Recently I have seen a lot of new clients with pre-existing issues with back pain and other related pain.
At this point I have to stress that reflexology does not treat specific conditions, it treats the human, the whole person (top to toe).
When working (with reflexology), we start the treatment at the top of the feet, so we start at the toes which correspond to the head and everything within it (e.g. jaw, teeth, tongue, brain, pituitary, hypothalamus and pineal glands, muscles, temple, eyes, ears, neck etc.) and slowly.. incorporating massage movements as we go, we move down the feet corresponding to other body parts.
With back pain, there is more likely to be other things going on than just back pain (I don't make light of it). The majority of the time it may simply be due to poor posture and muscular issues like tension and tightness going on in other areas of the body.
Other conditions which may be considered are: Plantar fasciitis, sciatic nerve, neck and shoulders, diaphragm, pelvic girdle, hip and knee issues, fibromyalgia and Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.
Autoimmune problems like arthritis, MS, polymyalgia rheumatica (common in women from 50) and many others too.
Nor must we forget the impact an injury or virus can have on the health of our back. Within our spine and spinal column lies lots of nerves related to the nervous system. If a virus attacks a nerve it can lead to systemic damage in the body.
Symptoms of a back related condition can include headaches, migraines, dizziness, pins and needles, sleeping problems, limited mobility, pain when standing and/or in a seated position, the list in non exhaustive.
Any symptoms currently being experienced should be checked out by your registered GP or other registered health practitioner like a chiropractitioner., physiotherapist or professionally qualified massage therapist.
The other thing we could consider, is, if our back is being affected at a metaphysical level (emotional or mental level). The theory is, that when we feel unsupported emotionally, it can affect our upper back and when we feel burdened, our shoulders can feel rounded and ache. There are a few authors who have covered this topic in depth including the late, Louise Hay.
Here is a few more suggestions from Louise Hay's book:
Back Issues represent the support of life.
Rounded shoulders: Carrying the burdens of life. Helpless and hopeless.
Lower back pain: Fear of money or lack of financial support.
Mid-back pain: Guilt. Stuck in all that stuff back there. “Get off my back!”
Upper back pain: Lack of emotional support. Feeling unloved. Holding back love.
Back Curvature: The inability to flow with the support of life. Fear and trying to hold on to old ideas. Not trusting life. Lack of integrity. No courage of convictions.
The one thing most of all the above mentioned have in common, is stress (emotional, mental, physical stress). It is quite logical to consider this when we can see how much pain and discomfort the body is in when living with a condition affecting us structurally. Our back holds up a lot of weight. The stress of enduring pain, having to find ways to avoid pain, pain relief which is additional stress on other areas of the body.
If we are not sleeping well due to this pain then it can really have an impact on our mental health too.
Add the emotional and mental aspects to the physical and we really are feeling the deep impact of pain.
When we look at the whole picture and take into account all of the above and more.
The biggest thing which we need to reduce with immediate effect is the stress.
By relieving stress, we can ease the tension in our head, our muscles, our body receives a signal to relax and when this shift happens, the body can continue to do its job properly without the additional pressure of removing the stress.
Reflexology can tackle stress head on. As previously mentioned, by starting with the toes and working our way down the body using our reflexology mapping system, the treatment supports the body to reduce the stress. By reducing the stress, it can also be considered that other symptoms of any existing condition may be eased thus making the management of any health condition easier to cope with. The person will feel more balanced within themselves and the back will be grateful.
Reflexology can be of tremendous benefit. One session may not be enough to recognise or feel it though - Depending on how out of balance a body is, it may need at least 4 sessions for you to start to feel better.
If we can improve sleep, reduce the stress, un-tense the muscles then by simply doing these things alone, a person will start to experience more well being - Surely?
The only way to find out if it can work for you is to try and see.
Any questions?
Get in touch..
Love K. xxx
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