The menopause is when a woman stops having periods and is no longer able to get pregnant naturally.
During menopause, reflexology works by regulating the hormones and glandular functions of the body. It can help to alleviate and balance both the physical and emotional systems. By working with the hypothalamus and pituitary, reflexology can help to restore balance to the endocrine system. This in turn can alleviate menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes as well as anxiety. By calming the central nervous system, sleep disturbances can also be alleviated and anxiety and stress levels reduced. By regulating calcium and phosphorous levels in the thyroid gland, bone loss can be prevented.
Reflexology also helps the ovaries to regulate their Oestrogen secretions and the uterus to maintain its natural health and flexibility.
The change’, ‘the climacteric’, ‘the time of life’ – call it what you will, it is an unavoidable fact that all women go through the menopause. However, for many women this natural process is a time of anxiety and distress due to the various symptoms that can accompany it.
Periods usually start to become less frequent over a few months or years before they stop altogether. Sometimes they can stop suddenly. The menopause is a natural part of ageing that usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age, as a woman's oestrogen levels decline. In the UK, the average age for a woman to reach the menopause is 51. However, around 1 in 100 women experience the menopause before 40 years of age. This is known as premature menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency.
The symptoms can be debilitating such as: hot flushes, increased perspiration, night sweats, headaches, dizziness, mood changes, digestive disturbances, sudden weight gain, short-term memory loss and irregular periods with heavy bleeding.
With all the changes happening to the body, not surprising women can experience low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy.
Reflexology at this time could help to regulate the peripheral nervous system, achieved by stimulating the pituitary gland, the hypothalamus and the thymus reflex points. It could also make some of these changes more bearable and could relieve the stress and tension that believe to cause so many side effects.
Menopause is a time for transformation and regeneration and is not a disease. Supporting the journey with reflexology could help put hormones back in balance and act like a process of emotional cleansing helping to relieve stress and restore harmony in the body and mind.