Reflexology for Infertility
Thousands of women trying to become pregnant may find the answer to their prayers at their feet. Reflexology is the ancient healing art that employs manipulation of pressure points in the feet. There is little scientific evidence to prove the effectiveness of reflexology. The essence of reflexology is channelling the natural energy running through the body. It aims to re balance the congestion by working pressure points on corresponding areas of the feet. Firm finger pressure is applied by the therapist to "break up" this congestion, dispel toxins and restore normal energy flow.
Infertility
Infertility is the state of being unable to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse and the term may be used to refer to a state of having never conceived or that of having difficulty in conceiving again after having previously conceived. It is thought that one in six couples have a problem conceiving. The cause may lie with either the man or the woman though most infertility falls into the "unexplained" category. The physical causes of female infertility are quite numerous. Women may have a hormonal imbalance, may not be producing eggs (ovulating), may have a blocked fallopian tube or problems with the womb. A man may have too few or damaged sperm, or his sperm may be unable to reach the egg to fertilise it. Investigations and tests will be done to try and pin point the cause of infertility. While these are taking place, reflexology treatment can work rebalancing the glands responsible for the production of hormones.
Some couples turn to IVF or other medical treatments when having children becomes difficult. Why not try Reflexology first? It has a good success rate and it's completely natural, it is a gentle therapy and there's no evasive treatment at all.
When you are told that there is nothing physically wrong and that your problem is primarily psychological, what can you do? You can't get pregnant until you relax and you can't relax because you can't get pregnant!! Worry and anxiety over not being able to have children can create physical conditions that prevent pregnancy.
Deep relaxation alleviates stress and tension so that conception may take place. Releases of energy gently stimulates reproductive organs and promotes normal glandular functioning. If the cause of fertility has not been established, then it is best for both partners to receive treatment so as not to place the responsibility on one or another.
Male Infertility
The typical infertile male is an apparently healthy, virile man whose reproductive difficulty is only discovered through routine sperm analysis. Although it is far from being the case, many people think that virility and infertility is the same but this is not so, because many sexually potent men are infertile and unable to reproduce. In the case of a low sperm count, excessively frequent intercourse can reduce fertility.
Infertility in men occurs when: he produces insufficient seminal fluid, he produces too much seminal fluid causing the sperm to be over diluted, he is impotent, he does not ejaculate, he ejaculates prematurely, or he has retrograde ejaculation where the seminal fluid is ejaculated into the urine.
The so called normal sperm count is 20-80 million per millilitre of seminal fluid, a volume of 1.5mls being seen as being the minimum required for fertility. Generally the underlying causes or cause of a low sperm count are unknown, although a recent illness or infection can cause a temporary reduction in sperm. It is important when looking at male infertility, not to jump to conclusions on the basis of one sperm analysis alone.
Balancing Reflexology: For Women and Men
Mostly, couples that have no physical reason as to why they are not conceiving are sub-fertile, which basically means it's just not happening! With a good balanced body the incoming soul has a good environment to nestle in and make a home! To achieve this environment we start by balancing your whole body; digestive, immune and respiratory systems and hormones: the whole lot. This gives us a solid healthy foundation and environment for conception to take place. Any imbalances that occur during the Reflexology treatment can be worked upon to bring back to balance.
I would suggest 4 - 6 treatments (depending on your body and how well it responds to treatment) and decide how often and how much stimulation we need for fertility part of the Reflexology. Once we have achieved the right balance for your body to conceive, we start preparing your body.
For Women: We monitor when you will be ovulating so we tie in the reflexology stimulation. This prepares the uterus, gets the hormones at a good level, relaxes and calms your nerves.
All aspects of a woman's reproductive life are influenced by the relative levels of the different female sex hormones in her body. Imbalances between them are responsible for a number of disorders. It is imbalances between levels of oestrogen and levels of progesterone that are responsible for many of today's hormonal problems. Oestrogen is dominant in the first part of your cycle and progesterone in the second part.
For Men: Now we know when your partner is ovulating and when the best time is to conceive. We can then get to work on the reproductive organs and relaxation reflexes.
In as many as half the couples who are unable to conceive, it is the man who has a fertility problems. It is important, therefore, that your partner is involved in the diagnostic process. Many conditions affecting male fertility are symptom less, so skilled investigation is necessary in order to identify them.
Now you've got this far why stop now? Reflexology can help you.
My vocation is as a complementary therapist, my deep commitment to fertility has come from that role. My passion is helping couples to focus on, plan for and succeed in having a baby. It is a wonderful privilege to work with a couple prior to conception, get a positive pregnancy result, look after them during pregnancy and birth.
My approach has it roots in long held Chinese beliefs. These are based on knowledge of the human body that come from listening and observing and understanding natural laws and fertility cycles. They incorporate key principles of fertility that we have moved away from today. I am strongly in favour of appropriate complementary techniques to enhance fertility and conception, I believe couples need support and positive expectations, not false hope. Complementary medicine should work hand in hand with western medicine. There are many factors affecting conception today that we have only recently come to appreciate, and modern trends in fertility gives couples a lot to think about. Whatever you are faced with, remember, focus; don't give up everything; don't put your life on hold.
I see couples who have all but given up their normal habits, and feel as if life is almost not worth living. Don't beat your self up about the odd glass of wine or cup of coffee you have had this month - the stress won't help you conceive. Becoming obsessive is not an effective way of achieving conception.
Benefits couples with Infertility problems will receive using my services
Some couples turn to IVF or other medical treatments when having children becomes difficult. Why not try Reflexology? It has a good success rate and it's completely natural, there's no invasive treatments at all. When you are told that there is nothing physically wrong and that your problem is primarily psychological, what can you do? You can't get pregnant until you relax and you can't relax because you can't get pregnant!
Reflexology induces a deep relaxation, alleviates stress and tension so that conception may take place. Released energy gently stimulates reproductive organs and promotes normal glandular functioning. Any imbalances that show during the reflexology treatment can be worked upon to bring back to balance.
I would suggest six treatments (depending on your body and how well it responds) and decide how often and how much stimulation is needed for the fertility part of the reflexology. Once I have achieved the right balance for your body to conceive, we start preparing the body.
As far as I am aware I am the only Reflexologist in York qualified in infertility reflexology. I also work along side the outreach sub-fertility nurse counsellor.
I trained with the British School of Reflexology and have completed two further advanced couples one of which is designed for infertility.
How will Couples Benefit?
It can help reduce stress and tension and give them something else to focus on. It gives them time to be a couple again, time for each other. Their world can so easily revolve around trying to conceive, and not enjoying been a couple.
The Benefits of Regular Reflexology
Regulates the hormones
Improves ovary function
Increases the flow of blood to the uterus and increasing the thickness of the lining
Prevents the uterus from contracting
Creates better semen to improve the quantity and quality of embryos
Lessens the side effects of drugs used in IVF
Boosts the immune system
Helps throughout the pregnancy and minimises the likelihood of miscarriage
Relaxes the patient and lessens their stress factors
The benefits of Regular Exercise
We are all aware of the wide ranging benefits of physical exercise and yet, with our busy lives, it's all too easy to forget, to let it slip, put it off until we've finished the other 101 things we need to do.
Incorporating a regular exercise routine into your daily life is vital, but not just for losing weight or shaping the body. Regular exercise increases fitness and strength, enabling us to cope with the physical demands of the day and unexpected emergencies. For couples trying to conceive, it oxygenates the body and increases blood flow to supply the reproductive organs with essential oxygen.
Prices and Payment Terms
One session of reflexology for infertility is £42.00 payable in advance by debit card, visa, credit card or cheque for courses of treatment.
Courses of six sessions for infertility is £210.00
Courses of six sessions for infertility for a couple £380.00
As above with 1-2 sessions of been taught to treat each other to help with fertility and relaxation. Only show at end of session six. £395.00
What it all Means....
Although the term "fertility" concerns men as well as women, it applies more specifically to woman. The possibility of conception after sexual intercourse is in theory available to everyone, but things are not always so simple in reality.
Definition
Do not confuse fertility with fecundity!
Fertility Rate
This is the average number of children that women have in the course of their lives between the ages of 15 and 50. In 2005, it differed between continents, with 4.8 children per woman in Africa and 1.4 in Europe. The world average is 2.5 children per woman.
Fecundity Rate
The fecundity rate measures the biological ability to have children. The rate varies greatly from one individual to another and from one couple to another. Statistical data is available, however, female fecundity peaks about 20 years of age and declines thereafter until the age of 35. The decline then accelerates and the fecundity rate falls to zero at about 45 or 50.
How it Works - The Fertile Window
A woman's fertile window lasts for four to five days during the menstrual cycle. It starts two days before prior to ovulation(spermatozoa can survive for 48 hours in the genital passages) and ends two or three days later, the ovule remains alive throughout this time.
Peak Fertility in Men
Peak fertility in men seems to occur at about 24. However, in contrast to women, men can retain their fertility until old age. They are able to have erections, ejaculate and parent children at 70 years of age or even later, as is demonstrated by both Charlie Chaplin and Des O'Connor! Fertility starts to decline, however, at about 45 years
The Normal Process - Good Health
Aspiring parents who want to put luck on their side should take care of their health.
Sperm cells should be numerous, normal and vigorously mobile in order to ensure fertilization.
The cervical mucus, the medium in which the sperm and ovule will meet, must be hospitable: it is responsible for nourishing and guiding them, as well as for their sorting and purification. If the sperm cells are correctly nourished, they can survive for five days inside the women's body.
Being in the Right Place....
When the man deposits his sperm in the vagina, it should be as close as possible to the cervix. Pregnancy can occur under certain somewhat rare circumstances, for instance if the semen is deposited at the entrance of the vagina without penetration and the sperm cells are vigorous enough to reach the Fallopian tubes. But it is better to help the process a little.
....at the Right Time
Within the menstrual cycle, a random conception can occur within a very short space of time (48 to 64 hours). Whatever the length of the cycle, ovulation generally takes place 14 days before the next period. The most propitious interval for becoming pregnant is therefore the 12th, 13th, 14th or 15th day before menstruation. During those four or five days, sexual activity should be evenly spaced in order to maximize the production of sperm.
Fertile or Not
The best way of finding out whether you are fertile is to try to make a baby! After about a year without using contraception: Some 60% of couples are expecting a child. About 30% of the others have their baby the following year. In the analysis only 10% of couples have a real fertility problem, which may be transient or permanent. To find out exactly what the situation is, the best course of action is to consult a specialist, who will propose a full medical investigation and ask a certain number of questions on your lifestyle. Temporary infertility can in fact be caused by environmental factors such as: different hours kept by each other, causing poor coordination of mood; unreasonable stress engendered by the desire to have a child straight away; a psychogenic block. All of these are becoming increasing frequent. The woman is in perfect health and should be able to conceive, but is unable to become pregnant. Some women have to resort to in vitro fertilization in order to finally produce a biological baby.
When Should You be Worried?
Not before two years of regular sex without becoming pregnant. Earlier than this, no health professional will take you seriously. If you reach this stage, a serious medical investigation will be proposed. In practice many conception difficulties have extremely simple cause. The couple may be working long hours and see each other briefly. An investigation may reveal that sex takes place only three time per month, and rarely on the days of greatest fertility. The next procedures are purely medical, with blood samples, ultrasound examinations and, for the future father, a spermogram. If sterility is confirmed, you will be guided towards the most suitable treatments for your particular situation.
Falling Fertility
The moment when the first children arrive depends solely on the fertility of the parents. In modern societies, where contraception is widely used, it is very difficult to measure fecundity. The improving health of population is probably producing a rise in fecundity, while at the same time the increasing prevalence of pollution and sexually transmitted disease produce the opposite effect. A recent study of European fecundity revealed that, contrary to received wisdom, the infertility of a couple is due to the man in 35% of cases.
