What is depression and what is reflexology for depression?
Depression is when your mental health isn’t as strong as you would like it to be and so consequently you end up feeling hopeless, lethargic and/ or just generally sad. Reflexology for depression is an adapted style of reflexology foot massage which has shown in research to help the effects of anxiety and depression. It uses pressure points on your feet to balance your moods and reduce the effects of depression. See below.
Karen Botha MAR
Your Association of Reflexologist’s Therapist
reflexology
Questions & Answers
How does reflexology help depression?
Reflexology works pressure points on your feet that correspond to different areas in your body. In so doing, homeostasis (natural balance of your body) can be improved helping your body to work as it did before all of the external stresses and strains of life took their tole on you. Very often this is a hormonal issue and in the same way that we work with people that are having problems conceiving to try to help to balance their hormones and improve their chances of having a baby, so we can do the same with depression to help you feel calm and confident in the world again
I have post natal depression – can you help this?
Whilst we can never say that we can definitely help everyone as people are different and respond differently to reflexology in the same way that they would traditional medication, we would say that it doesn’t matter why you have depression, just that your symptoms are the same and reflexology could help to balance these out in the same way it would if you hadn’t had a baby prior to being depressed. As a very minimum, pretty much everyone that comes through our doors for reflexology leaves feeling more relaxed at the end of their session.
What are the side effects of reflexology?
For 24 to 48 hours following your reflexology session you may feel a little worse, but this usually clears to make people feel on top of the world, full of energy and rejuvenated. Unlike prescribed drugs, reflexology doesn’t have the associated risks of dependency or the nasty side-effects such as nausea, dizziness and lethargy.
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Symptoms of depression that may respond well to reflexologyFeeling hopeless and helpless
Continuous low mood or sadness
Low self-esteem
Tearfulness
Feeling guilty
Irritability and being intolerant
Lack of motivation or interest in things
Difficulty making decisions
Not enjoying life
Feeling anxious/ worried
I am on medication and am monitored by doctors, will reflexology affect this?
As reflexologists, we aim to balance your body and help it to heal itself. We are happy to work with doctors, but rest assured that reflexology will not decrease the effectiveness of any prescribed medication that you are taking.
How long does it take to see results?
Everyone is different, but generally it only takes a few weeks to start seeing some dramatic results in behaviour – often less.
How will I feel after reflexology?
You’ll generally feel relaxed and then later on alive and have more energy than you have had in a long time. Gradually over time you should notice that you feel more confident doing the things that have been problems for you in the past.
Why would I not be able to have a reflexology treatment?
There are a few illnesses which mean reflexology would not be the best holistic therapy for you. In this instance, we wouldn’t be able to treat you with reflexology, but there are plenty of other therapies that would be more suitable and we can help and advise you in making the best choice.
Contagious or notifiable diseases Immediately before or after surgery Under the influence of alcohol or drugs Immediately after chemotherapy or radiation, unless recommended by your doctor Within the first 3 months of pregnancy.
Please Note:
Reflexology is a totally safe and complementary treatment (it does not replace medical treatment). If you are in any doubt at all, please consult with your GP or specialist prior to treatment.
To book a reflexology for depression session, please use the online booking form below and be sure to complete the consultation form which follows your booking confirmation as fully as you can.
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What are the symptoms of depression?
Unexplained aches and pains
Lack of energy
Loss of libido
Moving/ speaking more slowly than usual
Change in appetite or weight (usually decreased, but sometimes increased)
Constipation
Changes to menstrual cycle
Disturbed sleep
Struggling at work
Avoiding contact with friends
Neglecting hobbies and interests
Difficulties in home/ family life
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Checklist
Is there a consultation process?
There is. We will send a form over email to you so that you can complete this before you come along to your first session. You can either print this out and bring it with you to your appointment or complete the excel document and email it back before hand. Either way we’ll discuss this with you prior to your session to ensure we’re both on the same page. This form is confidential between you and your therapist.
Where will I be treated?
Your reflexology treatment will be in a comfortable, calm treatment room with soft lighting. We don’t come out and do home visits, we find the setting in our specially converted treatment rooms to be most conducive to a great environment and the best reflexology treatment.
What will happen during the treatment?
During your reflexology session, you’ll sit in a reclining chair. You’ll remove your shoes and socks and then we’ll wipe your feet and dust with powder to help with traction when working. We’ll then work one foot and then another with our specialist depression reflexology programme reinforcing particular areas of imbalance as we work.
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