Help with infertility

[Andy Shepherd]

[align=left]Can anyone advise if there is an optimum interval between treatments that is likely to achieve best results for a client who is seeking help with infertility. When treating for other issues I would normally tell clients that if they experience no improvement after 4 treatments perhaps reflexology is not the correct approach for them in that particular situation. However short term improvement may be more difficult to assess in this instance.

I am aware from reading the forum that other therapists have helped clients with infertility. How many treatments and how often eg weekly, monthly. I do understand that every case is different and I want to ensure that the client has sufficent treatments to benefit, without incurring unnecessary expense. Her partner is probably going to attend for treatment also. Advice from anyone who has treated a couple would be particularly welcome

Ta G

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[Porcupine]

Hi G,

Around 70% of my client base have fertility issues of some sort !! I do get very good results with 9 pregnancy's this year so far !! Time scales vary depending on the presenting condition, but treatmentsrun normallyinto months not weeks !! It very much depends on what your client is presenting with ..... Has she been diagnosed as having unexplained fertility ? Does she have a regular cycle ? Isher periodoverly heavy/light/painful ? Does she suffer from PMT ? What's her digestive system like ? Lower back pain ??

IMHO any of the above would signify a slightly unbalanced system and we should seesomeimprovement in these symptoms within 4 -6 weeks !! From then on in it's a matter of keeping the system balanced and dealing with the stress issues. Ladies who haven't been able to fall pregnant as quickly as they thought are under an enormous amount of pressure, and this plays a huge part in the sub-fertility !

I have, from time to time, taken on ladies at a reduced rate if I felt we were making progress, but finances were going to be an issue .... one lady i can think of who had endometriosis and had been told by her consultant that she would never get pregnant (even with IVF) is now 28 weeks pregnant !!! I treated her weekly fornearly 4months !! Perhaps you might consider doing something similar with this client !!

You've gotta give these cases a "bit of welly" in my experience, the standard 4 weekly treatments, then monthly just doesn't do it !!! I think if you're honest with your clients upfront and say that this isn't going to be fixed overnight ... they understand !! You and they will see improvements in their general health and wellbeing/cycle/stress levels etcover the weeks .... it's all a step in the right direction !!

Meridianmoon xx

 

[KeeCki]

have you considered going on a Maternity Reflexology course? This would give you the added knowledge for working with people who are pregnant or wish to become pregnant.

 

[pseudonym]

I agree with meridianmoon. I have had 3 clients all with fertility problems become pregnant recently, and we did a series of weekly treatments going down to fortnightly depending on each lady's own circumstances. I stressed with each of them that it might be a case of being willing to go the distance and have lots of regular treatments, and they were happy with that approach (and are now even happier!!).

 

[kinky_scotty]

Hi
I have read so much stuff recently about men being able to have reflexology for infertility too - so don't forget the men! In my case I have suggested to the client that her partner has a few sessions also. They have not succumbed to that idea yet. Lots of people ( I am not saying HP members!!) focus on the lady and forget about the men.

Apparently a recent study on the tv lately proved that it is 50% women and 50% men who have difficultyin conceiving. It is a misconception thatthe 'problem' lies with the woman. I will offer treatments to clients partners - they may not want it but at least the offer is there.

Just my thoughts xx
Trace x

 

[John sussex]

Hi everyone. TJG you beat me to the reply! Don't forget the men as they too have problems. I luckily treated a good mix of case studies on the VTCT reflexology course I did. Being the only male was interesting as at least the women could practice on feet of both sexes. I had to wait until case studies and clients for the male feet! Finding as I am talking to people about reflexology that there is a lot of concern or interest in infertility problems. Trying to get onto a maternity reflexology course asap for the further training.

 

[megan.jones_march1990]

Hi Tracey,

I couldn't agree more !!! It's thought that around 20-30% of "diagnosed" unexplained infertilityis caused by an antibody in the mans sperm !! This can cause the sperm to "clump up" and hinder movement, making very difficult for the sperm to penetrate the egg !!! Sadly though this isn't always picked up until clients are well down the fertility treatment road. Many GPs only test the sperm for quantityand that they're swimming in the right direction !! Many ladies go through all sorts of treatments such as Chlomid prior to this being picked up !!

In my experience though men can be reluctant to come along for treatment too !! I've never really been able to work out why ?? Perhaps others have an opinion on this ??? I have one client who after unsuccessfully undertaking 6 months of Chlomid was referred for IVF ~ on arriving at the clinic both she and her husband were re-tested, only to be told the problem lay with her husband !!! He has this antibody in his sperm ~ 12 month on and he still won't "allow" her to tell anyone the problem is his !!! He is so upset and embarrassed by this !!! Perhaps it's this "male pride" thing that makes some men reluctant to come for treatments ??

I look forward to hearing othersviews on this !

Meridian