Organic maternity reflexology
Reflexology is one of the most popular complementary therapies used by women during their maternity because it improves general well-being and vitality. It induces a deep state of relaxation so that her body can adjust to the major changes which are taking place, and it can help to ease or prevent many of the discomforts and ailments which are commonly associated with pregnancy.
Former Midwife ReflexologistEmma Clark, at Sole Therapy Reflexology is fully qualified and experienced in specialised maternity reflexology, as well as being a former Midwife. Reflexology treatments are tailored to meet your needs and combined with specific techniques for each stage of pregnancy (including in the first trimester):
For these treatments, an organic balm with mandarin essential oil is used. Mandarin is the only essential oil considered safe for use throughout the whole of pregnancy. Its benefits include being calming, uplifting, as well as reducing anxiety, pain and nausea (Information direct from organic balm producer, Flying Wild 2024). Suggested treatment frequency for the different stages of pregnancy
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The benefits of reflexology and evidence
Reflexology in Pregnancy
Reflexology supports the maternity journey. A recent research study suggested that the foot reflexology was very effective method in improving stress and anxiety during pregnancy (Ref: Med. J. Cairo Univ., Vol. 86, No. 3, June: 1607-1611, 2018 Effect of Foot Reflexology on Stress and Anxiety during Pregnancy EMAN S.A et al). It has been shown that stress during pregnancy increases complications (Tiran, D. Chummun, H. 2004 - Complementary therapies to reduce physiological stress in pregnancy. Complementary Therapies in Nursing and Midwifery). Reflexology has been shown to reduce the impact of stress on the body and in addition, it can support clients with the following pregnancy related problems:
Reflexology benefits on labour length and pain
Anecdotal evidence on the benefits is vast. Recent clinical studies have shown that reflexology in pregnancy can:
1. Massoumeh, J et al (2021) Effect of plantar reflexology on labour pain and childbirth experience: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research (Mar 21 2021)
2. Semra, A and Ilknur, I (2020) The effect of reflexology on labor pain, anxiety, labor duration, and birth satisfaction in primiparous pregnant women: a randomised controlled trial. Health Care Women Int (Sept 2020) 2:1-16
3. Valian M et al (2010) Reviewing the effect of reflexology on the pain and certain features and outcomes of the labour on the primiparous women. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery research 15 (Dec) p302-310.
4. Iran Red Crescent Medical Journal (2011) 13 (7) 475-479
5. Moghimi-Hanjani S et al (2015) The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Anxiety, Pain, and Outcomes of the labour in Primigravida Women Acta Med 2015 507-511 8 53
6. Arnon Z. et al (2018) Complementary medicine for labouring women: a qualitative study of the effects of reflexology.
J Complement Integr Med 1 16 .
Other evidence:
A research study on 100 pregnant women in 2010, compared those that had reflexology treatment at the end of their pregnancy compared to those that did not. This study found those who had the reflexology treatment had a 4 hour shorter first stage of labour and 21 minutes shorter second stage. It also found that fewer women in the reflexology group needed strong pain relief in labour and significantly less women needed an ARM.
http://www.locallyhealthy.co.uk/story/how-foot-massage-can-help-pregnant-women-deliver
Women's views – felt it had worked in shortening labour, relaxed body, made a lot of difference and totally relieved the anxiety of giving birth. It was fantastic!
http://www.locallyhealthy.co.uk/story/reflexology-proves-ticket-overdue-mum
Dr Motha pioneered the use of reflexology for pregnant mothers in London in 1987. She then set up “The gentle birth preparation program that included reflexology as one of the main components. Dr Motha has written articles and also lectured on Reflexology in Maternity to the Association of reflexologists and obstetric units throughout the UK. Her extensive years of experience and knowledge have made her one of the foremost experts in the use of reflexology in pregnancy in the world. Results of 248 mothers who had enrolled on to the Gentle Birth Method between 1997-2001, which compared the National Average (NA)to people who had received 4+ treatments (4+) and 9+ treatments (9+).
The results included the following:-
A study in Iran in 2008 with 120 women looked at the effect of reflexology on pain intensity and duration of labour in women in their first pregnancy. One group received 40mins of reflexology in first active stage 4-5cm dilation, other emotional support at same stage, and the other normal labour care. Women were asked to rate pain before and after intervention, at 6-7 cm dilation and 8-10cm dilation. Pain intensity at all three stages of cervical dilation were significantly lower, and indicated that reflexology could decrease the duration of first, second and third stages of labour.
(Ref: Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal – The effect of reflexology on pain intensity and duration of labour on primiparas, 2008 Dolatian et al)
Postnatal Benefits of Reflexology
A recent study on 65 postnatal women concluded "foot reflexology in the postnatal period significantly improved the quality of sleep". (Ref: Li C-Y et al (2011) Randomised control trail of the effectiveness of using foot reflexology to improve quality of sleep amongst post-partum women Midwifery. 27. p 181-186).
It can help with adjusting to the needs of a new baby, whilst recovering from pregnancy and birth, through:
https://www.schoolofcalmology.com/online-baby-reflexage-practitioner-train
http://www.gurgle.com/parenting/skills/1855-how-baby-reflex-can-help-your-little-one
Reflexology supports the maternity journey. A recent research study suggested that the foot reflexology was very effective method in improving stress and anxiety during pregnancy (Ref: Med. J. Cairo Univ., Vol. 86, No. 3, June: 1607-1611, 2018 Effect of Foot Reflexology on Stress and Anxiety during Pregnancy EMAN S.A et al). It has been shown that stress during pregnancy increases complications (Tiran, D. Chummun, H. 2004 - Complementary therapies to reduce physiological stress in pregnancy. Complementary Therapies in Nursing and Midwifery). Reflexology has been shown to reduce the impact of stress on the body and in addition, it can support clients with the following pregnancy related problems:
- Oedema and reducing swelling in feet and ankles (See RLD page and Oedema in research section)
- Nausea and headaches
- Pain and discomfort (1)
- Backache
- Stress & anxiety (2)
- Improved sleep quality
- Digestive problems – constipation
Reflexology benefits on labour length and pain
Anecdotal evidence on the benefits is vast. Recent clinical studies have shown that reflexology in pregnancy can:
- significantly reduce pain and anxiety in labour (3, 6)
- reduce the length of the first stage of labour (4)
- reduce the length of the of the third stage of labour (1, 4)
- increase birth satisfaction during the first stage of labour (2)
- frequency of having a natural delivery (5)
- increases Apgar scores of newborn baby (5)
- empowers women and increases self-confidence and ability to self-manage labour and delivery (6)
1. Massoumeh, J et al (2021) Effect of plantar reflexology on labour pain and childbirth experience: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research (Mar 21 2021)
2. Semra, A and Ilknur, I (2020) The effect of reflexology on labor pain, anxiety, labor duration, and birth satisfaction in primiparous pregnant women: a randomised controlled trial. Health Care Women Int (Sept 2020) 2:1-16
3. Valian M et al (2010) Reviewing the effect of reflexology on the pain and certain features and outcomes of the labour on the primiparous women. Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery research 15 (Dec) p302-310.
4. Iran Red Crescent Medical Journal (2011) 13 (7) 475-479
5. Moghimi-Hanjani S et al (2015) The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Anxiety, Pain, and Outcomes of the labour in Primigravida Women Acta Med 2015 507-511 8 53
6. Arnon Z. et al (2018) Complementary medicine for labouring women: a qualitative study of the effects of reflexology.
J Complement Integr Med 1 16 .
Other evidence:
A research study on 100 pregnant women in 2010, compared those that had reflexology treatment at the end of their pregnancy compared to those that did not. This study found those who had the reflexology treatment had a 4 hour shorter first stage of labour and 21 minutes shorter second stage. It also found that fewer women in the reflexology group needed strong pain relief in labour and significantly less women needed an ARM.
http://www.locallyhealthy.co.uk/story/how-foot-massage-can-help-pregnant-women-deliver
Women's views – felt it had worked in shortening labour, relaxed body, made a lot of difference and totally relieved the anxiety of giving birth. It was fantastic!
http://www.locallyhealthy.co.uk/story/reflexology-proves-ticket-overdue-mum
Dr Motha pioneered the use of reflexology for pregnant mothers in London in 1987. She then set up “The gentle birth preparation program that included reflexology as one of the main components. Dr Motha has written articles and also lectured on Reflexology in Maternity to the Association of reflexologists and obstetric units throughout the UK. Her extensive years of experience and knowledge have made her one of the foremost experts in the use of reflexology in pregnancy in the world. Results of 248 mothers who had enrolled on to the Gentle Birth Method between 1997-2001, which compared the National Average (NA)to people who had received 4+ treatments (4+) and 9+ treatments (9+).
The results included the following:-
- Vaginal Birth 79% (NA), 85.2% (4+), 90.6% (9+) and caesarean section 21.3%(NA), 14.7% (4+), 9.4% (9+) *National average 22.4% and in teaching hospitals it is around 30%. Figures include those that had an elective caesarean section.
- Induction 21% (NA), 13.3% (4+), 6.5% (9+)
- Epidural 33% (NA), 30.5% (4+), 17.2% (9+)
- Instrumentation 11% (NA), 6.9% (4+), 6.1% (9+)
A study in Iran in 2008 with 120 women looked at the effect of reflexology on pain intensity and duration of labour in women in their first pregnancy. One group received 40mins of reflexology in first active stage 4-5cm dilation, other emotional support at same stage, and the other normal labour care. Women were asked to rate pain before and after intervention, at 6-7 cm dilation and 8-10cm dilation. Pain intensity at all three stages of cervical dilation were significantly lower, and indicated that reflexology could decrease the duration of first, second and third stages of labour.
(Ref: Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal – The effect of reflexology on pain intensity and duration of labour on primiparas, 2008 Dolatian et al)
Postnatal Benefits of Reflexology
A recent study on 65 postnatal women concluded "foot reflexology in the postnatal period significantly improved the quality of sleep". (Ref: Li C-Y et al (2011) Randomised control trail of the effectiveness of using foot reflexology to improve quality of sleep amongst post-partum women Midwifery. 27. p 181-186).
It can help with adjusting to the needs of a new baby, whilst recovering from pregnancy and birth, through:
- Coping with interrupted sleep and fatigue
- Increase energy levels
- Maintaining or increasing milk supply – case study review in 2000 ‘the effect of reflexology on homeostasis to establish and maintain lactation’.
- Support you as your menstrual cycle returns to normal
- Re-balance the body
- improve wellbeing
- General relaxation and “Me time”
- Baby reflex- once 4 weeks old (or equivalent to full term 4 week old), can be taught to parents and has been shown to bring relaxation, improved sleep and parent/child bonding.
https://www.schoolofcalmology.com/online-baby-reflexage-practitioner-train
http://www.gurgle.com/parenting/skills/1855-how-baby-reflex-can-help-your-little-one
