| Reflexology is the technique of applying gentle | | | | painBackacheRib painMorning sicknessLeg |
| pressure to reflex points on the feet (or hands) to | | | | crampsRaised blood pressureHeadachesTiredness and |
| bring about a state of deep relaxation, stimulate the | | | | sleeplessnessMood swingsWorking with maternity |
| body's own healing process, and help a person return | | | | reflexology has shown me how it enhances health |
| to a state of balance and well-being. It is holistic | | | | and well being as well as creating a wonderful caring |
| complementary therapy that aims to release | | | | environment for the mother and Incoming Soul (a |
| blockages and improve the flow of energy in the | | | | lovely term coined by Susanne Enzer, maternity |
| body by working through body zones (rather like the | | | | reflexologist). I enjoy seeing how active the unborn |
| meridians an acupuncturist or shiatsu practitioner | | | | babies become when their mother is treated - and |
| works on). Reflexology has roots in Ancient Egypt, | | | | spotting bottoms, heads, feet and other assorted |
| China, Japan and India. Reflexology can provide | | | | bits of baby zooming around inside the confines of |
| relaxation, pain and stress relief, stimulation of all | | | | the bump!DeliveryIn a post term situation and with |
| body systems eg the immune and digestive systems, | | | | the permission of the obstetric caregiver and client, a |
| and balance for the mind, body, emotions and spirit. | | | | skilled reflexology can help to prime labour. Many post |
| Most people find reflexology an enormously | | | | term women who are experiencing a problem free |
| comforting and nurturing therapy. In general, | | | | pregnancy respond well to this, although ultimately |
| reflexology has been shown to help relieve a whole | | | | the baby decides when it is ready to come. Not even |
| host of ailments, including: | | | | medical induction is guaranteed to succeed, and this is |
| Digestive disorders eg constipation, | | | | no different. Reflexologists may attend births to |
| heartburnMigraines and headachesStress and | | | | assist their client with pain control, relaxation, and |
| anxietySleep problemsPMS and hormone related | | | | emotional and psychological support. After BirthYour |
| problemsBack and joint painRespiratory disorders eg | | | | reflexologist can be at hand during the post natal |
| sinusPregnancy related ailmentsIntroduction To | | | | period to help the mother, father and newborn. A |
| Maternity ReflexologyMaternity Reflexology can be | | | | weekly session can help the mother in particular to |
| applied as pre-conceptual care, and care during and | | | | adjust after giving birth, and she can hold and feed |
| beyond pregnancy. The fact that many midwives | | | | her baby comfortably during treatment. Reflexology |
| now incorporate reflexology into their practice speaks | | | | may encourage lactation and help with breast |
| for its efficacy. These stages of life bring their own | | | | tenderness or mastitis, and can help the body return |
| particular challenges, and regular reflexology can help | | | | to normal function following delivery. It can also help |
| to maintain balance and well-being while tackling | | | | the new parents make the emotional and |
| associated conditions and ailments. One of the major | | | | psychological adjustments to parenthood.Finally, the |
| benefits of reflexology is balancing of the endocrine | | | | newborn baby can benefit from reflexology too. |
| system - the set of glands that produce the body's | | | | Playing with your baby's feet and toes is a wonderful |
| hormones (chemical messengers). Hormones play a | | | | way of bonding with him or her. Did you know that |
| key role in fertility and pregnancy.Pre-ConceptionFor | | | | 'This Little Piggy' is a version of a powerful |
| couples hoping to conceive, it is desirable to treat | | | | reflexology balancing technique? You can play before |
| both partners to balance and relax them, and get | | | | your baby goes to bed, at bath time or perhaps |
| them into an optimum state for conception. As well | | | | when you're winding them after a feed. Find a time |
| as requiring healthy sperm and ova, there is a need | | | | that's right for both of you. A reflexologist can show |
| for mental and emotional preparation, as pregnancy | | | | you some simple, comforting moves to help with any |
| can be a rollercoaster for both partners. Creating | | | | problems your baby is having, for example colicky |
| another person is a hugely significant undertaking, | | | | tummy, constipation, poor feeding or distress.About |
| therefore it is best to be well prepared. The couple | | | | SiobhanSiohban's step into reflexology offers its own |
| will want to have a good look at their lifestyle in | | | | interesting story. After being diagnosed with breast |
| terms of sleep, diet, stress levels, exercise, smoking, | | | | cancer in 1999 she had a full mastectomy and then |
| drinking and so on. Reflexology has a good reputation | | | | reconstructive surgery. She decided to sample |
| with helping couple to conceive, because of its | | | | reflexology while undergoing chemotherapy and |
| balancing effects.PregnancyPregnancy brings a | | | | believes it is the reason she wished to help women in |
| number of significant changes to the couple, and not | | | | distressing situations."It helped with my illness, helped |
| just physical ones. Things that seemed to work just | | | | me cope and I just got hooked. It relaxed me and |
| fine before don't appear to work any more! | | | | helped with my circulation. It helped me live with |
| Reflexology can bring balance and harmony when it | | | | what is fundamentally a horrible illness, it just had a |
| feels as though your world has been turned on its | | | | power to heal me and I fell in love with it."After |
| head. You might find you're suddenly constipated and | | | | qualifying from the Central London College of |
| bloated, or getting acid reflux, or that you burst into | | | | Reflexology in 2003, Siobhan decided she wanted to |
| tears when you're looking at baked beans in | | | | be her own boss working to help people achieve a |
| Sainsbury's. You might get all sorts of odd aches and | | | | state of calm and balance, whether physically, |
| pains that appear from nowhere. It goes without | | | | emotionally or mentally; "Whether I treat cancer |
| saying that you must seek medical attention for | | | | patients, women with fertility problems or mums to |
| serious complications of pregnancy. However, | | | | be, this job brings me so much more satisfaction |
| reflexology can help you to manage ailments such | | | | than an office job did, " she said.Siobhan Forsyth. |
| as:ConstipationHeartburnSymphysis pubis | | | | |