empowering the severely brain injured and their families via support, understanding and a network of care

Reflexology

Reflexology is a deeply relaxing treatment, which helps to restore a balance between mind and body, reducing tension thus promoting a feeling of wellbeing. It works on the basis that all the organs and bodily systems are mirrored on reflex points on the feet/hands. A treatment, which is a form of pressure massage, stimulates the reflex points which rebalances them, encouraging the body to tap into its own self-healing ability and helping to guide it to optimum health.

As a result, blood circulation to the nerves and organs is increased, the immune system is boosted and the body becomes more efficient at eliminating toxins.

How can it help if you have sustained a brain injury?

For patients with little or no mobility, it is vital to ensure that three key systems – circulatory, eliminatory and immune – are all stimulated to encourage them to work as effectively as they can. Whilst the whole body is treated at every session, I have always paid particular attention to these areas as patients are always at greater risk of respiratory or urinary infections.

Reflexology works on many levels and being a holistic therapy, it deals with the mental/emotional side of things as much as the physical body. Prolonged illness, injury or emotional upset will in time start to alter the body’s ability to function effectively. In simple terms, long term pain and injury can cause depression, an unhappy state of mind can start to show itself in physical ailments.

This is where reflexology works on a subtle level. The body and mind have a fantastic ability to heal and sometimes a little nudge is all that is needed to help it to remember what it knows and needs to do, to function as well as it can.

If the least that treatments do is to maintain as good a level of health as is possible, then that is a great result.

For the rest, there is so much to learn and understand. Making sure that these wonderful people are given the best opportunity to start on their often very long roads to recovery is owe to them.

Sophie Esdaile MAR
Tel: 07785 794 445