How reflexology can help

A balanced body is a healthy body, says Sarah Corrie and she explains how reflexology can help.

I decided to train as a reflexologist after finding that it benefited my own health and wellbeing following major surgery in my late 20s for the inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis. Now, in my late 40s, I am experiencing the hormonal changes caused by peri-menopause and find that monthly exchanges with a fellow reflexologist, along with western herbal medicine are helping to reduce and manage my symptoms.

Some of the most common symptoms of peri-menopause are: insomnia, night sweats, irregular periods, anxiety and hot flushes. Having regular sessions helps women to feel supported and listened to. It creates a space where they can review their symptoms and how they are feeling. Keeping a 'diary' of things helps to remind women of the date of their last period and keep track of whether their symptoms of anxiety, insomnia etc. have increased or decreased.

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology dates back to ancient Egyptian times and is based on the theory that different points on the feet (and hands, face and ears) correspond with different areas of the body. When our mental, physical or emotional health is affected by illness, hormonal changes or stress, the body's organs and systems can become out of balance, blocked or congested. By applying gentle pressure and using specific techniques, reflexology may be able to identify the areas of the body affected and support it to restore its natural state of balance. Well-trained reflexologists do not claim to cure, diagnose or prescribe.

Supporting you during the menopausal transition?

A balanced body is a healthy body and when our hormones go out of balance it can become difficult to feel healthy. Reflexology may be able to help in the following ways:

• Treating points for the head, adrenals and spine may help calm the nervous system, reduce feelings of anxiety and improve sleep;


• Treating points for the hypothalamus and pituitary may help balance the endocrine system and reduce hot flushes and night sweats;


• Treating the point for the thyroid may help regulate calcium and phosphorous levels and prevent bone loss;


• Treating the points for the ovaries and uterus may help regulate the ovaries' secretion of oestrogen and the uterus' natural health.

How will I feel after a treatment?

People usually feel very relaxed after they have had a reflexology treatment. They may also feel a bit sleepy and 'spaced out', so it is best to have a treatment at a time when you are able to take things easy afterwards. You may find that your mood and sense of wellbeing improves.

What happens when I come for a treatment?

At your first visit you will be asked for details of your past and present health and lifestyle. This enables the treatment to be tailored to your specific needs. The only clothing you will need to remove is your shoes and socks and you will be invited to lie on a comfortable treatment couch. During the session, which lasts around one hour, the reflexologist will apply gentle pressure to the feet (or hands if preferred). People may experience a general sense of relaxation, a release of emotion, sensations of tingling and warmth.

How often should I have a treatment?

It is best to start with a course of 4-6 weekly or fortnightly treatments before moving to a maintenance treatment every 4-6 weeks. The initial 4-6 treatments provide the opportunity for you to build a relationship with your reflexologist and for them to work with you to understand your symptoms and how they affect you. A course of regular treatments may also help the body to become more balanced, clearing areas of congestion, so that the maintenance treatment is able to do exactly that: maintain a state of balance.