Menopause reflexology…
How can I help you with your menopausal symptoms?
I have undergone specialist training in Reflexology for Menopause, training with Sally Earlam, Head of Training and Education for the Association of Reflexologists. My advanced training means I can give you optimum care during your menopause. I will be interested to hear how the perimenopause or menopause is effecting you as an individual. This will allow me to plan your reflexology treatment specific to you. I promise to be non-judgemental, supportive, nurturing and to share my knowledge if you would like to know more about lifestyle changes.
As every woman’s body is different, the course of reflexology will be designed for the individual. Women however find it most beneficial to have regular treatments, initially either weekly or fortnightly to help regulate their body.
How can reflexology help the menopause?
Reflexology is an extremely supportive therapy for women going through the menopause and peri-menopause, helping both the physical and emotional symptoms without the side effects sometimes experienced with drug-based treatments.
Apart from offering deep relaxation, it can also boost blood circulation, help balance hormone levels, help regulate the menstrual cycle and improve sleep patterns.
Reflexology helps to balance the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal gland hormones. This in turn can alleviate menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes as well as anxiety. By calming the central nervous system, sleep disturbances, anxiety and stress levels can also be reduced. Helping reduce the impact of stress will help to reduce the associated symptoms.
Whilst Reflexology cannot stop the natural process of menopause, it can certainly help to bring balance, calmness and a greater control to your body and mind at this physically changing phase of your life.
What is the menopause?
It is the time when you stop menstruating. You are classed as moving from perimenopause to menopause after you have had no period for 12 months. Perimenopause generally starts between the ages of 40 and 50 years and the first symptom most women will notice is irregular periods. Hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone begin to fluctuate due to the declining egg reserve and over time these hormones will dramatically fall. It is these changes in hormones that are responsible for menopausal symptoms. In the UK it is estimated that 80% of women do experience some symptoms with the most common being hot flushes and night sweats.
What are the symptoms of menopause?
Each woman’s journey through this stage of life is unique but these are the most common symptoms:
Bloating
Mood swings
Anxiety / Depression
Sleep problems
Irregular / painful / lengthy periods
Vaginal dryness
Sore breasts
Weight gain
Fatigue
Changes in libido
Headaches
Joint pains – plus a few more!
Menopause and HRT
Many of my clients are taking HRT and choose reflexology to help support their journey through menopause. Reflexology is a complementary therapy and works along side drug-based treatments. My clients will benefit from an hour of deep relaxation helping to calm the nervous system, to help sleep disturbances, in turn anxiety and stress levels can also be reduced. Helping reduce the impact of stress will help to reduce the associated symptoms. It can be a very confusing and ungrounding time and the time out and support I offer can bring about a lot of calm and balance.
Recent reflexology menopause studies:
Studies have found that reflexology is effective for reducing severe menopausal symptoms:
A study concluded that Reflexology is an effective therapy for sleep disorders and hot flushes in menopause:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042811029788
The effect of foot reflexology applied to women aged between 40 and 60 on vasomotor complaints and quality of life concluded that Reflexology can be effective in decreasing vasomotor problems and increasing quality of life in the menopausal period.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27502805/
The effects of reflexology on depression during menopause: A randomised controlled clinical trial indicated that the foot reflexology technique can be effective for reducing women’s depression during menopause.