This is a combination of Aromatherapy and Reflexology or solely Reflexology, which assists in overcoming infertility problems whether they are structural, chemical (i.e. hormonal) or unexplained with the key emphasis on relaxation. Aromatherapy is the Science and Art of using natural fragrances for their therapeutic and healing properties.

It helps to relax and correct hormonal imbalance. Reflexology can also reduce stress, enhance the reproductive and immune systems and promote normal glandular functioning. Being an holistic approach, these therapies are aimed at treating the physical and emotional dimensions of the individual. The treatment can be given before and during I.V.F. Nutritional status is also important when preparing for a baby and advice will be given as support to the treatment..

Some infertility problems that this can assist in are:

• Endometriosis
• Polycystic Ovarian Disease
• Fibroids
• Ovarian Cysts
• Hormonal Imbalances
• Resultant problems of an Ectopic Pregnancy
• Secondary or Unexplained Infertility
• Blocked Fallopian Tubes
• Threatened or recurrent Miscarriage
• The treatment is also beneficial for women suffering from other gynaecological problems such as pre-menstrual tension, breast problems and menopause.

Maternity Reflexology

Reflexology is a method of activating the healing powers of the body through manipulation of the feet. It is an extremely effective way of balancing the body. Maternity Reflexology is a safe and beneficial treatment throughout pregnancy from conception to birth. It has never been shown to have caused the body to do something it does not want to do. It helps the body to seek out it’s own equilibrium, and therefore can be beneficial in cases of threatened miscarriage.

Current research has shown Reflexology to be particularly beneficial during pregnancy, de-toxifying the body and creating physical well-being. This transmits to the baby who is encouraged to develop into a calm and healthy individual with a strong immune system. It also assists in reducing the amount of drugs used and DRAMATICALLY REDUCES THE NUMBER OF HOUIRS IN LABOUR. It is also useful for correcting a breech presentation and for inducing a baby.
Some conditions relieved and helped in pregnancy are:

• Nausea and Morning Sickness
• Heartburn
• Backache
• Sciatica
• Swollen ankles – Fluid Retention
• Sore and Engorged Breasts
• Headaches
• Haemorrhoids
• Constipation
• Breech Presentation
• Overdue Birth
• Reflexology can also be useful for post-natal conditions such as:
• Exhaustion
• Post Natal Depression
• Mastitis
• Constipation
• Haemorrhoids
• Recovery from Caesarean
• Lactation Inefficiency

Natural products

These products are offered in support of the treatments such as Aromatherapy oils for infertility, relaxation, sore nipples, perineal massage and childbirth.
Creams are also available for preventing stretch marks and sore nipples.

Case history to demonstrate the use of Reflexology in Infertility and Maternity Reflexology

Please note the names have been changed for protection purposes.

Jane Marshall

Teacher. Married. Wt 10st. Ht 5’ 7. Lost 1 stone after getting married. Healthy non-smoking 31 year old. Regular exercise of Pilates and walking.

Medical History

• Possible allergy to cats
• Eczema on hands
• Tendency towards constipation
• Short sighted
• Regular menstrual cycle prior to contraceptive pill
• 2 bouts of palpitations and BP on low side. Checked for SVT (negative). Thought to have been triggered by a virus.
• Cold hands and feet.

Family medical history

• Angina – Maternal grandfather
• Heart Attack – paternal grandfather
• Alzheimer’s – paternal grandmother
• Arthritis – maternal grandmother and possibly mother
• Polymyalgia – maternal grandmother
• Palpitations – mother

Lifestyle and diet

• Happy, balanced lifestyle. No particular stresses, but very involved with teaching job (private school – extra hours evenings and weekends). Happy childhood. One younger sister.
  Organic diet last 3 months (Foresight Programme). No coffee or tea. Balanced diet, high fruit and veg.
• Supplements: Foresight zinc plus and multivits (husband). Psyllium husks for constipation.

Presenting Symptoms

Jane had had no periods for 18 months since coming off the pill when she came to see me. She had one cycle of Clomid and Provera to encourage a bleed but this did not work. She was unhappy about taking Clomid and so she and her husband started the Foresight Programme for nutrition, which they have now been on for 3 months. Foresight referred to me since she was anxious to conceive.

• Ultrasound revealed slight PCO but she had no symptoms of it.
• Follicle tracking revealed a follicle, but hormone tests indicated no ovulation.
• Oestradiol 0.1. No progesterone results. LH 1. FSH 4. Thyroid – normal range.
• Slight pain over left ovary occasionally.
• Husband sperm results all within normal range.

We decided on a course of Reflexology. Plan of action:

• Focus on hypothalamus and pituitary. Since hormone tests revealed no ovulation, I felt she was malfunctioning at the pituitary level and needed ‘switching on’.
• Thyroid to maintain normal metabolism
• Ovaries to balance reproductive hormones
• Uterus/fallopian tubes for stimulation
• Spine for relaxation with particular emphasis on lumbar and sacral area
• Immune system to counteract any possible antibody issues
• Pelvic area working over muscles and ligaments particularly the psoas muscle
• Autonomous nervous system (origins of the sympathetic and parasympathetic)
• Nerve reflex points of the pudendal and utero vaginal plexuses in particular
• Adrenals to maintain good muscle tone of reproductive organs and gut (normalising peristalsis).
• Overactive peristalsis leads to under nourishment. Adrenal cortex to assist oestrogen balance.

1st Treatment Worked on all the points discussed focusing on the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenals, uterus and ovaries.

2nd Treatment. 2 weeks later Period arrive 4 days after the 1st treatment. Now on day 11. Focused on points of reproductive system and all points previously mentioned. Also focused on spinal reflex for relaxation and L1, L2 (innervations to reproductive system) and muscles over lumbar area.

3rd Treatment - 2weeks later Ovulation tests days 12 – 15 proved negative, but there was a feint line showing on day 22. Itchy skin on hands and neck. Side pain left hand side at back. Constipation pain. Recommended linseeds. Focused on points as before.

4th Treatment - 3 weeks later - Day 39. Same treatment as before.

5th Treatment - 4 weeks later - Day 19. Pain down LHS better and constipation improved. Period arrived day 45. Tests for ovulation positive today.

6th Treatment - 6weeks later - Jane is now 6 weeks pregnant. She’s having slight palpitations, nausea and constipation.

Embryo is about 5 mms long and the beginnings of a little heart tube have already formed. Occasionally a heartbeat can be detected on the u/s at this stage. I did a very gentle Reflexology treatment for relaxation focusing on digestive points to help nausea and constipation.

I followed Dr Gowri Mothas (Gentle Birth Method) creative healing massage plan. I did some abdominal toning which helps to realign the energy lines within the whole of the abdominal cavity, creating a sense of harmony and balance between the digestive organs and the pregnant uterus. It can also help with pain associated with the growing uterus and stretching of the round ligament. It also has a beneficial effect on placental circulation (can also help with intra-uterine growth retardation with reduced amniotic fluid). Liver and pancreatic treatment can also be performed to ensure optimum digestion.
Benefits:

• Oxygenates baby
• Encourages lymphatic drainage of the abdomen
• Tones uterine muscle and encourages placental circulation
• Decongests the veins
• Reduces swelling on legs
• Helps digestive function

7th Treatment. 4 weeks later - 13 weeks pregnant. Nausea better. Slight crampy feeling. Now in 2nd trimester. Muscles of baby are now developing. Pancreas has differentiated and continues to develop until week 20. As the insulin producing cells develop, so it is important to eat sensibly – the baby will put on too much weight if there is too much carbohydrate (can lead to delivery problems).

I performed gentle Reflexology for relaxation. Focus on relaxing the oesophagus, along with liver drainage and pancreatic stimulation.

Creative healing massage (CHM): abdominal toning, liver and pancreatic drainage.

8th Treatment. 4 weeks later - 17 weeks pregnant. Nausea completely better. Still slight papitations. Week 16 baby approx. 51/2” long, and weighs around 16 ozs. Facial features become more defined and fine hair on eyelashes and eyebrows begin to grow. Baby’s sexual identity is emerging as gonads begin to differentiate. External evidence of the sex can only be seen after 16 weeks. Baby’s muscle system is strengthening and baby is active. You can’t always feel the baby move yet particularly if the placenta implants on the anterior wall and blankets the movement in early stages of pregnancy. When baby exceeds the size of the placenta, you will be able to feel the movement.
I performed a general reflexology treatment

CHM: abdominal toning.

9th Treatment. 3 weeks later - 20 weeks pregnant. Baby is now 12 ½ “ long. It can hear and recognise your voice. It has developed little fingers and fingernails. Fingerprints appear and there is hair on the head. U/S scan can determine baby’s sex.

I gave a relaxing Aromatherapy treatment on the back, neck and shoulders. I used Sandalwood, Lavender and Ylang Ylang oils, which are all safe in the second trimester. Jane just felt she wanted a relaxing treat.

10th Treatment. 4 weeks later - 24 weeks pregnant. Foetal heart rate (FHR) in 120’s. U/s revealed a boy. Point on feet and FHR would back this up. Jane has a slight cough and is tender around the belly button. Fine hair called lanugo covers baby’s body. Vermix (waxy substance) protects the skin. Baby makes breathing movements. In the amniotic sac fluid enters the lung.

I did a reflexology treatment focusing on the thyroid and pancreatic reflexes. It is important to try to improve the blood supply to the pancreas as this can help prevent gestational diabetes. Finished the treatment with a Lymphatic Drainage treatment to help with swollen ankles.
CHM: Abdominal toning. Back and spine treatment to loosen up back and neck muscles.

11th Treatment. 4 weeks later - Jane is now 28 weeks pregnant. She still has her cough and slight rib pain. Baby is now viable. Baby’s lungs begin to secrete a protein that helps it open its lungs with the first breath. Pancreas will begin to show signs of being antagonized by placental hormones, hence digestive and insulin secretions may slow down.

I did a Reflexology treatment focusing on the pancreas to assist insulin balance. Also I paid particular attention to the sciatic area and SI joint reflex. I finished with a lymphatic drainage treatment.

CHM: General treatment, focusing on sacral treatment and drainage of this area to loosen up SI ligaments and prepare Jane for birth. Pancreatic treatment to speed up pancreatic secretions.

12th treatment. 4 weeks later - 32 weeks pregnant. Lower segment of the uterus begins to grow as it is thinner and stretches easily. Growth of baby means that the baby’s position stabilizes the womb, with the baby’s head dropping down to the lower part of the cervix and encourages the cervix to thin out.
I encouraged visualisation techniques to encourage optimal foetal positioning, visualising the baby settling within the womb, head down and chin tucked into its chest.

I did a Reflexology treatment focusing on the pelvic and sacral reflexes particularly trying to relax the muscles and ligaments in these areas. I worked over the heart reflex because of the increased load on the mother’s heart. I also worked over the pancreas reflex to normalize pancreatic function and blood sugar levels. I also started working over the uterus and ovary reflexes. I finished with a Lymphatic Drainage treatment. All treatments from now on will include the Lymphatic Drainage.

13th Treatment. 2 weeks later - 34 weeks pregnant. BP went up slightly but has come down again. Baby’s head is now on the brink. Coccyx is a bit uncomfortable. Baby is growing and maturing.

My reflexology treatment this week was aimed at generally relaxing Jane, but I did additional work over the coccygeal and pelvic areas to help with discomfort in this region. .

14th Treatment. 2 weeks later - 36 weeks pregnant. Baby is not engaged yet. Jane has a slight cold. I supplied her with a perineal oil and advised her to start perineal and vaginal stretch massage. I also advised her to start raspberry leaf tea for toning the uterus.

Placental hormones naturally begin to prepare the vagina and pelvic spaces for birth.
I did a Reflexology treatment focusing on the uterus and ovary reflexes and the pelvic and lower abdominal area to try and relax the tendons and ligaments here.

15th treatment. 1 week later - 37 weeks pregnant. Baby is now growing bigger and settling into the pelvis. I advised Jane to continue with the visualisation.

My Reflexology treatment includes work over the uterus and ovary reflexes, and the lymphatics of the back, neck and pelvis to help clear congestion. Treating the lymphatic system generally will help to boost energy levels.

CHM: Upper back, lumbar loosening and drainage and SI joint loosening. Abdominal toning and pelvic drainage.

16th Treatment. 1 week later - 38 weeks pregnant. Baby not fully engaged yet. Appears to be lower. I did a Reflexology treatment focusing on lymphatics to pelvic area to encourage head to descend. I also worked over the sacral and coccygeal reflexes.

17th Treatment. 1 week later - 39 weeks pregnant. Baby’s head ¾ engaged. Baby’s back on right hand side. I encouraged more visualisation for correcting foetal positioning. I also advised Jane to crawl around on all fours 2 mins at a time to help with this as well. My Reflexology treatment was the same as last week, but also emphasis on the pituitary, uterus, kidneys and adrenals. I worked the bladder 67 point (end of little toes) to try and help move baby’s position.

18th Treatment. 1 week later - 40 weeks pregnant. Baby is now full term. The midwife was uncertain of baby’s position or whether she was fully engaged. Baby is now fully developed within the womb. I recommended visualisation of actually seeing the baby. This encourages the baby to initiate secretions from its own hypothalamus and together with secretions from its lungs will stimulate the initiation of the birthing process.

I did a deep all round reflexology treatment focusing on the reproductive area. I aimed to boost the energy levels by working over the lymphatic system.

19th treatment. 1 week later

41 weeks pregnant. Baby is now 1 week overdue. Jane had an uncomfortable night last night. I recommended her to take 6 x 500 mgs of evening primrose oil, 3 orally and 3 internally to encourage softening of the cervix. I did an induction Reflexology treatment with the midwife’s permission. I focused on the hypothalamus and the pituitary and the colon, particularly the rectal reflex. I worked over the internal pelvis (all round the calcaneum) and applied strong pressure over the hip reflex.

I also worked on the acupressure induction points:

Spleen 6, Bladder 60 and bladder 67 to encourage labour and movement. I also worked on the uterus and ovary points to encourage hormone balance.

Jane went into the early stages of labour the following evening and was 1 mm dilated the following morning. She gave birth to a baby boy (7lbs 11ozs) in the early hors of the following morning.

Follow up treatment
Baby is now 5 weeks old. He’s putting on weight and appears happy and relaxed. Breastfeeding is going well. Baby cries early evening with classic colic symptoms. I advised a cranial sacral treatment for him. I did a general Reflexology treatment to encourage organs to return to normal positions and worked over the spine reflex for relaxation.