Menopause and Reflexology: Can It Help?

Have you ever had one of those nights where you wake up at 3 am, wide awake for absolutely no reason, and suddenly remember every single thing you need to do tomorrow? Only to wake the next morning and completely forget what it was you were supposed to remember. Or maybe you've felt irritable, struggling to concentrate on one thing and getting to the end of the day feeling completely drained, even though you haven't done anything particularly taxing. These can all be signs or symptoms of perimenopause or menopause, and they can be surprisingly difficult to navigate, especially when life carries on as normal around you. October is World Menopause Month, so I wanted to answer a common question I hear in the clinic around menopause and reflexology and if the treatment can help you during this stage of life.

Menopause isn't simply hot flushes

Hot flushes and night sweats tend to get mentioned a lot when it comes to talking about the symptoms of the menopause. But there's more to it than simply experiencing hot flushes. Perimenopause and menopause can bring changes to sleep, mood, energy levels, concentration and how we feel in ourselves. For some women, symptoms are manageable, and for others, they can affect work, relationships and the ability to get through an ordinary day. What we need to be mindful of is that menopause is a natural stage of life, and it's coming for every woman at some point, but you don't have to wait until you're struggling to take action and prioritise your health. Getting support and taking care of yourself from the beginning will do wonders for your overall experience of the menopause.

Where does reflexology fit in?

One of the things I value most about reflexology is the opportunity it gives you to stop and pause, even just for a moment. You can settle into the treatment room, get comfortable and let yourself switch off for a while. No emails to answer, no jobs to tick off, no children running rings around you and nobody needing anything from you for an hour.

Of course, I can't promise that a reflexology treatment will guarantee relief from all your symptoms, but what I can offer is time dedicated to your wellbeing, with a treatment tailored to you. Reflexology may help some women feel more relaxed, have improved sleep and generally a higher quality of life.

While research into reflexology for menopausal symptoms is still limited and we need stronger evidence to understand exactly how helpful it might be, everyone's experience is different, and supporting relaxation and wellbeing can be a worthwhile part of looking after yourself during a demanding period of life.

Not every treatment will be the same

There's no single way of delivering a reflexology treatment that suits every woman going through menopause. At ABWR, I follow a structured sequence during each treatment, working across the feet rather than jumping straight to one particular area. From there, I adapt the session depending on our conversation, your health history and how you're feeling that day. If you've had a particularly stressful week from the symptoms of menopause or if sleep has been difficult, we'll talk about what's going on, and I'll use that information to guide the treatment and where I spend a little more time.

The reflexology map of the feet shows the different areas associated with different systems and parts of the body. During a treatment, I may spend extra time on areas traditionally associated with the endocrine system, including the hormone-producing glands, as well as the brain and head reflexes on the pads of the big toes and the heart reflex, found on the sole of the left foot. These points on the feet are often linked to hormonal changes, brain fog, headaches, mood changes and palpitations, all of which could be some of what you're experiencing during menopause. But what if you're not experiencing all of those things? That's why the map of the feet is simply a guide for me to tailor your treatment to your individual needs and prioritise what your body needs.

Small rituals you can try outside of a treatment

Reflexology can be one part of your self-care, but what you do between appointments matters too. A few small rituals worth trying include:

• If your mind is still racing when you get into bed, try giving yourself ten minutes to slow things down. Make a caffeine-free drink, put your phone away and sit somewhere quiet.
• Keep track of how you're feeling. Jot down your sleep, energy levels and mood each day. Over time, this may help you spot patterns in your symptoms and give you something useful to discuss with your GP or menopause specialist.
• You could also try a warm foot soak as part of your evening routine, or gently massage your feet with a little moisturiser.

Small rituals like these are great to try, and they'll certainly have a positive impact on your wellbeing, but if you're still struggling with sleep, low mood or your symptoms are affecting your everyday life, please do seek professional help from your GP. You don't have to stick it out and struggle through on your own!

Reflexology can support you through the menopause

Menopause isn't the same for each woman, and everyone's experience can differ. Some women sail through with relatively few symptoms, while others find it affects almost every part of their lives. If you're curious about reflexology, or you're already having regular treatments and want to explore how they might fit into your menopause self-care, you're always welcome to have a chat with me. If you're a regular client, remember that you can always let me know when something has changed or when you're having a particularly difficult week. That conversation helps me tailor your treatment to you. I'd love to welcome you to our calm and friendly reflexology clinic in Chapelton, Aberdeenshire. Explore reflexology appointments at ABWR.

Please remember, reflexology is a complementary therapy and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It's also important not to assume every new symptom is caused by menopause. If something is worrying you or affecting your day-to-day life, speak to a healthcare professional.