Reflexology is a gentle, non-intrusive treatment performed on the feet only, using reflex points that correspond to body systems.
Reflexology is highly beneficial in alleviating the adverse side effects of chemotherapy, by helping the patient to relax deeply, it also helps to reduce the level of anxiety, helping the patients to cope with the distressing symptoms of pain and nausea, the results reveal that the treatments produce a significant effect and immediate effect on the perceptions of pain, nausea and relaxation of the patients.
There is a myth that because reflexology removes toxins from the body, chemotherapy will not work properly. There is no evidence to support this and there is a great deal of evidence about the positive results that patients have felt.
Many people with cancer who have used reflexology say that it helps relieve some of their symptoms or helps them cope with the side effects of treatment. Other people say that it is a very pleasant way to relax.
Reflexology is used by many people undergoing cancer treatment, and reflexology is included in complementary therapy centers within the cancer units at Charing Cross Hospital, Hammersmith Hospital, Harley Street Clinic and Lister Hospital, as well as being offered in many Macmillan Cancer Relief Hospices and Nurseries, with very good results.
Many patients say that, in addition to enjoying relaxation and stress relief, they also feel able to cope with the physical side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
It is also an important factor to have time for themselves and a person to talk to who is not part of their family and, in many cases, to be able to express their problems and fears without worrying about the effect on close family members or friends.
Reflexology is a good treatment to help those who suffer from lymphedema (swelling of the extremities) after surgery to remove the lymph nodes, as it helps improve circulation and lymphatic flow and the reflexologist can work on the reflex points. specific to the affected area. In some cases, the affected limb with lymphodeoma can be quite painful. Reflexology is very gentle and effective and in such cases it is a good complement to lymphatic drainage massage.
General reflexology helps improve circulation and lymphatic flow, which benefits all systems and organs of the body and aids deep relaxation and improves breathing and mobility, helping patients relax and cope with physical side effects. of your treatment.