Reflexology in Pregnancy and Childbirth

Reflexology in Pregnancy and Childbirth is a definitive text on the safe and appropriate use of reflex zone therapy in pregnancy, labour and the puerperium, focusing on evidence-based practice, professional accountability and application of a comprehensive knowledge of the therapy related to reproductive physiology. Denise Tiran, an experienced midwife, reflex zone therapist, university lecturer and Director of Expectancy - the Expectant Parents' Complementary Therapies Consultancy - has an international reputation in the field of maternity complementary therapies, has researched and written extensively on reflexology, and has treated nearly 5000 pregnant women with structural reflex zone therapy. KEY FEATURES Case histories to ease application of theory to practice Charts, tables and diagrams are used throughout for ease of learning Includes a section on conception, infertility and sub-fertility Covers legalities and ethical issues. Fully evidence-based Focuses on safety Academic Includes Case histories to illustrate points discussed in the text Charts, Tables and diagrams used throughout for ease of learning Relevant anatomy, physiology and conventional care covered Section on conception, infertility and sub-fertility Legalities and ethical issues Professional accountability

Chapter 1 Theoretical Background to Structural Reflex Zone Therapy
- Introduction to reflexology - Mechanism of action of reflexology - Types of reflexology - Reflex zone therapy - Introducing Structural Reflex Zone Therapy - The evidence-base for reflexology - Conclusion Chapter 2 Clinical Practice of Structural Reflex Zone Therapy in Maternity Care
- Aims of Structural RZT in pregnancy and childbirth - Professional issues for midwives and reflexologists - Preparation for treating pregnant and childbearing women with Structural RZT - Contraindications and precautions - Structural RZT treatment sequence - Reactions to treatment Chapter 3 Reflex zones used in Structural Reflex Zone therapy for maternity care
- Relaxation points - Pituitary gland - Reproductive organs - Diagnostic potential of the reflex zones for the reproductive organs - Head and neck - Musculoskeletal system - Lymphatic system - Renal tract - Gastrointestinal tract - Endocrine system - Hepato-biliary system - Cardio-respiratory system Chapter 4 Structural Reflex zone therapy for pregnancy
- Introduction - Infertility and preconception care - Stress, anxiety and panic attacks; tiredness and insomnia - Nausea and vomiting, hyper-salivation - Headaches and migraine; neck pain - Heartburn and indigestion - Constipation - Haemorrhoids - Backache, sciatica and symphysis pubis discomfort - Oedema and carpal tunnel syndrome - Sinus congestion - Breech presentation Chapter 5 Structural Reflex zone therapy for labour
- Introduction - Pain relief in labour - Estimation of the onset of labour with RZT - Induction and acceleration of labour - Retained placenta Chapter 6 Structural Reflex zone therapy for the puerperium
- Introduction - Psycho-emotional recovery from birth - Musculoskeletal system - Uterus and retained products of conception - Pelvic floor - Kidneys, bladder and micturition - Gastrointestinal tract and defaecation - Lactation and breastfeeding References, further reading and sources of information Glossary of terms Appendices
- Suggested treatment sequence for RZT relaxation - Manipulative techniques for Structural reflex zone therapy - Structural Reflex zone therapy for pregnancy - Structural Reflex zone therapy for labour - Structural Reflex zone therapy for the puerperium