Introduction
Endometriosis is a condition experienced by many women and in today’s post, we’ll consider how Therapeutic Reflexology may assist.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition experienced by females that is extremely painful and uncomfortable in the abdominal and pelvic regions and affected by the menstrual cycle’s hormones, as a result of the endometrium (the interior lining of the uterus) being attached to other places like the outside of the uterus, Fallopian tubes, ovaries, bowel, bowel wall, bladder and peritoneum (Lumsden & Hickey, 2000:57-58; Sharma, 2002:244).
What are the results of Endometriosis?
Endometriosis may cause severe abdominal and pelvic pain, especially during certain periods of a female’s menstrual cycle when the endometrium implanted in the irregular sites react to the menstrual cycle hormone levels of oestrogen and progesterone (Sharma, 2002:244).
Endometriosis negatively influences a women’s quality of life that may result in pain during menstruation, painful sexual activity, infertility, bowel problems, and bladder problems (Sharma, 2002:244; Lumsden & Hickey, 2000:57).
Diagnosing Endometriosis
Endometriosis is usually diagnosed by a diagnostic practitioner like a medical doctor that may need to laparoscopically inspect the pelvis before a definitive diagnosis and treatment protocol may be suggested (Sharma, 2002:244-245; Lumsden & Hickey, 2000:57).
Treating Endometriosis
Treatment of Endometriosis varies, but a medical approach is usually to use a form of hormonal treatment like a contraceptive pill to block the menstrual cycle, other forms of medication, or in severe cases, surgery like pelvic surgery or even a hysterectomy (Sharma, 2002:244-245; Lumsden & Hickey, 2002:57).
Other forms of treatment may include homeopathic remedies, herbal products, acupuncture, and deep abdominal massage (Sharma, 2002:245).
Therapeutic Reflexology for Endometriosis
Therapeutic Reflexology is a non-invasive healthcare modality registered and formally regulated by the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa and does not treat specific conditions, but assists the body to heal itself or at least balance itself by stimulating the reflexes (nerve endings) on the feet and sometimes other body parts like the hands, face, and ears. Potentially, Therapeutic Reflexology may assist to alleviate the pain experienced by Endometriosis in an attempt to help females to improve their overall quality of life.
Personal Case Studies
Christo Scheepers has been doing Reflexology since 2003 and Therapeutic Reflexology since 2016 and has seen value added to the lives of numerous females of different ages that experienced Endometriosis and other forms of menstrual pain.
Christo Scheepers once worked with a woman in her early 30s that experienced severe Endometriosis. Therapeutic Foot Reflexology was done and within two treatment sessions, the associated pain totally disappeared.
He also worked with a woman doctor in her late twenties that experienced severe Endometriosis pain to the point where she had to put in sick leave every month during her menstrual cycle as she was not able to perform her duties within the medical environment for at least two days every month. Christo Scheepers commenced Therapeutic Foot Reflexology treatments and she enjoyed the sessions, relaxed, and felt like her stress levels reduced, but after four treatment sessions, she experienced no pain and since then was able to function as a doctor without having to take sick leave on a monthly basis.
These are just two instances of many where Therapeutic Reflexology assisted in pain relief and helping patients to experience improved quality of life.
Conclusion
Therapeutic Reflexology is not a magic cure and does not treat specific healthcare conditions, but Christo Scheepers has personally seen that by adding Therapeutic Reflexology to a treatment regime, patients tend to experience an improved quality of life, reduced pain levels, reduced stress levels, and improved energy levels.
Just like with any other healthcare modality, there are no guarantees that Therapeutic Reflexology will help with Endometriosis, but based on personal past experience, the possibility is definitely there.
If you experience the pain and results of Endometriosis and have not considered adding Therapeutic Reflexology to your treatment regime, it may be beneficial to you to try it out. Therapeutic Reflexology is non-invasive, not expensive and one treatment session per month may add much value to your overall health and wellbeing.
If you are experiencing the pain of Endometriosis, the question remaining to be asked, is: What do you have to lose by trying Therapeutic Reflexology?
References
Lumsden, M.A. & Hickey, M. (2000) Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists Complete Women’s Health. London: Thorsons.
Sharma, R. (2002) The Family Encyclopedia of Health: A Guide to Integrated Medicine. Revised and Updated Edition. London: Thorsons.
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Christo A. Scheepers: Therapeutic Reflexologist
Dip.T.R.(Cum Laude) [IARAMT]
AHPCSA: A11945
Pr. No.: 1080000737453
Tel. 072-800 7243