A very important topic this month. Way too many women suffer with endometriosis all over the world, around 2 million women in the UK alone. Terrible symptoms of lethargy, depression and painful, heavy periods accompany women with endometriosis each month. Sadly. a survey by Endometriosis UK reports that, it takes around an average 7.5 years to be diagnosed because all symptoms are different and not taken seriously. However, when diagnosed, along with many effective treatments, holistic treatments like reflexology can be complimentary to this condition.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a long-term condition, where the cells of the uterus lining (endometrium) grow elsewhere in the body – outside the uterus. These places commonly can be the ovaries, the fallopian tubes but also the pelvis, the bladder or inside the vagina. In very rare cases, endometriosis tissues were found in the brain, the eyes, or in the lungs. The issue here is that these cells react the same way as they would in the uterus, supporting the release of the ovum. During the hormonal changes of the month, the cells are growing in the womb, and if the ovum is not fertilised, naturally the cells break down and bleed. In the case of endometriosis, the blood cannot simply leave the body.
We cannot even imagine how painful internal bleeding is. The affected areas become inflamed while forming a scar tissue that tugs on other organs and tissues, causing even more pain. When these cells are on the ovaries, they form cysts filled with blood that results in an excruciating pain when ovulating. Other symptoms apart from the above mentioned include fatigue, feelings of isolation and depression, pain during sex, pain or blood when urinating or pooing during periods, feeling sick, constipation, diarrhoea, pelvic pain, and difficulty of getting pregnant.
Depending on many factors, such as your age, extent of the condition, or if you want to become pregnant, there is a lot to consider, and you need to speak to a counsellor to direct you to make the right decision tailored to you. There is of course, medical or hormone treatments (contraceptive pills, coil), surgeries (laparoscopy, hysterectomy) but all of these can be paired with complications (fertility problems, adhesions, ovarian cysts, bladder and bowel problems, surgery complications). No-one is really aware why endometriosis exists; many women fully recover via surgeries or alternative therapies or both however, according to Dian Mills - a leading nutritionist in endometriosis - endometriosis symptoms can return within 18 months after the drug and surgery treatments stopped. This is another reason to support any drug and surgical treatments with a more holistic approach. In my experience and what we understand now about this disease is that endometriosis needs to be attended to on a physical and emotional level too.
Reflexology for endometriosis
Reflexology is a hormone balancing therapy supporting women who are experiencing irregular menstrual cycle or hormonal changes when perimenopause or menopause occur. It is important to integrate a healthy diet and lifestyle in conjunction with reflexology, in fact for hormonal balancing alone. (See my next blog on How a plant-based diet can aid women with Endometriosis.) Even a small change such as avoiding hormone disrupting chemicals in toiletries can really help, using pure, natural, handmade products. Meditation and visualisation can be also useful for women with this condition. At my reflexology treatments we discuss your current lifestyle and health habits, and I will provide you with other information and tools to accelerate your healing.
Reflexology addresses the root causes behind the problems, not only treating the symptoms. Endometriosis is an auto-immune disease when the body attacks itself and for which it is difficult to find a medicine that helps. Our immune system can take on a lot of our stresses due to physical and emotional factors however, this burden can increase – without our awareness or recognition – and result in illnesses and fatigue. This is where the nerves and their function come into the picture. Without nerves our body would not survive. The nerves are the main communicators to the brain. Our body responds to commands of the nerves-brain thus allowing us to feel, see, hear, touch, feeling pain or pleasure. It maintains our essential living processes such as breathing, digestion or heartbeat.
Reflexology is a great way to balance the nervous system, guiding functions of the body to return to their normal self. There are around 7000 nerve endings in the feet and reflexology stimulates specific nerve reflexes (pressure points) to create a positive change in the body for repair and renewal. It calms the mind, balances the hormones, reduces pain and stress will eventually fade away.
Where are the ovaries in reflexology?
The ovary and uterus reflexes are on the sides of the heel, the lateral and medial section.
Image from: https://myvagina.com/reflexology/ and a good read on how reflexology treatment supports vaginal and pelvic issues.
The best time to treat women with endometriosis is during their cycle. The lesions will be the most active and treatment is more successful in clearing the system from debris. Pain can be managed better at this time. Reflex points of the ovaries, uterus, Fallopian tubes, bladder, and rectum feels like soft extended lesions around the reflex points and the affected area can range from smaller to larger areas in size. The focus during each weekly treatment is endocrine sedation, reproductive sedation, uterus sedation, fallopian tube sweep, pelvic hold, solar plexus and sedation of other affected points, the bladder, the rectum, the vagina and so on.
Women reported a more regular cycle, less PMT, less pain and heavy bleeding, steadier digestion, and better moods after reflexology treatments. Women need to understand and know their body and figure out what it needs. What works and what should be avoided, working consciously with your cycle and womb, creating a balanced, happy body – which starts in the mind. Overall, let’s try to figure out how to take care of ourselves without medication if the illness has not reached that state.
Other holistic approaches
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy provides pain relief with the application of warm essential oils and has analgesic properties. It circulates blood flow and lymphatic fluid to reduce swelling and the pain caused by inflammation. Oils with emmenagogue properties must be avoided as they encourage menstruation; although if you are suffering from heavy periods these oils can also be effective to encourage blood flow, yet this would depend on your unique circumstances.
Holistic Massage
Holistic Massage along with reflexology and aromatherapy helps by gently breaking down muscular adhesions and the scar tissue with mobilisation and frictions. Massage balances the circulation throughout the body with lymphatic drainage methods, by collecting toxins to purify the body, as well as delivering proteins and vitamins throughout the tissues.
Shiatsu
Shiatsu massage or acupressure works similarly to acupuncture, it focuses on certain pressure points on the body promoting healing.
I hope this information can help and guide you in the right direction with your hormonal problems. For more information or if you want to book a session/treatment get in touch klara.reflexology@gmail.com or call 07912 287453.
Best wishes
Klara
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Sources
Endometriosis: Holistic Treatments that can Help!, YOU Massage Therapy Blog, 2012, https://www.massage-southampton.co.uk/blog/2012/03/11/endometriosis-holistic-treatments-that-can-help/#:~:text=Body%20balancing%20and%20incredibly%20relaxing,excess%20fluid%20and%20build%20up.
Overview: Endometriosis, NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/endometriosis/ Image from: Reflexology for vaginal and pelvic problems, My Vagina, https://myvagina.com/reflexology/
Focus on Reflexology for Endometriosis by Barbara Scott, ARR, https://reproductivereflexologists.org/focus-on-reflexology-for-endometriosis/
Reflexology for Endometriosis, Soothing Soles Reflexology, Samantha Davlouros http://www.soothingsoles.org/reflexology-for-endometriosis
Can Reflexology help Endometriosis, Jennitherapy Blog, Jenni Stone, July 2018 http://www.jennitherapy.com/blog/2018/7/27/can-reflexology-help-endometriosis
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