Parkinson’s & Reflexology

It is beneficial to talk about how reflexology can help people living with Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s is a degenerative condition, where the deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine affects the basal ganglia in the brain and signals it. Middle-aged and older people are usually affected by Parkinson’s.

When we talk about traditional treatments of Parkinson’s, reflexology is very useful supporting it. How? Reflexology treatments can stimulate the saliva glands and tear ducts that are often affected by Parkinson’s medications. Reflexology also helps to ease constipation.

There are more than 40 symptoms of this condition, but people affected by Parkinson’s experience it differently and not everyone will experience all the symptoms. Main symptoms of Parkinson’s related to movement (motor symptoms) are:

• Declined spontaneous movement

• Difficulty maintaining posture & gait

• Tremor

• Stiffness of the muscles – known as rigidity

• Slower movements – known as bradykinesia

Other symptoms, unrelated to movement (non-motor symptoms): depression, daytime sleepiness, dysphagia (difficulties swallowing), sciatica, shingles and stroke.

How can reflexology help?

By massaging the head/brain, pituitary, adrenal, spine, kidney, liver and autonomic nervous system reflex points, which will provide a holistic approach and an overall treatment to the body and mind. The thumb massages these reflexology areas of the diaphragm and solar plexus, moving up the spinal column, whereby the nervous system stabilizes. These reflex points worked for approximately three minutes each time for an effective result. Pressing reflexes of the toe and colon is also beneficial, releasing the debilitating symptoms of this condition.

How do I help my clients with Reflexology and what is their feedback?

It has been noticed that, by stimulating the nervous system my clients get more relaxed. Their quality of sleeping improves. Since muscle cramps ease, a greater mobility is induced, especially in the legs. Generally, clientele prefer foot reflexology to hand reflexology, which results in an effective overall well-being for a few days, after the massage treatment. We monitor the full treatment together with the clients, making sure we focus on areas that are needed at the time.

I personally recommend six weekly treatments (£200/full treatment, 1 treatment is free) for the body to sink into it, like a regular massage on strained muscles that should be treated frequently at first for better results and then reduced to keep it flexed. After the full six treatments, once (£40) a month should be adequate.

If you have any questions about this topic or require more information about this specific treatment, please get in touch via klara.reflexology@gmail.com

Best wishes,

Klara Esperger

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Sources:

Reporting on Parkinson’s: Information for Journalists, Parkinson’s UK https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/about-us/reporting-parkinsons-information-journalists

Reflexology helps Parkinson’s, Square Reflexology helps Parkinson - Home Comfort Therapy

Supporting clients with Parkinson’s disease using reflexology, FHT Supporting clients with Parkinson’s disease using reflexology – Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT)