Reflexology and Trying to Conceive

[hhudson]

Following on from some of the other posts, I have several clients who have been trying to conceive for some time. Reflexology can often help with this, but obviously the clients don't know if they might be pregnant when they come for a treatment.

Should I only treat them during menstruation, meaning they can only have monthly treatments, should I perhaps only treat them in the first half of their cycles, or should I just treat them every couple of weeks as they have asked?

Lesley

 

[hmznwmmg]

Hi Lesley,
Not vastly experienced - have only knowingly had two clients in the circumstances you mention.
One had three treatments at monthly intervals during menstruation then dissappeared. Think she was nervous about any possible negative effects.
The other we worked at two treatments each month, the first immediately at the onset of menstruation the second on ovulation day. This continued for five months until she became pregnant. She now has a daughter but whether that was in any miniscule way due to the Reflexology and relaxation no one will know. She was also into diet in a big way - eating your way to pregnancy or some such thing!
Hope that helps
Love and Blessings
Mike

 

[Mane]

Hi Lesley

Whenever I have given Reflexology to help someone conceive, I have given weekly sessions, avoiding the uterus between ovulation and the onset of menstration. I would say to go with your client's needs and if they are wanting sessions every other week, that's fine.

If you could sway your client, see if you could have them see you the day after they finish their period, and 7 days after that. This will then co-incide with ovulation and the reflexology will help with the nourishment of the ovary and ovum.

Hope this helps a little

Health & happiness

Waywood

 

[Visualize whirled PEAS]

much of this is down to how you and your client feel about treatments.

reflexology, right through pregnancy, i now know to be safe... a viable pregnancy is a pretty hard thing to dislodge! but be aware that the client may be pregnant and use gentler movements (i.e. ankle boogie)and not so hard thumb walking, particularly over uterus. once you know they are pregnant, tailor the treatment accordingly.

however, there are 3 traditional chinese medicine points on the feet that one must avoid during pregnancy. spleen 6 is not a point in a general treatment anyway. the other 2 are bladder 60 and 67.

regards

rosie

 

[Penny]

Hi, totally new here so I hope I'm doing this correctly. I'm looking at reflexology as a compliment to medical options for infertility. I've had one session and loved it. I was paricularly sensitive in the ankle in the area representing the ovaries. I'm wondering if I should continue treatment and if so how often and possibly what I can expect.

Thanks for any help.
Lara

 

[Pompal 09.]

i am sure you have found the right place!

the sensitivity is probably due to an imbalance in that area... sounds likely if you are having difficulties conceiving? reflexology is such a good balancing therapy that it is known to have good effects on sub fertility.

a treatment once a week is always a good start. hopefully it will kick start the hormone system (your therapist should include an endocrine balance) and whilst doing this, the body is also being prepared for pregnancy... boosting the immune system, flushing toxins (lymph drainage techniques).

there can never be guarantees but many couples have found it to be successful (maybe your partner may benefit too).

good luck!

regards
rosie

 

[speywfug]

Hi Igreenlees

Yes you are doing the right thing in trying Reflexology. I totaly agree with Rosie - a weekly session is best.

You are correct about the outside ankle being the ovary reflex - do you experience any tenderness as your Reflexologist works from the outside ankle, over the top of the foot (above the ankle) to the inside ankle? - hope I haven't confused you too much [&:]. It would be interesting to know.

Good luck with your treatments

Waywood

 

[Hayley Hall]

Oh yes - it would be brill if your partner could have treatment too, as reflexology is great for boosting sperm count! [sm=1syellow1.gif]

 

[Dawn S]

Hiya
Another way to find the spot Waywood is talking about - its also know as the ankle braclet, when you flex your foot (toes towards knees) there is a natural crease this is your bracelet......

Any weight problems or moodiness or even excessive hair query polycystic ovaries....

Hugs
T
x

 

[DTCTown]

Wow, thanks for all of your responses! So far I've only had one treatment so my experience is limited but I'll definately schedule my next appointment soon! As for my husband, he's confident that his sperm count is not the problem as his test are all great but maybe I'll encourage him to go just to relax. And as for the polycystic ovaries the test so far indicate this is not an issue for me.

Thanks again and I'll keep you "posted"!
Lara

 

[Graeme]

I've had a couple of clients with fertility issues to whom I've given weekly treatments. Neither was having treatment but had been ttc for over a year. In both cases I treated their partners as well, simply because the stress of ttc affects both of them, and the deep relaxation of the treatment can be of great benefit to them.

Hope that makes sense

 

[alesha]

Hi, I had my second treatment yesterday. I was trying to pay more attention to the 'sensitive' areas. I did find that the area over the top of my foot (above the ankle) to be a little sensitive. I mentioned this to my treatment provider and she did note that she too thought it felt a little 'gritty'. Since my first treatment I've noticed a great reduction in my PMS so perhaps my body has already begun to rebalance itself hormonally. If nothing else I enjoy the relaxation benefits.

Thanks
Lara

 

[Lukigal]

Hi Igreenlees

This is excelent news!. If as you say, you have noticed a reduction in your PMS, it is true that your bodies hormone levels are balancing - and of course that can only be a good thing[sm=1syellow1.gif].

The grittiness you mention over the top of your foot, relates to your falopean tubes. If it was just on one side (lets take the the left for example) it relates to an imbalance of the left tube, or maybe a slight blockage. Working over this area may help to relieve the blockage/imbalance, as well as the increased homeostasis you have already noticed.

Inbertween sessions, I recomend my clients to work over areas that they can reach themselves. The top of the foot is a good area to be able to get at yourself - rub you thumb from the outside of the ankle to the inside (don't rub the other way) for about 5 mins each day and it will re-inforce the treatment you are getting.

Health and hapiness

Waywood

 

[apezcuesilhilkeqa]

I know this post is quite old, so maybe noone is reading it now but I have a question.

I had my first reflexology appointment yesterday to help with my fertility, and found it very painful.

Apparently there were crystals in my right foot where my uterus is (inside foot just below ankle) and so she worked there very hard, also the same area on my other foot.

She also worked very hard in the ovary area, same kind of place but outer foot.

My question is should it hurt so much? It still hurts today, and I think my outer right foot is even slightly swollen.

She knew it was painful, she even said I could scream if I needed to, and I was close. She asked if she could work a little more on the crystals, and I wish I had said no know.

I'm sure it's good for me, but it's really very painful, "foot torchure" is how I described it to my partner.

I have another appointment booked for next Tuesday but I don't think I will be ready for it as my feet may not have recovered. She said I could ask here to go easier if I wanted, but is the pain a good thing? I want help, thats why I started it.

 

[Symnsmish]

hi ragen,

wow this is an old thread and ooops seemslike i am still here, but rarely!

in my opinion, and others may say different, reflexology should never be so painfull that you come away feeling bruised and sore and tortured .

as therapists, we all work differently but i think its important to work within our clients (and our own actually) pain thesholds and comfort. it could well be that the uterus and ovary points have become congested and need some work, but i dont think i'd like such a vigorous treatment first time round. why are you having another appointment so soon anyway?

its your treatment and entirely up to you - but if you felt a lot of discomfort to the point of not feeling recovered, i'd say, yeah, tell her to go easier!

good luck with it all )

 

[ProorDorp]

Hi Rosie

Thanks for the reply. I'm having another appointment so soon as I was told it's best to have 2 or 3 before I ovulate. This is due next weekend but I'm away from Thursday to Monday so I thought I would try and squeeze two appointments in before I go.

I think next month I'll aim for a week apart, I usually ovulate on day 20/21 so I should be able to have 3 appointments, each with a week apart and still be pre-ov.

Can you tell me why I shouldn't hav reflexology after ovulation, can it be dangerous if I am pregnant?

I think I'll see how I feel on Tuesday and if it's too painful I ask her to take it a bit easier. I want it to help, but I also need to walk!

 

[Tuksooleniosa]

hi ragen

not knowing you or your history/ general health, its difficult to comment.

however, in general, ovulation is usually around the 14th day of a "normal" 28 day cycle, so it would seem that you ovulate pretty late. if you are then having a 28 day cycle, and problems conceiving, it could be that there's not enough time for conception to take place (fertilised egg to implant).i'm assuming you have explored this?

reflexology can help your body to balance, and perhaps normalise your cycle. i think i'd be working on your endocrine system (hypothalamus/ pituitary), in particular. but as i said, i dont know your circumstances.

and not knowing whats gone on before, i cant comment on why you shouldnt have reflexology after ovulation. "dangerous" is a very strong word and implies that the treatment can cause harm, which it cant... but if you have a history of miscarriage then its prudent to be very careful if theres a chance of pregnancy.

in normal circumstances though, i would treat from before conception right the way through, pre or post ovulation. but thats me and we all work differently and all have different knowledge/ experience.

 

[queenbeeth22]

Hi Rosie

I have 34 day cycles, and I know I ovulate on roughly the 20th day because I chart my temps. I have a 13/14 day LPhase so thats not the problem.

We did managed to get pregnant last summer but we lost at 12 weeks. So I assume that means everything is working fine but there is something stopping it happening again in the 6 months of trying since then.

I know 6 months is not a long time to wait but I just want to do what I can to speed things up

 

[Luke808666]

I always treat throughout the cycle, natural or assisted, different things happen in the luteal phase and it id just as important as the follicular phase. This goes throughout pregnancy too.

I feel it is very important to see a reflexologist with experience and additional knowledge/training in this area as you would gain more from it.

Ragan, I wish you luck to conceive again soon and you have some enjoyable reflexology!

 

[norseman]

Hi Ragen,

I wish you the best of luck in trying for a baby.

As a reflexologist I would agree that whilst some areas may be uncomfortable for you, you should not have to endure pain that makes you want to cry.

In terms of the treatment I have found that one of the main benefits from reflexology is its ability to help you relax and give you whole body a balance. Stress can have a big implication in conceiving and you could consider less frequent appointments across the whole month. The therapist can avoid working the fertility areas after ovulation if necessary.

Perhaps check out other therapists in your area as you are obviously concerned enough to bring the issue to the forum and I can't see you being able to achieve any level of relaxation with your current therapist.

Kind regards

Tracey