Rude Health: Reflexology a healthy option in pregnancy
Sunday Business Post Article, November 23, 2008- By Fiona Ness
With many western medicines deemed unsafe for use during pregnancy, there is little conventional medicine can offer mums-to-be who are looking to bolster their bodies and minds during the nine months of upheaval that precede their new arrival.
The good news is that medical practitioners are increasingly recognising the benefits of some complementary therapies. Reflexology, acupressure and acupuncture, for example, are all gaining sound reputations as alternative ways of maintaining health, preventing illness, and even preparing the body for birth, during pregnancy.
Reflexologists work on the principle that all parts of the body are connected by a flow of energy which runs from the head down to the feet through ten zones. Illness results when this energy becomes blocked. By working on the ‘reflex’ points in the hands and feet, reflexologists rebalance the energy throughout the body, restoring it to health. Relief can be almost immediate, but chronic conditions take longer to heal.
Now, as a fairly practically-minded person, I have a little trouble thinking in terms of an unseen energy flowing through my body, never mind one that can be manipulated by what might seem, at first, to be a glorified foot massage. However, having already experienced the benefits of other alternative therapies such as reiki and acupuncture, and read widely about the benefits of reflexology in pregnancy, I resolved to test it out with an open mind.
My therapist, Jett, explains the treatment in detail. After dispelling the myth that reflexology can bring on early labour, she emphasises the role of stress in causing many illnesses in the body. Reflexology, she says, enhances circulation, which improves blood supply to every cell in the body. This in turn bolsters the immune system and counteracts the effects of stress, which can stop the body functioning properly. So far, so practical. Jett combines reflexology with acupuncture, targeting points that enrich the blood, reduce nausea and calm the mind. This has an unexpected added bonus in your pocket, too, as acupuncture is a treatment recognised by medical insurers VHI and Quinn Healthcare.
The first step is to hop or roll (depending on your trimester) up onto the treatment couch, where you are quizzed about potential fungal foot infections. After this, the feet are sterilised and powder is applied to allow the therapist to manipulate each foot individually.
My therapist works from a foot chart which she uses to map out which points on my feet are sensitive. These give her an indication as to what is going on inside the body, and what points she needs to work on. She notes the sensitive areas in order to monitor progress made through subsequent sessions.
A cursory examination of skin tone and the feel of the foot gives the reflexologist an indication of the condition of the body. My feet, Jett says, are damp but not sweating - indicating respiratory problems as a result of too much ‘‘heat energy’’ in the body. She recommends I stay away from ‘d amp’ foods, such as wheat, potatoes and bananas which will make the condition worse, and concentrate on releasing unnecessary mental tension by practising breathing relaxation techniques.
The skin on the long arch of my foot, meanwhile, is yellow in pallor - something which she says indicates over-exercising. I admit to being guilty of this, and resolve to cut back for the duration of the pregnancy. Getting down to work on the areas of the feet, she notes that the bladder and kidney areas are well-hydrated. The high flexibility evident in my foot, she says, is mirrored throughout my whole body - and shows flexibility of mind, too.
A closer examination of the points of the foot that correspond to the lungs and kidneys show what Jett terms a ‘chi’ deficiency caused by an obstruction of the energy flow to the organs. Shortness of breath is a common complaint in pregnancy, but my therapist points to an underlying weakness in my lungs. I concur that I’ve suffered from a wheeze in my chest for the last two years, and it’s been worse in pregnancy. She works on pressure points to nourish the organs. A tender spot around the back of my ankle indicates lower-back sciatica on the left hand side - again bang on.
Lymphatic drainage is next, to help with fluid retention, and an ‘‘endocrine balance’’ which Jett says is wonderful for calming the raging pregnancy hormones. Jett recommends monthly treatments for those having a normal, healthy pregnancy, moving to weekly sessions in the last month. Follow up treatments post-pregnancy, meanwhile, are said to help normalise hormone levels, help prevent post-natal depression and get the muscles back into shape.
If you are suffering ailments associated with pregnancy, or even just the usual discomforts, reflexology can offer some relief. Moreover, the deep relaxation the treatment brings must surely be beneficial in helping women adjust to the changes taking place in their bodies during pregnancy, and reduce the anxiety surrounding birth.
Mums in need of a pregnancy pick-me-up should forget that new pair of shoes or indulgent facial, and do themselves and their energy levels a favour by treating themselves to reflexology instead. Jett Horszowski is a certified pilates and yoga instructor at Yoga Dublin (www.yogadublin.com) and other Dublin city centre locations. She can be contacted through her website, www.qirooms.com
The treatment: Pregnancy reflexology
What it promises: A non-invasive method of maintaining health and preventing illness during pregnancy – including relief from morning sickness, constipation, fluid retention, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, raised blood pressure, and back and leg pain. Nourishment of the foetus, uterus and ovaries. A shorter and more comfortable labour for those who practise regular reflexology after the first trimester of pregnancy.
The results: After one session, I had relief from some of the less welcome features of pregnancy, which for me included insomnia and sciatica. Deep relaxation, elevated mood.
When not to do it: If you suffer from deep vein thrombosis; or placenta previa or hydro amnios after 32 weeks; or if otherwise advised by your doctor/midwife.
Contact and cost: Bridgette Horszowski at jett@pilatesplusdublin.ie or tel: 087-9092400. A one and a quarter hour treatment costs €60, and includes ear acupuncture, tongue and pulse diagnosis and dietary advice
