reflex contra-indications?????

[strongjoey21]

Hiya!!
Im doing (we're doing!!!!) an exhibition for our 'setting up and maintaining a practice' module. I am going to do the post - advise cards for the treatments. I know the CI for aroma-but are there any different ones for reflex that I need to add???
Thank you
Tx

 

[Jim The Baptist]

Hi Tx,
Thoughts on contra indicators vary. Some say that there aren't any as reflexology is completely safe, others come up with a mega list.
Sorry I don't know the aromatherapy contra indicators so excuse any repetition.

If you are just starting out, or preparing for exams then play safe with the following list
first three months of pregnancy - don't want the body to treat the foetus as a foreign body and reject it.
diabetics - don't want to affect the insulin level
thrombosis, severe heart problems - reflexology works on the circulation
epilepsy - don't want to trigger an attack
mental problems, manic depression - could release emotions and become instable
anyone under the influence of drink or drugs
on broken bones that have not yet beek set corectly.
If clients are under medication by their GP then clearance from the GP should be sought prior to treatment.
For clients with athletes foot or verrucas then if you do treat them wear gloves and ensure all towels etc are washed before being used again.

As regards post treatment occasionally some people may experience cold -like symptoms, or get a headache, or an upset stomach for a short while. This is just the body clearing itself.

With all the above apply common sense.

Hope that helps
Love and Blessings for 2004
Mike

 

[SandToes Studios]

Not too experienced with this side of things yet, been told reflexology is pretty safe for pretty much everything, it's how you adapt the treatment for the individual that is important.

Avoid the lymph nodes and any areas that may be affected for cancer sufferers.
Avoid treating the reproductive system for anyone who is pregnant.

 

[RANDALL]

Thanks both for your replies!
Tx

 

[iTz dEE]

Everyone's opinions of contraindications seem to vary. When studying Reflexology I bought the Louise Tucker Introductory Guide and was surprised to see that menstruation is a contraindication. This was never mentioned whilst studying at college and I have never seen this in any other book, which I found very confusing.

One of the ITEC questions asked about contraindications and two of the four MCQ's answers were menstruation and diabetes. I chose diabetes...I wonder how I was marked on that one!!!!! I also treated one person during menstruction which I used for a case study.

Has anyone any thoughts on this?

 

[BannyWiliamila]

On the AoR list of contraindications it mentions menstruation of the practitioner rather than the client, but only as a note saying that this wouldn't be practical nowdays as female practitioners would need to be off work 1 week out of 4! I think it's probably an old wives tale.

 

[kdexyuhfimuiqpels]

Contra indications (AoR) for reflexology are:

Thrombosis, Embolus, Phlebitis, Cancers of the blood, Lymphatic Cancer, Hodgkins Disease, Gangrene, Shingles (while pustules are present) or during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Particular care should also be taken of pregnant clients after the 1st 3 months, not to stimulate the pituitary reflex, as this could trigger contractions.

Hope this helps

Health & happiness

Waywood

 

[Spencer]

i think you'll find that menstruation is contraindicated in as much as you, as a therapist, should be aware that your lady client may find those areas very tender. also, it is stated as CI in the first few days, as this is when a period is often heavy and painful and you dont want to be making that worse.

in my experience, the CI's are pretty much the same as for massage. one just needs to be aware and careful. as you gain experience working with clients, you'll instinctively know when to "do" or not.

i always found the CI's a grey area in training and i think alot are listed for the student and new therapist. there were only 3 absolute no treatment CI's. the rest were cautionary.

good luck!

regards
rosie

 

[cumu2me4fun]

Hi Rosie

First of all welcome to the site!!!!

I was a little worried when treating this client as her period seemed to be on-going for over 2 weeks. She is a youngster (late twenties) and also on the contraceptive pill. She said it had never happened before........I sincerely hope that she has stopped now!!!!!!!

 

[pieojhqu]

i guess you'll never know if it was you or not!!! i know during my training, us girls started to suffer badly with irregular periods and episodes of thrush, and all because we werent always doing full treatments but certain systems.

regards
rosie

 

[jimbot]

Hi Rosie

I think I will just keep my head down on this one