Reflexology is both effective and powerful and never ceases to amaze me.
It is beneficial and enjoyable for almost everyone and it works well alongside conventional medicine. I am specially trained in reflexology for pre-conception, fertility, pregnancy and post birth recovery. You do not have to be unwell to enjoy the deep relaxation and sense of wellbeing that it induces. It is a wonderful way to detox, de-stress and boost energy levels.
With regular preventative treatments you are not only giving yourself valuable “you” time, but you are investing in a life time of good health.
What is reflexology?
The art of reflexology dates back to Ancient Egypt, India and China. In 1913 Dr William Fitzgerald brought this therapy to the west after noting that reflex areas on the feet and hands were linked to other areas and organs of the body. Eunice Ingham develped this further into what we know as reflexology today and it is now widely recognised by health care professionals as being both effective and valuable. It is a natural and simple therapy which helps your body heal itself. To stimulate healing, massage techniques and pressure is applied to these reflex areas of the feet or hands. This brings your body into balance and promotes good health.
What conditions may it help?
What benefits can I expect?
By helping to relax muscles, by encouraging the process of circulation and the elimination of toxins, and by stimulating the production of natural chemicals in the brain, reflexology can ease pain, increase energy levels,boost the immune system and help prevent disease. You will find improvements occurring in many areas of your life. You will have a feeling of positive wellbeing, handle stress much better, sleep more soundly, gain mental alertness and generally enjoy life more.
Over the last decade Fertility, Pregnancy & Postnatal Reflexology has become extremely popular because it really works! I love working in these fields and I have an additional diploma from the London School of Reflexology covering these areas.
Enhancing Fertility
Having a baby should be one of the most natural things in the world, but one in six couples experience problems. There are many factors that can influence conception such as lifestyle, diet, stress and medical problems. We will discuss all of these and I will use techniques to stimulate ovulation, (boost sperm count for the men) and generally help balance the body and get it into an optimal state for conception.
Reflexology: Can it aid fertility?
Many fertility clinics employ reflexologists as it is believed to be hugely beneficial during the IVF process too.
Reflexology can be combined with Fertile Body Method techniques for maximum effect.
Pregnancy Reflexology
This is a specialised therapy which I use to care for mum to be throughout her pregnancy. It deeply relaxes her and helps with many of the discomforts of pregnancy such as sciatica, lumbar pain, pelvic pain, nausea and fatigue. It balances hormones and boosts your energy and the increased wellbeing you feel will also be enjoyed by your baby.
In “Childbirth doesn’t have to hurt – Strategies for an easier labour” by Nikki Bradford and Professor Geoffrey Chamberlain, published by Vega 2002, pages 159 to 163 refer to Reflexology. On page 162 Nikki Bradford states “Of the mothers who had 10 reflexology sessions beginning in the middle of their pregnancies, only 2.7% had an epidural (the national average is about 20%). The first stage of labour took about five hours, shorter than the national average. And the second stage of labour, which usually takes between one and two hours, took an average of about 16 minutes”.
Induction
Most first babies arrive over a week after the due date so sit tight and try to be patient! The World Health Authority states that only 10% of medical inductions around the world were actually necessary. Unfortunately these inductions often lead on to a c section or assisted birth.
If your baby is fully developed reflexology is usually effective in inducing labour, allowing you to labour and hopefully birth naturally. This saves mum and baby from the anxiety, stress and risks of an artificial induction. Better for mum, better for baby.
Postnatal
It is a common mistake to prepare for birth but forget to take care of yourself afterwards. This is a very demanding period both physically and mentally. Your body is going through great changes while you are dealing with being a new mum. When you give birth, all of the hormones that peaked and made you feel so well during pregnancy descend so quickly and dramatically that your body has to adjust post-birth. Reflexology can help not only to restore your previous balance but also to help you with lactation and breastfeeding, constipation, hemorrhoids, post-surgical issues, leaking, relaxation etc… Don’t forget, after birth your baby deserves the best of your attention, but so do you!
Studies show that reflexology increases milk supply by 88% on average and up to 300%!