Fertility Reflexology

I have been a reflexologist for 8 years now and after additional training with the Association of Reproductive Reflexologists, I have been working for the last 5 years with clients who have been trying to conceive. I have learnt a lot over this time; through working alongside my clients and partners, and sometimes being the only other person they feel that they can offload to.

I have learnt how to nurture and support them, but one of the things that I have been aware of is that there isn't a huge amount of mental health care available to couples when trying to conceive.

For fertility reflexology, through my reproflexology training, I have a method that I use to work with my clients.

At the start of fertility reflexology I would ask my client to complete and return a questionnaire beforehand so that I can spend tine preparing to see them. We discuss the questionnaire at the beginning of our first session.

We would look at lifestyle factors such as work, stress, exercise and discuss any changes that could be made to improve fertility.

We would talk about healthy eating and drinking and I provide lifestyle information sheets with foods to eat and supplements that I would recommend for fertility.

For female clients- we would discuss menstrual cycles and charting and discuss how to chart cycles and how we can use these charts to get an insight into hormones, ovulation etc.

For men- we would discuss semen analysis testing and results as well as male conditions that affect fertility. Lifestyle, stress and exercise can have a big impact on make fertility and we would discuss this.

I would also explain how reflexology can support you and your partner and teach you hand techniques to use at home between reflexology sessions.

Fertility reflexology can also be used with conventional fertility treatments such as clomid and with fully medicated cycles of IUI, IVF and ICSI.

A study was completed by the Association of Reproductive Reflexologists of 180 clients who were receiving regular reproductive reflexology whilst trying to conceive. The results were as follows:

• 100 - natural conception

• 22 with IVF/ ICSI

• age range 24-46

• Average number of treatments 11.32

• 68% conceived whilst receiving treatment

• pregnancy with IVF/ICSI 52%

We looked at a variety of conditions and how they responded to reflexology, including male fertility issues and responses to IVF/ICSI with positive results.

Finally to add- you don't need to have fertility issues to benefit from reflexology before conception. Reflexology treatments help to release oxytocin and the endorphins responsible for deep relaxation, reflexology provides space away from the speed of modern life and a chance to offload emotionally, mentally and physically.

Please get in touch if you would like more information or have any questions.