Menopause & Perimenopause

Have you begun to notice changes in your cycle? Perhaps you feel your mood is changing, having periods of feeling emotionally unbalanced, or you are becoming prone to bouts of anxiety? You may be experiencing some night sweats and even hot flushes, that is disturbing your sleep. For some, the symptoms can severely affect day to day activities, work, relationships, and home life. Lifestyle changes can considerably help such as regular exercise, good nutrition, avoidance of stimulants – the usual offenders, caffeine, alcohol, sugar etc, but perhaps the cause of early menopause is stress – it causes havoc to our hormonal system, only making symptoms worse.

How can Reflexology help?

Reflexology can support a menopausal woman physically, mentally and emotionally. It can help a woman tune into her body’s needs, highlighting imbalances and areas which need attention. It can provide a safe space in which to relax, receive and be self-focused.

Having an empathic reflexologist who understands the physical changes behind menopausal symptoms and takes her problems seriously can, in itself, help to relieve stress. Regular reflexology can help with reducing hot flushes, lowering stress levels, help with sleep issues, reduce anxiety and improve your wellbeing.

As a treatment, Reflexology can help aid relaxation and ease symptoms. Stress can be a huge factor in the severity of the symptoms experienced. Easing the stresses and adjusting a few lifestyle factors, can really help relieve menopausal symptoms.

It seems that Perimenopause (the first stage) is the most disruptive period where symptoms become more obvious and unpredictable. Unfortunately, for some, this period can last a few years. Once cycles have ceased for a consecutive twelve months, symptoms appear to reduce but women report that some, typically hot flushes, continue way into the post-menopause stage.

Every woman and her menopause is unique. Reflexology aims to support menopausal symptoms. A list of some perimenopausal and post menopausal symptoms are listed below…

PERIMENOPAUSAL / PREMENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS

Hot Flushes
Night Sweats
Palpitations
Fatigue
Anxiety
Insomnia
Achy Joints/Muscles
Mood swings

POSTMENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS

Vasomotor Symptoms
Osteoporosis
Headaches
Depression and/or anxiety
Cardiovascular Disease
Irritability
Insomnia
Mood swings

Menopause reflexology works by regulating the hormones and glandular functions of the body. It can help to ease and balance both the physical and emotional systems. By working on the endocrine system, specifically the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, it can help to restore balance to the hormonal system.

This in turn can alleviate menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes as well as anxiety. By calming the central nervous system, sleep disturbances, anxiety and stress levels can also be reduced.

Although menopausal symptoms may continue for a prolonged period, helping reduce the impact of stress will help to reduce the associated symptoms.

Whilst Reflexology cannot stop the natural process of menopause, it can certainly help to bring balance, calmness and a greater control to your body and mind at this physically changing phase of your life.

As every woman’s body is different, the course of reflexology will be specifically designed for the individual with a tailored treatment plan. Women however find it most beneficial to have regular treatments, initially either weekly or fortnightly to help regulate their body.

The effects of reflexology are cumulative and, depending on specific needs and symptoms, a course of treatments is usually recommended. For further information please get in touch