Reflexology – supporting you through the peri-menopause and menopause.

Written by Sally Earlam FMAR - Association of Reflexology

Women’s Health in the 21st Century.

With ever increasing levels of stress in the world it comes as little surprise that women often have times when pressures may feel excessive. According to the Office of National Statistics more women are now working than ever before, and many will have to work well into their 60’s.  Alongside work, women frequently hold responsibility for running the home, family life, budgeting etc – then throw all of that in with changing hormone levels associated with peri-menopause and menopause and no wonder that this is a time when we could all do with a little extra help- and reflexology may just be that help you could do with!

It is surely now time for the western world to recognise that the menopause is not an illness, but is rather a natural gradual process whereby a woman’s body moves out of childbearing years and aims to head into a liberated and more relaxed phase of life.  Maud Mead (anthropologist) describes her own positive experience of giving up PMS for PMZ (post- menopausal zest).  However, we cannot ignore the fact that women can experience some common physical and emotional symptoms associated with peri-menopause and the menopause, but women should be able to feel empowered to look for support to help them deal with symptoms they experience and not feel they are ‘ill’ or are less valued in society.

This is a time when many things can be happening in our lives, there may be children leaving home, worry about getting work and also dealing with the peri-menopause and menopause. Hormones are essential for women’s health and changing levels can affect us both physically and emotionally. As we approach the menopause, our oestrogen levels drop; oestrogen has many functions, including a direct impact on the stress hormone Cortisol. As oestrogen levels drop, Cortisol levels can rise which means that Adrenalin (our primary stress hormone) can easily be triggered in the body leaving us feeing anxious and stressed.

Anxiety is one of the more common issues that women can face, the Mental Health Organisation Health Statistics1 report that as many as 1 in 4 women in the UK will experience an anxiety disorder and this is most common between the ages of 45 to 54 – that time when so many changes are happening in women’s lives. 

How could Reflexology help support women through the menopause?

Reflexology is a complementary therapy that is based on the theory that different points and areas on the feet, lower leg, hands, face and ears correspond with different areas of the body. Reflexologists believe that working these points or areas aids relaxation and helps improve wellbeing. Reflexology may also help improve mood, release tension and aid sleep; helping us to cope better and easing the stresses during this transitional time.

Three common symptoms that women can experience in peri-menopause and menopause are hot flushes, poor sleep and anxiety. A study has been completed in Iran, looking at the effect of Reflexology on menopausal women and showed a reduction in hot flushes and an improvement in sleep2.  Reflexology has also been shown to significantly reduce anxiety state associated with ‘an increased feeling of ease and a reduction in anxiety.3

 Reflexology acknowledges that every person is a unique individual, it is not possible to know in advance how you will react to a treatment.  However after a treatment people often feel very relaxed, may sleep better and notice a feeling of improved mood and wellbeing.  You may find other things improve as well, but this happens on an individual basis - the only way to know if reflexology will help you is to try it!

N.B. Reflexology is not an alternative to seeking medical help. Reflexologists do not diagnose, prescribe or claim to cure. They are there to support your journey.

Hand Reflexology techniques for you to try yourself!

The Association of Reflexologists (AoR) has been promoting the use of hand reflexology as a means of self-help and have shared a few techniques for you to try on your own hands or even better work with a friend or family member and work on each other’s hands. The AoR recommends you use hand reflexology for 5 minutes a day or when you feel that stress levels or anxiety are building.

It is easier to carry out hand reflexology using a little cream although it can be done without. There are also some free videos produced by the AoR (visit www.aor.org.uk and click on the You Tube videos) showing a few simple sequences to help you learn.

References

1.      www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/mental-health-statistics/

2.      Maryam Asltoghiria, Zahra Ghodsi.  The effects of Reflexology on sleep disorder in menopausal women.  http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042811029788

3.      A.J. Mc Vicar, Evaluation of anxiety, salivary cortisol and melatonin secretion following reflexology treatment: A pilot study in healthy individuals. science direct http://www.sciencedirect.com