I am pregnant, is Reflexology safe for me?
Obviously when you are pregnant you want to make sure everything you do is safe for both you and your baby. Reflexology is generally considered safe if you are pregnant providing all is well with the pregnancy and you tell the Reflexologist you are pregnant.
Reflexology should be avoided by women with a risk of pre-eclampsia or deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and they should seek medical advice before having Reflexology. It is not suitable if:
- you have a history of miscarriages
- you have been diagnosed with Placenta Previa
- you have been diagnosed with Hydroamnios
The Association of Reflexologists says, “Nearly everyone can benefit from having Reflexology during pregnancy.” The benefits include helping you cope with the emotional changes during pregnancy plus the physical changes to your body including tiredness. Reflexology also helps with the side effects of being pregnant e.g fluid retention, swelling, constipation, aches and pains including backache.
Reflexology can also help new mothers cope with the demands of their new baby.
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What can I expect during a Reflexology session?
A reflexology session lasts one hour. The client sits with bare feet while the therapist applies pressure by hand to all areas of both feet. Imbalances in the body are detected as tender spots on the feet and normally these become less tender after a few minutes massage. However, it may not possible to remove all tender areas with one treatment.
What is the history of Reflexology?
A 2,300 B.C wall painting in the tomb of Ankmahor, known as the physicians’ tomb, shows a series practitioners giving patients reflexology treatments. In addition, there is evidence that reflexology was known to some early African tribes and the American Indians. Dr William Fitzgerald and American ENT (ear nose and throat) consultant rediscovered it in the early 1920s. He found that by applying pressure to reflex points on the feet, he could anaesthetize a patient’s ear and this enabled him to perform minor ear operations. Eunice Ingham, a nurse, publicised much of Dr Fitzgerald’s research by treating patients, lecturing and training practitioners including Dorean Bayley who introduced the therapy into England in the early 1960s.
