I met my Wellbeing Improver in July 2012. She was 83 at the time. Over the years she had a few operations and broke a few bones. After 55 years, she was still experiencing pain in her coccyx bone. She had diabetes that was under control and felt she was generally in good health.
Initial issue: pain in the leg
Wellbeing Improver had a lot of pain in her right leg and physiotherapy was not recommended for her. She was ‑ and still is ‑ under the care of a physician. She informed her GP she was having reflexology sessions and the GP said it was ok.
As an older lady, I recommended that we started with 30-minute sessions. This had been so ever since apart from the occasional 1h session.
After her first 4 sessions, she was experiencing relief for up to 2 to 3 days and then pain was at a manageable level with the painkillers. After a couple of months, she started not taking so many pain killers, first at night and then during the day. She had more mobility, was able to go out for walks and was doing more at home.
Maintaining her health
Wellbeing Improver found her reflexology sessions were helping with her leg problem AND also other niggles she had.
I have known Wellbeing Improver for 9 years now. We have worked together every single year since then for her general wellbeing and also for more specific issues and even some emergencies.
She needed help after falling outside her front door and, as a result, experienced pain across her lower back and coccyx. Having bursitis in both legs, she would and is still does experience pain in her right leg at times and we manage to bring it down from pain to discomfort. She was diagnosed with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) in 2013 and had several chest infections; reflexology, along with conventional medicine, helped her on her way to recovery. She also has had oedema in her legs.
Less discomfort, not a cure
Over recent years, regular reflexology sessions have allowed Wellbeing Improver to cope better with two health issues.
One of them is oedema in her lower legs. Reflexology Lymph Drainage helps keep the swelling down. Her legs are not so heavy and so numb which gives her more mobility and more balance.
The other one is a breathing issue. After her sessions, she breathes deeper and is not so out of breath. Relaxation of the rib cage means that more air is going in, which helps with getting oxygen to the organs in the body.
Wellbeing care that has changed throughout the years
My sessions, and how I design them, take into account what any Wellbeing Improver tells me before and throughout a session as far as pressure, techniques or sensitivity (and sometimes pain) is concerned. Working together prevents the Improver’s body to go into stress mode.
Depending on a Wellbeing Improver’s state of health and circumstances, I adjust the pressure, and sometimes completely change my session plan.
During reflexology sessions I always aim to work generally before working on specific issues as reflexology rebalances the different systems in the body. This has been particularly important for this Wellbeing Improver as a general rebalance of the systems took care of some specific issues.
Sessions have had to be adapted and the touch very light as after she had to go to hospital and was so unwell. This is also true right now as she has very sensitive legs and has lost a lot of confidence as a result of being home bound during the pandemic for such a long time.
It is always a joy to see her at the end of her session more alert and with a sparkle in her eyes.
You might be also interested in finding out more about Reflexology Lymph Drainage (RLD)
If you want to receive a link when I post a blog, like my Facebook page or send me an email and fill in this form.
