Reflexology is the ancient art of stimulating the body's own healing system through carefully applied pressure to the feet. With reflexology, all of the body is mapped out in the feet and so the whole body is treated during a session. Reflexology is holistic in approach, so both symptoms and the underlying causes are treated. It can also help cleanse the body of toxins and impurities whilst balancing and revitalising the body's energy and boosting the immune system. It is also a very pleasant way to relax and unwind.

All reflexology patients’ cases are overseen by one of the medical doctors at the practice.

Reflexology and specific conditions

INSOMNIA
Insomnia is a common problem resulting in upset sleep pattern. It can manifest in various ways including difficulty getting to sleep and staying asleep (resulting in poor quality sleep and waking up still feeling tired), fatigue, waking up during the night/very early in the morning. Insomnia can last short term from just a few nights broken sleep, to weeks or months of suffering. The causes can be varied including stress, emotions, anxiety, grief, trauma, allergies, pain, caffeine/stimulants, some medications, shift work, jet lag or underlying medical conditions, to name a few.

How can Reflexology help?
Reflexology is based on the belief that specific areas in your hands and feet (“reflex points”) are linked to all areas of your body. By applying pressure to these points it is believed to stimulate and restore the natural balance of the body and place it in a position to restore or boost it’s own natural healing system, it can reduce stress by calming the body down and places the body and mind into a state of deep relaxation. This switches our body from the sympathetic nervous system (a stimulated state of being wide awake and alert), to the parasympathetic nervous system (a relaxed state which promotes rest and repair).
Reflexology is a gentle, enjoyable and relaxing treatment with many of my clients falling into a relaxed state and leave the session feeling deeply relaxed, refreshed and more positive.

Specifically for Insomnia, after a normal Reflexology treatment, I return to focus on the hormonal system. The pituitary gland regulates the circadian rhythm which regulates the sleep/wake cycle. The thyroid glands govern metabolism and the adrenal glands regulate stress hormones. Treating these glands can help start to return the body to it’s natural, calmer state with an aim to restore good sleep patterns.
The vast majority of my clients report improved sleep the night after their treatment, which is well known to be a good side effect of Reflexology. I believe this is partly due to switching on the parasympathetic nervous system (explained above) and the work I do on the diaphragm and solar plexus, our breathing and emotional centre. This all results in a calming effect on the whole body and helps regulate breathing and heart rate.
As Reflexology is holistic and looks at the body as a whole, not just the symptoms, I will also be trying to help you find the underlying reasons and get to the root of the cause of the insomnia (eg If the cause is external factors such as caffeine, medication, grief, allergies or other medical conditions) with an aim to assist in restoring your balance both physically and emotionally.

FERTILITY ISSUES
Female infertility is described as not being able to get pregnant (or carry a baby full term) after one year of trying naturally (or six months if over 35 years old).
There are many causes of fertility problems including:

• Ovulation issues - irregular or absent menstrual periods.

E.g. PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), POI (Primary Ovarian Insufficiency), stress, hormone or thyroid imbalance.

• Blocked/damaged fallopian tubes due to conditions like Endometriosis, Fibroids, Pelvic inflammatory disease, scar tissue or Polyps.

How can Reflexology help?
Reflexology is based on the belief that specific area in your hands and feet (“reflex points”) are linked to all areas of your body. By applying pressure to these points it is believed to stimulate and restore the natural balance of the body and place it in a position to restore or boost it’s own natural healing system, it can reduce stress by calming the body down and places the body and mind into a state of deep relaxation. This switches our body from the sympathetic nervous system (a stimulated state of being wide awake and alert), to the parasympathetic nervous system (a relaxed state which promotes rest and repair).
Reflexology is a gentle, enjoyable and relaxing treatment with many of my clients falling into a relaxed state and leave the session feeling deeply relaxed, refreshed and more positive.

Specifically for fertility issues, Reflexology aims to restore balance to the hormonal system, reduce stress and promote a feeling of well being which I believe is a vital state to be in prior to conception. Reflexologists believe all of the body is mapped in the hands and feet, so by working on the reflex points relating to the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, etc (plus reproductive glands in men if the fertility problem is believed to be the man),  it can help restore the imbalance and boost the body’s own natural healing system and help it decrease symptoms associated with issues such as Endometriosis, fibroids, etc