FERTILITY REFLEXOLOGY

Fertility Reflexology is a gentle therapy that can help ensure your mind and body are in the best possible condition prior to conception.  Please ensure who ever you chose to attend  has gained additional and specific training in this area of Reflexology.

For further informartion on our Pre Conception Programme CLICK HERE

Medical Recognition of the effectiveness of Reflexology & Infertility
Reflexology can create a healthier environment for a possible pregnancy to occur by encouraging the body to work more efficiently. Such thinking has been endorsed by Dr Edgar Mocanu, Consultant at the HARI Unit, Dublin, when he addressed the RIEN conference in Sept 2006. Here he discussed ‘Reflexology & Assisted Reproduction’. His recommendation to couples contemplating fertility investigations is that they should both have 12 once weekly sessions of Reflexology before starting any fertility treatment. Indeed clients have reported feeling 100% more positive and relaxed. They sleep better; have improved sex drive, more regular cycles, better flow, less pain. A significant percentage of women have successfully conceived within a course of treatment.

Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) are disorders that can cause troublesome symptoms which may affect your fertility. These complaints respond particularly well to the hormone balancing effects of Fertility Reflexology.

Fertility Reflexology can also support you throughout medical investigations and during the time leading up to Advanced Reproductive Technologies procedures, including IVF, ICSI, FET, GIFT, IUI & ZIFT.

Fertility reflexology may be able to help you if you are experiencing difficulties becoming pregnant. The therapy’s calming and relaxing effects can help to ease the tension and anxiety that you may feel when things do not go according to plan

The term sub-fertility or infertility is used if conception has not occurred naturally after 12 months of trying for a baby. Sometimes there appears to be no reason for this – even if medical tests show that there is nothing wrong with you or your partner. This may even occur when you already have a child (known as secondary infertility). The ability to conceive depends on many different factors, but it is essential that both partners are in optimum health to enable this to happen.

Causes of Sub-Fertility or Infertility
Due to the demands of modern life, many of us fall into patterns of behaviour that we may not realise can have such a big impact on our health – and also our fertility. These include:
• long working hours
• erratic eating patterns
• poor diet and ‘convenience’ foods
• high alcohol consumption
• too much or not enough exercise
• stress

Hormonal factors affecting fertility include:
• polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• endometriosis
• irregular periods
• amenorrhoea (absence of periods – sometimes caused by long term contraceptive pill use)
• sporadic ovulation

The hormone balancing effects of fertility reflexology may help ease unpleasant symptoms, encourage regular periods and promote ovulation.

Stress and Fertility
In many cases the anxiety over fertility can become all encompassing, which in itself can be detrimental and may affect your ability to conceive. You may feel isolated and unable to talk about your problem, particularly when friends or work colleagues are pregnant or have recently had babies. It’s normal to feel a little envious at this time and feel it may never happen for you. However by making some changes to your life, you can maximise your chances and improve your own fertility.  This article on stress may give you the tools to help manage it better. Or you may feel by taking even just 1-2 minutes during your busy day to relax and be present can make a HUGE difference in managing stress and lifting your mood. Stress management is essential for fertility and health. Watch this short video for meditation. A short meditation for stress.

Fertility reflexology is a harmonising holistic therapy that can help you cope at this time. It works on an emotional and physical level to ease stress and tension. Regular treatments can help to:
• enhance your body’s own natural healing abilities
• encourage your body systems to function efficiently
• regulate and balance your hormone levels

It is important that all aspects of your lifestyle are explored at your initial appointment, as there may be a number of contributory factors affecting your fertility. Plenty of time is available to talk before a treatment plan is devised.

Regular fertility reflexology treatments – together with some lifestyle changes – can give the best possible chance of a successful outcome.
Remember that it takes at least three months for immature eggs (oocytes) to mature enough to be released during ovulation. It also takes at least three months for sperm cells to develop, ready to be ejaculated. This means that when you are trying to improve your fertility, you need to have a four-month period before conceiving. This is called ‘pre-conception care’ and it’s as important to take as much care during this period as it is during the pregnancy itself. This means during this period that you are having a weekly Reflexology session to ensure optimum wellbeing.

Fertility Reflexology as a support to ART Procedures                                        Following medical investigations, you may be embarking upon Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) procedures including IVF, ICSI, FET, GIFT, IUI and ZIFT.

Fertility reflexology can be gently supportive in the time leading up to these procedures. Treatments will help ensure that you are in optimum condition, both physically and emotionally, for what lies ahead. The calming and relaxing effects of the therapy can be very beneficial and will help to ease the anxiety you may feel at this time.

Reflexology can also be used effectively at the very start of fertility investigations. Treatments will help you cope with any medical tests you may need to undergo and also ensure your body is ready for fertility drugs such as Clomid. I can provide you with support during this time.

My Experience
I have undertaken additional training with Gill Thomson, a practising midwife following the course compiled by leading Author Midwife/Reflexologist Susanne Enzer for Maternity Reflexology and completed Advanced Reflexology training with Sheila Nugent which included Maternity Reflexology.  I recently completed further training with Sarah Holland, through the Fertility Reflexology Network, becoming the first Certified Fertility Reflexologist in Northern Ireland and I shall use the knowledge and experience gained to support clients attending me.  I have also recently attained approved status to teach Fertility Reflexology  as a post graduate course to Reflexologists.

I have had the privilege of working with clients who have attended with infertility and wanted to embrace natural methods of treatment for infertility prior to attendance at NHS clinics or private clinics for investigation. Several of these clients have not needed to proceed to further medical investigations as pregnancy occurred using reflexology along with lifestyle changes which have resulted in the birth of healthy babies.

Other clients seek reflexology as preparation and balancing of their bodies prior to starting medical investigations/processes and I am happy to facilitate and work with clients on their personal journey providing therapeutic support at such an important time.  Please contact me to discuss your personal circumstances by using the contact page.