Reflexology is a form of bodywork that focuses primarily on the feet, but it also applies to the hands as well.  The theory is that there are reflex areas on the feet and hands that correspond to specific organs, glands, and other parts of the body.  For instance, the liver, pancreas, and kidneys are in the arch of the foot; and, the tips of the toes reflect the head.  The heart and chest are around the ball of the foot.  There are many charts available in books and on the Internet that show the areas in detail.

Reflexology is both a science and an art.  There are thousands of nerves in the feet, and because they are concentrated in such a small area, pressing on them is believed to have a calming effect.  Fostering stress reduction and relaxation improves circulation because stress acts like a tourniquet, restricting blood flow.

All of this may be beneficial to most people, especially those with diabetes, as a way to reduce pain and stress.  But does it really work?  That depends who you ask, but of the couple hundred studies readily available, more than 90 percent show positive results of varying degrees.  Practitioners believe that applying pressure to the specific reflex areas can promote health in the corresponding organs and parts of the body.

You can perform it on yourself using such techniques as "thumb walking."  That is, applying pressure by moving one thumb's width at a time from the base of the heel up to the little toe, back down and then up to the next toe and so forth until you have covered the bottom of each foot.  Or you can go to a professional massage therapist or reflexologist and have them perform the technique.

At the very least, most people find reflexology to be relaxing.  Not surprising, whether you do it yourself or have it done, it should not be painful.

Reflexology is not new.  Indeed, archeological evidence suggests that it was practiced in Egypt dating back two millennia BC and used in China as long ago as 3000 BC.  Its emergence in the US is much more recent and is generally credited to Dr. William H. Fitzgerald, an ear, nose, and throat doctor, who introduced it as "zone therapy" in 1915.  Physiotherapist Eunice Ingram expanded on the theory in the 1930s and it evolved into what is today known as reflexology.

It might be worth a try if you find yourself suffering from stress or the pain often associated with diabetes.  Remember, though, that reflexology is a complementary therapy and should never replace medical treatment.

First the alarming news.  Over one million Americans suffer from heart attacks each year and about one half won't survive.  But there is good news because there are ways to stop it from happening.

Although such attacks are fairly common, most people don't really understand the underlying causes.  They think it is merely cholesterol building up and clogging arteries until they become obstructed to the point where the lack of oxygen causes the heart to fail.  While that is the basic mechanics of what generally happens, the more fundamental issue is how to prevent it from occurring.  

To be sure, arteries can be opened.  But while such things as stents will aide in opening arteries, they won't necessarily prevent an attack.  A better approach is measures to slow the growth of plaque and prevent clots from causing a heart attack.

Unfortunately, there is no magic and most people ignore the fundamentals that work.  These include managing your weight, participating in regular exercise--like walking 30 minutes a day, quitting smoking if you do, controlling blood sugar if you are diabetic, and controlling cholesterol and blood pressure--even if you have to take medications.

Studies indicate that about 25 percent of Americans age 50 and older have at least two factors that put them at risk for a heart attack.  It's not surprising then that when someone has a heart attack, two or more risk factors probably could have been avoided.  Amazingly, only 10 percent of us have all risk factors under control.  Imagine, over 90  percent of us don't.  

Remember, a 50 year old with no risk factors has only about a 5 percent chance of having a heart attack until age 90.

It's remarkable that, like cancer prevention, we can usually control the factors that put us at risk.  Unfortunately, in today's society, too many of us are looking for a magic pill or solution when all that is required is addressing the boring fundamentals.  Smoking, being overweight, lack of exercise, and not seeking medical advice if we suffer from high blood sugar or blood pressure are all within our power to address.

In an age where there is a new fad diet of the week and "miracle" supplements being touted almost daily, there is still no substitute for the tried and true.  It may be boring, challenging, and downright inconvenient to develop good lifestyle habits, but when you consider that they can save your life, it is well worth it.  The investment in time and attention can help you foster the health needed to enjoy a vigorous and vibrant lifestyle.  

The best  part is that you don't have to be rich to do this.  The old adage that money can buy you the best doctors, but not health is as true as the saying that money can buy you a house, but not a home.  Invest time, thought, and care into eating and exercising right and taking medications if you need them.  The dividend it will pay is priceless. 

No matter if you are in great shape financially or things are a little tight, in today's economic climate finding ways to minimize food expenses is smart.  It's not easy because the folks who run supermarkets have tapped into behavioral sciences to make you spend more.  Have you noticed the lighting, floor design, wall colors, aisle layout, displays and a myriad of other factors at new and remodeled food stores?  They are all designed to lull you into parting with your hard earned green.  Here's how to make sure you stay on track.

Food shopping is just another chore, approach it like one.  Your job is to get it done under budget in a reasonable amount of time.

Make a list.  Know what you need.  This will help you resist wandering the aisles and succumbing to impulse buying.  So stick to your script.

Try to avoid going grocery shopping when you are hungry.  The best time is after a meal.  Again, this will help you avoid buying things you hadn't planned on or budgeted for.

Avoid using ATM or credit cards because it's too easy to go over budget.  Instead use cash.  If you are not good at keeping estimated running totals in your head, use a calculator to keep track of how much the items in your shopping cart are going to cost when you check out.

Avoid being "steered."  When you get your shopping cart and enter a store, it's set up to make you go a certain direction to specific department or section.  This is often the fresh vegetable part or the bakery and gourmet deli sections.  There is a reason they do this.  You should start in the center of the store where the boring canned and boxed goods are.

Try to buy store brands.  You can save a lot and generally you are getting the same quality of product.  Indeed, the big brand names are the very ones who make the brands for the store.

Avoid gourmet and buy things like cheese in the dairy case and not the deli counter.  Having them sliced and packaged can cost a lot.

Save money by buying frozen over fresh.  For example, frozen fish and beef have all the basic nutrition at a fraction of the cost.  Another advantage is that when you get it home, you can pop it into the freezer and reduce waste that might occur if you refrigerate it and don't use it on time.

Don't be lazy.  Avoid convenience products that are pre-prepared and packaged in such a way as to save some time.  Some, like pre-washed salad, may be worth it to you, but in general you pay an unbelievable amount for the convenience.

Avoid hype.  For example:  organic fish has no real meaning since the USDA has no standards for organic seafood.  Or the term "hormone free" poultry.  The truth is that hormones have been banned in such products as chicken since the 1960s.  The same is true with "growth hormone free milk" because most brands don't use those hormones.  So be smart and if you are paying extra, know what you are paying for.  Buy grass fed beef.  It is much cheaper and contains much less fat with all the taste.

As parents of adult children and grand kids, we have an obligation to pass along wisdom born of experience, success, failures, mistakes, sorrow, and joy to those who will remain when we are gone.  In doing so we will inspire others to never give up and take life one step at a time.  That's how progress is made.  Another tangible benefit of articulating our life's lessons is that we remind ourselves that just because we are aging, we should also never stop striving to be all we can.

The following is a special to myhealthyseniors.com.  It was written by Pauline M. Hubig.  She is a remarkable woman who has lived an extraordinary life--nurse, mentor, mom, aunt, friend, sister, business woman, humanitarian.  From the time she spent working as a nurse for the Tom Dooley Foundation in the dangerous war torn lands of Laos on the Chinese boarder back in the 1960s to caring for elderly parents, her life is the stuff of books and films.  For example, she was born in Michigan, but actually grew up living on Toughnut Street in Tombstone, Arizona.  How many people do you know who can claim that distinction?  Oh, and by the way, she is also my sister.  Enjoy her musings on life.  They might just keep you motivated while you are inspiring a member of a younger generation.  

Getting Back Up and Passing It On by P. Hubig

I am seven the first time I remember this feeling of wonder, fear and yet excitement at the thought of a new life.  Since that time, I would say I have become a professional "starter over," experiencing this feeling of new starts multiple times.  In the last 3 years alone I have changed my whole situation, location, and direction I am going.  In taking stock of all this, and at 66 plus years of new beginnings and trying to keep myself moving forward, I have definitely learned a few pointers.

First and foremost, I have learned that what truly matters can never be grasped and put into a box, nor can it be perfectly described.  What truly matters are the people in your life and all of the moments, good and bad, spent with your family and friends.  People must always remain first and we sometimes forget that in our rush or desire to go forward.  I have been to hundreds of seminars on motivation, self improvement, etc. etc., but it still boils down to not only the action we take each day and the belief in ourselves, but the lives we touch and those that touch us.

I have been trying for years to figure out what I can do more effectively and differently to better my life and the lives of others.  I have been somewhat successful in this area, but like all other areas it could stand some improvement!  Today, I finally know who I am and where I wish to go, but you can imagine at 66 how difficult it is to be able to verbalize this in a realistic manner.  

I am no different than thousands, indeed millions, of others, except that today I not only have goals and dreams but this feeling that all is possible.  In fact, it is stunning the goals I am now going after!  If you are like me you go to great seminars on fostering a wonderful attitude, you see inspirational movies, read great books with new ideas, or see programs that inspire you so much that when you get up in the morning you vow to do things differently.  In this new found excitement, you may even make a few positive changes.  Then after a couple of days or weeks you forget.  It all goes away and you go back to your familiar plan and do things the same way you always have.

Like you, I like instant results and changes that are beautifully packaged and easy to do!  This is what I have finally realized.  That is, I have to do something every day and it must be easy. I am not talking about taking the easy way out, but I have discovered that even without perfect feelings and situations I can and am changing my life by doing a series of small things.  It's the steady and sure method that is consistent with one of my favorite old Chinese adages that "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

Remember:  Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it.  Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.  Begin it now.  -Goethe-

Toward that end, I start each day, after doing some personal things, by reading my goals.  Then I think and say out loud that I can accomplish anything and that I am a worthwhile person.  I get going and make myself do some work.  Your life must be based on a belief that you are wonderful and unique and can achieve anything.  I am sure there are plenty of folks who know this, but I would venture a guess there are equally as many of us who must practice it to make it reality.  I realize this is not new stuff.  After all, thousands of people write about it and many others read it, but you must believe it.  If no one has told you lately, I will assure you that if you are breathing and if you want to make some changes in your life for the better you can achieve this.  I believe in you.

Today, I know the changes I wish for begin within me, the Italian girl who grew up in Tombstone, Arizona, on Toughnut Street.  But it goes beyond that.  We, the more mature folks, must instill this get up and go in our young people.  They need to know that dreams and goals with actions that are consistent and persistent will get them where they want to go.  

The world our children will inherit will be challenging.  Pensions are a thing of the past and it is doubtful they will have social security, so they will need to work longer and smarter than others before them to be successful.  I encourage you to help me make a difference in the world because our generation has so much encouragement and ideas that we need to give the next generation.  

I have just moved, made several personal changes, and I will be working on making significant changes in my corner of the world.  Please do the same in your corner and we will leave this place better than we found it.  We are alive for a reason and no matter what, life is incredible no matter our challenges.

Embrace challenges.  I love them.  They make us stronger and more appreciative. Welcome today, tomorrow will be even better because of our efforts and we will all be better people for having tried.  Along the way, strive to inspire a young person.  Let them know they must not only dream, but take action to make those dreams reality.  And remind them that they don't have to make spectacular leaps forward.  Indeed, small, sure steps will work just fine.  Remember the journey of a thousand miles...

Often as we age our get up and go seems to get up and leave.  Moreover, given the hectic nature of today's lifestyles, it is no wonder we often feel overwhelmed and tired.  In addition to robbing us of the energy to engage in the activities we want, fatigue lowers our immune systems and makes us more susceptible to illness.  

According to reverseages.com, reversing fatigue requires the right balance between activity and rest.  And, reaching that state involves balance among other aspects of life, including getting enough sleep, proper nutrition, and managing stress.  Getting too fatigued, for example, could result in your body not properly absorbing the nutrients from the food you eat.

Although it suggests that a naturopathic doctor can help to determine and cure causes of fatigue, it notes that the best way is through prevention.  The site also covers a host of other topics related to reversing aging primarily through natural approaches.