About Reflexology
Reflexology is a natural and holistic way to treat the body, mind and spirit. There is much evidence that foot and hand therapy dates back over 4,000 years. When we press certain points on the feet and hands, including the face or ears, it stimulates thousands of nerve endings in the feet and body’s systems that affect different organs and body parts. The body possesses an amazing, complicated and holistic network of communication, where everything is connected.
Reflexology can help with a number of conditions and more:
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anxiety
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depression
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mood swings, grief
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fibromyalgia
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endometriosis
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thyroid conditions
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menopause
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PMS, menstrual pain
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migraine or headaches
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long Covid symptoms
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ADHD
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bowel function and digestion
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heartburn
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insomnia
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back pain
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asthma
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it can boost fertility and balance
hormones
Accordingly to the scientific researches of stress, seventy-five per cent of illness is stress related. Reflexology works by stimulating specific points on the feet and hands, following the body mapping system, the body starts to deeply relax, which reduces stress.
This encourages the body to regain balance and allows newly rewired connections to form, which will enable recovery. Reflexology promotes the circulation of blood and energy, relieves congestion, calms overactivity or stimulates underactivity. Reflexology supports both physical and emotional health.
Scientific Japanese Study behind this link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3668141/
A Japanese study into reflexology has made a significant breakthrough in establishing a scientific link between reflexology areas on the foot and parts of the human brain.
Myself, I discovered nature's empowering features back in my childhood when I grew up in forests. My personal journey with reflexology started 20 years ago when I booked my very first treatment appointment with a lady, who by pressing right areas on my feet, prompted some stagnated energy pathways to open up. In my case, it released years of the rewarding journey into myself and I see that moment as a starting point for my career in health care. Ever since I have studied of alternative and holistic ways to understand and support health; human body, mind and soul.
Working for 15 years with people, I have coordinated occupational activities in leisure and education,
supported and enabled different aspects of life in rehabilitation therapy service and in end of life care:
in public-, organisational- and in private care sectors.
REFLEXOLOGY
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is for everyone
About Me
A warm welcome to my practise, my name is Mel. I practice as a mobile therapist across SW London and offer treatments in the comfort of your own home and from my home clinic in Wimbledon.
I attained level 5, which is the highest qualification in reflexology in the UK. I am fully insured to practice, and am a registered member of the Association Of Reflexologists (AoR) and registered with the Complementary and Natural Health Council (CNHC).
I have been trained by internationally known teacher David Wayte, who was the first reflexologist to become a member of the Royal Society of Medicine.
I am here to provide a holistic approach to you in order to improve your health and maintain balance and to offer support while regaining your balance after illness.
My journey with reflexology started twenty years ago when I had my first reflexology treatment. For me it was the beginning of the discovery of the reasons underlying my emotional and physical health. This one event showed me how our mind and body work together and how neither is well without the other.
My professional background is in occupational rehabilitation and services for people of all ages.
End of life care has been always close to my heart and in previous years, I have worked for the NHS community service supporting palliative care patients. I volunteer as a reflexologist with Macmillan cancer support clients.
Specialisations:
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NEPIP (Neuro-Endo-Psycho-Immuno-Pody)
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palliative care reflexology
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cancer care reflexology
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fertility and maternity reflexology
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first aid trained
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DBS checked
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moving and manual handling of patients
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clinical infection, prevention and control
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adult and children safeguarding
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How does it work?
A skilled reflexologist is able to feel imbalances with sensitive fingers, and stimulate these areas by using different techniques.
This sends messages through the body via nerve pathways and encourages the body to activate the calming body system known as the parasympathetic nervous system, resulting in a state of deep relaxation thus aiding the body to regain balance throughout all the body’s systems.
This is the body’s own natural method of healing itself. Achieving this state of relaxation through reflexology restores balance and harmony.
To a reflexologist, everything is deeply linked throughout the body and the whole body is mirrored on our feet and hands.
The body has a ‘gas pedal’ called the sympathetic nervous system. It helps us to be productive, react in moments of danger, and drives us in life. This is healthy stress – it helps to us to keep going. The sympathetic nervous system is activated by a stress hormone called cortisol which is produced by the adrenal glands and released into the blood. It is produced during stressful situations. If stress is long lasting, it can drain and weaken the adrenal glands resulting in the body being constantly in the ‘flight or fight’ mode, without having time to recover body and mind.
The parasympathetic nervous system; 'rest and digest' can balance and sooth the sympathetic nervous system. It lowers the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, promotes digestion and relaxes muscles. Although the parasympathetic nervous system is autonomic (beyond our direct control), it is possible to stimulate it using some of these techniques:
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reflexology and other holistic therapies
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breathwork techniques
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meditation and yoga
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walking and staying in a forest and other natural environments
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laughing
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sleeping well and eating a healthy diet
Specialiced areas
Palliative care and cancer care reflexology:
The use of reflexology alongside other cancer and palliative care has been found to be helpful when a person is facing a life-limiting illness. Reflexology aims to offer relief from the stress and anxiety associated with these conditions. Treatment can be effective in reducing pain, and it can also support other symptom management alongside conventional medical care. It can help with the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
The nature of the treatment is shorter and more gentle, usually a maximum of 20–25 minutes and can be administered to both the feet and hands.
The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Patients With Digestive or Lung Cancer:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34738909/
Specialist fertility reflexology can be used to maximise the outcome when conceiving naturally and as a supportive treatment to reduce the emotional and physical stress during any medical fertility treatment. Reflexology aims to promote balance throughout the endocrine system, aiding hormones to communicate better, improve sperm production, number and motility, regulate the menstrual cycle and support different conditions that influence health.
Specialist maternity reflexology can aid with different symptoms that may arise during pregnancy.
Find out more.
Study of decreased fatigue in pregnant women:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5535443/
NEPIP is an advanced technique that only level 5, qualified clinical reflexologists are taught. NEPIP is based on the scientific research of PNI.
“Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a discipline that has evolved in the last 40 years to study the relationship between immunity, the endocrine (hormonal) system, and the central and peripheral nervous systems.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18318882/
NEPIP can help in anxiety and distress disorders.
N for the nervous system
E for the endocrine system
P for the mind and behaviour
I for the immune system
P Greek word for feet is Body
My home clinic is in Wimbledon.
Mobile appointments
across SW/W London
Mel
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Wimbledon, Putney, Barnes,
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Kingston, New Malden, Twickenham
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Richmond
