Infertility, Gynaecological Problems and Reflexology

1 in 6 couples have trouble conceiving miscarriages are increasingly common, sperm rates are falling and hormonal disorders are on the increase. Why?

This is caused by a wide variety of factors including: diet, emotional and lifestyle choices whose impact will vary according to the individual.

There is often a common underlying factor, stress.

Stress has imploded in modern day life. But why does it affect us so badly?

Imagine walking into a very important interview, the people seem unfriendly, you are late due to the delayed trains and you feel stressed. What happens inside?

Stress is the body's way of creating a fast reaction to allow you to "speed up" and run away. This function was vital for our survival many years ago, since it helped us run away from our predators by increasing flow of blood and increasing our heart rate. Brilliant to help you run faster but not so good when you have to sit there, stationary, trying to look calm and collected for your interview.

In order to maximise survival in this perceived threat, the body diverts energy from other areas to allow you to run still faster and escape. It shuts down anything it views as temporarily non-essential: digesting your food, going to the loo, protecting yourself from viruses and bacteria and trying for a baby!

Once we "escaped" the stress, the "slow down" section of our body kicks in to allow everything to go back to normal and be in balance.

But with constant low levels of stress in our modern day we don't allow this "slow down" mechanism to kick in.

This is why adverse health conditions involving digestion, excretory, immune and reproductive systems are all becoming more common such as IBS, Candida, auto-immune diseases, asthma, hay fever, PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids ,infertility as our "speed up" part of the nervous system is just not being switched off.

Reflexology is a wonderful way of allowing the nervous system to return to balance by allowing the body to rest and repair. It works on many different levels addressing the root causes behind the problems, not just tackling the symptoms.

There are approximately 7,000 nerve endings in your feet and reflexology uses specific nerve reflexes (pressure points) to stimulate these nerves and create positive change in your body. It is fantastic for calming the mind, relaxing, balancing hormones and allowing stress to fade away.

As part of the reflexology treatment, we discuss in detail your current health and lifestyle habits to provide you with information and tools to improve your own self awareness of your body's needs to help accelerate the healing process.

Don't just take my word for it.

"Before I began reflexology treatments by Sam last year we had been trying for a baby for five years with no luck. I had also been suffering from very heavy periods. After a couple of months my periods became easier and less painful. On top of that and to my surprise I am now 6 months pregnant. I am convinced that my reflexology treatment and other healthy changes in lifestyle, some of which was recommended by Sam, have been the determined factors behind my pregnancy. I continue to receive treatment during my pregnancy and despite me being 40 years my body feels in better balance than ever. No back/shoulder pain and no problems with digestion and generally just feeling good. I give Sam my warmest and sincerest recommendations. - T Weaver

"I have no hesitation in recommending Sam. I began to have reflexology with her when I was diagnosed with endometriosis. I'd had laparoscopic surgery and was feeling run down, tired and emotional. Sam has a warm but professional, holistic approach and I felt very comfortable with her. She has also given me some general advice on diet and lifestyle which has been helpful. I felt it benefited me immediately; I was amazed by what Sam could pick up about how I was feeling from my feet! Very soon I felt I had better energy levels and felt more balanced. I have come off the pill and have two pain free periods with no PMT- a real revelation after years of pain. I continue to have reflexology as it really helps maintain balance for me both emotionally and physically." - J Poirier

About Samantha

Samantha is a member of the Association of Reflexologists and having worked in the City and with an endometriosis group for years, it has given her a unique insight into dealing with stress, gynaecological and infertility problems. In spring of this year, she will be working with the gynaecological department at the Whittington Hospital once a week to help women with endometriosis & other gynaecological conditions. She has undertaken specialist reflexology training which includes hormone balancing, preconceptual care, and infertility and is currently studying part time at the College of Natural Nutrition.

For more information on gynaecological conditions and infertility as well as published research: www.levelfooting.com