Hello May! And thank you for visiting my latest blog page
This month’s blog is going to focus on the Impact of Reflexology on Conception
and will include extracts from my 2019 undergraduate dissertation
“Reflexology and Conception”.
Despite a lack of evidence for its efficacy, couples faced with problems in
conceiving are increasingly using Complementary and Alternative Medicine
(CAM) to support them on their fertility journey as the treatments are
perceived as less invasive and a more natural way of conceiving (Rayner et al
2009). Reflexology is one of the most popular forms of CAM in the United
Kingdom (House of Lords Select Committee, 2000) and is based on a systematic
practice whereby reflexes in the feet and hands correspond with organs and
tissues in the body. When pressure is applied to these reflexes imbalances in
the tissues, organs and systems of the body can be detected and treated to
restore the body’s natural balance.
The inability to conceive and have a baby is a condition that affects
approximately 3.5 million people in the United Kingdom (NHS, UK, 2019). In
2013 the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) reported that
one in seven heterosexual couples in the United Kingdom suffered with fertility
problems and of those affected almost 50% do not seek help (National Survey
of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyle, 2013).
25% of infertility cases are unexplained with no identifiable male or female
factors; 25% are due to ovulatory disorders; 20% tubal damage and 30% male
factors (NICE 2018). The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA,
2018) report that low sperm count contributes to approximately 50% of
infertility problems suggesting therefore that infertility is a health issue
affecting men and women equally.
It is important to note that the decline in fertility rates may not necessarily be
due to infertility; female fertility declines with age and for women aged 35 or
more the opportunity decreases as fertility declines. As women are leaving it
later to conceive many discover that they are sub fertile (Shi et al, 2016).
Factors such as improved contraceptive methods, female education, higher
income levels, and increasing divorce rates are widely discussed however
medically diagnosed infertility rates are ignored (Madsen et al, 2016),
Traditional medicine can attempt to treat infertility by regulating ovulation;
maintaining progesterone levels; applying surgical methods and eventually if
this fails Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) such as IUI; IVF or ICSI (NHS,
2019). For many couples ART represents overwhelming and significant
obstacles, both financially, psychologically, and physiologically (Dawson et al,
2019) More importantly, success rates for ART remain very low. An NHS Study
in 2019 concluded that approximately only 29% of women aged thirty-five or
under may conceive using ART; and for women aged 35 to 37 only 23% of
women successfully conceived.
Anecdotally, Reflexology is reported to be beneficial in supporting couples who
are unable to conceive. In her 2016 book Reflexology for Fertility, Barbara
Scott explains how reflexology can be used to enhance and support
reproductive health in men and women. The pre-conceptual element of
reflexology is aimed at correcting hormonal imbalances in men and women.
through stimulating, sedating of balancing the endocrine reflexes and for those
who are going through cycles of IUI, IVF or ICSI reflexology can enhance the
impact of the patient’s medication and be used to improve treatment
protocols.
Having been trained in Reflexology for Reproduction by Barbara Scott I have
been fortunate to help and support many couples on their fertility journey,
some have been successful and sadly some not. In 2022 I was fortunate to
support 4 couples who were successful using reflexology alongside IVF, sadly
one couple were not as successful. Given the adverse effects infertility can
have on personal relationships, the financial constraints of fertility treatments
and inadequate success rates it is believed that the benefits of reflexology to
address issues causing infertility should be considered. Women who find it
difficult to conceive are twice as likely to suffer with emotional distress and if
nothing else there is a growing body of evidence to show that reflexology can
help towards reducing stress and anxiety in individuals.
If this article on Reflexology and Fertility has been useful and interesting for
you, please follow my series of blogs on the impact of reflexology on
conception or fill out the contact me form and I will return your message as
soon as possible.
Dawson et al (2005). “Why do couples refuse or discount ART?”. Arch
Gynaecology Obstetrics 273, pp 3-11. doi 10.1007/s00404-005-0010-5.
House of Lords Select Committee (2000). “The evidence House of Lords Select
Committee on Science and Technology”. Complementary and alternative
Therapies p. 45
Madsen et al (2018). “What has driven the great fertility decline in developing
countries since 1960?”. The Journal of Developmental studies, 54:4; pp 738-
757.
Rayner et al (2009). “Australian women’s use of complementary and
alternative medicines to enhance fertility: exploring the experiences of
women and practitioners”, BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine
9(52). Doi 10.1186/1472-6882-9-52.
Scott, B., (2016). “Reflexology for Fertility a Comprehensive Practitioner’s
guide to Natural and Assisted Conception”. London; Watkins Media Ltd.
Shi et al (2016). “Long term moderate oxidative stress decreased ovarian
reproductive function by reducing follicle quality and progesterone
production”. PLOS ON, 11 (9)