Would you treat?

[Whitney O]

This has probably been asked a hundred times but here I go anyway.

There's been a discussion on a pregnancy forum which I moderate (instigated by me) about complementary therapies in pregnancy, labour and postnatally. One of the members has said that reflexology is "a no-no in the first trimester" whilst another has said it's no problem as long as you're trained in maternity reflexology. My take (and what I was taught when I did my course) would be that it's fine as long as you avoid the endocrine and reproductive areas. All three of us are qualified practitioners.

Any thoughts?

 

[New Labour Voter]

I was taught not to treat during the first three months and then to avoid the reproductive areas and pituitary. However, if you have been taught otherwise, then I would say go ahead and treat how you have been taught.

My insurance company's (FHT) stance is that if you treat differently (i.e. someone you have been taught to be contraindicated) to how you have been taught and there is a problem, you need to be able to justify why you treated that person which, of course, you can do, but I don't think I can.

Lesley

 

[sensitive_guy]

hi lynne,

<g> you know my views on this and you will agree with me shortly, once you have been on the course.

when being trained for basic reflexology, we are taught not to treat during pregnancy (1st 13 weeks). i never questioned this... i assumed it was because the woman would explode if her feet were touched! no one ever said why certain conditions were contra indicated and i think its mainly because there is no reason why anything should be... BUT further knowledge in a specific field, i.e. maternity care, gives us more understanding of conditions.

we have to learn so much when we learn basic reflex that to include everything one would need to know regarding what is involved during pregnancy, or any other specialist condition, would be impossible.

i'll tell you what though, i am getting a bit upset with other therapists that perpetuate these myths regarding our therapies. furthermore, it is intimating that i am being irresponsble by suggesting the use of reflex during pregnancy. ethically it is up to each individual therapist to work within their own limitations and knowledge. having therapists *squabble* in the company of our viewing public (i.e. on other forums) does not do ourselves any good.

surely the idea is to promote how we can help with all manor of conditions? isnt our aim to help people where we can?

oh, btw, i am not having a go at anyone here... i'm just a bit ticked off by attitudes and uphill struggles lately, in other areas.... wheres that banging my head on a brickwall icon??? hmmm and the soapbox one... <sigh>

<calm thoughts, cheerful smile, onwards and upwards>

 

[Roger the Mole]

First of all, this is for you Rosie! [sm=hug.gif]. I really feel for you in your frustration. As you say it's up to each of us to act responsibly and within the limits of our training and competency. It's not a question of who is right and wrong, or scoring points off others. I think the HP therapists are really good at respecting one another's principles and experience but this is clearly not the case everywhere.

To go back to the original question, we were taught not to treat in the first trimester and henceforth to avoid pituitary and reproductive areas. Once I've done my mat reflexology I may be able to rethink that.

 

[Julie Oconner]

I qualifed with the AoR and ahve my insurance through them. We were told not to treat during the 1st 12 weeks while training, and then not until we felt we had enough experience. I now quite happily treat al through pregnancy as long as there has been no previous miscarriages and this pregnancy is stable. I once spoke to anotehr reflexologist who was insured with the FHT and she said that her insurance co stated that she couldn't treat at under 12 weeks or late in pregnancy, or treat anyone of any medication without GP consent. Upon hearing this I checked with the AoR and they assured me that my insurance does cover in all these circumstances and that some training isn't as thorough as the AoR so these limitations have to be set in place. I wish that all the course were the same to clear up this confusion. Maybe one day they will be..

Sarah x

 

[M S]

Hi Rosie

As I said, I was taught that it was fine, as long as you were careful. It was even a question I was asked in my aural exam! So I've always been completely comfortable treating pregnant women at any stage, particularly since I already have a very in-depth knowledge of maternity/obstetric care, being a childbirth educator (and nearly a midwife, if only I hadn't had to have that kidney op[]).

It would be good if everyone was taught the same basic syllabus. Ours included basic pregnancy information on top of the usual A&P stuff but I know not everyone gets that. But my tutors were confident about reflexology and how it could be adapted to suit the individual and so, so was I. I had a treatment from a practitioner near where I live about a week before my exam and she was shocked that I hadn't been taught never to treat someone with diabetes unless you'd got their GP's permission first. Another thing that came up in the aural exam.

So it is very frustrating when things are said which make it difficult for us to treat people. But I really do think that's down to what we learn at the basic level. Not everyone specialises, or even continues their training, so not everyone comes to realise what a truly versatile tool reflexology is.

 

[run and tell that homeboy]

hi lynne and everyone else,

i totally agree and we have been over this before, when it comes to general contra indications.

the sooner the organisations teach the same thing, the better. if we disagree amongst ourselves on what can and cant be treated, how can we come across to the orthodox medical world that we are bona fide and more importantly, to the general public who we want to give treatments to!

 

[LionLove]

Hi,

Having done a post graduate course, case study and exam in Pregnancy and Labour, I now know that, provided care is taken, there is no reason why any female should not receive Reflexology from before conception right through her pregnancy to, and beyond her successful delivery.

I agree with ro§ie that all courses should be standardised to eliminate all the mis-information and confusion with their trainees.

 

[GenderS]

Well I would treat. But then I am known for it!!!! You have a pal here Rosie.

I'm sorry, but it is such rubbish.

How many women do we know that have terminated pregnancies through reflexology. Errr?????? Oh no, sorry that doesn't work does it?[sm=banghead.gif]

I haven't got specialist pregnancy training and take my therapist hat off and doff it to those who have, but experience and confidence count.

If Reflexology is supposed to balance the body and bring about homeostasis, then it isn't going to bring about termination of a pregnancy.

It's up to the therapist. If you don't feel confident or are worried about your insurance then you have to do what is right for you.

Sadly these myths and others have been put about by colleges that have tutors who really don't know what they are talking about. I believe it is based on ignorance and fear. I even know of a tutor who has NO clients! How on earth can she pass on knowledge and experience to her students?

I've heard it all, including massage can spread cancer apparently (from a tutor). Funny that, because at the two cancer centres I worked at they didn't think so.

Oh dear, I am ranting aren't I? I feel very strongly about this. The sooner the whole thing is regulated the better as far as I am concerned.

I suppose I had better get me coat.....

 

[amashrtd]

) thanks for the rant, candie... i sometimes think i am mrs angry from surrey but as long as mrs disgruntled from wirral is here <g>

i do think the only contra indication to therapies is litigation. of course, with miscarriage, how bad would you feel if it happened, but then i am strong in my conviction that it would have happened anyway.

i am doing a not so good acupressure course just now and again it says, do not ever treat pregnancy as it can raise BP and harm the foetus. and dont treat cancer because it can spread it. now to me that is total fear mongering and better reasons should be thought up!

in fact, i am going over to the acupressure forum to ask artemis!

 

[DavidaMurdock]

I have to say that I get a touch sarcastic with the "Oh you mustn't do a reflexology treatment (or even a light foot massage) during pregnancy because you might acidentally touch the points that induce labour and cause a miscarriage" brigage. For them I have a simple answer, and it goes like this.

"Interestingly enough, the reflexes found in the feet are mirrored in the hands. But I don't hear anyone telling you not to use your hands for 9 months".I'll definitely get my coat.[sm=wave.gif]

 

[amoeba]

You go girl! although I have been told about certain acupressure points also in pregnancy.

Maybe we need to get a really, really big soapbox so that we can both stand on it!

Seriously, i have never been frightened. Comes from my days at the cancer centre. i was trained in massage and doing aromatherapy at the time. they were pretty fussy who they took and I had a really tough interview with the Trustee who had been head of A&E and then retired and trained in acupuncture. She was no fool.

My first day consisted of 'shadowing' the aromatherapist (who became my friend) and helped me enormously. After two treatments she said 'ok now you get on with it'. I was bloody terrified I can tell you, but it was a drop in and there was a queue!

I just winged it really. Before long I had regular favourites who used to rush in at the start of the day to put their name down with me. This caused much discontent with the 'booker' who said they couldn't do it, but it helped my confidence enormously.

I had the lots. Terrible odema from chemo, ladies in wigs who took them off soon as they came in the room and others who left clumps of hair on the pillow when they got up. I did thin people, huge people, men, women, the healthy and the dying. I had one balsie broad who came in in her wheelchair and said 'don't be giving me any of that stroking nonsense girl!' She was scarey, but seemed very pleased!

I loved it there and learned so much, mainly not to be afraid and to poo-poo all the rubbish peddled by those who had never worked in such cirumstances. I was also lucky that my friend there passed on all her knowledge with a big heart and was glad to share.

It was the best experience and I would recommend it. I left when I moved back to the North and it was very sad for all of us. It was the most amazing place.

But the fact that they trusted me helped enormously and it means that now I will treat virtually anybody and I do. As long as you use common sense then I can't see the problem. We get loads of ill people at our Centre. They need help and are sometimes desperate and I have not come unstuck yet and don't plan to.

It's what you make it, what you learn and how you apply it. You learn a lot by being brave. I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[bailie28]

Well said candie,

I find this whole issue very frustrating. We were taught not to treat high/low blood pressure, anyone "undergoing medical treatment", diabetics, 1 - 12 weeks of pregnancy, etc etc etc without written permission from the GP. Having lost clients by asking for this, I had to re-think! The FHT now say that advising a client to discuss reflexology with the GP and then wrting down the client's report of the conversation is adequate. This works much better and I get a much better response from GP's (the last one even wrote me a short note!) I really don't believe that reflexology can do anyone any harm and I don't want to turn client's away. My latest client has diabetes - a total no no from my tutor's point of view - does this mean that my insurance will not cover me if something happens ? what could happen? I understand that there may be lack of sensation so I should be careful about pressure etc and I obviously need to be vigilant about any wounds etc. At one time though, I would probably have lost this client by insisting on written consent from the GP. I always thought that it wasn't right to ask someone to give consent to a treatment they had no experience of knowledge of.
I think these forums are invaluable for this sort of debate - I have never looked back since I found HP.

Pauline

 

[clehiuwiixdiisema]

I did my training with the IIR and the only people we were told not to treat were those who didn't want treatment or people who had a DVT as they would need urgent medical attention anyway. Reflexology is a natural therapy - it isn't claiming to be a cure all. People who need medical treatment should go and get medical treatment. I don't see how reflexology could cause any harm to clients with diabetes, high blood pressure or any of the other 'contraindications' that some schools teach about.

Love

Sulis xx