Cramping following treatment - why?

[animetalchick]

I have another question today. I guess I'm in a curious mood.

One of my case studies has started experiencing cramps in her feet inbetween treatments. She also had it whilst I treated her yesterday. She's never had this before. One of my previous case studies also started having the same during and inbetween treatments.

Another of my case studies has started having knee pain - that's also a new symptom.

I'm starting to get paranoid. Is it something I'm doing wrong? Apart from this, I'm getting great results with their other presenting conditions and they all seem to love my treatment. But when they ask me about these new symptoms I don;t knwo what to say, except that it must be the body's way of showing up some deficiency - perhaps magnesium or calcium, and that the treatment has triggered that message from the body.

Can anyone shed more light on this? If there;s something more I should know, I'd like to know now, before I go further with treatments.

Cheers everyone,

Sole x

Another of

 

[CheuxLover]

Hi sole. There could be lots of reasons for this. Also, you ususally find that many symptoms get worse for a while before they get better. I can't say I've had clients with foot cramps though - is this an older lady? I'm sure it's nothing you're doing wrong - keep going and you'll probably see an improvement...

Good luck!

Matt

 

[begrvjhk]

I had my first treatment with a new (and very good) reflexologist this week and had the most god-awful cramping in my right foot when the therapist went over my lumbar spine reflexes. My foot clawed up - it was hell. This was exactly like what happens to my back (I am currently off work with back probs) when I get sciatica. Though it was excrutiating, I found comfort in the fact that my feet were reflecting what's happening in my body. I hope I am not mis-quoting my therapist but she said that this was happening because I was holding a lot of tension. And ain't that the truth... I am the most up-tight bunny in my street.

My impression is that new clients (who've not had reflexology before) or folk who are unhealthy/unwell will have strong responses to their early treatments. I also get the feeling that good reflexologists (who get right into the points, and apply a hearty pressure) will be more likely to get this sort of response. By comparison I saw a local beautician, who does reflexology treatments, last week and had a treatment with her, and it was lovely, but I asked the question ([link=http://www.healthypages.net/forum/tm.asp?m=329050]see this topic[/link]) as to why I didn't feel pain on my spine reflexes. I certainly DIDN'T ask that question when I saw the new reflexologist this week!!

My feeling is that you are doing the right thing, and their bodies are responding to the treatments in this tension-releasing way.

N

 

[Memediple]

Hi all,

Cramping is generally a sign of either poor circulation or dehydration. If it is happening during a treatment I would imagine it's because of the movement of lactic acid (a waste product in the muscles) caused by the pressure therapy and stimulation of the circulation.

Its really important to properly warm up the client feet prior to starting the pressure therapy especially if they have been suffering from restricted movement or have generally poor circulation.

I would also advise your client to drink more water to ensure that their sodium content is as it should be.

Meridianmoon x

 

[Abu Dhabi Nihilism Front]

Hi all,

I'd go along with what's been said and am just coming back to the query about new knee problems.

While new knee pains could arise from any number of physical issues it might also be related to something on a different level. I've found that knee pains often relate to emotional issues and specifically to the fear of moving forward. Well, fear might be too strong a word in all cases but maybe resistance or reluctance to change.

Your client, Soleworks, could feel that she is afraid to commit to something. I was trying to think of an example but there could be milions of reasons. In one of my cases, the resistance was, in the end, to actually getting better and changing the pattern of unhealthy behaviour. That took a while to figure out!!

It's good to step back sometimes and not think about the reactions as purely mechanical because sometimes, they're not. It's what makes reflexology such a beautiful therapy.

 

[peacebuffalo]

Hi Sole,
cramps can be caused by dehydration , mineral imbalance as previously stated, but please consider this as well.
I too have hadsome clients experience cramp in various parts of the body and usually it is when for example i have been trying to correct poor or dysfunctional posture or increasing joint movement by lenghtening a tight hamstring muscle, or plantar flexors, calves etcthe body seems to resent this fact and has a protective reponse to limit the new range to which the muscle being asked to do. A good stretch routine can definitely reduce the occurrence of cramping, try to stretch the affected muscle and hold it for at least 8-10 seconds immedialtely a cramp occurrs.
keep up the good work and dont doubt yourself, use positive responses like, that is quite normal when I loosen a restriction, or find a relevance to a part of your body.
regards Gaz

 

[Mando]

hope that made sense as I type more slowly than my brain thinks.
Gaz