What ailments can Reflexology help with?

Reflexology is a complementary therapy which is rapidly growing in popularity due to its well established reputation for helping patients de-stress and relax.  My clients have found it particular effective for:

  • PMT/PMS
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Sinus problems (including sinus pain, sinusitis, and nasal congestion)
  • Stress and anxiety  (including panic attacks)
  • Digestive disorders (including constipation and irritable bowel syndrome)
  • Stiffness
  • Depression
  • Tiredness (including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)
  • Pregnancy (including constipation ,backache, pains, fluid retention and swelling)

Related Posts

  • Reflexology: Scientific Evidence of it’s effects physiological anxiety signs

    Recently a scientific study (see details below) was published which evaluated the physiological anxiety signs and sedation needs of patients in intensive care units in a Turkish hospital.

    Title: Reflexology: It’s effects on Physiological Anxiety Signs and Sedation Needs
    Journal: Holistic Nursing Practioner
    Authors: E. Korhan, L. Khorshid, M Uyar
    Reference: 2014; 28 (1);6-23
    Study Type: Randomised Controlled Trial - with control group receiving no treatment
    Background It is an accepted medical fact that when it is necessary to mechanically ventilate patients in intensive care units of hospitals, the patients experience stress and anxiety.  It is standard medical practice to relieve anxiety, pain, agitation with sedatives to ensure patient comfort. Sedatives however also have side effects causing high blood pressure, slow heart beat, coma, respiratory depression, muscle weakness and atrophy, increased risk of pneumonia, kidney problems and immunosuppression. It may also prolong the need for ventilation which in turn increases the risk of complications. Method 60 patients were split into two groups one of which was the control group.  Sedation (Propofol) was reduced 30 min before treatment (or no treatment) which resulted in patients with mixed consciousness to which the outcome measure was administered. This was the American Association of critical care nurses sedation assessment scale (AACNSAS) and the vital signs recorded. Reflexology applied to ears, hands and feet bilaterally was given twice a day for a total of 30 minutes per day, over 5 days. The reflexology focussed on the brain, cortex, hypothalamus, hypophysis and subcortex; areas though to influence anxiety, agitation and stress response. No reflexology was given to the control group but the sedation was reduced and all the same measurements were taken. Results The physiological signs of anxiety and stress i.e. blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate were are reduced in the group that received reflexology on each of the 5 days.  In addition there was a reduction in the requirement for sedatives in the group that received reflexology. Conclusions These findings ‘show that reflexology is an effective treatment in reducing the physiological signs of anxiety and stress in patients receiving mechanically ventilated support.’ This study provides scientific evidence to underpin the idea that reflexology has a beneficial effect on anxiety and stress.

  • 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.

  • How many Reflexology sessions will I need?

    It is difficult to predict how many treatments are required to re-balance the body but in general, the patient should see some evidence of improvement after three treatments. In general, the longer a patient has had a condition the more treatments will be required. Some patients have monthly Reflexology treatments to help them manage their stress levels and as part of a preventative self-care programme.