Reflexology for Conception, Pregnancy and Childbirth (Part 1)

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We're really pleased to announce that Valerie Mletzko has joined the clinic at East Vows - Valerie is an experienced Reflexologist and has taken further post-graduate training to enhance her skills. One of her specialities is Reflexology for Conception through to Childbirth and she's provided us with the following information for Pre-Conception and IVF preparation treatments (Part 2 - Pregnancy and Childbirth to follow in the next post)

Pre-Conception:

Reflexology may help to correct hormonal imbalances and help with stress, as trying to get pregnant can be a very emotional/fraught time indeed. Stress can lead to a depletion of progesterone, which causes oestrogen dominance, which can disrupt your menstrual cycle and decrease your fertility.

Infertility Treatments:

However high-tech and clever infertility treatments are nowadays, if the body is out of balance, these treatments will not work. If you are suffering from stress, the adrenal glands work overtime to make the stress hormone cortisol from progesterone. As progesterone is the hormone the ovaries need to maintain a pregnancy it is perhaps not surprising that these procedures can fail.

Reflexology during IVF:

Reflexology is excellent in preparing the body prior to IVF treatment by aiding detoxification (by removing any unwanted toxins and clearing up the bowel if you are prone to constipation or have a sluggish bowel), hormonal balance and relaxation - if possible six weeks prior to the start of treatment. Once the stimulation part of an IVF cycle begins, reflexology is not recommended until either a pregnancy is established over 12 weeks or preparation for conceiving begins.

Any questions? Either call us on 01592 268215 or email info@eastvows.co.uk

Do's and Don'ts for massage clients

Hello gentle readers - just thought I'd throw together a short list of frequently asked questions and tips for those who've never had a massage and aren't sure what to do (or not).

1. Do give yourself plenty of time - especially if it's your first visit - we need to go over your medical history and work out with you exactly what you want from your treatment. For follow on appointments we need to check how things have been since your last appointment.
At the end of your treatment - you want to have time to come back to yourself without having to rush out of the door. We build time for this into the diary, so please take advantage of it.

2. Don't worry about your cellulite, unshaven legs or whatever - we've seen all shapes and sizes and let's face it - we're not perfect either. We definitely won't be judging you, we're too busy thinking about your treatment!

3. Do feel free to ask questions, tell us if you're too hot, cold, need more or less pressure.

4. Don't ask, hint or suggest that you are actually after extras, executive stress relief or whatever else you may call it - we don't do sexual massage and asking will cause your treatment to finish immediately.You will still be liable for the full cost of your treatment.

5. Do believe us when we tell you to drink plenty of water, stretch, avoid alcohol etc. We don't just make this stuff up, you know! Alcohol in particular can cause quite spectacularly unpleasant results following a massage.

6. Do be prepared for a little discomfort during and in the 48 hours after a Remedial/Sports massage. It shouldn't be excruciatingly painful, but can be uncomfortable in places as we may be working muscles which are already tender. Following your massage it can feel a bit like the discomfort you can get after a hard workout at the gym. This isn't usually an issue following a relaxation massage.

7. Do wear whatever you want (within reason. Depending on your treatment you can be almost fully dressed or almost entirely naked. However, for table massage you will be covered with a towel and only the parts being worked on will be exposed - this is for a couple of reasons - it's better and easier to keep the muscles warm; it protects your modesty; and to be perfectly honest it's much easier for the therapist to get on with their job without worrying about avoiding your "bits" If you are really not comfortable getting undressed let us know as we can adapt techniques to work over clothes, but if you want an oil massage you will have to get undressed. Reiki and Thai massage are both carried out with the client fully dressed so they might be better options.





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coming soon - new smellies!!

Just taken delivery of new bottles and reeds and am now playing with recipes. Look out for new room fragrance products soon! All made with pure essential oils so no synthetic nasties.