Reflexology and Depression

RE: Reflexology and Depression

Hello Catrina

I've had some really positive results when working with clients living with depression, stress, anxiety and a range of mental illnesses. All felt that the reflexology gave them a lift and helped them to put things into perspective. I've had people report that they sleep better, feel more confident and generally better in themselves.

RE: Reflexology and Depression

Thanks for your reply At One:)

Thats fantastic - Im hoping to work more with people suffering from Depression and Anxiety etc

How many treatments did you do per person ? I know the general is around 6 - 10
Did you notice improvements the more often you worked on the client?

RE: Reflexology and Depression

Good question Catrina. A lot of these people were treated while I was doing work experience at a day centre, and the service was very popular, so I tended to see people just when they could be fitted in! Even though the treatments weren't regular they still got benefits from them. I agree though that a course of treatments would be ideal though. Really, I was amazed at the difference one treatment could make to a person! I bet you will love working with people whose problems aren't so much on the physical side. I've got afew of clients at the moment with problems such as anxiety and panic attacks, and it's lovely to watch the confidence grow and the problems diminishas time goes by.

When I am Prime Minister reflexology and other therapies will be made available on the NHS!!

RE: Reflexology and Depression

Hi, I am very interested in this, the area I am interested in is 'transient depression', this is the term I think they still use to describe anxiety and depression resulting from eg. trauma and loss. I have found that reflexology can be very supportive here. I think that it could play a very valuable part in integrated stress management especially. I have found a 90 minute session to be helpful, 30 minutes for active listening (I have worked inthis area before)and a hour for reflex,this tends to be helpful and can encourage people to let go and move on if they are ready. Acourseperhaps determined at the beginning might tend to focus the treatment. As I said though, it would be so much better if counselling and other therapies for this area were available to the client, integrated under the one roof.Perhaps when you become Prime Minister Siobhan, you could arrange this too?
Bob
PS. I did a short course in 'triune processing' some years ago, this was very interesting andwas able to understand perhaps whatcould possibly behappening in my own treatments.Its a method of dispersing trauma non verbally which makes a lot of sence to me and found that training quite astonishing really.

RE: Reflexology and Depression

Excellant responses guys - thanks so much!:)

It makes sence thatReflexology would have such a benificial Effect for depression anxiety etc, its a suttle way of helping thoses suffering from these illnesses to release and grow - im looking forward to having the privilage of working with people with this type of illness.. I wish it was available on the NHS as so many people out there could benifit a lot from it .

Catrina

RE: Reflexology and Depression

Hi,

Depression is often diet related. A poor diet can upset the balance of neurotransmitters (dopamine, seratonin etc.)in the brain. So whatever therapy is used, the basic diet has to be right. There can be many dietary deficiencies, but the most common are selenium, (which can be rectified by Brazil nuts or eggs) and omega-3 essential fatty acids (cod-liver-oil). People, especially smokers or drinkers are often deficient in vitamin C and vitamin B complex, both of which are water soluble and need to be refreshed daily. B complex features in the synthesis of neurotransmitters.More wholefoods and less junk foods helps a great deal.I have only treated one person by this approach and the results were starling. He went from being so depress he did not want to eat (and using prescription drugs) to being "full of the joys of spring" with no drugs in 3 months.

Cheers,

Nick

RE: Reflexology and Depression

Hi Nick

Thats fantastic - I think diet is very important in the treatment of depression as most who suffer from depression are more than likely to eithernot eat - or over eat - So what you say makes a lot of sence.

However i dont thinkdiet is the sole cause for depression as depression is a diverse illness and everyones experiences of it are differant, however having said that the diet is often effected by it one way or another.