Complementary Therapies are a range of therapeutic and beneficial interventions that can be used alongside conventional medical practice to support patient wellbeing. With the NHS placing more emphasis on preventative medicine the limited but growing body of complementary therapy research evidence suggesting positive outcomes supporting the integration of named therapies into the wider health care delivery arena. Historically, externally funded and confined to hospice, palliative care and in some NHS hospital cancer services, Reflexology has earned a valuable and growing reputation for providing a relaxing and healing experience for anxious patients during difficult times in clinical settings. However, primary care has been slow to recognise and explore the potential of Clinical Reflexology as a useful and cost-effective resource. Holistic Clinical Reflexology is described as an integrative, patient-centred approach that treats the whole person mind, body, and spirit rather than just symptoms. Complementary practitioners combine the whole person approach with a range of therapies with the aim of addressing the underlying causes of ill health and increasing wellbeing. Each patient is considered unique when formulating a holistic treatment plan including factors such as life experiences and environment. As a complementary practitioner I am professionally qualified and specialize in Nutritional Therapy including Homoeopathic prescribing, Counselling and Clinical Reflexology. Very often patients will make an appointment for treatment such as Nutritional Therapy and then whilst taking a case history and discussing symptoms they may decide that a Clinical Reflexology session might be more appropriate for them at that time. This is illustrated in the following brief case study. Mrs D booked an appointment for Nutritional Therapy citing fatigue and weight gain as her main concerns. When Mrs D arrived, I could see she had difficulty walking and was evidently in pain, during taking her case history she explained that her lower back felt stiff and ached and that her right leg was affected by self-diagnosed sciatica. She had not seen her GP and when I suggested we look at the more immediate issue of pain and restricted mobility she agreed. Normally treatment decisions are guided by the patient however, on this occasion my professional experience led to my offering a clinical reflexology treatment. Following a brief explanation of Clinical Reflexology Mrs D agreed and I helped her on to the treatment couch and removed her shoes and socks. Observing poor circulation via colour of both feet, touch revealed the feet cold, clammy and very tense. Mrs D said she had difficulty relaxing generally but physical pain had made it worse. She was not sleeping well and had started to feel anxious about going out, she even had to ask her sister to accompany her to this appointment. I suggested we did some breathing exercises and encouraged her to relax. When anxious the body’s nerve responses are heightened so any pain will be increased, this in turn triggers muscles to tense or spasm and the pain to increase further so the pain cycle begins and is soon locked in. During treatment Mrs D told me of the recent loss of her husband and that she didn’t know how she was going to cope without him, this emotional response was the key to unlocking the physical pain. Many readers will know of my belief that there is a symbiotic link between emotional and physical pain, and both need to be addressed to effect healing. Mrs D got down from the treatment couch and stood, commenting that her back ache had eased and the pain in her leg was gone. Mrs D phoned me several days later informing me of continued improvements including sleeping better and feeling less anxious. If you think a Holistic Clinical Reflexology session may help you do get in touch, always happy to try and help
