contraindication thoughts

[spiritofthenight]

hi, Iam a fully qualified reflexologist who has just started my own reflexolgy practise and would like to chat on here to other reflexologists who are also new to starting their own businesses..!

Also, can anyone tell me, what are the official contraindications with performing reflexology, I have my notes from my old tutor but am interested to see how opinions vary!

any help on here my lovelies will be muchly appreciated!

 

[xmdkbuqy]

hello mumkey,

no one replied? ahh welll...

the contraindications will be those taught to you during training. depends on who your exam body was. if it was ITEC, their full list of contras can be found on their website... i think they add to it every year so that we're in a situation where you can only treat well people!!

me, i work by own contras - if i or my client dont feel right about it, then i dont!

 

[Caliban]

Hi Mumkey,

The main contras are thrombosis, DVT, embollism (so any form of blood clot), pregnancy in first trimester and diabetes. I wouldn't treat anyone with these indications, but may go on to treat someone with diabetes with approval from GP.

Other minor contraindications may require approval from GP, health conslultant or extra care on the part of the therapist eg, cancer, pregnancy, low/high blood pressue etc etc.

 

[Sandra Van der merwe]

Hi

An official contraindications list? Is there such a thing? Rubbish!

Apart from the obivious things like localised contraindications of the foot, and untreated DVT, is there really any contraindications in reflexology? Do you really need GP permission? Would the GP even give you permission? Most wouldn't won't to be involved, this is textbook stuff not the actual reality.

The process of taking a consultation and weighing up the pros and cons is the time to make the decision to treat or not. Not just based on labels like diabetes. And before anyone says it, yes I am aware of peripheral vascular disease and neuropathy. If reflexology is based on the principle of homeostasis, when it should help to balance blood suger levels. Is reflexology so powerful a healing medium that it is going to induce a hypoglycaemic coma?

If a client has cancer, you treat the whole person, so you can't get done for claiming that you can treat cancer. If the client is on chemo, may be it's not the right thing, but to denign treatment because the client has the label "cancer" goes against the fact reflexology is used extensively in hospices.

Will anyone show me the evidence that reflexology can cause a miscarriage? Yes there are points on the feet that according to Chinese medicine may induce uterine contractions. So just don't press so hard! I've treated clients with reiki, reflexology and massage at different levels of pregnancy, and haven't had a problem yet (crossfingers).

The idea of the contraindication list when training is to make you into a responsible reflective practitioner, and to protect you taking on too much when doing your case studies. It isn't written in stone, there are always exceptions, and when experience is built up then make your own decisions. Rosie has a good CI philosophy, quote: me, i work by own contras - if i or my client dont feel right about it, then i dont!

Best Wishes

RP

 

[dipsvhxx]

Calm down RP!

Actually, yes, the GP would give permission and thanked me for actually consdiering the client in full where previously he had had a poor image of a complementary therapist who went ahead without due care and attention to all the needs of the client.

Yes, of course you treat the whole person with cancer but I would always, always get the client to discuss with their consultant first. As with diabetes, the amount of medication they require is very finely tuned. If reflexology rebalances, then there is danger of the client actually taking, in effect, an overdose. I didn't say I wouldn't treat, but the client and the GP/consultant needs to understand how reflexology can affect the person. If reflexology balances blood sugar levels then someone taking insulin may end up taking way too much.

Pregnancy - I also haven't seen any miscarriages due to reflexology, but the body is going through so much in that first trimester, physically, mentally and emotionally, that I feel it's right to let the body finds it's own balance before using reflexology to assist with any pregnancy symptoms in the 2nd and third trimester. I certainly always ensure that the lady has advised her midwife/GP that she is having reflexology and that they can contact me if they have any reservations. As much as Rosie goes with her instincts, I go with mine.

 

[Redsawdom]

Hi Sarah

The GP in your area might, but it isn't the case in many other areas. Most GP's won't give permission as if something goes wrong they might be liable.

As for diabetic medication, if the client if realisably stable I do not believe reflexology is that powerful to change blood sugar at a dangerous level. I've treated diabetic clients and after discussion about the treatment and their condition, there has never been a problem. Clients have to take some of the responsibility for their own health themselves. This is an important aspect of complementary therapy.

As someone who does work with pregnant clients, I have to take many things into consideration. Regular users of therapies are more happy with using treatments. Did you know that a reflexologist was taken to court for miscarriage during the 1st trimester. The reflexologist left the court innocent, as evidence was produced demonstrating that 98% of miscarriage in the first trimester was due to chromosomal abnormalities. Just to add that pregnancy isn't a medical condition, it's a natural condition. Medical problems in pregnancy is a medical problem.

Reflexology authors like Eunice Ingham & Ann Gillanders both say that everyone has the right to have a reflexology treatment, and Ingham said that was no such thing as contraindications.

A better to say precautions and use professional judgement.

Best Wishes

RP

 

[? cosmochick ?]

I second RP, I've seen clients for aliments such as headaches, and anxiety and after casually mentioning it to their GP after several treatments they were advised against it.

How can the medical profession view holistic therapies as pseudo-science that is nothing more than a placebo, yet give us so many contra-indications?

 

[Epotrebitel]

And..... what is the 'evidence' for conta indicating any of these therapies for any of these conditions?????????????
imho therapy so needs to celebrate it's postive influence on the emotional state of clients (which can indeed have very postiive effects on the physical body) without having to limiting itself by the pseudo science of contra indications that has no real scientific basis
And its the itec (and the like) course i am having a little moan about here not individuals X

 

[lumpy]

Thanks UH & PP, commonsense at last!

RP

 

[uk indian girl]

Hi
I have just also set up my own reflexology business yet to get any clients
I would be interested to no how things are going and how your promoting yourself etc swap tips.

Its really interesting to read all the comments on C/I, as im new to the business im a little wary but also with the beleive that no harm can really be caused as long as you use your common sense and training, explain things fully to clients and get them to sign a disclaimer and your both happy with the conditions presenting then i would go ahead with the treatment .

x

 

[Wesley M]

I think that GP's may not give permission for reflexology as they are not trained about it or feel they do not have sufficient knowledge about the subject to give or deny permission for a treatment. They are leaving themselves liable if they give permission for a treatment they don't know much about - and to be fair, there are lots of complementary therapies around these days, I imagine GP's struggle to keep up to date with conventional treatments, let alone complementary treatments. Of course some docs may well be prejudiced about reflexology...

I was under the impression that the main reason diabetes was contraindicated was because of the possibility of peripheral neuropathy - and that there could be complications due to loss of sensation. If it is established that there is no loss of sensation, I am not aware of any reason why a light treatment should not be given.

I think that most training courses tend to be very conservative. This can be a good thing, as it prevents damage being done by therapists who are not yet qualified, but as I continue practising as a professional I increasingly suspect that the main reason is to prevent any claims being levelled at the training providers.

 

[nagzlpto]

Longvines, i am not a reflexologist however i was under the impression that refelxology was a ...mmm for want of a better word, massage of certain meridian points of the feet, pls forgive me if this is the wrong terminology,the point being that even with perifieral neuropathy this is more likely to have a positive effect by encouraging blood flow around the feet and ankles. The reflexology session i have had haven't thankfully bruised due to excessive force, lacerated (potentially introducing infection) or cut off the blood supply to my feet which could cause untold problems (with or without neuropathy 8o) A diabetic who enjoys, is able to relax and recharge due reflexology is far more able to deal with his.her illness and the challenges they face therfore making it more likely they are compliant with their treatment, more able to stick to their diet, feel great about themselves and employ you.. a win win situation imho x
i just dont see what contra indications there are in being made to feel good x

 

[Layla_77]

Hi Longvines & Pollypips

You are both correct on all points in posts #11&12. We live in a culture of fear-mongering. Keeps the therapists "in there place", just where big pharma and the medical profession wish to keep us. Within my professional skills and boundaries I say big raspberries to contraindications.

Best Wishes

RP

 

[llenouciirciwaeri]

Hi Pollypips, the reason I suggested that peripheral neuropathy may be a problem is that with loss of sensation there may be injuries present in the foot that the client is not aware of, and a reflexology treatment may exacerbate these injuries. However, I am not an expert on the subject. As you have said, there are many benefits that this condition can get from reflexology or other massage treatments.

 

[Neenee]

As I mentioned in post #4 peripheral neuropathy is important to consider, but if massage to the feet was totally contraindicated, the patient wouldn't be able/allowed to walk. Walking & exercising places pressures on the feet, so a light massage/reflexology technique is still indicated. Anycase, how often does would a reflexologist see a client with a diabetic foot ulcer with a dressing? Would a client even come to a reflexologist in that condition? Very unlikely! So with commonsense, taking a consultation, discussing the needs of the client, a professional reflexologist should make their own judgement than follow a CI list rigidly.

RP

 

[krvdwpsu]

In my opinion based on some 25 years in both practicing and teaching Reflexology, I advise the following -
1. Only treat a client if you want to.
2. Only treat the living!
3. Only treat where there are no contagious/infectious diseases that may harm oneself.

If there was any danger of applying Reflexology to the feet, the, surely, a GP would/should advise pregnant women and others not to walk on a beach for fear of pebbles over-stimulating reflexes and resulting in miscarriage or exacerbating other health problems (apart from localised foot problems). The mis-information being regularly perpetuated through badly written books and ill-informed teachers is most disconcerting. Who in entitled to say what is "official".
I believe there is no such thing as bad Reflexology - only bad Reflexologists!
Share what YOU learn with your teachers!

Anthony Larkin
Co-founder and Patron of the National Register of Reflexologists (Ireland)

 

[Raz]

Very interesting and very true. I would agree with you Anthony.

Ann Foley

 

[Etellbenvet]

I believe treat clients who want to be treated.
You will feel and know you should.
Follow what you feel.
Give a full treatment and extra where you feel drawn too.
Always consider your own health and well being.
Do treatments with good intent.
Thank you Anthony.
Sue