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What is it?

Reflexology is a unique system of therapeutic foot massage that targets precise reflex points. It is based on the premise that the feet are mini maps of the body and every reflex area on the foot relates to a vital organ in the body. The philosophy behind the treatment is that life force, or prana, circulates in a balanced, rhythmic way throughout the body. If this energy is disrupted, say by an injury, then signals are transmitted down energy channels, within the body, to the feet. Here they manifest as thickenings, or tiny nodules that feel like grains of sand, in the reflex areas of the feet that correspond to the area of injury on the body.

Its pedigree

Reflexology has an esteemed history. Like acupuncture, it has been used in China and India for over 5000 years. In Egypt, ancient hieroglyphic drawings have been found that depict royal persons receiving reflexology with the caption ‘you shall thank me for the pain’ (when the nodules are massaged to break down the granules it can be painful). There is also evidence that Native American tribes knew of the relationship between the reflex points and the internal organs of the body and used this knowledge to treat disease. Reflexology has been steadily assimilated as a complement to conventional Western medicine since the 1870s, in the fields of dentistry, gynaecology, chiropractice, chest medicine, orthopaedics and ENT. In addition, it is now being used in a growing number of other specialities within UK hospitals and in general practice clinics within the NHS.

Reflexology in pregnancy

My inclusion of reflexology in the initial pregnancy strategies that I developed was accidental, yet it is now one of the most powerful tools in my programme. You may find, as you have more and more treatments, it helps to identify areas within your body that need cleansing. Many of my mothers find their feet are indicators of their internal health and enjoy finding out how the reflex areas are improving with reflexology as the weeks go by. As mothers progress through their pregnancies, they are quick to point out specific areas of tenderness in their feet that correspond to a physical weakness elsewhere, such as a tender sciatic nerve.

Reflexology is very safe in pregnancy, and is instrumental in helping 45.5 per cent of my mothers give birth at the optimum gestation of 40 weeks. At term, it can be effective in initiating contractions and labour by stimulating the pituitary, adrenal and uterine reflex areas.

Note: In the early weeks of pregnancy (up to 12 weeks), before the placenta is fully established, I generally advise a gentle foot massage, concentrating on light drainage and working only on the upper areas of the foot. Along with this I recommend positive visualization and Reiki. In the month-by-month guide on pages 131-83, there are specific indications for reflexology at different stages of pregnancy.

What it can do for you in pregnancy

 Reduce and normalize high blood pressure (hypertension). Weekly treatments of reflexology for 30-45 minutes usually reduces high blood pressure and can help you avoid repeated admission to hospital for rest and observation

 Normalize low blood pressure

 Eliminate oedema and reduce swelling in feet and ankles

 Prevent heartburn

 Improve sleep quality

 Clear headaches

 Relieve varicose veins

 Clear pelvic congestion

 Improve lymphatic drainage and complement the effects of the recommended eating plan

 Aid digestion by boosting the pancreatic secretion of digestive hormones – the pancreas can become sluggish during pregnancy due to the effect of the placental hormones

 Oxygenate the baby by improving the blood flow within your whole body, your uterus and the baby’s placenta

 Help you to carry your baby to term

 Can be used to initiate labour if you are overdue, thereby reducing the need for medical induction at hospital

 Intensify contractions during labour and shorten labour as a result

Can you do it yourself?

Yes, partly. Below is a basic five-minute massage that can be performed on the feet or hands.

Method: A light all-round kneading of each foot can help to relax your whole body. Specific lymphatic drainage is encouraged by working deeply on the tissues on the top of the recipient’s foot by moving your fingers up and down the spaces between the bones and massaging deeply. (The same techniques can by applied to your hands – simply massage up and down the webbed area between the fingers on the top of the hands.)