Patients book Complementary Therapy treatment appointments seeking help for a wide range of physical or emotional issues ranging from and including everything in between A for Acne and Z z z z for sleep. Treatment options are discussed and chosen for suitability and effectiveness and adapted to meet each individual patients’ needs. Older patients frequently request Clinical reflexology for help with physical symptoms that are affecting their mobility. Mobility is a term used to describe the range of movement that a person can achieve to enable them to carry out normal everyday activities. To assess mobility and functional levels in older adults the recognised Elderly Mobility Scale (EMS) is an activity and participation-level outcome measure designed to test common movements like sit to stand, a timed walk and functional reach. The National Institute on Aging NIH research states that maintaining mobility and preventing disability are key to functioning well and living independently as we age. Maintaining the functionality of the lower limbs enables movement to walk freely and easily. Symptoms such as pain, swelling and stiffness in joints and muscles inhibit free movement affecting gait, balance, and physical strength increasing risk of injury and falls. Clinical Reflexology treatment is delivered via the feet and begins with taking a full patient history. Patients are invited to remove footwear and to walk away from and towards me whilst I observe and note valuable information of any abnormalities in how the lower limbs and feet function. A hands-on examination of each foot in turn will show any irregularity in skin colour, temperature, and condition with any sensitive or sore areas on the foot. The treatment consists of the application of gentle yet firm pressure in a series of movements to zones and mapped areas of the foot that represent organs and systems of the body. As we age the muscle on the sole of the foot becomes less dense resulting in discomfort and more sensitivity when walking. Ligaments and tendons may lengthen allowing joint to over articulate or become shorter and restrict range of joint movement. The longitudinal arch which runs along the inside edge of the foot from the heel to the big toe represents the spine and it’s springboard action can weaken over time creating a “fallen arch” the foot when weight bearing will pronate producing an uneven pressure in the ankle joint. Destabilising the ankle will negatively impact on the knee joint function producing inflammation, swelling and pain. The next link in this causal chain is the impact a misfunctioning knee will create in the hip. As the body weight is shifted away from the painful side to the now weight bearing non-painful side the pelvis will become unbalanced as it tries to adjust, creating further issues in the lower back that can radiate up through the spinal column to finish in the neck. The spinal cord lies within the protection of the spinal vertebrae. To relax muscle spasm a clinical reflexologist will use advanced techniques based on the understanding that spinal nerves branch into a network of nerves that innervate dermatomes (for sensations) and myotomes (for motor controls). Afferent neurons carry signals to the brain and spinal cord as sensory data (from sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing) via the central nervous system. Efferent neurons are motor nerves, motor neurons carry neural impulses away from the central nervous system and toward muscles to cause movement. Any block to the free flowing of neural messages getting to where they need to be will impact on the function of the body’s relevant organ or system. If you are experiencing difficulties with balance or walking with pain, swelling or neuropathy in the feet consider making an appointment, you might be surprised how applying pressure to certain points or areas on your feet may improve your symptoms and ease pain in your ankle, knee, hip, back and neck.
