charlotte allocca

Sorry - only just seen your post...

Two recent studies have shown that reflexology in pregnancy significantly reduced pain in labour (1), reduced the length of the first stage of labour (1) and improved quality of sleep in post-partum women (2).

Li C-Y et al (2011) Randomised controlled trial of effectiveness of reflexology of using reflexology to improve sleep among postpartum women. Midwifery 27 p181-186. (2)

Valiani M et al (2010) Reviewing the effect of reflexology on pain and outcome of labour of primiparous women. Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research 15 Dec p 302-310 (1)

As with all largely non-funded complementary therapies the majority of evidence is experience-based and there is a wealth of anecdotal evidence from women who have benefited from reflexology for sub-fertility, pregnancy, labour and post-natal recovery.

I read this and had to put in a good word for reflexology - not just to promote own services I promise! Reflexology's reputation - particularly for sub-fertility, fertility, pregnancy and post-natally, is well-established as well as being shown to be beneficial for a whole range of other health concerns - chronic and acute. Definitely not a foot rub although a dispiriting amount of inadequate training courses churning out poorly qualified 'reflexologists'. Always consult the Association of Reflexologists for a clinical reflexologist and with maternity reflexology training for pregnancy.

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