Maternity reflexology is a very safe and enjoyable treatment to have throughout pregnancy.  Regular treatments can help with many problems that arise in pregnancy and are instrumental in helping mothers to birth at the optimum gestation of 40 weeks.

Reflexology is derived from an ancient form of foot pressure massage based in China and India over 5000 years ago.  It was also practised in Egypt and within native American tribes.  It has complimented Western medicine since the 1870s, in fields of Dentistry, Gynaecology, Chiropractic, Chest Medicine, Orthopaedics and ENT.  It is now being used within many UK hospitals in a growing number of specialities and in General Practice within the NHS.

It is a method of activating the healing powers of the body through manipulation of the feet.  It targets precise reflex points.  It is an energy therapy, working on the end of the energy lines or ‘reflex points’ on the foot.  All the parts of the body are represented on the foot (as they appear on the body), and a light pressure is used to look for sensitivity.  This will indicate where energy lines are blocked, and by working over them, they can be unblocked and a free flow of energy is achieved through the body.

Reflexology is a very useful diagnostic tool and the aim is to achieve a complete balance of all systems throughout the body, thus maintaining homeostasis.

Problems it can assist in pregnancy

• Nausea
• Eliminate oedema and reduce swelling in feet and ankles
• Lower backache
• Sore breasts
• Heartburn
• Haemorrhoids
• Constipation
• High blood pressure
• Relieve varicose veins
• Clear pelvic congestion
• Improve lymphatic drainage
• Improve sleep quality
• Aid digestion
• Improve blood flow and thus help to oxygenate the baby

Reflexology has never been shown to cause the body to do something it does not want to do.  It helps the body to seek out its equilibrium and therefore can be beneficial in cases of threatened miscarriage.

Current research has shown Reflexology to be particularly beneficial in pregnancy, helping to detoxify the body and create physical well-being.  This transmits to the baby, who is encouraged to develop into a calm and healthy individual with a strong immunity.  Reflexology can also be used to correct a breech position and assist in alleviating painful contractions in labour.  It can also be used to induce labour when the baby is overdue.  Regular treatments throughout pregnancy can dramatically reduce the number of hours in labour.

Postnatally, reflexology will help the organs return to their normal positions.  It will also help with conditions such as exhaustion, postnatal depression, recovery from a C-section, lactation inefficiency, mastitis and constipation.

For a healthy maintenance throughout pregnancy, call Luck’s Yard and book in with Frances on a Wednesday afternoon or Saturday morning.