Is reflexology a load of mumbo jumbo?

[windsor22]

Sorry if I sound insensitive here but interested to hear if reflexology for infertility actually has any positive effects. The scientific evidence base doesn't seem to exist but I appreciate there will be some success stories.

I've had a couple of sessions and had comments like "your ovaries are buzzing" - I had already told her I had ovulated the day before. I've mentioned that I've been referred for tubal testing and was told that my tubes didn't feel blocked according to my feet.

Any thoughts would be appreciated and again, I'm sorry if I sound insensitive or if you are enjoying reflexology at the moment. I've no doubt that it's relaxing and there will be positives from that!

I enjoyed it but I've stopped as it's expensive. I started it after a miscarriage and did manage to conceive a couple of months after but miscarried again. However it's been almost a year and have not fallen pregnant naturally (almost a year now).I stopped after the second miscarriage. So maybe it did help. I found it very relaxing but the place I went (fertility reflexologist) wasn't that close to home.

Interesting that you've posted this as I am thinking of doing reflexology to complement IVF. I'm not convinced that reflexology can cure infertility but I think it probably helps you relax and feel good which can't hurt.

I think sometimes it's what something means to you that matters. For me, stuff like reiki / reflexology / crystals etc are mumbo jumbo, therefore I'm never going to truly relax and feel those treatments are beneficial to me. However for someone who does believe they work, they are likely to feel benefits because they believe they are beneficial (and therefore it doesn't really matter if they scientifically work or not, because it's working psychologically).

I also think that the "success" of alternative methods for infertility have to be taken with a pinch of salt. Someone might have got pregnant in a month where they were drinking loads of cranberry tea and then absolutely swear by cranberry tea to assist with fertility but who's to say that wasn't just the month they were going to get pregnant anyway? I think generally the methods that are scientifically proven (through copious robust studies) to help fertility are the methods that doctors and medical professionals already employ as they have the evidence to back it up.

Having said that, I am absolutely supportive of people doing whatever it is that makes them feel more in control of a process that is so outside of our control. For example, I bought a very expensive bottle of pomegranate juice in the run up to my ovulation because I read it can help boost endometrial lining. I didn't know if that was actually true but I knew it felt nice to be able to do something for myself and felt preparatory. If that makes sense?

Lots of people are cynical about complementary therapies but I am completely convinced about it's positive benefits. I had reflexology many years ago when I was really struggling to conceive. I had it alongside my IVF treatment and it helped to keep me calm throughout. It works by stimulating the nerve endings on reflex points which correspond to different parts of the body. I ended up re-training as a reflexologist.

Maybe it depends on your reflexologist. Mine was able to tell me a few different health problems that she was spot on with.
I'm definitely convinced it helped me as I have super light periods, 1 to 2 days of basically just spotting and it was really concerning to me . After having reflexology this month I've had a strong clear out of my womb lining and my period is pain free. Usually they are awful and absolutely no tenderness. I don't even feel like I have a period which is amazing.

Hi, that’s funny you just posted on this as I tried a different reflexologist last night and she was so much better! I was so relaxed in the appointment I fell asleep and slept soundly last night. I feel much more positive and have booked in loads more appointments!
That’s amazing yours is having an impact already. Good luck!

I have had reflexology on and off for years due to the relaxing benefit, I think with any alternative therapies it's also how you see them, if you believe they are mumbo jumbo you likely aren't guna be as willing with them. Sometimes it's just a good reset of the mind and body that we can't always do ourselves.

The 2 things I will say in regarding to the "ovaries buzzing" comment and you telling her you and ovulated.

I told my reflexology I was looking at fertility treatment. The month of a monitored cycle I went to see her after ovulation but never told her I had started the monitored cycle. At the end of my reflex session she apologised and said it was a bit confusing as she was picking up that I had ovulated from the left very strongly but also the right ... went for a scan a week later and they confirmed I actually ovulated from 2 ovaries, one on each side.

Also she told me there was a blockage in my womb area at another session. Turned out there were 2 polyps showing on a scan.

So I do believe it in and find it helpful