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Tag: menopause

World Reflexology Week 2022 – Reflexology & You

What is world reflexology week?

World Reflexology Week takes place annually during the last full week in September.  This year world reflexology week runs from 19th – 25th September.

World reflexology week aims to promotes reflexology and raise awareness of reflexology on a global level.

What is reflexology?

Reflexology is a complementary therapy based on the long established principle that different areas of your feet, hands and ears relate to corresponding parts of your body, including your organs and systems.  

Your reflexologist will usually begin your session with some relaxing massage before using precise techniques to work the points and areas that relate to your body’s organs and systems noting any areas of imbalance.

Reflexology is an established complementary therapy that dates back to ancient Egypt and China.  In fact, there is Egyptian tomb art, dating from around 2000 BC, that depicts people giving and receiving foot massage

Reflexology is very calming and relaxing, bringing about balance to your body and encouraging your body’s own healing by improving circulation, inducing relaxation, easing tension, reducing stress and restoring homeostasis.
Why not watch this informative video What is reflexology by the Association of Reflexologists.

What are the benefits of reflexology?

Reflexology has been shown to have many benefits including:

  • Improvement of nerve function
    • Your feet have over 7000 nerve endings.  Reflexology stimulates your neural pathways facilitating nerve function in your body.
  • Improvement of brain power
    • Stimulating your nerves and neural pathways can help information flow faster and more effectively to your brain, possibly boosting your memory.
  • Increased blood circulation
    • Possibly the best known benefit of reflexology is increased blood circulation which can help optimise the function of your body’s organs and systems.
  • Elimination of toxins
    • As well as improving blood circulation, reflexology works the urinary and digestive systems, promoting balance and thereby optimising the function of these thereby improving elimination of toxins.
  • Boosting metabolism and energy levels
    • Reflexology can help improve the functionality of the systems and organs in your body which can result in an improved metabolism that in turn can create more energy.
  • Speed up healing process
    • Boosting your circulation and metabolism and helping bring balance to your central nervous system allows oxygen and nutrients to be delivered more quickly which can assist in faster healing and regrowth of damaged cells.
  • Relaxation
    • Time on the treatment couch is relaxing.  Reflexology works on your parasympathetic nervous system helping reduce stress and encourage homeostasis.

How can reflexology help me?

Reflexology is great for relaxation and valuable me-time. 

Reflexologists can not claim to cure any ailments, nor should they diagnose any conditions, however, 

reflexology is believed to bring relief from a wide range of chronic and acute conditions; in fact, many health care professionals acknowledge reflexology as a respected and effective complementary therapy.

Reflexology is an holistic treatment that can help you physically, mentally, and emotionally, facilitating your body’s own healing system ~ helping, your mind, body and spirit.

Some of the conditions reflexology can be used to treat include:

  • Anxiety
  • Asthma
  • Back pain
  • Bladder problems
  • Cancer – helping ease symptoms including stress, nausea, fatigue
  • Chemotherapy – easing of side effects
  • Circulatory issues
  • Depression
  • Digestive issues
  • headache
  • IBS
  • Insomnia
  • Menopausal issues and symptoms*
  • Menstrual conditions
  • Migraine
  • Period pain
  • Respiratory issues
  • Stress
Reflexology Lymphatic Drainage

At Lorraine’s Treatment Room you can also experience Reflexology for Lymphatic Drainage (RLD).  This unique treatment was developed by Sally Kay when working in cancer care.

Developed initially to treat those who had breast cancer and help sufferers of lymphoedema, RLD was found to also have a positive effect on the following conditions.

  • Aches and pains
  • Arthritis
  • Asthma
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Eczema
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Headaches
  • Long covid – early indications indicate reflexology can help relieve symptoms
  • ME
  • Migraines
  • Muscular tension
  • Premenstrual syndrome
  • Sinus problems.
Reflexology for Menopause

I have also been fortunate to complete advanced training with Sally Earlam.  This informative course taught additional reflexology techniques as well as lifestyle ideas to help support my female clients through the transition of  peri/menopause.

What happens at my treatment

After booking your treatment, new clients will be sent a client consultation form.

This form takes your health history and ensures that there are no contra-indications to treatment. 

A copy of this form is sent to the email address you provide, and another to my secure, cloud based storage facility.

When you arrive for your reflexology session, you will be requested to remove footwear and settled comfortably on the massage table. The room will be tranquil and soft music will be playing. 

You will remain fully clothed with only your lower legs and feet exposed. After cleansing and assessing your feet, I will carry out some gentle relaxation movements on your feet and lower legs before commencing your reflexology treatment.

Reflexology works holistically and, rather than just a massage working on your feet, every aspect of you ~physical, emotional, and spiritual ~ is worked through your feet.

Your feet are ‘walked’ and reflex areas, which correspond to areas of your body, stimulated with specialised reflexology movements and pressure circles. Pressing on specific points of your feet induces reflex responses in the area of the body to which they relate thereby aiding promoting your body to heal itself.

During your treatment you might experience some tenderness on your foot as pressure is applied.  Tenderness is extremely rare, however, if you do experience any discomfort, please do let me know as this indicates there is a corresponding imbalance in your body and allows me to focus on this. Similarly, your feet may feel hard or tight to the touch, or I might feel ‘crystals’; these too help me pinpoint imbalances and tailor your treatment to ensure you get the very best from your reflexology session.

My aim, during your treatment, is to stimulate your body’s own healing process to ensure that you maintain, or return to a state of homeostasis; this relaxing, rebalancing, enjoyable treatment manipulates your feet to bring balance to your body.

Your treatment concludes with relaxation techniques and/or energy linking to further enhance your treatment.

Sounds great! What reflexology treatments do you offer and where can I book?

At Lorraine’s Treatment Room there are a number of reflexology treatments available, everything from signature reflexology, through to LaStone reflexology and a reflexology taster!

To find our more and book, please visit https://lorrainestreatmentroom.co.uk/complementary/#Reflexology

World Menopause Day – Menopause and You

Today, 18th October, is World Menopause Day.

World Menopause Day aims to increase awareness of the menopause and the support available.

What is Menopause?

A woman is considered menopausal when she hasn’t had a period for 12 full months.Infact, The Menopause Charity defines it as the single day when you have not had a period for 12 months; after this one day, you are post menopausal.

What Age will I be Menopausal

The average age to become menopausal in the UK is 51.

However, some ladies will have an early menopause – under age 45. Early menopause might be triggered by some underlying health conditions or as a result of receiving treatment for cancer.

Surgical menopause is where you have your ovaries removed – you will immediately go into menopause.

Many people describe themselves as menopausal when they start experiencing symptoms such as hot flushes, erratic menstruation, alterations in their mood and a whole host of other signs.  This is infact perimenopausal, also known as your menopause transition period.

My last blog looked into perimenopause, the symptoms you may experiencing and self-help suggestions. You can read this here /its-world-perimenopause-day-are-you-experiencing-perimenopause/

Menopause and Bone Health

This year’s World Menopause Day theme is bone health.

Oestrogen is essential for the formation of healthy bones.  When oestrogen levels drop after the menopause, this can lead to a decrease in bone density and an increase in the risk of osteoporosis. 

Haitham Hamoda is Consultant Gynaecologist and Lead for the Menopause Team at King’s College Hospital as well as being Chairman of the British Menopause Society.  He discusses bone health and the advantages and risks of HRT in a short, informative video which you can see here.

Menopause – HRT or the Holistic Approach?

Haitham Hamoda advises that HRT is the first choice of treatment for osteoporosis in women under 60.  

HRT can help manage your menopausal symptoms and improve your quality of life.  HRT has also been shown to reduce cardiovascular disease.  

Whilst for most women, the benefits of HRT are believed to outweigh the risks, it is recommended that you discuss your individual case with your medical expert as well as doing your own research.

You may, however, prefer a more holistic approach with lifestyle changes such as healthier diet choices, ceasing smoking, reducing intake of sugar and other stimulants, increasing your exercise, implementing a sleep routine and making time for you.

A quick search will produce lots of information.  One site with lots of information is The Menopause Charity.  

Flo Health mentions a number of essential oils that can help you during your menopause transition period and there have been a number of studies carried out showing that reflexology can help reduce depression in menopausal women, reduce hot flushes and improve sleep quality,  and decrease anxiety and depression.

Sally Earlham is a renowned reflexology specialist and creator of Reflexology for Menopause – this unique course looks at the menopause, reflexology research, lifestyle factors for easing menopausal symptoms and focused reflexology techniques aimed at supporting your body through this time of transition. 

I am delighted to be a qualified Menopausal Reflexology Practitioner.  If you would like to know more about this treatment, please visit /complementary/#Reflexology or contact me.

Menopause and You

Your menopause experience will be as unique as you are. 

Whilst the symptoms may be unwanted, please remember that this too will pass.

Perimenopause and menopause are natural processes.  This is a great time to reflect  and reframe and think about what you would like moving forward to the next stage of your life.

It’s World Perimenopause Day ~ are you Experiencing Perimenopause?

October is menopause awareness month.

October 12th is World Perimenopausal Day, a day that aims to raise awareness of people’s knowledge of perimenopause.

What is Perimenopause? 

The Collins Dictionary tells us perimenopause is 

the period leading up to the menopause during which some of the symptoms associated with menopause may be experienced

It is the transition phase a woman goes through on her journey towards menopause (cessation of menstruation).

What Age does Perimenopause Start?

Perimenopause most usually begins when a woman is in her 40s however it can start when a woman is in her 30s, or, occasionally, but quite rarely, even earlier.

How Long Does Perimenopause Last?

Every woman is unique and her experience of Perimenopause is personal to them.  

Perimenopause can last anything from a few months to around a decade. Most women experience perimenopause for approximately four years.  However, according to the NHS site, 10% of women will experience symptoms lasting in excess of 12 years.

When does Perimenopause End?

Perimenopause ends when you are menopausal.  Menopause is defined as the cessation of your menstrual cycle.  

It is stated that you are menopausal once you have had twelve months without a period.

Why do I feel out of sorts?

As you approach menopause, oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone fluctuate within your body. 

Oestrogen is one of the primary female sex hormones, produced by the endocrine system.  Oestrogen affects the central nervous system, the cardiovascular system, your bladder, teeth, skin, nails, and hair.  Oestrogen helps develop and maintain a woman’s reproductive system – puberty, periods and pregnancy. It aids in the development of female characteristics such as breasts.  Oestrogen also helps with bone strength and maintaining cholesterol levels.  Oestrogen assists with temperature regulation, sleep and your mood.

Progesterone helps to regulate your menstrual cycle and prepare your uterus for pregnancy.

Testosterone fluctuations can affect your libido.  Testosterone also helps maintain muscle and bone strength and can contribute to your mood and cognitive performance.

How Will I Know if I am Perimenopausal?

Whilst some women will be unaffected during their menopause transition period, many will experience symptoms they would rather not have!

Also, a proportion of women may not consider perimenopause as being responsible for how they are feeling as they are still menstruating.

Dr Louise Newson, the menopause doctor, tells us that, infact, perimenopause and menopause symptoms are the same, explaining that cessation of periods is often the last part of your menopause journey.

The most common way of diagnosing perimenopause in the over 45s is by the symptoms they may be experiencing.  

Symptoms of perimenopause can include:

  • Hot flushes
  • Night sweats
  • Increase in PMS symptoms
  • Breast tenderness
  • Decrease in libido
  • Low energy levels
  • Menstruation changes
  • Urine leakage
  • Increase in mictuation
  • Vaginal dryness
  • Mood swings
  • Sleep issues
  • Anxiety and stress
  • Weight gain
  • Aching joints
  • Headaches
  • Brain fog
  • Hair loss
  • Facial hair
  • Dizziness
  • Gum disease
  • Bad breath
  • Weak nails

If you are struggling with any perimenopausal symptoms please make an appointment to see your nurse practitioner or GP.  

For hot flushes, you may find it helpful to keep a diary and note any triggers. 

What can I do to Help Myself through my Menopause Transition Period?

Whilst the symptoms listed above may not be welcome, it is helpful to remember that perimenopause is a natural process that ageing women will go through.  This transition period is an ideal time for personal reflection and growth; a time to think about any changes you would like to make and how you will achieve them.

One of the best things you could do is adopt The Five Pillars of Perimenopause Health.  These are:

  • Diet
  • Exercise
  • Relaxation
  • Sleep
  • Purpose

Are you mindful of these?

It is recognised that elevated cortisol, the stress hormone, can magnify perimenopausal symptoms.  It is therefore recommended that you take time to regularly relax and destress.  Whether it is exercise, time with friends, or a therapeutic treatment – do something for you that you enjoy.

Many studies have, in fact, been carried out showing how massage, acupuncture, reflexology and aromatherapy can all help with perimenopausal symptoms.  An internet search will highlight these if you are interested to read more.

Why not schedule a treatment to help you as you move towards menopause? You can read more about relaxing treatments that might help on the /massage/ page and /complementary/ page.