Back pain may respond very well to reflexology. I find the degree of success relates to several issues. Often the back pain is a referred pain from another area and the back aches because the person is walking or holding themselves differently to compensate. The deep relaxation that reflexology gives to the whole body may often be enough to relieve both the source tension - say in the neck - and the painful area of the back - often between the should blades if the neck is the problem.
Deep relaxation of muscles along the neck and spine is achieved by working UNDER and along the bony arch of the foot for several minutes. Clients often find this even more relaxing than a direct body massage.
It is also said that reflexology helps reduce inflammation, this can mean pressure on the nerves causing the pain is often relieved as well, and pain is eased.
A reflexology technique that works well is to thumb walk very slowly along the spine reflex on the foot, asking the client to say when the most painful point (on the foot) is reached. It may take several passes for the client to pinpont the exact spot. Gentle, steady pressure is then applied to this point until the client says the discomfort (on the foot) is fading.
I had a particular success recently when a pregnant client was suffering from pain in spine. She descibed it as been right under her bra fastening. I used the technique above and the client could not believe the pain had totally gone after the reflexology treatment. And it had not returned by the next treatment. I have to admit this was an especially rapid response and I was as delighted as the client.
4 comments:
I have just started my reflexology diploma so was interested to find your post, esp as one of my case studies is to be someone who suffers a lot with back pain! Thanks!
Thank you for taking the time to post a comment Good luck with your case studies.
can reflexology help a herniated disc?
I'm afraid the answer is - it depends. Many of the medications prescribed for a herniated disc are muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatories and unfortunately some of these can only be taken for short periods as they can become addictive. Reflexology, as I said above, can provide deep muscle relaxation and also seems to reduce inflammation. This can give considerable pain relief.
If the compression of the nerve is very severe, then, as I expect you have been told, the only permanent relief comes from surgery.
I suggest you try reflexology and if you get any pain relief at all from the first treatment, it would be worth carrying on and asking your reflexologist if he/she would consider shorter treatments just concentrating on the spinal reflexes, which should be cheaper. Remember reflexology is a complementary therapy i.e. complements conventional medicine. Do not stop taking prescribed medication without consulting your medical advisor.
Continuous back pain is so debilitating and tiring to live with. I do hope you get some relief soon.
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