Reproductive Health

Reproductive health includes physical, mental and social well-being in all matters relating to the reproductive system.

Menstrual Health
If you find that you have irregular periods, have been diagnosed with Endometriosis or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or that your periods haven’t returned since you stopped taking the contraceptive pill, then reflexology seems to have a very positive effect on balancing hormones and may therefore help ease some of your symptoms.

Some of the feedback from those attending regular treatment sessions has been:
• a regulation or return of their menstrual cycle
• less bloating, irritability and other PMS symptoms
• less discomfort for those with dysmenorrhoea
• a more condensed menstrual flow

Fertility Reflexology
If you are going through fertility investigations or are about to embark upon an Assisted Conception programme such as IVF you may feel as if you are on an emotional roller coaster, but reflexology will support you throughout your fertility journey and can help you to stay calm and positive through each stage of your treatment. During these sessions I work with fertility clinic protocols and treat accordingly.

I have successfully supported many women on their journey towards motherhood by creating bespoke treatment plans to enhance their fertility. Each new fertility client receives a full and detailed consultation so that I can understand your stage in the journey, and what issues you are hoping to overcome. We then work together to support your goal.

Whilst Fertility Reflexology can never claim to cure any particular condition, this therapy can provide help and support to enhance fertility.
There are a huge number of benefits with reflexology. Most common ones include:
•induces a state of deep relaxation by opening neural pathways
•a full session stimulates more than 7,000 nerves, encouraging the opening and cleansing of neural pathways
•increases circulation, improving blood flow throughout the body
•stimulates the central nervous system to calm/balance the body
•stimulates energy work throughout the body to release emotions
•balances the whole system thus revitalising the body’s natural energy flow
•improves/balances the body to promote fertility & hormone balance
•increase blood flow to uterus, ovaries etc. to support balance
•reduces sadness, fear and the emotions that arise during fertility care
•can support ovulation and the menstrual cycle
•reduces PMS / Pain with PCOS and menstrual cycle issues
•helps couples to feel aligned and create a balanced Body and Mind to create “space” for a baby.

Fertility Reflexology encourages the body to function efficiently, enhancing your own natural fertility.


Reproductive or Fertility reflexology can be used as a stand-alone treatment to enhance natural fertility or alongside conventional treatments.

The initial consultation will involve discussing all aspects of health, from diet through to lifestyle choices, in order to advise my client on how best to prepare their body for conceiving a child.

I would prefer to see both partners if possible, but this is not essential.

Pregnancy Reflexology
Pregnancy Reflexology is an area of reflexology aimed specifically at women during pregnancy, labour and the post-natal periods.
For most women finding out they are pregnant is a time of joy and celebration but there are also times throughout the pregnancy when women may need some additional support - reflexology is one option for improving wellbeing.
Clients may choose to have maternity reflexology as a way of relaxing and unwinding in a secure space before their baby arrives. Some clients may feel anxious, emotional or worried and a benefit of receiving reflexology during pregnancy is that it allows time away from often busy lives and provides a time and space where you can focus purely on yourself and your growing baby.
•Treatments may help ease many common pregnancy discomforts including:
•Nausea/morning sickness
•Constipation
•Digestive issues (including heartburn/acid reflux)
Insomnia
•Mood swings
•Pelvic/hip pain (including diagnosed PGP/SPD)

Perimenopause & Menopause Reflexology
The biggest changes in hormone fluctuation can occur in the time leading up to Menopause - at the average age of 52. This is when menstruation stops completely. If you are in your forties, you may have already started to experience Perimenopausal signs such as Hot Flushes, Insomnia, Loss of Libido, Anxiety and Skin Problems.

It is advisable to see your GP if you are at all concerned about any of your symptoms, as a blood test can be arranged to check your hormone levels. You may be offered Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) but if you’d prefer a more natural way to help you through this transition, why not try Reflexology?
Treatments may help ease troublesome symptoms and support you at this time.They will not only encourage deep relaxation, but will interrupt the body’s Stress response and reduce production of hormones - including Cortisol, that can make us store harmful fat around the waist.

Research has shown that regular reflexology treatments during pregnancy can:
• Significantly reduce pain during labour (1, 2) and reduce the length of the first stage of labour (1).
• Improve the quality of sleep in post-natal women (3)
• Significantly reduce the second stage of labour by 44.3 minutes (4).
• Reduce pain and stress levels for women with low back pain or pelvic girdle pain (5)
• Have a positive effect in lowering the total anxiety scores of women in labour (6)
• Increase breast milk volume among mothers who have given birth (7)

There is also plenty of anecdotal evidence of women benefitting from having reflexology during their pregnancy and their post-natal period. Maternity conditions that may respond well to reflexology are: nausea, morning sickness, hyperemesis gravidarum, constipation, fatigue, heartburn and acid reflux, emotional disturbances and mood swings, insomnia, fluid retention, back pain, anxiety, sciatica, pelvic girdle pain (PGP), symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD), carpal tunnel syndrome, insomnia and sleep problems, shorter and natural onset of labour and pain relief.

Please Note: Reflexology is a totally safe and complementary treatment but it does not replace medical treatment. If you are in any doubt at all, please consult with your GP prior to treatment





References:
(1) Valiani M et al. (2010) Reviewing the effect of Reflexology on pain and outcomes of the labour of primiparous women. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research. 15 (Dec) p302-310
(2) Iran Red Crescent Med J 2011; 13(7):475-479 ©Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal
(3) Lic Y C et al (2011) Randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness of using foot reflexology to improve quality of sleep amongst postpartum women. Midwifery. 27. p181-186
(4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29024881
(5) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29705485
(6) The Effect of Foot Reflexology on the Anxiety Levels of Women in Labour. Yılar Erkek Z, Aktas S. J Altern Complement Med. 2018 Apr;24(4):352-360
(7) September-October 2018 issue of the Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research, 23(5), 371-375.