Reflexology

[sweeneytoddsrazor]

Not an AIBU but would like some opinions. Have any of you had reflexology? Is it any good, did it help with any existing conditions?
T.I.A

There's a particular protocol that's shown promise for lymphatic drainage in lymphodema: www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/find-a-clinical-trial/a-study-looking-reflexology-manage-lymphoedema-after-breast-cancer-treatment#undefined

I have regular clinical reflex. Genuinely no idea if it does anything medically but my god it feels amazing and I sleep so well after it.

I'm having Reflexology - it is amazing - My only regret is i didn't try it earlier.

2 experiences:
I told a woman at my swimming club I had morning sickness and without asking she reached over and prodded me in the clavicle. It was painful (badly healed fracture). She applogised.
H and I watched a video on YouTube, applied pressure and I went into labour within hours. I was 42+1 at that point so I doubt it had any influence.

Read this before you waste your money: rationalwiki.org/wiki/Reflexology

I had reflexology for PCOS... very relaxing, felt amazing and was so good for destressing me during medical treatment. Not sure if it helped but I did get pregnant! I literally floated away during treatment, it was lovely.

I used to work with cancer patients and many reported a reduction in chemo side effects, particularly nausea.

There's a particular protocol that's shown promise for lymphatic drainage in lymphodema: www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/find-a-clinical-trial/a-study-looking-reflexology-manage-lymphoedema-after-breast-cancer-treatment#undefined

I’m very surprised that CRUK have publicised this trial. It has a minute number of participants and was undertaken by people who had a vested interest in promoting this particular treatment. The lymphoedema practitioners with whom I was working were very sceptical.

I'm a Podiatrist (NHS) and no I don't practice Reflexology or have any opinion one way or the other (patients often ask me if I 'believe in Reflexology' .)
It's been used for 1000s of years . I neither believe nor disbelieve .
I've watched demonstrations but never tried it .

If you do , make sure the Reflexologist is qualified .

I usually say "try it" it will work for some but not for others but what harm can it do?

A good foot massage seems to have relaxing/invigorating effects beyond what you get for the same surface area on the rest of your body, and I imagine tension in your body affects how you stand and vice versa, but I'm pretty sure links between certain square cm on your feet and different organs are a pile of hooey (I have a diploma in anatomy, physiology and massage, as well as a biomedical PhD). Though I have paid for relaxology when I wanted an hour of good foot massage.

A nice foot massage can be relaxing and make you feel better in general, or make specific symptoms feel better for a while. Any relaxing experience will do the same.

Besides that, it's a proven load of bollocks.

I have reflexology against my psoriasis. Doesn't cure (never any promise of that either) but it keeps symptoms down and mean I use a lot less medicine.

I'm booking it for the first time next month. Not because I 'believe' in it but because any form of relaxation technique can only be a good thing in my book. I think providing you book it from a 'treat' point of view and not a ' this might enable me to have a baby/ cure my skin condition,' then it's all good

Thanks everyone interesting to read the different perspectives. I don't expect a cure, I know I will be on tablets for the rest of my life, but occasionally even with the tablets the symptons rear their head. Tbh I would be happy if it worked even as a placebo effect. I will probably book it as a treat and see what happens.

It is a lovely treat, so relaxing.

There is a huge difference in treatment reflexology and relaxing reflexology

I love my occasional reflexology appointments. I have an open mind about its effectiveness, but it is wonderfully relaxing and the lady picks up on things without me telling her. I feel lovely afterwards - maybe I would feel the same after a back massage or head massage too. I'd definitely give it a try though if you're interested

I use hand reflexology and have for years. I have a very old book by Mildred Carter, it was an old book when I first started using it. There are also lots of diagrams and information on the internet.

Hand reflexology is easy to do for yourself. Two things: always do both sides, ie if you are massaging the base of your thumb (the bone bit on the inside of your hand) for a stiff neck, do it on both hands. Also press hard.

I agree with Abbie. Often it's used as a form of relaxation, which is wonderful if that's what's needed. Others are more clinical and although we don't claim to cure, it can often have great health benefits. Now that my child has grown up, and I'm reigniting my reflexology career. I have just added to my qualifications and trained in advanced techniques to provide a more clinical treatment. I'd like some feet to practice these new techniques on, so if you live in the South London area and would like to try it, you can pay what you think it's worth for your first session. Contact me by private message (not familiar with how that works on this platform).