Reflexology in pregnancy?

[Healthtfrr]

I have a question which I suppose I could get the answer to in any Reflexology text book. I know the text book answer already, but would like some other veiws on this from experienced practicing Reflexologist.

I have a client who I have treated with Reflexology on maybe 3/4 occasions in the last 6 months who has treatment just for relaxation and well being. These treatments have been given since a miscarriage in early pregnancy. My client now informs me that she is pregnant again approx. 6 weeks along. She is due another treatment in 2 days. She already knows the whole thing about contraindications in early gestation but is happy to carry on with the therapy.

Now the obvious dilemma is do I carry on giving her treatments or not? I have read conflicting reports about this. One opinion is NO WAY!

 

[utypuyrl]

sorry I hit the wrong key! As I was saying one opinion is NO WAY should she have the treatment. But another and more interesting opinion I have come across is that if a client has already had treatments and has had no adverse reactions to it ( which she hasn't at all ) then is is OK and even benifical to her to carry on. I told her that if she agreed then I would only give her a very light treatment avoiding reproductives and endocrines and the like, however I am having second thoughts about it as you can well imagine. I would like to draw on other peoples' ideas on this and any experiences you lot out there may have had.

Thanks in advance

Susan

 

[Lovell Winthrop]

Hiya

Well, I have only just qualified so can only say what I would do now. I would wait till the end of the first trimester because of the miscarriage that she suffered already.

I have to say I agree with you and I am already an aromatherapist and am more confident in that field so would do what I thought best, but they do say that if there is a history of miscarriage then you shouldn't treat for the first three months.

I must tell you - did have a giggle the other day when I treated another reflexologist who had done ITEC as I have. They weren't allowed to use anybody with ANY complaints for their case studies!!!!! No heart problems, no pregnancy, no nothing, not the slightest hitch, they could only use people in 100% health! The teacher told them that as reflexology is so powerful you could upset the balance of the body and cause lasting damage - Now where is that head rolling smilie.....[sm=rollaugh.gif][sm=rollaugh.gif][sm=rollaugh.gif][sm=rollaugh.gif][sm=rollaugh.gif][sm=rollaugh.gif]

ah..... that's better.

not that I am doubt its 'power' and efficiacy, but she totally scared them off treating anybody.

I used people in my case studies who had all sorts wrong with them and got a gp letter, surely it is these people that benefit most? Or did I miss something?[X(]

Ultimately I think you have to make the decision yourself and as she is in agreement and as you are going to miss out the systems that concern you, I would on balance go ahead (if I were you!!!)[&:]

 

[starsky_1212]

Hi there
- i can only speak from my perspectives - you must do as you think/feel is right - if she were my client & i had been treating her all along I would continue - as balancing, strengthening, promoting, encouraging homeostasis to me could be of maximum benefit to maintaining the pregnancy- if the baby isnt meant to be - well there will miscarriage anyway .
I wonder what would you do - if say - she had conceived due to the reflex treatments - what would then happen ?
Perhaps discuss everything with her, explore all considerations, consequences, fears, benefits etc etc & she how she feels too
or maybe she will sign something to say she prefers to continue with reflexology ie.. taking full responsibility . .
Hope all goes well for her.

 

[A Real Monster]

Hi Susan

We had this one when I was doing my reflexology course and one of the ladies on the course was pregnant and I went though the treatment routine on that week thinking nothing of it but I sensed she was pregnant but did not get any negative sensations that I rely on in therapy to avoid something that would be harmful.

Anyhow the following week she said she was pregnant and the instructress said she was contra indicated, now I am trained as a remedial massage therapist and I must say that to give someone the type of remedial foot massage that I was taught is a lot more intense than a reflexology treatment and is safe to use in pregnancy, I expressed this opinion and offered to show her the type of pressures we where shown to use in a foot massage! but no she was a closed book on the subject so this lady had to give up her studies because no one was allowed to exchange treatments with her which made it very difficult to do the practical.

If this lady of yours wishes to receive reflexology and you wish to cover yourself then please get her to sign a waver stating that she has been informed of the possible side effects of this type of treatment but is happy to receive the treatments in spite of any warnings and will take full responsibility for her own informed decisions.

 

[Mimii]

Thank you all for you replies. I had to laugh at Candies story of not being able to treat anyone with anything wrong with them for case studies. It's a shame that during training the tutors seem to instill a terror in you that you mustn't treat people who are seriously ill, but if that is so, reflexology would be a waste of time, surely it's those very people that need the help in the first place. I suppose they are just trying to cover themselves and protect you as a therapist from getting yourself into trouble, but it does make it all very confusing doesn't it? Reflexology should realign the body's energy not upset it. If it upsets it to such a degree as to cause lasting damage then it begs the question 'should we be doing this at all?' I myself agree with Prerana and that if the client is ill after a treatment or miscarries or whatever then it would have happened anyway. It could be that my client did concieve as a result of the treatment but we will never know will we!

It seems strange to me that a newly pregnant lady can't have Reflexology, yet might just as easily get her partner to give her a foot massage because her feet ache and be non the wiser!! Which leads to another question, 'should we let our clients know that they are contraindicated in the first place?' Or is it best just to keep quiet and do what you think is best as long as you're acting in their best intrests.

Anyway, what has happened is that I rang my client to discuss the matter further and recommended that she wait at least another 6 weeks and in the meantime mention it to her doctor and get his opinion. We will then continue the treatments if everything is OK. She was fine with this and said that she would in no way have blamed me if anything had happened she is also a firm believer in if it's not meant to be it's not meant to be. I will however get her to sign a waver so that there can be no comback.

Thank you again for your help

Susan