Pace Maker and Reflexology

[none]

Does anybody have any thoughts on treating clients with pacemakers? I am studying IHM and reflexology, and understand that serious heart problems need doctors referral. However, does a pacemaker count as a serious heart problem? (!) Could reflexology have a serious effect?

The reason I ask is personal as well as professional, as my hubbie (45 years old with irregular heart rhythm) gets a pacemaker in the next few weeks. He finds reflexology and IHM very therapeutic and enjoys both (probably shouldn't be treating person with arrythmia but hey, hubbie isn't going to sue me!!)

I'm sure I should avoid treatment in the weeks after the op, but ongoing what are peoples' thoughts or experience of either IHM or reflexology and pacemakers? (Have posted a similar message on Reiki forum, but that's another debate..)

Thanks

Best wishes

Sarah

 

[MUHAMMAD YOU]

Hi Sparkie

In doing reflexology on anyony that has a pacemaker fitted avoid doing the upper abdomen, Stomach/pancreas & duodeum and obviously the Cardiac/heart area with VTCT these are moves No 21, 22 & 24.
I was taught that as long as these moves were avoided then it was quite safe to give reflexology.
I don't believe there are any contra-indications to Reiki as Reiki is the universal life energy which everything is made up of.
IHM is fairly safe to as long as it isn't to vigrious.

With any therapy if in doubt don't treat and refer to the doctor for advise and do plenty of research.
You can never be too safe with all the sueing and claining that gets done these days.

 

[The Goomba of Hope]

Hi there, I am currently studying with ITEC. We have been told just to avoid the cardiac reflex in patients with pacemakers as this can affect the heart rythyms.

 

[kiwigurl593]

Hi 5star is right, please dont leave out all those other reflexes.

Use a moderate to light pressure at first to gauge reactions and dont go over the heart too much, a little or just an hold will be ok..

I have a pacemaker for arrythmia and have never had any ill effects from treatments.

Iceni

 

[Bob Dollen]

Hi sparkie,

I am at present studying reflexology on the VTCT course and just about to start the AOR course. I actually have a pacemaker myself for vasovagal syncope ( you might want to look that one up, not actually a cardiac problem as such) I have had quite a few reflexology treatments through the training and also as separate treatments, I have never had a problem. Our tutor has basically saidjust to do a very gentle massage on the cardiac reflex and those closely related. I think it really depends on theclient's condition and what medication they are taking. If you feel more comfortable having a GP disclaimer then do so. In your huubbie's case, just do a gentle treatment and see how he feels. Iwould say maybe just check with his cardiologist when he is in hospital after having the pacemaker, probabaly best to let things settle downto start off with. Hope that everything goes ok with it.Would be interested to see how you both get on.

Soul2soul

 

[Burt the conquerer6969]

Many thanks to you all for some really good advice and shared experience. I think it confirms what I thought, ie. treatment should be for the good but to go carefully on the heart reflex, watching carefully for reactions. I would certainly refer a "real" client to their doctor, and will take soul2soul's advice about hubbies consultant.

I (and hubbie) would be really disappointed if he could no longer receive these therapies as he is enjoying them more than he expected (he who only a few months ago wasn't sure about this new career path of mine!!!)

Please can I ask soul2soul to clarify "cardiac reflex and those closely related". I'm stlll getting to grips with it all as I'm still studying, and assume perhaps adrenal gland, but which do you consider to be the closely related reflexes to be gentle on?

Many thanks

Sarah

 

[kat_xk8]

Hi sparkie,

Apologies for taking so long to get back to you. Have been frantically trying to get my case studies up together for the end of my VTCT course, nightmare!! I would say other closely related reflexes are the lungs, diaphragm, liver and adrenal gland, just to work more gently on these areas.Justsee how your husband reacts and adapt your treatments from that. Hope all goes well, would be interested to see how you get on.

Many thanks
soul2soul

 

[Alejandro]

Hello Sarah - interesting one this!
I started my reflexology studies last year. For the past 6 years I have had Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation. Just beforeI startedpractical sessions/case studies I had another episode and this time I was fitted with a pacemaker. My fellow students were a little nervous about treating me so we agreed that I would go to myGP and get a letter.We also agreed that the area would be "worked gently".

I had my first reflexology session3 weeks after coming out of hospital and my tutor showed my fellow-student where to find the pacemaker on the foot - you can actually feel it and the pulse too if you are clever. However, everyone has been very careful, when working my foot, not to work the heart reflex or the point where the pacemaker is, too hard and I've not had any reactions at all to it being worked Recently my tutor felt the area again and we both thought the pacemaker seemed to have "bedded in" more.

As someone who is not yet qualified I obviously don't have any experience of treating anyone with a PM but can speak from the client's point of view and I hope what I've said helps.

I hope your husband's op goes well - I've never felt better and it's such a relief to know that I have this little box helping things along!

Anne

 

[aZeksCelesot10]

Hi Anne

Many thanks for sharing your experience! Its good to hear that you feel so well after getting your pacemaker. It is very reassuring, and I was particularly interested in the fact you could feel the pulse! Hubbie gets his pacemaker next week. I won't treat him for a number of weeks afterwards, but look forward to resuming treatments, taking on all the useful advice in this thread.

Many thanks

Sarah