’t take decades or years to notice a difference. With consistent practice of Chinese Reflexology, people often notice changes happening within weeks or months, depending on how long they’ve had a condition and how resilient their bodies are. That’s why this guide teaches you two types of Chinese Reflexology points. You’ll learn points for temporary relief of symptoms that you’ll notice much more quickly, as well as points that help strengthen your Qi and body over the long term. Changes may begin subtly, but if you practice consistently, you’ll look back over several months and realize how much better you feel. The Qi-‐building points you’ll learn are powerhouse points. They’re good for allergies and asthma as well as improving your overall health and well-‐being. The beauty of Chinese Reflexology is that it addresses the root causes of energy disharmonies that lead to allergies and asthma. Rather than take pills that mask symptoms, you’ll be strengthening your Qi and your body so that you feel more in harmony with nature. A Holistic View on the Root Causes of Allergies From a holistic healing perspective, allergies are the result of your body’s immune system going into overdrive. The reason this happens is because the body is overloaded with toxins and stress. As a result, it can no longer handle things that a healthy person can and it starts to overreact. Imagine a police officer directing traffic in a busy intersection. At first, he has the situation under control as cars follow his commands and proceed in an orderly fashion. Now, imagine ten times as many cars, trucks, bicycles, pedestrians and goats running through the intersection.

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Heck, let’s throw in several dozen 4-‐year olds with soccer balls and a security truck bumping a curb causing it’s tailgate to burst open and bags of money to fly out into the street. Under this scenario, the police officer easily becomes overwhelmed and traffic descends into pure chaos. This is when the officer begins gesticulating wildly to try to get the situation under control. The same thing is going on in your body. At first, your body can manage the stress and toxins, but without a break, it starts to get overwhelmed. Then you add something simple like dust, food or pollen, and it’s the proverbial straw that breaks the camel’s back. Things that overload the immune system include toxins and stress. Your body can be exposed to toxins through what you eat, what you breathe and what you touch. E.g chemicals and preservatives in food, medications, mold in the air, VOC’s in paint, chemicals in household cleaners and even walking through a field of grass sprayed with pesticides. As well, if you’re constantly under stress and pushing yourself to do too much, you exhaust your body and deplete its resilience. Over time, you can exhaust your adrenal glands. The adrenals play a very important role when it comes to allergic reactions. They release cortisol in response to inflammation. Cortisol is your body’s version of a natural antihistamine. When you have allergies, your adrenal glands are constantly producing cortisol to combat the allergic reaction. This in turn, can fatigue the adrenal glands and they become less able to produce enough cortisol to counteract the allergic reaction. When this happens, symptoms persist and may even get worse. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective on Allergies From a Chinese Medicine perspective, the fundamental root of allergies is a deficiency of Qi, mainly in the lung, spleen and kidney channels. Weak Lung Qi – The lung channel is considered the body’s first defense against the invasion of “external evil” (e.g. dust, pollen). When lung Qi is weak, allergens and respiratory irritants can easily “invade” the body. Weak Spleen Qi – In Chinese Medicine, one of the spleen’s primary functions is to transform fluid in the body or in other words, to clear excess mucous from the body. The spleen also plays an important role in maintaining healthy digestion. When spleen Qi is weak, this affects the spleen’s ability to carry out its basic functions. Weak Kidney Qi – Kidney Qi is considered to be the ”mother of all Qi”. If kidney Qi is deficient, often other types of Qi in the body are also low.

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A Traditional Chinese Medicine View on Food Allergies Food allergies are also influenced by weak lung Qi and weak spleen Qi. In Chinese Medicine, it is said that the lungs govern the skin and spread defensive Qi. What this means is that the lungs disperse moisture to the surface of the skin and also circulate protective Qi around the body. Thus, your skin is like a shield and when the force field goes down (weak lung Qi), we all know that doesn’t bode well in sci-‐fi movies. Thus, allergic reactions involving the skin such as hives, rashes and eczema almost always involve the lung meridian. The spleen governs the transformation and transportation of both water and nutrients in the body. The spleen and stomach work together as a team for harmonious digestion. It is said that the spleen opens into the mouth and lips. Thus, allergic reactions such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat can be related to a deficiency in spleen Qi. When food is not digested properly, it can also irritate the digestive tract, resulting in food sensitivities. A Traditional Chinese Medicine View on Asthma Asthma can be the result of weak lung, spleen and kidney Qi. When lung Qi is weak, it’s easy for external evil to invade and weaken the lungs. For example, external conditions such as cold air or humidity can trigger asthma attacks. Weak lung Qi also affects the lungs’ ability to regulate the water passageways in the body. The lungs are supposed to regulate the circulation and excretion of water. One of the ways it does this is through sweating. It also helps send water downwards in the body to the kidneys. When lung Qi is weak, the lungs struggle to clear water, and this stagnant water can transform into phlegm. A double whammy happens when spleen Qi is weak. This is because the spleen helps to transform fluid. When spleen Qi is deficient, the spleen struggles to clear mucous from the body. Thus, mucous can accumulate and cause respiratory problems and asthma attacks. Finally, if one has weak congenital kidney Qi (that’s the Qi you’re born with), this can result in a deficiency of Qi in both the lungs and spleen. This explains the link between parents with asthma having a greater likelihood of having children with asthma. If the parents have weak Qi, they have less Qi to pass on to their kids, which can then make their children more likely to develop asthma. In Chinese Medicine, there are two camps of thought regarding congenital Qi. One view is that the Qi you were born is all that you get, so tough luck sucker.

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On the other hand, there’s also the view that you can add to your congenital Qi. I believe in this perspective. How else you can explain people who were born weak and sickly growing into robust and strong adults? So, how do you increase your congenital Qi and your overall Qi in general? One way to strengthen your Qi is with Chinese Reflexology and you’ll learn how with this guide.

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CHAPTER 3

Overview of Reflexology Points Hurray! You’re about to learn ten Chinese Reflexology points that are beneficial for Qi disharmonies related to allergies and asthma. There is one thing to note before you begin. These reflexology points should not be used as a substitute for proper medical attention if you’re experiencing a severe allergic reaction or difficulties breathing. Go see your doctor first during the acute phase. Once you’re in the clear, you can use reflexology to strengthen your body naturally over the long-‐term. The first four points primarily help relieve seasonal allergy symptoms. The four points are:

1. Nose 2. Sinuses 3. Eyes 4. Throat

There are six additional points that you can use to strengthen your body’s Qi. Practiced consistently over time, these points address the Qi disharmonies that are associated with allergies and asthma. The six points are:

1. Lungs 2. Kidneys 3. Adrenals 4. Spleen 5. Liver 6. Lymph Drainage

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CHAPTER 4

The Nose Point When you have allergies, your poor nose is put through the wringer. The sneezing, sniffling, congestion, runny nose and constant nose blowing can irritate the sensitive tissues in your nasal passages. With enough nose blowing, even the skin on your nose can feel raw. Fortunately, the reflexology point for the nose is beneficial for all of these symptoms. It helps to balance energy disharmonies caused by excess mucous and nose blowing. It can also help to get Qi flowing through the nasal passages to clear congestion. How to Locate the Reflexology Point for the Nose The nose point is located on the side of your big toe where the skin meets the sole of your foot. You’ll find it just above the knuckle of your big toe, right next to the bottom edge of your toenail. You have a nose point on each of your big toes and they correspond to different sides of your nose. The energy meridians in your body cross over at the neck. Thus, the nose point on your left foot is for the RIGHT side of your nose and the point on your right foot is for the LEFT side of your nose. How to Massage the Nose Point Reach around your big toe with your index finger to support the toe and then use your thumb pad to rub your nose point. Massage the edge of your big toe using a side-‐to-‐side motion. Use a light, but firm pressure. The skin on the side of your toe is not as tough as the skin on the sole of your foot and the edge of the toenail can make this point feel overly sensitive if you press too hard. Thus, be sure to use a lighter pressure on this point. For massage times, see the chapter on “Putting it All Together.”

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Watch the Video and Practice Visit the Study Guide Support Page to watch the video tutorial on how to massage the nose point.

• Visit: www.chinesefootreflexology.com/allergyguidepage • Enter the password: BREATHE (Password is case sensitive)

The nose point begins at 1:56 in the video. If you’ve been sneezing and sniffling lately, grab your bit toe and massage away.

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CHAPTER 5

The Sinus Point The reflexology point for the sinuses is helpful for nasal congestion and irritation in the sinuses. Massaging this point moves Qi through the sinus cavities, which in turn, helps to clear congestion. Now, you can flush out mucous without a neti pot! How to Locate the Reflexology Point for the Sinuses There are actually ten Chinese Reflexology points for the sinuses, five on each foot. The point on your big toe is the primary point for the sinus. This point is located on the tip of your big toe on the underside of the toe. The area is about 1/4 to 1/3 of the toe pad in size. Similar to your nose, the sinus point on your left foot is for the sinus cavity on the RIGHT side and vice versa. How to Massage the Sinus Point Use your thumb pad to massage the reflexology point for the sinus. The technique is similar to crushing dried oregano between your thumb and forefinger. For those of you familiar with my love of metaphors, I often compare the massage technique to playing the world’s smallest violin with your thumb and index finger. If you’re not familiar with this phrase, go visit Google and search for “playing the world’s smallest violin.” I find it’s easier to use the same side hand when massaging your foot. For example, use your left hand to massage your left toe. Grasp around the big toe with your index finger and then rub back and forth on the tip of the toe with your thumb. Do the same on your right toe and use your right thumb.

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Watch the Video and Practice Visit the Study Guide Support Page to watch the video tutorial on how to massage the sinus point.


The sinus point begins at 2:37 in the video. Watch the tutorial and then give it a try at home.

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CHAPTER 6

THE EYE POINT If allergies are making your eyes itch and water, the eye reflexology point can help bring relief. This point helps to soothe the eyes. How to Locate the Reflexology Point for the Eyes The eye reflexology points are located on the undersides of your second and third toes. They’re like a U-‐shaped area below the toe pads. Because the energy meridians in your body cross over at the neck, the reflexology point for your left eye is on your RIGHT foot. And conversely, the point for your right eye is on your left foot How to Massage the Eye Point Press your thumb on the point and rub in an up and down motion. Go slowly and press deeply, especially where it feels hard to the touch. In addition to massaging the undersides of your toes, press along the edges too. Watch the Video and Practice Visit the Study Guide Support Page to watch the video tutorial on how to massage the eye point.


The eye point begins at 3:09 in the video. *See* the video and then massage your eye points ;).

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CHAPTER 7

The Throat Point The throat point helps to clear blocked energy in the throat as well as soothe irritation from coughing or constant clearing of your throat. How to Locate the Reflexology Point for the Throat The throat point is located on the top of your foot, between the big toe and the second toe. It’s a small circle in the webbing right where the two toes meet. There are throat points on each foot. The right foot corresponds with the LEFT side of your throat and the left foot corresponds with the right side. How to Massage the Throat Point Use the knuckle of your index finger to massage the throat point. Press the knuckle into the point and twist. It’s the same motion as if you were jiggling a doorknob. For stronger stimulation of this point, use your other hand to gently hold the two toes together while you massage this point. Watch the Video and Practice Visit the Study Guide Support Page to watch the video tutorial on how to massage the throat point.


The throat point begins at 3:53 in the video. Watch the video and then try it at home.

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CHAPTER 8

The Lung Point In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the lungs circulate defensive Qi, also known as Wei Qi. This protective Qi circulates in the skin and forms a defensive barrier to protect the body against “external evil”, which would include allergens and irritants such as dust, pollen, and cold air. When lung Qi is weak, allergens can “invade” the body and the lungs are easily irritated by simple substances that are harmless to other people. It is also said that the lungs govern the skin and regulate the water passageways. What this means is that the lung meridian influences the condition of your skin by dispersing fluids to the skin. If your skin is perpetually dry, this could indicate a deficiency of lung Qi. As well, skin conditions such as eczema, rashes or hives are often related to disharmonies in the lung meridian. Strong lung Qi helps to keep passageways clear and thus, prevent water from turning into phlegm. In order to strengthen your body’s defenses, reduce phlegm and improve skin conditions, it’s important to build up your lung Qi. Massaging the lung reflexology point can help to increase lung Qi and thus, help the lung perform its functions of circulating defensive Qi, governing the skin and regulating the water passageways in your body. How to Locate the Reflexology Point for the Lungs The lung point is located on the soles of your feet. It’s a rectangular-‐shaped area on the ball of the foot below the three middle toes. How to Massage the Lung Point To massage this area, use your thumbs to rub this area in an up and down direction. Use a firm pressure as you press with your thumb pads. If you feel any points that are sensitive to the touch, press more deeply into them and massage using small circles. Work your way across the entire lung area, focusing on tender points.

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Watch the Video and Practice Visit the Study Guide Support Page to watch the video tutorial on how to massage the lung point.


The lung point section begins at 4:25 in the video. After watching the technique, give it a try on your own two feet.

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CHAPTER 9

The Kidney Point In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the kidneys are considered the “the root of life” and kidney Qi is the “mother of all Qi.” Thus, if kidney Qi is weak, other types of Qi are usually deficient too. Weak kidney Qi can result in weak lung Qi, which is one of the root causes of allergies and asthma. A deficiency in congenital kidney Qi deficiency (the Qi you inherit from your parents) is also a root cause of asthma. From a Western medicine perspective, the kidneys play an important role in filtering toxins from the blood and excreting them through the urine. When you take allergy pills, antihistamines, or other medications, your kidneys help to filter out the medications after your body has finished with them. If you’ve ever read the warning label on a box of allergy pills, it usually says, “Ask your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease.” The reason why this warning appears is because If your kidneys and liver are not functioning well, and thus not filtering well, this could lead to a buildup of medicines in your blood. As you’ve learned, the holistic perspective on allergies is that the body is overwhelmed and needs to clear out toxins. Thus, it’s ironic that medications used to treat symptoms can actually contribute to increasing the toxic load in your body. Therefore, it’s really important to boost your kidney Qi and get your organs functioning efficiently. This is where Chinese Reflexology can help. Massaging the kidney reflexology point can help to strengthen kidney Qi and thus, support the kidneys in their function of eliminating toxins from the body. How to Locate the Reflexology Point for the Kidneys The kidney point is located on the soles of your feet. You have a kidney point on each foot where the right foot is for your right kidney and the left foot is for your left kidney. There are several steps to locate the kidney point. Once you learn how, it’s actually quite easy. I’ll break it down into simple steps. Follow these five steps to find your kidney point.

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Step 1: Divide your foot in half horizontally Imagine a horizontal line dividing your foot in half (Line 1). Measure from the tip of your big toe to the base of your heel and then divide this length in half. Step 2: Divide your foot in half vertically Imagine a vertical line dividing your foot in half vertically (Line 2). Step 3: Locate the top inside quadrant The two imaginary lines intersect to form four quadrants on your foot. The kidney point is located primarily in the top inside quadrant. For your left foot, the kidney point is located in the top left quadrant. For your right foot, the kidney point is located in the top right quadrant. Step 4: Imagine another horizontal line under the ball of your foot The kidney point is located below the ball of your foot (Line 3) and above the horizontal divider (Line 1). Step 5: Place your thumb on your foot Your kidney point will be about as wide as your thumb. This is relative to each person, so your thumb is a good guideline for your kidney point as opposed to someone else’s. Place your thumb on the vertical divider line, with two thirds of the thumb in the top inside quadrant and one third in the top outside quadrant. For example, if you’re locating the kidney point on your left foot, place your thumb two thirds of the way in the top LEFT quadrant. And voila! You’ve just found your kidney point. Your final test to make sure you’ve found the kidney point is to press into it with your thumb. 9 times out of 10, this is a supremely sensitive point for people. If it hurts, you’ve found it. How to Massage the Kidney Point Press into your kidney point with your thumb and massage using in an up and down motion. You can massage sensitive points by pressing deeply and rubbing in small circles. Alternately, you can use your knuckles to rub in an up and down motion.

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Watch the Video and Practice Visit the Study Guide Support Page to watch the video tutorial on how to massage the kidney point.


The kidney point section begins at 5:26 in the video. Before watching the video, go through the exercise to locate the kidney point one more time. Then, watch the video and try massaging your feet.

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CHAPTER 10

The Adrenal Point From a holistic perspective, healthy adrenal glands are critical when it comes to minimizing allergic reactions. This is because one of the primary functions of the adrenal glands is to produce a hormone called cortisol. Most allergic reactions trigger a release of histamines in the body, which causes inflammation. As a result, the body releases cortisol because it’s a very strong anti-‐inflammatory. It’s like your body’s natural antihistamine. If someone is under chronic stress, this can fatigue the adrenal glands over time because they’re always reacting and releasing hormones in response to stress. As well, if you have allergies, this can cause the adrenals to be constantly producing cortisol, which in turn, can then fatigue the adrenal glands. When the adrenal glands are fatigued, it becomes more difficult for them to produce enough cortisol to counteract allergic reactions and thus, symptoms persist and worsen. Whoa, that sounds like a dreadful negative spiral, doesn’t it? Fortunately, there is a way to break this loop and I’m guessing you know what it is. If you guessed Chinese Reflexology, you’re correct! Massaging the reflexology points for the adrenal glands can help send healing Qi to the adrenals and thus, help them come back into balance. How to Locate the Reflexology Point for the Adrenals The adrenal point is located on the sole of your foot, right above the kidney point. You’ve got an adrenal point on each foot. To locate this point, first find your kidney point. Good thing you did such a superb job of learning how to do this in the previous chapter. The adrenal point is a small circle located right in the middle of the top of the kidney point.

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How to Massage the Adrenal Point Use the knuckle of your index finger to press into this point. Then twist your knuckle back and forth as if you are wiggling a doorknob. Watch the Video and Practice Visit the Study Guide Support Page to watch the video tutorial on how to massage the adrenal point.


The adrenal point begins at 6:50 in the video. Before watching the video, go through the exercise to locate the kidney point and then locate your adrenal point. Watch the video and massage both of your feet.

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CHAPTER 11

The Spleen Point In Chinese Medicine, the spleen is responsible for the "transformation of fluids” and it also plays a critical role in digestion. The spleen helps to clear excess fluid—aka mucous and phlegm—out of your body. When spleen Qi is weak, the spleen is less able to transform fluids in the body and this results in a build-‐up of mucous. Weak spleen Qi also leads to poor digestion. When food is not broken down efficiently, it passes through the digestive system partially digested, which can lead to irritation and the release of toxins. There have been many recent studies linking probiotics to a reduced risk of allergies and eczema. There are also emerging studies showing a potential link between probiotics and the reduction of pulmonary inflammation in the case of asthma. Basically what’s happening is that the probiotics help heal the digestive tract. This improves digestion, which in turn reduces the release of toxins in the body. Fewer toxins equal less overwhelm for the body, which equals an improvement in allergies and asthma symptoms. Because the spleen is basically at the top of the food chain when it comes to digestion, massaging this point will improve spleen Qi, leading to an improvement in its functions of transforming fluids and facilitating digestion. How to Locate the Reflexology Point for the Spleen The spleen point is located on sole of your left foot. Locating this point is similar to finding the kidney point. First, imagine a horizontal line dividing your foot in half from the tip of your big toe to the base of your heel. Next, imagine a vertical line dividing your foot in half vertically. These two lines will create four quadrants on your foot. The spleen point is located in the top right quadrant of your left foot. It can best be described as an oval-‐shaped blob. One of the best ways to make sure you’ve found

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your spleen point is to press deeply just above the horizontal dividing line. If you find a sensitive area, you’ve found your spleen point. It’s quite common for this point to feel sensitive for people. How to Massage the Spleen Point Use your thumb to rub the spleen point in an up and down motion. If any spot feels particularly tender, press deeper and massage in small circles. You can also use your knuckle to press and massage this point. For massage times, see the chapter on “Putting it All Together.” Watch the Video and Practice Visit the Study Guide Support Page to watch the video tutorial on how to massage the spleen point.


The spleen point begins at 7:20 in the video. After watching the video, it’s time to start transforming fluids. Reach for your left foot and begin massaging your spleen point.

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CHAPTER 12

The Liver Point In Traditional Chinese Medicine, one of the liver’s most important functions is to smooth the flow of Qi throughout the body. It’s also one of the organs that is most affected by chronic stress, anger and frustration. From a Western medicine perspective, the liver breaks down toxins in the blood. When the liver is overloaded with toxins, this impacts its ability to break down toxins. A greater toxic load in the body can then manifest as allergies. By massaging the reflexology point for the liver, you help improve the flow of Qi in the body and also help to harmonize liver Qi to support the liver in its function of breaking down toxins. How to Locate the Reflexology Point for the Liver The liver point is located on the sole of the right foot only. It’s beside the kidney point, below the ball of foot and above the horizontal line dividing the foot in half. The liver point is a square-‐shaped area that extends from the kidney almost to the outside edge of the foot. How to Massage the Liver Point You can use your knuckle to rub this point in an up and down manner. As well, you can use your thumb to press and rub, beginning at the top of the liver and working your way down and across. Watch the Video and Practice Visit the Study Guide Support Page to watch the video tutorial on how to massage the liver point.


The liver point begins at 8:07 in the video. Watch the video and then massage the liver point on your right foot.

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CHAPTER 13

The Lymphatic Drainage Point The lymphatic system is similar to your circulatory system, only instead of transporting blood, it moves lymphatic fluid through your body. Lymphatic fluid helps to distribute white blood cells and clear away waste materials. Thus, it plays an important role in supporting your immune system. There are three reflexology points for lymphatic drainage, but for this allergy routine, we’ll focus on the point for the lymph nodes located in your armpit area. It’s quite common for this point to feel very sensitive to the touch. This is because in our modern society, we tend to sit for long periods and we also don’t get as much exercise as we need in order to thrive. The only way to move lymph is for YOU to be moving. Massaging this reflexology point will help move Qi through the lymphatic system to support the clearing of toxins. However, the best way to move lymph fluid is for you to get moving. BODY BREAK! GET UP RIGHT NOW! Stretch your arms up, roll your shoulders, hop around and wiggle around! Only after doing this can you keep on reading. Notice how you feel lighter and more energized from just a few seconds of movement. How to Locate the Reflexology Point for Lymphatic Drainage This reflexology point is located on the top of the foot in the webbing between the bones of your big toe and second toe. Just like you have two armpits, you have two of these reflexology points—one on each foot. How to Massage the Lymphatic Drainage Point To massage this point, use the knuckle of your index finger. Place the knuckle at the base of

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the toes where the throat point is located. Then press as hard as you can tolerate and stroke downwards from the base of your toes towards the point of the V that’s formed where the bones meet. Lift up your knuckle and place it back at the base of your toes and stroke downwards again. Because the skin on the top of your feet is more sensitive than the skin on your soles, do not over-‐massage this area as it can irritate the skin. Watch the Video and Practice Visit the Study Guide Support Page to watch the video tutorial on how to massage the lymphatic drainage point.


The lymphatic drainage point begins at 8:48 in the video. Now, it’s time for you to try this at home. Press your knuckle between your big toe and second toe. Stroke down from the base of the toes to the point of the “V”. Lift your knuckle up, reposition it at the base of the toes and repeat. Practice several strokes in a row.

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CHAPTER 14

Putting It All Together Congratulations! You’ve learned 10 Chinese Reflexology points. Now, it’s time to put them together for a routine that you can practice regularly for relief of allergy symptoms and to strengthen your Qi. Relief of Symptoms For relief of symptoms such as runny nose, sniffling, sneezing, itchy eyes and scratchy throat, you can massage any or all of the following points for 30 to 60 seconds each. Massage the points as needed up to a maximum of 5 minutes per day.

1. Nose 2. Sinuses 3. Eyes 4. Throat

Strengthening Your Qi To strengthen your Qi and clear toxins, massage the following six points for the times indicated below:

1. Lungs – 60 seconds each foot 2. Kidneys – 60 seconds each foot 3. Adrenals – 30 to 60 seconds each foot 4. Spleen – 60 seconds on left foot 5. Liver – 60 seconds on right foot 6. Lymph Drainage – 30 strokes each foot

The whole routine should take about 8 minutes in total. Begin the routine by rubbing all of the points on your left foot first. Then, follow with the points on your right foot. Practice this routine 2 to 3 times a week. Remember to drink lots of warm or room temperature water on the days you are practicing. Do the routine at least one hour before or after meals. For the best results, abstain from consuming alcoholic drinks. When Will You Notice a Difference? Each person’s body is different and thus, changes will manifest differently for each person. It’s important to trust YOUR body’s wisdom and trust the healing process.

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Factors that influence healing include congenital Qi, lifestyle, general health, diet, thoughts, emotions, stress, sleep levels, etc. I think you get the idea. There are a lot of variables! Generally speaking, if you commit to practicing this routine regularly (twice a week), you will strengthen your Qi and improve the flow of Qi in your body. You may notice your feet and body feel warmer after the massage. If you’re really aware of your Qi, you may feel lighter or a tingly sensation throughout your body. After about 3 weeks, you should notice that some of the reflexology points on your feet will feel less sensitive. Then, in about a couple of months, you’ll start to notice subtle changes in your body. Chances are, you’ll notice the most significant changes NEXT allergy season. Yep, you’re in it for the long-‐term. However, because the six points to strengthen Qi are powerhouse points (not just for allergies and asthma), it’s very likely that you’ll notice other changes in your body within 2 to 3 months. At first, the changes are very subtle. You might not notice anything day to day or even week to week. However, you will start noticing changes month to month, especially after the first couple of months of practicing regularly. Changes may show up as increased energy levels, feeling less sluggish, having a brighter outlook, sleeping better, etc. Because allergies and asthma don’t happen overnight, it takes time to strengthen the body to “outgrow” these conditions. However, once you start building your Qi, it gathers momentum and you start feeling better and better. The important thing is that you are making a commitment to heal your body. You’ll get the most benefit from Chinese Reflexology if you practice consistently over time. Keep up the massage, stay healthy and thrive!

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ONLINE RESOURCES This self-‐study guide can be used alone, but the best way to learn is to watch the video tutorial as you practice. You’ll find the video on the Study Guide Support Page. On this page, you can download the guide as an EPUB file, which is compatible with popular ebook readers. A MOBI file, compatible with Kindle readers, is also available. That way, you’ll be able to conveniently access this guide on your mobile device.


If you experience any technical issues with this page, please email [email protected]

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Holly Tse is a Traditional Chinese Reflexologist who has been practicing Chinese Reflexology since 2004. She is the creator of ChineseFootReflexology.com, an online resource that teaches people how to heal their bodies with Chinese Reflexology and the Mind/Body/Spirit connection. Holly studied at Five Branches University, completing the Asian Massage and Bodywork program and two years of the Masters Program in Traditional Chinese Medicine. She learned Traditional Chinese Reflexology from Dr. Gilbert Tay, a Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor and the founder of this style of Chinese Reflexology. Holly is also a Dragon Spirit Guide. She can channel the Universe and tune in to people’s vibrational energies. She specializes in helping over-‐thinkers reconnect with their hearts and bodies so that they can hear what their soul is calling them to do. She provides soul guidance on health, happiness and discovering one’s life purpose. Holly lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, son and cat. When she’s not teaching about healing, you may find her biking the trails, skipping along the sidewalk with her little boy or indulging in her foodie passion.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT CHINESE REFLEXOLOGY 1. Online Workshops and Classes New workshops and classes are held online every few months. Here’s what’s planned for Summer and Fall 2014:

• Chinese Reflexology for Healthy Eyes • Turn Back the Clock – Feeling and Looking Younger • Natural Headache Relief • For Holistic Healers: How to Grow Your Practice Online With Integrity and Ease • Foundation Course on Traditional Chinese Reflexology • Level 1 on Traditional Chinese Reflexology – Digestive System

Get the Details To view the latest workshop and class schedule, please visit:

• www.ChineseFootReflexology.com/workshops

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