Steps2TrueHealth & Reflexology

Celiac disease can manifest in different ways in different individuals. Digestive distress symptoms began when I was a teenager, but I wasn't diagnosed until I was almost 50 years old.

During that span of time, I had seen many doctors who each told me I had a different malady...irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Chrons disease, colitis. In my mid-40's I experienced some of life's greatest stressors. Simultaneously, the digestive symptoms and chronic inflammation intensified.

One day in 2006 I realized that what had begun as a small itchy rash under my left breast was now a raging, inflamed, patch of seeping blisters that had me to scratching like a dog non-stop. Nothing helped the itch. It was so intense I wanted to push my hand through my skin and scratch my organs from the inside.

As the rash intensified and spread, I could no longer wear a bra. The tender skin under my breasts split open and oozed 24/7. I saw several doctors who gave me potions, lotions and creams...but nothing helped. After sending me for a mammogram and doing skin biopsies to check for four different types of cancer and yeast, my dermatologist was at a loss. He said he had no idea what we were dealing with.

Three years after this nightmare began my husband and I were on vacation in Maui where I struck up a conversation with a girl I met on the beach. By this time the rash had crawled up my chest, neck, and face and it was getting dangerously close to my eye. Although I'd been avoiding wheat I didn't know that soy sauce was loaded with wheat...and we'd been eating lots of sushi on our vacation.

We talked about restaurants and I told her I'd been avoiding wheat. She asked if I was Celiac. I responded, "no, look at me...I'm getting bigger by the minute!". (I thought all Celiacs were anemics and thin due to malnutrition). She informed me that she almost died before getting a Celiac diagnosis and her son had it too. She pointed me to Celiac.org and I knew as soon as I read over the symptoms that I'd found my answer. Praise God!

From Maui, I called Celiac.org and got a referral to a gastroenterologist in Austin, TX. Rather than wait until I got home from vacation, I called their office immediately to make an appointment. A blood test for celiac was negative. The doctor explained over 95% of blood tests are false-negatives and said I had to go on a six-week gluten challenge (eating gluten every day) and then have an intestinal biopsy.

Two days after the biopsy the doctor himself called me with the results, "Diana, it is definitely Celiac. Your intestinal tract is shot. The villi are supposed to look like pink s**g carpet but yours looks like white linoleum. I have no idea how many years you've been like this but you aren't absorbing any nutrients... and the rash is called Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH). It's another manifestation of Celiac. The good news is there is no surgery or drugs for this. The bad news is you will need to learn what you can and can't put into your body and on your skin...it will be a whole new lifestyle."

I suffered with that horrible rash for three years, but once I identified all of the gluten proteins and their derivatives, it vanished in three weeks! Moving forward, it would reoccur if I got a case of cross-contamination. When that happened the inflammation and DH would usually last 90 days.

I often wonder if the years of chronic inflammation were in part the cause of the deterioration of my heart muscle which eventually led to having to have a transplant?

Steps2TrueHealth & Reflexology updated their address.

Steps2TrueHealth & Reflexology updated their address.

Steps2TrueHealth & Reflexology

This Christmas give the gift of ultimate relaxation and better health to your loved one, friend, or co-worker with a Reflexology Gift Certificate.

Each reflexology session includes the quantum healing benefits from the far-infrared technology of the BioMat https://dfoley.biomatmarketing.com/buy/

Call today to get your Gift Certificate. They can be mailed to you or directly to the recipient with a customized note. Call /Text Diana at 512-573-1000

















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Steps2TrueHealth & Reflexology Integrative natural solutions for better health - Ingham Foot, Hand & Ear Reflexology, RLD (Reflexology Lymphatic Drainage), Facial Reflexology, Ionic Foot Detox, Raindrop Sessions, & BioMat Thermotherapy with negative ions

The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Patients With Digestive or Lung Cancer: Randomized Controlled Trial - PubMed

Great article ...https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34738909/

The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Patients With Digestive or Lung Cancer: Randomized Controlled Trial - PubMed RR2-10.2196/17232.

Hydration Chart: Learn to Read the Shades of Your P*e

How do you know when you're probably hydrated? This is a handy and easy-to-interpret chart. In my 20-year journey with heart failure staying hydrated was a real balancing act. Because my heart was so weak, that impeded my kidneys from working properly. I was allowed approximately 45 ounces of fluids a day...that included any food or drink that melted at room temperature. I spent the last decade restricting my fluid intake.

Fast forward to February 18, 2020 when I received my donor heart and a new chance at life. The following day I was taking 18 medications and the transplant doctors are telling me to drink at minimally 64 ounces of water a day....and the more the better. Whaaaat?? I couldn't fathom pushing that much water into my body!! Because my new heart was beating strong and pushing unfamiliar volumes of blood through my body, and because of the excessive medications, I now needed to stay well-hydrated so the kidneys did NOT become compromised. Hallalujeh!

At my last visit to the transplant clinic, they reviewed my labs and reported that everything was great, including my kidney function. Ironically my team coordinator asked me, "What color is your p*e?" I was proud to tell him it is normally pale yellow.
It's the little things that put a big smile on my face.

Just this week my husband was hospitalized for a revision to a prior hip replacement. A few complications lead to several neurological tests. The neurologist informed us of how staying well-hydrated relates to preventing blood clots...especially in high-altitudes. Good to know since we plan to do more traveling in the coming year!

Please share this chart with your family, friends and loved ones. And, if necessary, remind them that Coffee, tea, soda, juice, beer or any other beverage doesn't replace good old water!

This is just one Step2TrueHealth!!
Blessings
https://www.healthline.com/health/hydration-chart#clear

Hydration Chart: Learn to Read the Shades of Your P*e Since hydration supports loads of bodily functions — affecting everything from mental cognition to s*x performance — it’s worth paying attention to the color of your p*e.

Why ARCB

This is an informative video on what ARCB Certification means in the reflexology world. https://youtu.be/qT6NnRoz_gE

Why ARCB The importance of national reflexology certification.

Do Turmeric and Curcumin Really Work for Arthritis?

Do Turmeric and Curcumin Really Work for Arthritis? Learn about turmeric and curcumin to differentiate between an expensive fad and an actual supplement that improves joint health and lowers your arthritis pain.

Congratulations to FAR Professional member and chapter President, Karen Ball, who was bestowed the prestigious Eunice Ingham Lifetime Achievement Award by the Reflexology Association of America at their . Karen earned this award for her sustained dedication to the field of reflexology.

So happy to be back giving treatments today 🥰

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Using thermal imaging to measure changes in breast cancer-related lymphoedema during reflexology | British Journal of Community Nursing

Great news!!

magonlinelibrary.com Reflexology lymph drainage (RLD) for breast cancer-related lymphoedema (BCRL) may have a positive impact on arm swelling and pain. Thermal imaging is a means of tracking temperature change by visua...

Karen's Reflexology

DAY 4 of WORLD REFLEXOLOGY WEEK 2020

Hand Reflexology has a very special place in a reflexologists repertoire. 🤲

When a client arrives in our practice with an injured foot, amputation of the leg/foot, or some other reason why we can not work their feet, or maybe even just one of their feet, then Hand Reflexology is an alternate that offers the same healing potential as the feet.

Working on the hands also provides a beautiful therapeutic connection when working on older clients, people who are very ill, or emotionally overwhelmed. And of course it is just lovely for hands that work hard physically every day of their lives!☺️

It is easy to work on the hands, and also a great platform for teaching self-help techniques that clients can use between their sessions with us.

All the same reflex points that are found on the feet are found on the hands and wrists.

Left hand represents the left hand side of the body. Right hand the right side of the body.

If you’ve not ever experienced a Hand Reflexology session then I highly recommend that you ask your Reflexologist to include a bit of hand work in your next session.💙

x Karen x

Karen's Reflexology

DAY 3 of WORLD REFLEXOLOGY WEEK 2020

Fondly known as the ‘Mother of Reflexology’, Eunice Ingham was born in South Dakota in 1889. She went on to work as a physiotherapist, and it was through this work that she was introduced to Zone Therapy (see my post yesterday 😉)

Through her own research and evidence using the ten zones of the body she mapped the whole body’s organs and systems on the feet, developing the foot chart of modern reflexology.👣

Her technique is what is practised all over the world today.🌎

The lovely image of Eunice working on her husband’s feet is taken from her book “Stories the Feet Can Tell”.

Eunice's life-long goal was to help people as much as she was able, whenever, and wherever.

This is still the collective wish of Reflexologists all over the world.💙

x Karen x

Karen's Reflexology

DAY 2 of WORLD REFLEXOLOGY WEEK 2020

The image in this post is a very well known one to all Reflexologists. It is a Zone Therapy Chart. 📝

Zone Therapy Theory is accepted as the precursor to modern Reflexology as we know it today and was used as far back as 1500 A.D. Zone theory was introduced by Sir Henry Head, a London based neurologist, in 1893. He found that the whole body and limbs could be marked into areas which correspond to the distribution of the pain given off from one segment of the spinal cord. 🤔

Zone Therapy was further developed by Dr. William H. Fitzgerald. Dr Fitzgerald was an ear, nose and throat specialist. (1872–1942) He verified that pressure on various parts of the body, hands, fingers, mouth and feet, could be used to bring about a numbing effect on another area of the body and published his findings with co-author Bowers in “Zone Therapy” (1917). 📘

In Zone Therapy the body is divided into ten equal longitudinal zones, 5 on each side of the mid line of the body. Each toe and finger defines a specific zone; therefore there are five zones per foot/hand. The zones are distributed up the body like slices. 👍

Zone Therapy is based on the concept that within these zones, energy runs up and down between all the parts of the body. It involved applying pressure to a part of the body to influence the functioning of other parts situated in the same longitudinal zone but distant from the part of the body to which pressure was applied. A blockage of the body’s natural energy may have an effect on any organ or part of the body that lies within that particular zone and may create an energy imbalance in any part of the body within that zone. 🤢

A very special lady built on this information to develop Reflexology as we know it today …. But I’ll tell you about her tomorrow. 💙

x Karen x

Although I am still on medical leave and not seeing clients until my doctors release me, I wanted to share that this is World Reflexology Week. My sister reflexologist, Karen in Auckland, has graciously allowed me to share her posts.

Blessings!
Diana

DAY 1 of WORLD REFLEXOLOGY WEEK 2020

Every year in the last week of September members of the various Reflexology Associations around the world organise events to celebrate World Reflexology Week, to promote awareness of our wonderful therapy, and to introduce new people to the many benefits it offers. 🌎

Reflexology is a complementary therapy based on the principle that all the systems of the body are mapped out in reflex points on the feet, hands, face and ears. 👣

This is how it foot reflexology works ...

Stimulation of the approximately 7,500 nerve endings in the feet helps to open up the natural pathways your body uses to nourish and heal itself. Tender or ‘gritty’ points indicate congestion in the corresponding area of the body. ☹️

During the treatment a state of deep relaxation is created in the body, interrupting the pattern of stress and bringing balance to the body and its systems where there is imbalance. 😴

Reflexology is a well established holistic complimentary therapy, which treats the mind and body as a whole to achieve a state of general well-being. 💙

Pop back tomorrow for my DAY 2 post 😉

x Karen x

Excited to share the latest addition to my shop: Single Pearl Necklace w/ Leather https://etsy.me/2DTOAM3 *xadults

My granddaughter, Valerie, doing reflexology on her younger sister Ellianna while she’s having a facial and relaxing on the BioMat in my office. Mom was in the ionic foot spa and grandma was waiting her turn😁. We had so much fun. This was about 5 yrs ago.

Perfect for a mobile reflexology practice!

2018 Sunscreen List: Gluten Free and Hormone Disrupter Free * Shannon's Grotto

WHAT SUNSCREEN TO USE??

Summer is upon us and as someone who deals with celiac, finding a gluten-free sunscreen has been problematic for years. Most brands that I have tried are extremely thick and difficult to spread on the skin. I found an article published two years ago which helps explain what to look for in a gluten-free, non-toxic sunscreen (see link below).

Wearing sunscreen has never been something I was too concerned about, but as a heart transplant survivor I've been told that there is now an 85% greater chance of getting skin cancer due to the anti-rejection medications that suppress the immune system. YIKES! The transplant team sent me home with a large bottle of GoodSense Sunscreen SPF 50. After doing a bit of research I found that it is gluten-free. It has a nice smooth consistency that was easy to apply.

Hoping this post will help someone else! Stay Safe!

https://www.shannonsgrotto.com/glutenfree-hormone-free-sunscreen-list/

shannonsgrotto.com Besides being gluten free it is important to have a sunscreen that is also free of hormone disrupting chemicals! Those with celiac and/or thyroid disease should be watching for products free of hormone disrupters.

Karen's Reflexology

Did you know that back pain and problems are responsible for more working days lost than the common cold.

This lovely image from a Reflexology book by Ann Gillanders gives you a great illustration of how the reflexes for the spine are mirrored on to the medial edge of your foot.

All types of backpain including sciatica, lumbago, muscular spasms, and disc problems should respond really well to reflexology sessions as the therapy relaxes the painful muscles and assists with normalising the functioning of the spine.

If you experience back discomfort, pain or problems, then add a reflexologist into your crew of professionals that you visit to keep your spine in a good working condition.

x Karen x

Reflexology Research For Lower Back, Sciatica

REFLEXOLOGY:

I was hoping to re-open the Steps2TrueHealth & Reflexology office on June 1, 2020, but because of the anti-rejection medications that suppress my immune system, my transplant team wants me to hold off...at least until they see how the Covid-19 shakes out as the Texas is relaxing the restrictions.

Rest assured, when that time comes, all required precautions for the safety of both my clients and myself will be implemented stringently.

In the meantime, I thought I'd post the first in a series of research studies you may find interesting....this one is on Reflexology Research for Lower Back Pain and Sciatica

👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣

http://www.reflexologyresearch.net/ReflexologyLowerBackResearch.shtml

The Steps2TrueHealth side is still open for business since I can stay safe while doing business on the internet or by phone, email, text, or Zoom meetings. My clients know that I do not promote anything that I don't use myself! Please contact me if you want information on any of the following:

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THERAPEUTIC ESSENTIAL OILS:

The entire 38 days that I was in the CVICU for my heart transplant I used essential oils. I was admitted on Jan. 22 and a few weeks later the hospital was running out of beds due to Covid-19. I diffused Thieves oil constantly to ward off bacteria and viruses and I used the Peace and Calming roll-on day and night to help reduce stress and help me sleep between all the interruptions throughout the night.

I also used the R.C. blend to help keep my bronchi open and protect my lungs. All of the doctors and nurses loved coming into my room. One of my surgeons said he used to be a skeptic of essential oils until he went to a transplant hospital in Chicago where they diffused oils all the time.

www.myyl.com/dianafoley
Call/Text: 512-573-1000
Email: [email protected]

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THERAPEUTIC-GRADE NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS:

I had been taking ARIIX supplements for 4 years before my transplant. After a three-month work-up, the transplant team reported that except for my sick heart, I was a healthy 45-year-old woman in a 67-year-old body!

After a thorough review of the products I was taking, my transplant pharmacist told me which ones I could continue to take and which ones I needed to hold off on (MOA, Optimal M (minerals), and MagniCal-D). He explained that it could take up to a year to figure out the lowest dose of anti-rejection meds that will work for me. When he saw my disappointment he explained, "Diana, these are really good supplements...unfortunately, in your case, they are TOO good and that's likely why you were in such great health other than having a sick heart." I can't wait to get back on my full regimen of
ARIIX products!!!

Call/Text: 512-573-1000
Email: [email protected]

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RICHWAY AMETHYST BIO-MAT:

I have three BioMats and use them personally and in my Reflexology practice. Fortunately, I took my "mini" mat along to the hospital and it was truly a God-send! Not only did it keep me warm in a really cold room, but the far-infrared rays and negative ions helped me relax and sleep better, and helped to relieve pain and ward off agitation. The nurses knew when they moved me from the bed to the chair and back to the bed that the BioMat was to be moved with me. One of the best health investments I've ever made!

For information, videos and testimonies:

https://dfoley.biomatmarketing.com/buy/index.php

Call/Text: 512-573-1000
Email: [email protected]
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Be Blessed and Stay Safe!!
Diana

reflexologyresearch.net Reflexology Research for Lower Back, Sciatica, lower back pain, lumbar pain, intervertebral disc, leg pain, lumbago pain, sciatic nerve pain, Prolapse of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc, spondylitis, ankylosing spondylitis, lumbar vertebrae, lumbar sprain, acute lumbar strain, sprain, courtesy of the Ame...

Gluten-Free Italian Pizza Crust

steps2truehealth.com After many years of trying my hand at making gluten-free pizza crust, I was pretty disgusted. I tried numerous brands of gluten-free flour blends that claimed to be "cup for cup" and never achieved the desired results. ...

Gluten-Free DIY Substitute for Baker's Joy Baking Spray

Finding some tips on baking that have been very helpful...if you like to bake hopefully this will be of help to you!

steps2truehealth.com With the confinement we are enduring due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I decided to use some time to perfect some of my baking skills. With full transparency, I will tell you that baking has never been my strong suit....es...

It’s been 10 weeks since my heart ❤️transplant. I’m taking all the precautions my transplant team laid out for me even before the development of Covid-19.

Due to the recent surgery and my suppressed immune system from anti-rejection medications I am considered “high risk” and have been super vigilant about isolating and sanitizing.

I am Optimistically anticipating re-opening my Reflexology practice, pending two things...1) when my transplant team gives me the release to work and 2.) when Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. I am hopeful it may be in June😉.

Rest-assured, proper cleaning and sanitizing procedures will be adhered to. For the safety of all a diffuser will be running with Thieves or other essential oils that address bacteria, germs and viruses. I will be wearing a mask and gloves. None of this is out of the ordinary. My clients are used to me wearing gloves and they know that I have worn masks in the past when I deemed it prudent.

In the meantime, during my recovery, I have been reviewing my Reflexology and Aromatherpy library...re-reading some great books and as I feel up to it, participating in Webinars for CEU’s and to gain knowledge that will enrich my toolbox of offerings for my clients. This weekend I took a course on Reflex-OIL-ogy. It was geared toward using specific essential oils for the different systems of the body. Very interesting!

I have also been working on making a few products for “Steps2TrueHealth Essential Blends” to offer online and in the office.

After re-organizing the Steps2TrueHealth office a bit, it occurred to me that I have been complaining about my hydraulic practitioner chair for over two years. The seat had gotten wobbly and the back didn’t give much support...I nearly fell backwards in it a couple times!

Several years ago I invested in a professional amethyst BioMat and Two years ago I invested in a hydraulic multi-position table; both for the comfort of my clients.

I decided even though I haven’t been able to work for the past 6 months, when I do start up again, it will be important for me to observe my own comfort and proper spinal alignment while I’m working so as not to put undue stress on the precious gift I’ve been blessed with. Sooo in anticipation of seeing my awesome clients again in the near future I invested in a professional split-seat hydraulic practitioners chair for myself. 🤗 It definitely offers much more support for my back but the split seat will take some getting used to.😉

Wishing you all blessings! Until we can see one another again Stay safe!!

Diana Matthews Foley

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Crepes with Berry Sauce

Bon appetite!

steps2truehealth.com INGREDIENTS:For Berry Sauce:6 oz. fresh or frozen mixed berries1/4 cup Maple Syrup1 tea. arrowroot powder1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice *Optional: For a lemon-berry sauce, add 1 drop of Lemon Vitality™ essential oil For the ...

Gluten-Free Gnocchi with Mushroom & Spinach Cream Sauce

steps2truehealth.com Gnocchi is just pasta made from potatoes. They are like little fluffy clouds of deliciousness. It is most often added to soups and sauces. As a Celiac, I was thrilled to find shelf-stable gluten-free gnocchi imported fro...

www.myyl.co

NOTICE -

With the Covid-19 pandemic, all of us are hopefully staying home, isolating, and taking all the recommended precautions to stay safe and keep others safe as well.

Unfortunately, I had to temporarily close down my Steps2True Health & Reflexology office months before this pandemic hit the U.S. due to health reasons.

As most of you know, I had a heart transplant on Feb. 18, 2020. I had to stop serving my Reflexology clients at the end of October 2019 as I was diagnosed in the "end stage" of congestive heart failure ( I'd been living with it for 19 years) Thanks to a selfless act of courage and love by my donor and their family I have been given a new heart and a new start.

I returned home yesterday after 60 days. God has been very good to me and I'm recovering much faster than most heart transplant recipients. The Transplant Team said they credit it to how well I took care of myself over the years. I went through months of tests before I could even qualify for the transplant list. They said I was a perfectly healthy 50-year-old in a 67-year-old body that had a very sick heart.

I was hoping to begin seeing clients again in early May but that will depend on 1.) the status of the Covid-19 at that time and 2.) my doctors' release to return to work.

I do miss all of my clients and thank all of you who have been checking on me through this process. I love you all and I look forward to seeing you again soon.

BUT... the Steps2TrueHealth side of my office is OPEN and you can contact me by email, text or phone if you are in need of Young Living essential oils, CBD oil, Douglas Labs or ARIIX nutritional supplements.

To order Young Living oils directly you can use my website at: www.myyl.com/dianafoley THIEVES products have been flying off the shelves but the THIEVES starter kit is back in stock and a great deal at $160 (for over $300 in product). I diffused it constantly while in CVICU for 38 days and all of the doctors and nurses loved it!

STAY HOME - STAY SAFE!!

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