Reflexology is one of the safest and most supportive therapies for pregnant women. Lucy Wilson is an experienced Reflexologist, with advanced techniques in maternity reflexology treatments and a passion for this specialised field. She has had the honour to treat many women who suffer from some of the adverse effects of the physiological changes that pregnancy can bring.
Reflexology can be extremely beneficial for expectant, labouring or newly delivered women and for their babies; both to treat a variety of specific conditions and to aid relaxation and induce sleep. Regular sessions throughout pregnancy (after Week 14) can help to alleviate symptoms by encouraging the body’s self-healing and self-regulating systems.
Pregnancy
Reflexology can be beneficial for anaemia, anxiety, appetite regulation, backache, blood pressure regulation (except in cases of pre/eclampsia), constipation and bowel changes, carpel tunnel syndrome, emotional disturbances and mood swings, gestational diabetes, haemorrhoids, heartburn and acid reflux, insomnia, muscular fatigue/tension, nausea and vomiting, oedema, improvement of flexibility of pelvic floor, prevention of episiotomy, pelvic girdle pain (SPD), sciatica and urinary tract problems.
Birth
Reflexology can help to ‘prime’ your body for birthing, aiding relaxation and reducing stress, promoting pain relief, boosting failing energy levels and, studies have found that it can help reduce the length of labour. It can also help to position your baby correctly.
Postnatal
Treatment can help restore balance to your body. Women experience huge physical and emotional changes during pregnancy, and it is important that you are given the time to recover from the experience of birthing. Treatments can help to alleviate anxiety and the ‘baby blues’, assist recovery following an epidural, aid recovery following a caesarean section, ease breastfeeding discomfort and encourage lactation , encourage the menstrual cycle to return to normal, ease digestive problems, aid sleep and relaxation and reduce the pain and discomfort of haemorrhoids.
Post due date
Reflexology may help to bring on labour, although it is advisable to get the all clear from your midwife or doctor if you pass your due date. Natural induction can be encouraged with specific reflex points so as to hopefully avoid a cascade of medical intervention after medical induction.
Contraindications (conditions that cannot be treated with reflexology and require medical attention)
Bleeding, continuous vomiting, deep vein thrombosis, HELLP Syndrome (later stages of pregnancy – a variant of pre-eclampsia), hydroamnios – too much fluid around the baby after 32 weeks, Pica Syndrome – an eating disorder, placental abruption, placenta previa – low lying placenta (grade two or three after 32 weeks) and pre-eclampsia/eclampsia.
What to expect
Treatments follow an initial consultation and will be performed on your feet as you semi-recline on a treatment couch. Sessions typically last for an hour. It is a wholly non-invasive treatment that is deeply relaxing, treating not only you but your baby as well. Babies often become very active and responsive during treatment! Lucy can see how calm and relaxed her clients become, many close their eyes and drift off for a while, entering a deep state of relaxation – something that is especially important during this time. It has become a very popular therapy, particularly as many expectant mothers seem to be working closer to their due dates, increasing the likelihood of stress, which can then risk early labour due to the release of stress hormones.
Frequency
Maternity reflexology care can be planned around each individual client’s needs. Many women wish to attend every few weeks (after Week 14). After Week 34, many also find that weekly sessions help to relieve symptoms of backache and provide some precious ‘me time’. The choice is up to the individual and can be planned as the pregnancy progresses.
If you would like to book an appointment with Lucy either during, or after pregnancy, please contact our reception team on 01706 819464.