WHAT IS REFLEXOLOGY?

Reflexology is the science that deals with the principle that there are reflex areas in the feet and hands that correspond to all the organs, glands and parts of the body.  Reflexology is a unique method of using the thumb and fingers on these areas. It is the fastest growing health modality in the world (source: World Health Organisation) and over 30% of GPs recommend patients.

Recent randomised, double blind, controlled trials have shown reflexology to be effective for the relief of pain and the anxiety state.  It is excellent for reducing stress,shown to be the root cause of 70% if illness.  This means that it has a beneficial effect on a wide range of conditions. Reflexology can be clinical and purposeful to deal with pain and stress related issues like anxiety, panic attacks and headaches.  It can also be soothing, relaxing, restful and comforting, as you need on that particular day.

Based in Belper, Derbyshire, Sue  a qualified Nerve Reflexologist, is Advanced Reflexology trained and has undergone basic training in Vertical and Maternity reflexology. The practice is within easy reach of Derby City Centre.

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WHAT CONDITIONS CAN REFLEXOLOGY HELP?

Pain; Fertility Issues; Anxiety; Stress; Headache; Migraine; Sleep Problems; Post and pre Operative Recovery; Constipation; Sinusitis; Foot Pain; High Blood Pressure; Sciatica; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; Digestive Pain/Acid Reflux; Ghost Pains (amputees); Plantar Fasciitis; Chronic Cough; Asthma; Period Pain; Neck, Back and Shoulder Pain.

These are some of the conditions which I have helped through the application of reflexology techniques with diet and nutrition advice for lasting effect, since 2003.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING A REFLEXOLOGY TREATMENT?

In the first session I’ll ask you about your medical history, diet and lifestyle and create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.  This will take about an hour and a half and subsequent treatments about an hour. After a warm and comforting foot bath you’ll recline well supported in a comfortable chair and during the reflexology treatment you’ll experience a unique form of therapeutic massage to the feet which will relax and comfort you.

DIET AND NUTRITION ADVICE

I’ve had a life long interest in good, simple food. After studying Institutional Management in Edinburgh, followed by Cordon Bleu school in London in 1978, I was cook/manager of a popular wine bar in Newcastle-on-Tyne for a time, the city where I was born.  I taught food subjects at Derby College from 1990 after a time at home after my two sons were born.  

After qualifying in reflexology in 2003, I then completed the ITEC Diploma in Diet and Nutrition Advice, when I came up against the Health Service’s limitations of provision whilst looking after my elderly mother.  Those experiences brought an understanding that our health service is disease focused and deals with symptom management. In my spare time, I began to study Asian and Chinese approaches to healing through food, diet and lifestyle and the therapeutic application of food as medicine.  I became interested in the body’s default setting; its ability to heal itself and how that process can be promoted by supporting well being through reflexology, diet and nutrition advice. Since 2015, I am a graduate of the College of Naturopathic Medicine, where I studied Naturopathic Nutrition with the guidance and inspiration of Jo Gamble as Director of Studies

WHAT I BELIEVE IN

I believe in the value of real food that is additive free, fresh, locally grown, seasonal and home made whenever possible; real farming as opposed to industrial scale food production; real fishing from sustainable resources; food producers who share those values; the power of ‘less is more’; individual health needs, not a ‘one size fits all’ approach. It makes absolute sense to me that a client clears a space in their day for the therapeutic benefits of reflexology and has a chance to experience the physiological effects directly related to the treatment; it improves your sense of well being, can help to clear your mind which leads to better decision making, better relationships, better wellness and a sense of ‘ease’ as opposed to ‘dis-ease’.

CLIENT CONFIDENTIALITY

I place high importance on client confidentiality and aim to give a professional, but at the same time a personal service.

CASE STUDIES

Often clients are looking for extra support for their wellness having exhausted other options or are looking for an alternative to prescription medication.

CASE STUDY 1:

Female 33yrs fertility issues, irregular cycle.  She received weekly treatments over the first month, then twice monthly for the following two months during which time she became pregnant and went on to have a healthy baby boy.

CASE STUDY 2:

Male 44yrs, rugby player extreme pain from kidney stones, loss of sense of taste and smell.  He received a course of reflexology treatment over which time he reported a gradual return of both senses.

CASE STUDY 3:

Female 29yrs, fertility issues, two years’ duration.  This client received four reflexology treatments with diet and lifestyle advice and a subsequent course of reflexology throughout her successful pregnancy.

CASE STUDY 4:

Female 37yrs dry eyes, pain, stress.  She received regular twice monthly reflexology sessions with diet and nutrition advice over the course of 18 months and experienced significant relief after every session lasting until the next one.  This was relief not provided by her prescribed medication. Later in the treatment she was able to space the sessions to once per month.

CASE STUDY 5:

Male 35yrs; poor sleep patterns, neck and shoulder pain, stress symptoms experienced over two years.  He received two reflexology treatments with sufficient improvement in his wellbeing to look forward to the start of a new job that month.

REFLEXOLOGY AND IMPROVED FERTILITY

After trying reflexology with diet and nutrition advice, many of my clients who have sought help in this way, have conceived and had healthy babies.  The majority of reflexologists with up to 20 years' or more experience report similar outcomes, and reflexology is gaining a reputation for the benefits it can give, whether directly or indirectly.

Speed of conception depends on many factors, some physiological, some nutritional, some psychological.  Stress can be a major inhibitor;  Tension is created due to the release of the hormone adrenaline which puts the body on alert for flight or fight and this it muffles certain body systems in favour of others needed to supply energy to muscles, oxygen to the lungs and brain.  Those body systems that are stood down are digestive and reproductive functions.

This state of stress may be present without necessarily being apparent, since the body registers stress from both internal and external sources.

Thus, the digestive and reproductive systems work with reduced efficiency, until a period of calm returns due to the release of noradrenaline stimulated by the parasympathetic nervous system kicking in to restore balance.  

The effect of reflexology treatment may be deep relaxation during the session and this may often last for significant periods of time after the treatment session. The reflexive action of reflexology during a reflexology session may switch the nervous system from active sympathetic to passive parasympathetic allowing affected body systems to return to balance.  There may be other physiological changes in the body which usefully affect fertility status occurring at the same time.

Through reflexology with diet & nutrition advice you and your partner can improve your combined fertility.  Sperm health can return relatively quickly when nutrient supply includes the right trace elements, vitamins and minerals particularly in the otherwise healthy individual who is not overweight, smoking or drinking to excess. Hormonal health is affected by dietary corrections and much research exists to demonstrate this.