Can going to the sauna help your BP?

In part 1, I explored what pain was, the pain response and briefly explained how reflexology helps manage pain. Much anecdotal evidence shows the benefits of reflexology in pain management and several studies indicate successful treatment outcomes including pain reduction. (See references at end of article). However I would like to focus on one recent study by Dr Carol Samuel and Dr Ivor Ebenezer of University of Portsmouth as this is the first time Reflexology has been scientifically evaluated as a study for acute pain.  The results indicate that reflexology may be as effective as pain killers for common conditions such as osteoarthritis, backache and cancer. Participants attended two sessions, in which they were asked to submerge their hand in ice water. In one of the sessions they were given reflexology before they submerged their hand, and in the other session they believed they were receiving pain relief from a Tens machine, which was not actually switched on.  The use of the Tens machine is equivalent of a sugar pill in drug trials. The researches found that people felt about 40% less pain, and were able to stand pain for about 45% longer, when they used reflexology as a method of pain relief. So if you are in pain now, by not book a reflexology session. References Booth L (1997) Vertical Reflex therapy: results of a reflexology trail in a Bristol residential home for elderly Khan S, Otter S and Springett K (2006) The effects of reflexology on foot pain and quality of life in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis: a case report, The Foot 16 pg 112-116 Brown CA and Lido C (2008) Reflexology treatment for patients with lower limb amputations and phantom limb pain: an exploratory pilot study, Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 14 pg 124-131 Hughes CM, Smyth S and Lowe-Strong A (2008) Reflexology for the treatment of pain in people with multiple sclerosis: a double-blind randomised controlled trail, The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 14(1) S1-S109

Low levels of vitamin D in childhood have traditionally been linked to rickets, which thankfully is now very rare.  However, there is a growing body of evidence shows that low levels of vitamin D are linked to a huge variety of current common medical conditions. Cardiovascular disease Vitamin D is very important for reducing hypertension, atherosclerotic heart disease, heart attack and stroke. One study showed that vitamin D deficiency increased the risk of heart attack by 50 percent. (see >> https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2851242/) Autoimmune diseases Vitamin D is a potent immune modulator, making it very important for the prevention of autoimmune diseases.  Research has shown that MS is more common in countries further away from the equator (see>> http://www.bmj.com/company/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/JNNS-MS-lat.pdf).  In 2016 researches found that low levels of Vitamin D were common in people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and is associated with higher morbidity and disease severity.  (see >> http://www.nature.com/ajg/journal/v111/n5/full/ajg201653a.html) Migraine Recent research also suggests vitamin D can play a role in migraines. Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found that many who suffer from migraines have deficiencies in vitamin D, riboflavin (B2) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).  (see >> http://www.medicaldaily.com/migraine-headaches-vitamin-d-riboflavin-coenzyme-q10-389272) Girls and women who suffered migraines were particularly prone to having CoQ10 deficiency, while boys and men were more likely to be deficient in vitamin D. Those with chronic migraines were more likely to have CoQ10 and riboflavin deficiencies, compared to those with episodic migraines. Neurological/psychological/mental disorders Vitamin D also plays a major role in neurotransmission, and vitamin D deficiency has been associated with a number of neurological and brain disorders, including cognitive dysfunction and Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, stroke, epilepsy and depression. In one study, those who were most vitamin D deficient had a 31 percent increased relative risk of suffering neurocognitive decline. (see >> http://nervedoctor.info/research-reveals-which-chronic-illnesses-caused-by-vitamin-d-deficiency/)  

Globally more than 10 million people die each year from conditions related to high blood pressure.  In clinic we notice that high blood pressure medication is one of the most common medications that are clients take (outside the contraceptive pill). The Hygia Chronotherapy trail, looked at 19,084 Caucasian Spanish men and women over a period of 6 years.  Patients were split into two groups, with one asked to take their high blood pressure medication in the morning and one in the evening. The patients that took their blood pressure medication before bedtime are 66% less likely to die from heart and circulatory conditions, according to the researchers. Experts believe a person’s circadian rhythm or “body clock” can change the effect of the medication.  The study found that blood pressure dipped lower at night in those who took the medication before bed compared to those who took it in the morning. Researchers say that further studies looking at people of different ethnicities should take place before doctors change their advice to patients on when to take blood pressure medication. Reference https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/advance-article/doi/10.1093/eurheartj/ehz754/5602478