There an increasing number of women who are claiming that reflexology helped them conceive and overcome problems with infertility, either on the part of the woman or partner. Infertility is a complex problem and often what is needed is something that gives the system a bit of a kick start and reflexology can do just that.

Causes of Infertility

Women:

Different known causes in women are mainly Anovulation (absence of ovulation) which after 5 sessions of reflexology had shown improvement, showing that the mucous discharge was constant with fertile mucous during her ovulation. Amenorrhoea ( lack of menstruation) again reflexology has shown that as soon as after 7 sessions menstruation has been known to resume. Endometriosis, which is known to sometimes be caused by Polycystic ovaries was also during research been found to have improved. Some other causes of infertility can be blocked fallopian tubes, Pelvic inflammatory disease. Diet, fibroids, hostile cervical mucus (which is the production of antibodies to a partner’s sperm) can also be cause of infertility in women.

Male:

Some of the known causes of infertility in men are Azoospermia (lack of sperm present in the semen), Smoking (over 20 a day) has been found to reduce sperm count and sperm motility. Excessive alcohol drinking will also lead to infertility, due to the fact that alcohol lowers the production of the male hormone testosterone and the production of sperm. During a resent research study, Oligospermia (low sperm count) the men’s sperm count had increased from 1% to 8% in one month after having 5 reflexology sessions and taking Vitamin E tablets, in addition to taking both Folic Acid and Zinc tablets.

Other Contributing Factors of Infertility:

Stress is the highest contributing factor of infertility. Stress can lower prolactin levels (prolactin is a hormone that in excessive amounts is known to inhibit infertility). Stress in women disrupts hormonal connection between the brain, the pituitary gland and the ovaries, therefore, interfering with both the maturation of an ovum and the ovulation process. Reflexology sessions focusing on the endocrine system, the reproductive system, along with other reflex helper areas has been found to aid in the fertilization process. By using reflexology to reduce stress through relaxation the menstrual cycles can normalize, the ovum improves and the likelihood of fertilization and implantation is increased.
Reference: Woman’s Health Website: www.womhealth.org

Lifestyle and environmental changes can also be contributing factors of infertility, such as Smoking – Cigarette Smoking impairs fertilization. Caffeine should be reduced for the fact that it lowers the sperm counts and decreases ovulation. Weight should be kept in check due to the fact that it can also affect the woman’s fertility. Women require approximately 17 to 31 % of their body weight as fat in order to have normal monthly periods and ovulate, with that in mind, a 10% change in weight lost or gain might improve infertility. A diet that is poor in nutritional standards will have a negative effect of infertility. When the diet is nutritionally deficient, it is thought that the endocrine system turns the reproductive system off.
Reference: Woman’s Health, Website: www.womhealth.org

Nutrition plays a large role in assisting with IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) programmes is well documented and there is increasing evidence to suggest that the results of conventional medical treatments are both improved and enhanced when the support of complementary treatments are used. In a resent study one patient had a successful IVF outcome after having several sessions of reflexology, while complementing it with conventional medicine.
Reference: Positive Health, Website: www.positivehealth.com

The entire body and mind will be calmed and all of the body systems (immune, digestive, nervous, reproductive, hormones, etc.) strengthened during the reflexology session. The patient, in this way will be able to nurture self, relax and therefore, improve chances of conceiving.

Reflexology, no matter what route the patient chooses will be able to assist. Should the patient select a conventional conception route, which might at time have moments of stress and worry, releflexology will then help cope with the stresses as well as help the body maintain a balanced state and improve the chance of conception. If the patient selects a more natural route, reflexology can then assist in much the same way by stimulating and balancing hormones and bodily systems.
Reference: Harley Street Infertility Website: www.complementary.co.uk

Purpose

Being unable to conceive is stressful to patients causing feelings of guilt and anxiety. The aim of this article is to educate those who find that they are having issues with infertility both now and in the future, that there are alternative resources that can be use to aid in overcoming the problem of infertility. Using alternative medicines like reflexology – a holistic therapeutic therapy, when pared together with the conventional medicines can achieve good results.

Suggested Treatment Plan

In this context, reflexology can assist in helping to achieve the best possible health condition so nature will perceive the body as ready to create a new life. The patient can expect the following in the plan that will aid the body as it develops and builds to be ready to conceive. The treatment plan usually takes between 8 to10 visits, over a period of 3 to 4 weeks.

• Balance the Endocrine System - During the sessions the reflex points will be worked on Feet, Hands and Ears which correspond to the endocrine system. Working the endocrine system helpers will aid in the balancing of the hormones which the system is responsible for producing.

• Stress Relief – Women trying to become pregnant may have several levels of stress, in terms of anxiety and depression, which is often equivalent to woman with serious illness. When under stress often the patient will experience several neurochemical changes which can alter the ordered release of hormones which regulate the maturation and release of the egg.

• Treat the Stine – Reflex the points on the Feet, Hands and Ears which correspond to the spine and corresponding spinal nerves which affect the entire reproductive area.

• Psoas , Pelvic Region – Tightness in the Psoas can be a neglected cause of many pelvic problems which can be a cause of infertility.

• Stimulate the Immune System – Reflex the Lymphatic system and also use the practice of Lymph Drainage Therapy to stimulate and encourage healthy mucous membranes.

• Detoxify the Large Intestine and Liver – Reflex the areas of the digestive system and liver on the Feet, Hand, and Ears.

At the first visit a very detailed consultation of medical history, diet, lifestyle will be taken. This is to check if there are any deficiencies which can be addressed in terms of nutrition and/or supplementation.

When addressing infertility it is suggested that both partners be treated to make sure that the optimum environment for conception to take place be achieved.

Conclusion

To date the above treatment plan has worked with 90% of all the patients seen in the clinic where I practice. These patients were refered because of Infertility problems. As shown in the treatment plan besides reflexology there are other modalities that come under massage which are also used as a usual part of the treatment.

There should be a very good understanding that I work very close with both patient and physician.

This has truly become a labor of love. Helping couples enlarge their family with just a little natural help.

Author's Bio: 

Elizabeth Stiles is a Reflexologist, Massage Therapist and Reiki Master/Teacher. She has been in practice for the past 5 years. Two of those years she has been working with Fearn Natural Health Clinic where she works with a Chiropractic, Naturopathic, Acupuncture PRofessionals. For additional information call her office.