It is estimated that most women will experience one symptom of Premenstrual Syndrome before her menstrual cycle begins each month. Some symptoms are minor and can be endured while other symptoms are debilitating. Reflexology offers a natural approach to restoring balance and harmony within the body, mind and spirit.
Understanding PMS
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) represents more than 150 different symptoms a woman may experience in the weeks between ovulation and bleeding in a menstrual cycle. PMS affects approximately 85% of women according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and 5-10% suffer from severe PMS according to a study by the Department of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine [PubMed ID: 18395582].
Symptoms may include:
- Anxiety
- Tension, feeling “on edge”
- Irritability or anger
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Suicidal thoughts
- Cravings (sweets, carbs, chocolates)
- Headaches
- Breast swelling and tenderness
- Bloating in the abdomen
- Weight gain
- Swelling in the extremities – feet, face, hands
Reflexology for PMS
In 1993 Terry Oleson, PhD, and William Flocco published a study in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology [Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1993;82(6): 906-11] titled “Randomized Controlled Study Of Premenstrual Symptoms Treated with Ear, Hand, and Foot Reflexology.” The participants that received the Foot Hand Ear Reflexology reported a 46% decrease in symptoms while only 19% of the placebo group reported a decrease in symptoms.
The Department of Nursing at Sun Cheon Cheong Am College in Korea did a study in 2002 [J Women Health Nurs. 2002 Jun;8(2):212-221] where participants were given one hour foot reflexology sessions, six times in 60 days. A mean score before the reflexology was 8.35. After the course of reflexology it dropped to a 4.16 score at the first menstruation and then to 3.25 at the second menstruation.
During a Reflexology session your feet, hands and/or ears may be worked on depending on the practitioner’s training. While the body is viewed holistically in Reflexology, the practitioner will emphasize certain reflex points that correspond to body parts and organs being affected by the PMS. For example, the Reflexologist may spend extra time on the kidney reflex area if the client is complaining of bloating or water retention. The glands and organs responsible for regulating the hormones would be an area the Reflexologist may focus on in general, no matter the specific symptoms being reported.
Resources
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists offers an article on How PMS Can Affect You,while the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides an Adobe PDF file to track symptoms of PMS.
