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Reflexology: Case Studies

Each client has consented to the use of their information from the sessions being used in these case studies. Each client had a fully history taken prior to any treatment being carried out which included: -

• Demographic details

• Basic clinical observations

• Consent issues

• Past/ present  medical history and drug history including over the counter preparations

• Additional in-depth/ specific  clinical information

• Assessment of condition, appearance and health of  feet.

• Assessment of contraindication for treatment

• Assessment of impression of feet including characteristics of shape, size, colour, feel and health of skin, arch and nails of feet.

Case Study 1.

A 34 year old female.

The client came along for a reflexology treatment for relaxation and stress reduction due to stopping smoking. She initially received two sessions 1 week apart. She enjoyed the session and found them beneficial. She felt much more motivated to continue with her quest to stop smoking. During the history taken part of the session she revealed that she had an occasional cough which she related to her smoking habit. This cough had become more troublesome since she had given up smoking. The client’s cough was evident when applying compression to a rough patch on her left foot over the lung area. Compression massage was concentrated over the lung area and the respiratory system of both feet. The lymphatic system and the liver were also stimulated to encourage the body to detoxify. After the 1st session the client notice the cough more annoying for a few days with signs of a slight fever also evident. However, a few days after the 2nd session the client had noted that the cough had actually gone. This client has since been back for a further relaxation session and plans to treat her self to a reflexology massage every 2 months.

Case study 2.

A 26 year old female.

The client came along for a reflexology treatment for constipation and altered bowel habit. Which we discovered during the history taken session may actually be due to the pain relief medication she is currently taken.  Reflexology may help with reliving the symptoms associated with constipation. On inspection of the foot the client had a very cool dry area on the sole of the left foot. When palpated this was very tender to touch on the area associated with the lower oesophagus and stomach. She had a swelling over the ascending colon and a hard thickened skin area at the hepatic flexure; this was also sensitive to touch. The treatment concentrating on stimulating the digestive system and encouraging lymphatic system with detoxification, extra care was taken around the sensitive areas initially until they were less painful. This achieved the objective by relieving the constipation and returning the clients bowel habit back to what is normal for her. The client was also advice to increase her fluid intake and dietary fibre intake. At the 3 rd session the client feet were much less sensitive and the swollen area on the right sole had resolved.  By session 4 the client feet were soft and much warmer with no evidence of any hard skin. The client started off identifying constipation as the reason for trying reflexology as a means to help elevate this condition, only to discover it had a positive effect on another area of her health (menstrual cycle and dysmenorrhoea). She had noted that since she has had reflexology her menstrual cycle has been much more regular and that she has experienced less pain. This may be as a result of treating all areas on the feet during the reflexology session, which is equal to treating the whole body, not just the problem area.

This area of health was much more important to the client and has had a huge impact on her well-being. She also plans to return on a regular basis for a treatment and would try reflexology in the future if she has any additional health problems.

Case Study 3.

A 40 year old female.

The client seeking reflexology to help with an altered sleep pattern due to stress related work issues. From her client history there was nothing to indicate that she could not receive reflexology.  The client had in the past been investigations for stroke like symptoms which had resolved spontaneously with no lasting or recurring affects. MRI scan and CT scan of brain and head were unremarkable. Lumber puncture and blood test revealed nothing abnormal. However, during the session the patient had a spontaneous reaction which seemed to highlight that there could be a problem with her cervical spine and left shoulder. She experienced a sensation of extreme heat and swelling to the back of her neck and left shoulder with a heaviness to her left arm. The session was halted. The client was reassessed and first aid measures were applied. The client felt well and the heaviness in her arm resolved very quickly. It took longer for the heat and swelling to resolve. The decision was taken to end the session at this point.  Reactions during and between reflexology session can occur and therapists are trained to recognise them and take appropriate first aid measures. The types of reactions that can occur during a treatment are listed below: -

• Changes of expression

• Sighing

• A spontaneous outbreak of sweating

• Sensation of being cold / warm

• Nausea

• Fainting

• Feeling of heaviness in limbs / pins and needles

In some cases reactions can occur and resolve very quickly and the therapist can continue with the sessions. On other occasion where reactions do not resolve the session will be brought to a close. Advice should always be given to clients after each session about the reactions they may experience between reflexology treatments. The types of reactions between sessions are listed below.

• Deep relaxation

• Increased Sighing

• Increased perspiration and changes in body odour

• Increased urinary output

• Increase stool volume, flatulence and odour

• Increased secretions of the nose

• Healing crisis

• A brief episode of fever

The client’s reaction was useful in this assessment and I encouraged her to seek further medical advice. Since then the client has informed me that she has been given a lumber spinal x-ray and cervical spondylosis has been diagnosed.

Reflexology References

Ernst. E. (2000). Research Prevalence of the use of complementary/alternative medicine; a systematic review.  Bulletin of the World Health Organisation. 78. (2). [online]. available: by clicking HERE. [17.07.2006]

Herzberg. E.I. (2001). Know Your Complementary therapies. London. Age Concern. PG 7, 7.