Can Reflexology help with Insomnia?

By Deborah Watts

from Reflexation Natural Therapies

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia is characterised by difficulty getting to sleep and/or not having good quality sleep. Most people believe that insomnia is the inability to get off to sleep but the symptoms can go far deeper than this and may include any of the symptoms listed below.

Do you:

Wake up tired and unrefreshed?
Sleep so lightly that a slight noise wakes you up?
Lay in bed for more than 30 minutes unable to get to sleep?
Wake up during the night and then have difficulty getting back off to sleep?
Have times during the day when you feel so lethargic and tired that you could easily doze off?

It is recommended that we need about 7 to 8 hours sleep per night to help our body rest and regenerate. However, the actual number of hours varies with everyone. For most people, our system is self-regulating as most are sleepy of an evening and our body awakens in the morning. However, some people are unable to fall asleep easily or have a good quality sleep.

There are many factors involved with lack of sleep. These may be:

anxiety
depression
grief
work stress
family issues
constipation
health problems
and the list goes on

How can Reflexology help?

may improve sleep patterns
may induce relaxation
may calm your anxiety

Reflexology treatment sessions may help to regulate sleep patterns for all ages. A good bedtime routine is essential, along with lifestyle changes such as diet, light conditions in the bedroom and room temperature.

After taking a full health history, a reflexologist will then prepare an individual treatment plan for each client. It is important to remember that everyone is different with varying factors contributing to their insomnia. The reflexologist will concentrate on key reflex points to assist each client with these contributing factors.

As an example, if digestion is a factor, a reflexologist will work on these reflex points and if anxiety depression or grief are factors, other reflex points are worked for these conditions. The natural regeneration of our body happens in the relaxation mode, and sometimes we need a little help to do what’s good for us and have all systems working in harmony to bring the body into homeostasis.

Most clients receiving reflexology report that their sleep patterns improve after regular reflexology sessions.

A foot reflexology session may induce relaxation and may assist with preparing the mind for sleeping. Reflexology is not just a foot massage; a skilled reflexologist can stimulate the reflexes in the feet via the nervous system.

The ancient technique of reflexology is one of the most popular and powerful non-invasive natural treatments available. For example, in Denmark, reflexology is a patient’s first choice of therapy.

Reflexology is not a cure for insomnia, but it may help prepare and relax the mind for sleep and the effects may take time to work with a course of sessions. The benefits of reflexology are relaxing the body to aid and prepare for sleep and to assist the body in the renewal and, more importantly, the self-healing process.

More about the author

Deborah Watts

– Reflexation Natural Therapies

Deborah is an accredited practitioner specialising in Reflexology, having established her clinic at Picnic Point. Reflexation Natural Therapies has been in continual operation since its inception in 2002.

Deborah is a Fellow and accredited professional member of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society (ATMS) and the International Council of Reflexologists (ICR). Her business, Reflexation, is also a member of the Canterbury Bankstown Chamber of Commerce (CBCC).

Deborah has a Diploma of Reflexology and has trained with internationally renowned reflexologists from Denmark, U.K., Canada and Germany. She has also studied reflexology for cancer care therapy, which equips her and other reflexologists to perform volunteer work with patients at the late Professor Chris O’Brien’s Lifehouse Cancer Centre at RPA.

She holds a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment which enables her to teach her therapies in colleges and a variety of training environments. She conducts educational and instructional workshops on Foot Reflexology, Hand Reflexology and Indian Head Neck & Shoulder massage at a college as well as her Picnic Point clinic. These courses have been designed by her.

She has undertaken advanced training in Maternity Reflexology, biomechanical assessments, and advanced orthotic therapy.

In addition, Deborah conducts corporate information sessions on the benefits of natural therapies, including Reflexology and regularly attends speaking engagements with various community groups on a voluntary basis.

Her vision is to contribute to and educate consumers in taking responsibility for the improvement of their health and wellbeing.

Deborah’s achievements and recognition include being a multi-award-winning business in local and Australian Small Business Champion Awards. She also achieved recognition as “Highly Commended” as Practitioner of the Year in the ATMS Industry Awards.

Additionally, Deborah’s professional learning with international therapists brings the latest techniques in reflexology to her local clients, with no added cost to them.

Web

https://reflexation.com.au