How humble the tool
when praised for what
the hand has done.
Dag Hammarskjold, 1956

9-REFLEX PROBES
Director of MIR Research & Development
Richard Long presents an assortment of
wooden tools he crafted for students from
local tree branches (1997). You too can
make your own wooden reflex probes.

The purpose of a probe in reflexology applications is to act as an extension of your thumb or finger. A wooden probe has some advantage over steel because it will resonate the vibrations of crystalline debris as it is broken up in the subcutaneous tissues. Mildred Carter agrees that the probe may be necessary for some reflexology practitioners either to preserve their finger joints from injury or to reach into the deeper reflexes. She says, "My REFLEX PROBE acts as a strong finger for those who have tired, sore or weak hands and fingers. It gives added endurance so that you can extend a treatment and double the benefits of improving circulation so the body can heal itself."

REFLEX PROBE Mildred's wooden probe. Order here

The question of recipient injury from the misuse of a probe has been raised by some hands-only professionals, but a little common sense will go a long way to help prevent any unnecessary tissue damage. Mildred herself has given us some guidelines in her writings: "The REFLEX PROBE is beneficial for working deep reflexes, and for those hard-to-get-at areas, such as between toes (and fingers), and the spot where the toes meet the foot (and fingers join the palm)."

Mildred Carter & Zachary share a moment.
Speakers Banquet at 1989 Reflexology
Conference in Toronto.

Carter's Probe Instructions

• Apply steady pressure into your selected reflex point. Slowly rotate the PROBE in a rolling, circular motion.
• Use the rounded end to reach in between toes and fingers. Also use the gentleness of the rounded end on very sore reflex areas.
• Gently rotate the PROBE on a tender reflex button for a few seconds, then continue on to other reflex areas. When you return to the tender button later, you will probably notice that a lot of the tenderness is gone.
• The smaller end of the PROBE can be used to reach deeper reflexes such as the pituitary gland reflex in the thumb and big toe. And where the skin is thicker such as around edges of the feet, and heels of the hands.
• Another method is to press your PROBE into a reflex button and pull downward or push upward (a technique also taught by Eunice Ingham). Use this technique around the heel area where skin tissue is harder.

REFLEX PROBE
Marshall Mike Mulqueen is tutored by
Dr. Long at MIR Clinic. Mike is rolling
the edge of a specialty probe across
the end of the great toe to activate
reflexes for the Brain area.

Fr. Josef Eugster primarily uses his thumb and index knuckle to give a reflexology treatment. After lubricating the foot with a thick lanolin type cream he is able to slide into the targeted reflexes very effectively. His strong hands don't require the use of a probe, but he recommends and sells a probe developed by one of his students who wanted to prevent the development of a callus on his index knuckle. Josef's student was a concert pianist who wanted to protect his joint cartilage from injury.

"Put your heart, mind, intellect, and soul
even to your smallest acts.
This is the secret of success."
– Swami Sivananda Saraswati
(Proverbs 9:10)

REFLEX PROBE Fr. Josef's wooden probe.

The probe tip demonstration by Fr. Joseph in photo to the left is firmly pressed into the targeted reflex with left thumb. Simultaneously the right hand gently grips and rotates the probe. This rolling-pin action of the small probe tip reaches deeply into the reflex point and can be extremely painful to the recipient as it a creates a direct current of injury which in turn signals the brain, triggering it to release the direct current of regeneration.

Postulate: DC of Regeneration
the healing current

The release of the DC of Regeneration from
the brain into the gallbladder is triggered by
direct current of injury initiated on gallbladder
reflex of ear, hand or foot. The superconductor
is insulation sheath surrounding nerve fiber
(reflex theory given by Zachary Brinkerhoff in
1991 based on research of R. O. Becker, MD).

REFLEX PROBE Ella displays Cyclomassager Probe.

Zachary was taught by Eunice Ingham Stopfel to use a "pencil eraser probe" during her 1967 Seminar held in Denver, CO. By 1968 he had converted his Mobile Sharpening Shop into a Mobile Massage Zone Therapy Clinic (see photo below). He equipped it with a handy "vibrating probe" similar to the unit purchased by Ella Lebsach from Eunice in 1962. "I used the probe end of my new Niagara Cyclomassager on every customer's feet. I contacted most major reflexes on the foot with this oscillating probe during a treatment, but my primary focus was the Solar Plexus and pituitary point, " he said.

Zachary takes a break to sight a sextant during '69 season.

Probes are very capable of exacting a strong direct current of injury through pressure on the affected reflex point. It may become necessary for a hands-only practitioner to step up to a wooden probe or a knuckle if soft touch reflex stimulus fails to trigger activation of the body's self-healing processes. But you must prepare the recipient for the jolt of pain that could occur when you make your probe/knuckle-thrust into the selected reflex/meridian point.

Piezo-electric ReflexoCure Probe

Pamela Adamek (pictured above) has experienced dramatic success with a recipient in her Belize Clinic. Pamela has utilized the Beamer III-3b; DRUMmer; wooden and piezo-electric probes. "We are making even more progress since changing Shirley's diet. I advised her on Professor Arnold Ehret's mucusless diet healing system - and she is following it. When she left the hospital her prescription was not available at the drug store, so she is not presently under medication."

"The mucusless diet healing system is fantastic and we are putting it to the test. I have been (unintentionally) in the transition diet for the past 6-9 months. For the last six days I've been on the edenic diet 100% - as endorsed by Prof. Ehret. It's amazing. I don't feel hungry nor weak, but I look horrible. The skin on my face is sagging right now, but I hope to carry through and experience what he promised."

"Shirley's edema has gone down considerably - the skin looks more loose and is not so flakey (as shown below) since I encouraged her to rub coconut oil on the area (and drink it as well)," related Pamela.

 

Above two photos show earlier stages of Shirley's treatment.

 

Stainless Steel ReflexoCure Probe

The above Acu (meaning needle) pressure device has been designed with a small ball on the end of the probe in order to prevent puncture of the skin. It has proven ideal for activating the smaller reflex & meridian points in the ears, fingers and toes.

REFLEX PROBE Stainless Steel acupressure probe.

Stainless steel probes were specifically designed for working with the smaller reflex points found within the auricular (outer ear) and have also been efficient in finding similar small points located in the fingers and toes. Hisham Al Jaser (photo) was impressed with the specificity of the ear probe and its reflex activation ability when Zachary demonstrated the tool during tutoring at the Institute. "Very good, Very good," said Hisham when a sensitive reflex was located and pressed.

MIR Reflexology/ReflexoCure Ear Chart

This Ear Chart is included in the MIR Home Study Package.

Above we see a section of the auricular from MIR's Ear Chart so you can get an idea how the reflexology points are apportioned. Note the location of the heart point which is identified as #100. These points can be activated with the SS Acupressure Probe, Laser light pen, or finger pressure. Vicks or Mentholatum is a good ointment to use on your finger tip so that you can slide into the more obscure regions of the auricular. You can also use a pinching action with the fingers, but on areas like Heart #100 you can take the index finger and push straight in. Mildred Carter recommended using your finger nail (on self treatment only) to more accurately locate the point (pain will be felt when you are on the bulls eye).

Flocco Ear Reflex Point Chart
Randomized controlled study of premenstrual
symptoms treated with ear, hand and foot reflexology.

Appropriate test points used on ear:
ovary, uterus, pituitary, solar plexus,
adrenal gland, kidney,sympathetic
nervous system, and
Chinese shen men.

Bill Flocco & Zachary meet again in 2004 at RAA Conference.

The Terry Olson and Bill Flocco PMS study was published in Obstetrics & Gynecology in December 1993. Zachary's interest in Zone Therapy of the Ear Points began in 1968 during his study of Dr. Joseph and Elizabeth Ann Riley's Home Study on Zone Therapy. He was excited about Flocco's published study which had opened the door for Ear Reflexology to finally gain acceptance in the profession. So he stood behind Bill's effort to dispel the objections of some reflexologists concerned about infringement into the profession of acupressure.

Bill initially presented the study in 1994 at the charter conference of Reflexology Association of America held in St. Louis, Missouri. He stated, "Since publication of the PMS study we have continued to analyze our data and found it was better than we originally thought. Some of our results were as high as 95% effective." This percentage is in agreement with Chinese studies which also show reflexology as 95% effective.

Bill Flocco.

Flocco set up the use of only the finger and thumb in his PMS control study protocol. He used these human appendages to probe, find and create the needed pressure on the targeted ear, hand and foot reflexes. Why not the more accurate SS Acupressure probe for the ears? Well, Bill is a hands-only reflexologist so he is morally and ethically limited in choosing the study's reflexology stimulus applications. However, his associate Terry Olson, Ph.D. does employ an electro puncture machine with a fine brass probe for ear point activation in his own studies and practice.

Bill's associate, Dr. Olson, also teaches the use of this closed-loop direct current machine in his Ear Electro puncture Classes. MIR likewise teaches the use of direct current micro amp reflex stimulators in the Full Spectrum Reflexology Method. MIR's approach includes all viable techniques in ear reflexology: finger probe pressure, stainless steel probes, micro amp& piezo electricity, low level laser, infrared lamps, and the touch of believing prayer with the finger or palm upon the auricular of both ears simultaneously.

For your free copy of Olson& Flocco's
PMS study send a 9" SASE to MIR.

Riley's Ear Chart

Mildred (who has also studied Dr. Riley's Zone Reflex) acknowledges that finger pressure, ear clamps and use of a fingernail are not adequate to locate the nearly 120 acu points on the auricular of the ear. However, an acupuncturist is able to both locate and create needle puncture on all known points and so is the reflexology practitioner who uses the pictured Acu (needle) pressure (small ball-shape on end prevents puncture) device. Some micro amp electrical devices are equipped with brass probe tips (Terry Olson's) designed to locate and also painlessly stimulate these very small ' buttons'. Of course an efficient technique is developed only after sufficient experience has been logged. These ear reflex points can be worked either alone or in conjunction with the feet and/or the hands (as in the PMS study).

The probe will slowly become a sensitive extension of yourself as you continue to gain experience in its many applications. It is not an instrument of destruction or torture, but a means of activating health and healing under your control.

Somebody placed the shuttle
in your hand:
Somebody who had already
arranged the threads.

Dag Hammarskjold, 1956

 

Physicist Graduates from MIR
"The gateways to wisdom and knowledge are always open."

To: MIR review committees

I would like to introduce myself and allow the review committee the opportunity to see how I plan to use my reflexology certification in the future. I am currently a physicist at Carnegie Mellon University. My research experience is extensive. My objective is to use my experience in research in conjunction with my love of reflexology I realize that some people enter my hair with healthy skepticism I want to provide validation to those seeking scientific proof.

In December, I applied to the Exercise Physiology Master's program at the University of Pittsburgh. In January, I was admitted to their program and given an advisor. My advisor, Dr. Duquin, has received grants, since 1996, to study the physiological benefits of massage. Hopefully, I will be able to learn how to evaluate and analyze the human body and prove the physiological benefits of reflexology.

The master's and Ph.D. clinical programs require separate applications. I plan on completing the master's work in two years. After proving my proficiency, I will continue as a doctoral candidate, another three years of education.

I have resigned from my instructional position at Carnegie Mellon University to pursue my education as a full time student. My goal is to work as a reflexologist and earn enough money to cover the cost of my living expenses. Currently, I have contract with the Carnegie Mellon University Health Center. My next step is to find a place of my own where I can work on people who are not associated with the university.

I have thoroughly enjoyed studying under your program. I am excited by the future and cannot wait to see what unfolds. Thank you for taking the time to review my clinical studies, letters of recommendation, and signing my logbook after validation of my hours.

Sincerely,

Stacey Benson

March 7, 2005

Carnegie Mellon University
Student Health Services
1060 Morewood Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213-3890

(412) 268-2157
Fax (412) 268-6357

=====================
Ability is what you're
capable of doing.
Motivation determines
what you do.
Attitude determines
how well you do it.
...... Lee Holz
==============

I see the LIGHT.

I can make my DREAM come true!!!

Let the JOURNEY begin!!!

=====================================

This Page Updated: 10/04/08

Native Wooden Probe Iris Bird Bear Obes is a full-blood Indian of Mandan and Hidatsu Nations located in Newtown, ND. Her enrollment with MIR is helping revive some of the old therapy techniques of her ancestors which included foot reflexology using wooden probes.

Dr. Bernardin's Chart This chart is one of many used by the MIR Students. "I am familiar with diverse points so I can include them all in a reflex search for a medically diagnosed problem," said Zachary.

Iris Bird Bear uses native wooden probe to activate the spleen meridian source point aka dorsum of the spine reflex area. (See Bernardin Chart) "I gave my husband Alfred a cedar wood probe and told him to enroll with MIR. He graduated and has already advanced to the 5,000 hour Master of Reflexology diploma granted by the Modern Institute of Reflexology Credential Confirmation Board."

REFLEX PROBE Math Teacher Fred Lees holds a special wooden probe crafted by Dr. Long. Fred has retired and practices reflexology in his home clinic.

REFLEX PROBE Dr. Long's Wooden Probe easily penetrates K1/Solar Plexus point for dynamic activation of bio electric self-healing.

Bio electric Cascade Effective activation of K1 triggers the brain to release a discharge of the direct current of regeneration: the healing energy of the body.

REFLEX PROBE Dr. Brinkerhoff's Knuckle Probe has an 11/16" diameter stainless steel probe head which is easily sanitized and will save your knuckle from forming a callus.

REFLEX PROBE The Reflexology Wheel on Nicole's REFLEXY acts as a probe with power to reach the K1 easily with self-treatment.

REFLEX PROBE Nicole's REFLEXY has a probe on each end that easily encompasses the fine/small 24 Well Points located at the corner of the nail beds of both the hands and the feet.

REFLEX PROBE Dr. Long's Wooden Probe with flat blade searching for sensitive reflex points.

REFLEX PROBE Pencil eraser used by Eunice Ingham to facilitate locating pituitary reflex point to create bio electric activity.

REFLEX PROBE Ingham's oscillating probe focuses on K1 of Ella Lebsach's right foot.

REFLEX PROBE Niagara's Cyclo Massage vibrating probe is half the size of Ingham's vibrator probe shown both above and on the left. This was Zachary's primary probe used at the Fountain of Youth Spa in 1968

REFLEX PROBE Zachary applies his original Niagara vibrating probe to the Liver Source Point 40 years later.

Zachary and his daughter Susannah enjoy a dinner outing together. After taking the name Maddox in marriage she enrolled in the Home Study Course. Susannah's husband is her main recipient now.

Playing in the Rain As a child Susannah would come in from play and plead: "Daddy, I don't feel good. Would you please work on my feet?" She would be out playing again in ten minutes.

REFLEX PROBE Note round ball on end of Stainless Steel Acupressure probe. This tip fits size of reflex points and prevents puncture of skin. Order here

REFLEX PROBE A tongue depressor was used by Dr. Fitzgerald to activate reflexes on the back of the tongue. Otherwise a person can gently bit their tongue with their own teeth to activate the micro reflex system found there. Some people will intuitively chew their tongue as an unconscious form of self-help reflexology.

Riley's Zone Therapy Ear Reflex Chart Zachary's practice of Ear Reflexology began back in 1968 with his study of Riley's Zone Therapy Home Study Course.