Women, midwives and reflexology: Making a difference

Women, midwives and reflexology: making a difference Lyndall Mollart (Sole to Soul Maternity Reflexology), Bernadette Leiser Introduction History of Reflexology An increasing number of reflexology studies have demonstrated increased patient satisfaction; an improvement in the quality of life and a reduction in symptoms relating to a conditions such as oedema in pregnancy, constipation, sleep fatigue and backache. Reflexology can facilitate continuity of care and carer, rather than fragmenting it by referral to an external professional. The benefits to staff and women include improved staff morale and women had increased satisfaction in accessing a maternity unit providing reflexology. Reflexology- Definition Reflexology is an ancient natural therapy, which uses subtle energies of the feet to balance and harmonise the being, so that the receiver may attain and maintain health and wellbeing Everything that happens in the being is reflected on the feet, and everything that happens in the feet is relayed to the body. Also hand and ear reflexology. History of Reflexology Relationship between feet & internal organs- recognised by civilisations since early recorded history: •Over 5,000 years ago in ancient India •2,500 BC: Physician’s tomb at Saqqara, Egypt: The translation of the hieroglyphics are as follows “Don’t hurt me: the practitioner’s reply “I shall act so you praise me” •2598BC: China Yellow Emperor’s medical book examining feet method •636 BC: China, Dr Yu Fu (Foot Healing) treated people with specific foot massage Introduction into Western Cultures •16th Century : Books were published on Zone Therapy by Dr Adamus & Dr A’tatis and another by Dr Ball in Leipzig •1902: Dr Cornelius, German physician published the book “Pressure points, their origins and significance”. • 1917: Dr. Fitzgerald, was an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist working at the Boston City Hospital, as well as at St Francis Hospital in Connecticut - used compression technique on fingers for pain relief- oral surgery: Longitudinal energy zones known as Zone Therapy •1930’s: Eunice Ingham “mother’ of modern reflexology: somatic charts and thumb walking assessment technique •1980s: Susanne Enzer ‘’mother of maternity reflexology” with specific techniques for pregnant and postnatal women including the reflection of the fetus on the feet. Benefits and uses Reflexology offers the potential to relieve tension and anxiety; provide comfort by reducing pain; enhance the body’s ability to heal itself and improve the midwife- woman relationship. Uses in the perinatal period •Constipation •Stress and Anxiety •Pubic pain and backache •High Blood pressure •Oedema •Breech position •Labour ‘primer’ – overdue •Revitalise after birth •Backache after epidural •Hormonal: baby blues •Wind pain: caesarean •Urinary retention •Delayed lactation Baby: at birth, headache, constipation 2. Reflexology Landmarks Maternity Reflexology Research ANTENATAL • Treating hypertension and pre-eclampsia at Queen Charlotte’s. Green E.1997. • Foot reflex therapy in the treatment of primary inertia during labour. Clausen J & Moller E. 1996. • Single blind trial addressing the differential effects of two reflexology techniques versus rest, on ankle and foot oedema in late pregnancy. Mollart L. 2003 LABOUR • Effects of reflexology on labour outcome. Motha & McGarth 1994. • Effect of reflexology on pain intensity and duration of labour on primiparas. Dolatian M, Hasanpour A, et al 2011. • Reviewing the effect of reflexology on the pain and certain features and outcomes of the labour on the primiparous women. Valiani M, Shirahn E, Kianpour M, Hasanpour M. 2010. POSTNATAL • The effect of sole reflexology on severity of fatigue in pregnant women. Pourghaznein T & Ghafari F. 2006. • Effectiveness of using foot reflexology to improve quality of sleep amongst Taiwanese postpartum women. Li C, Chen S, Li C, Gau M, Huang C. 2009. • Effects of foot reflexology on fatigue, stress and PND in Postpartum Women (Korean). Choi, M and Lee E.2015. Midwifery Reflexology Course 3. Reflexology Charts (Chris Stormer) The certificate course is: • 6 days over 3 months and 20 hour practice log book. Endorsed by ACM for 62 CPD points • Consists of 50% Theory and 50% Practical including • foot awareness and concepts of reflexology • The reflex zones of the body on the feet • Reflexology assessment routines and Practical reflexology techniques • Reflexology therapy with specific application to midwifery practice Certificate course has been conducted in: • Qld: Cairns, Caboolture, Hervey Bay x2, Rockhampton, Townsville • NSW: Manly x3, Blacktown, Belmont, Taree • South Australia: Adelaide, Mt Barker • Northern Territory: Darwin • Western Australia: Fremantle A 1 day introduction to reflexology workshop is another option! Clinical Guideline • Stakeholder approach during development of document; identify management champions • Use within the holistic care of woman • Obtain Informed verbal consent • Any recognised contra-indications or precautions • Not to replace emergency care • Documentation • Practitioner qualified /recognised certificate course/completed competency based course • Reference heavily – showing reflexology ‘does no harm’’ and has been shown to be effective and safe in RCTs (above) Sole to Soul Maternity Reflexology: www.maternity-reflexology.net