What makes pregnancy different from other conditions?
Pregnancy is a time-limited condition in which specific symptoms occur at specific times. These symptoms are predictable, and arise due to natural anatomical, physiological, hormonal and developmental reasons, not as a result of disease.
To deny a pregnant woman reflexology at any time during the 9-months she is carrying is to deny the mother-to-be an improved quality of life, the reduced risk of unnecessary interventions during birth, and physiological support for puerperium (the period after childbirth during which the mother’s reproductive organs return to their original non-pregnant condition).
For years, reflexologists have been told to either avoid all work during pregnancy, avoid all work during the first trimester, or to avoid working certain points during the first trimester. The truth is, there are over 20 more complications that can occur in the third trimester than the first. Look as much as you want, there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that reflexology can harm either the pregnant woman or child she is carrying.
I built my reflexology practice during the early 1980’s working with pregnant women. Reflexology made the women more comfortable, made for a shorter and easier birth, expelled the afterbirth sooner and according to the women’s ob/gyns, sped up the process of puerperium. From my perspective, it was a joy to support the beginning of new life, to watch those little feet kick away and then relax, and to chuckle knowing that those kids were likely born addicted – to reflexology!!
At the RAA conference in Orlando, Florida in May, Mauricio (Moshe) Kruchik introduced his Reflexology Planner, a useful chart that lists a timeline of symptoms within pregnancy and when to start specific treatment protocols to prevent such occurrences. In Moshe’s extensive experience*, unwanted situations, symptoms and conditions can be prevented and treated with proper reflexology techniques. He stressed that reflexology is a safe therapy during pregnancy and that extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology of pregnancy is essential to practice maternity reflexology with due diligence.
I highly recommend to any reflexologist wanting to specialize in this delightful area of practice to check out Moshe’s trainings.
I will share a treatment protocol for edema that Moshe shared with us at the conference in a future blog post.
*Mauricio Kruchik is a reflexologist, doula, childbirth educator, and an instructor of complimentary medicine at the Tel Aviv University in Israel. He is the founder and president of the International Society of Maternity Reflexology, and his Maternity Reflexology Training Program is accredited worldwide by several associations of reflexologists, midwives and doulas.
Thanks Karen…It sounds like there were some interesting lectures and workshops at the convention. Thanks for keeping us informed I look forward to the next convention in New Mexico.
Reflexologists who are connected with you are so fortunate. Your passions shine through every blog and the information is so valuable. While my experience at the RAA conference was amazing, it is further enriched by your words. Thanks.
Dayl – thank you so much for your kind words. They mean a lot, coming from you.