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Mar 05 2012

Phantom Pain and Reflexology

Because reflexology’s primary effect is on the nervous system, it has always made sense to me that it might be beneficial to people experiencing phantom sensations. A 30-week study supports my hypothesis.

The pilot study, conducted by physiotherapist and reflexologist Tina Brown at Prosthetic Services Centre, Wolverhampton, England, found that reflexology was “effective in eradicating or reducing the intensity and duration of phantom limb pain” for the seven men and three women who participated in the study.[i]

Today, I’ll share common complaints of and treatments for phantom pain and the role of reflexology and aromatherapy.

You might want to read my post of March 3rd first (Do You Need a Body to Feel Your Body?) so as to understand some of the latest scientific assumptions and challenges regarding the mystery of phantom pain.

Keep in mind that amputees are not the only people who experience phantom sensations. Paraplegics (where there is a complete break of the spinal cord and no feeling in, or control over, the body below the break) also report phantom sensations.

Symptoms

The typical complaints are:

– burning sensations (most common report);

– sharp, shooting pains;

– a sense that the hand is clenched, fingers digging into the palm; hand feels tired and achy;

– cramps in the calf and/or foot;

– red-hot, searing pain in toes;

– intense sensations in the limb mimicking feelings before amputation (such as a bunion);

– painful fatigue (when phantom make continuous movements – like cycling).

Treatment

Half of those with persistent, long-term phantom pain fail to respond to any form of treatment whatsoever.

Some sufferers benefit from stimulation of the stump with electric current, vibration and/or acupuncture. Some gain considerable relief with pharmaceutical drugs, while others are aided through relaxation techniques and hypnosis. Might my above emphasis suggest a correlation with reflexology?

Another treatment approach tested by Ronald Melzack and his team is the manipulation of the limbic system of the brain through drug injections. Their success at decreasing pain led me to wonder about the use of essential oils.

Aromatic molecules, conveyed to the limbic system by olfactory impulses, interact with this portion of the cerebral hemisphere to create impressions associated with previous experiences and emotions such as memory, pain and pleasure (amongst others). Could inhalation and application of carefully chosen essential oils at the stump also contribute to a decrease in pain?

Reflexology’s Role

Over the years I have had very positive results both instructing and giving sessions to amputees. Situations varied from full and partial loss of fingers to amputations of the lower leg (distal to the knee) and complete lower extremity (at the groin).

My sessions are constitutional with some emphasis on the reflexes of the brain, especially those of the cerebrum. I include three specific approaches and have found the best tolerance with 30 or 40-minute sessions, not longer:

1. Work the stump. Envision the five longitudinal zones and the reflexes therein. Work as you would the plantar/palmar, lateral and medial surfaces.

2. Work the phantom. Although this may sound crazy, working the phantom limb as you would a physical one, elicits positive feedback from amputees. They do feel the rhythmical touch of reflexology as you “work the air.” Gauge where the missing limb would be and just do it!

3. Application of analgesic, anti-inflammatory, nervine and/or sedative essential oils on the stump. I use castor oil as the carrier. (See March 1st posting Sole Salvation as to why.) Infuse one or two of the oils into the air. If you are a trained aromatherapist, make an inhaler that the client can use daily at home.

If the individual is unable to receive work on either the stump or phantom limb (some days may be like that), then work the corresponding limb. For example, work the left hand if the left lower leg is missing.

Although reflexology is most certainly not the answer to everyone’s phantom limb pain, it is a pleasant, non-invasive therapy that does help some folks living with this difficult situation. With amputations on the rise, it’s just a matter of time before someone shows up at your door reporting pain in an invisible limb.

Please share your experiences with this population.

 


[i] Brown C, Lido C, “Reflexology: A treatment plan for phantom limb pain?” Physiotherapy 2007;93(S1):S185

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Written by Karen Ball · Categorized: Foot Reflexology, Hand Reflexology

Comments

  1. John says

    March 6, 2012 at 8:03 am

    Nice article Karen. I have worked on one client with a missing finger and utilized the missing limb approach that you suggested. Although the feedback I got from the client was not specific to the missing digit, there was certainly no negative feedback about my working the phantom finger. I expect we will learn more in the future about this from the work of people like Tina Brown. Thanks for keeping us informed, keep up the good work!

    Reply
  2. Karen Ball says

    March 6, 2012 at 11:24 am

    My pleasure John!

    Reply
  3. Cheryl M says

    March 29, 2015 at 1:16 am

    What essential oils would you recommend for phantom limb pain? My husband is an above-knee amputee; his leg was traumatically amputated and his worse pains are sharp/shooting pain, painful fatigue, and his stump feels like it is twisting. I’m new in the essential oil world but am fascinated with how well it works. Would like to find a good blend to help him with his pain.
    thanks 🙂

    Reply
    • Karen Ball says

      March 29, 2015 at 11:09 pm

      Hi Cheryl:
      I’m so sorry to hear of your husband’s painful situation. As I said in the post, phantom pain is a very tough pain to control. Reflexology often helps, so I hope that he is getting some regular sessions. As far as essential oils for pain, you want to use oils that are classified as analgesic oils. Some examples are German chamomile, Peppermint, Rosemary, Lavender and Ylang Ylang. You might just try using just one oil, mixed in a carrier, 15 to 18 drops to 1 ounce of carrier. I hope this helps.

      Reply
  4. Gill K says

    May 14, 2015 at 5:27 am

    Hi Karen
    i have a patient who has a bilateral amputation above the knee and she has started experiencing both phantom and physical problems. She describes them as a phantom tingling and pain in her left “heel” and this also is present in her “stump”. Also she has been experiencing uncontrollable twitching and spasms in both stumps but primarily the left one. I shall try hand reflexology and also the phantom type but wondered which oils other than lavender I could use, or would it be the same as the above?.
    Many thanks for a great article.
    Gill, Complementary Therapist

    Reply
    • Karen Ball says

      May 14, 2015 at 5:05 pm

      Hi Gill. As long as the wound from the amputation has completely healed, you could go ahead and use lavender oil. It’s a great nervine. Yes, try hand reflexology. Another time, try working the zones of the stumps; another time work the phantom feet. See which gets the best results. I would do a 30 minute session on the stump and feet to begin, nothing longer. Hands can go a full hour. Let us know how it goes please.

      Reply
  5. Michael G says

    January 26, 2020 at 3:37 pm

    Karen
    Thank you so much for a very helpful article.
    We have a good friend who is an amputee with phantom pain and sensation.
    His foot he no longer has itches. And he cannot sleep at night as the sensation is never satisfied.
    We are familiar with essential oils, however he and his wife are not.

    We just spoke today about it, and I sent him this article to read.
    Do you know of anyone in the Holland, MI. USA who might have the training that you have in this area?

    I so appreciate your response on this, for someone in desperate need of help.

    Reply
    • Karen Ball says

      January 26, 2020 at 11:00 pm

      Michael – Thank you for reaching out to find solutions for your friend. I don’t personally know anyone in Holland, but can give you a couple of resources to search. Visit http://www.reflexology-USA.org and search for a Professional member in Michigan in their member directory. If you don’t find someone there, visit http://www.arcb.net and look for a certified reflexologist in Michigan. Good luck!

      Reply

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