P. Sze 
Menopause is a process that affects women who are around the ages of 45-55 and causes a huge amount of change within the body. The medical definition of menopause is when a biological female experiences a decline in estrogen production.
The effects within the body are the biggest telltale signs of this change taking place, and common experiences include hot flashes, fatigue, and irregularities to periods as well as moods.
There have been many studies into how different methods can help tackle symptoms of menopause and make life more manageable for individuals. Some effective methods have included hormone replacement therapy (HRT), or more naturally using herbal treatments and even reflexology.
Reflexology is defined as a massage method that uses a specific mapping technique based on reflexes within the body. Pressure is then applied, usually using the thumb and forefinger, to the areas which the client agrees need attention.
Although it is known as an “alternative medicine”, reflexology is effective at resetting the peripheral nervous system and making symptoms more manageable. People have also reported more feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy, which are tackled by reflexology.
Mental health is a factor that is often overlooked by medical practitioners, which is another benefit of reflexology, which uses the effects of menopause as a basis for treatment and focal points. Typically done on the bottom of a person’s feet, reflexology can also be done using pressure points on someone’s palms.
This is a guide on specific points that can be used to relieve some symptoms of menopause and make the process smoother.
HRT Stigma
Firstly, the main “treatment” for menopause that is commonly administered by medical practices is hormone replacement therapy. It goes without saying that HRT is the most effective at reducing hot flashes, periods of irritability, and regulating mood.
However, there are many unknown risks associated with HRT that contribute to the reliance on alternative methods.
The stigma around medical treatment has been shown that it can increase the chances of developing breast cancer. Thanks to the vast studies of the Women’s Health Institute (WHI), HRT has mixed reviews in terms of its effectiveness, and it has definitely been shown to contribute to the development of ovarian and breast cancer.
If you are considering more natural treatments or even just tackling some of the main symptoms that you might be experiencing, there are some points below which reflexology has been effective.
Hot Flashes
The most common and inconvenient sign of menopause is hot flashes. People experience uncontrollable hot temperatures for seemingly no logical explanation.
These can last any time, from a few minutes to hours. Reflexology has shown that applying pressure to acupoint KD3 “Tai Xi”, also known as “the great ravine” just inside the Achilles heel on the medial aspect of the foot, helps with temperature regulation and healthy kidney function.
Pressing on this point for 1-3 minutes every day helps nourish the kidney and calm the heat, allowing you to go back to your normal routine. According to Chinese medicine theory, this specific area replenished Yin or Yang deficiencies, helps with anxiety, insomnia, and even helps with a sore throat and lower back pains.
The most important benefit here is the reduction of intense heat that allows you to manage some of the more prominent menopause features that can be embarrassing and feed into the confidence decline.
Self-Confidence
Another big symptom of menopause that many women notice is lower feelings of self-worth and reduced confidence when it came to expressing themselves. One of the pressure points that helps tackle this is the Solar Plexus Point.
The location of this is generally revealed when you fold your foot in on itself and see the point where the folding line joins the line where the color changes between the ball and arch of the foot. The Solar Plexus is believed to regulate organ function, effectively manage the body’s stress response, and improve regular mood. Reflexology can also be done for the solar plexus on the hands.
Looking at your palms, you should be able to see a line between the first and second fingers. Where this line begins at the ball of the hand, massaging this with the thumb on the other hand for a few minutes daily has been proven to help people feel more confident, centered, and in control. This can be done on both hands.
Organ Function and Emotional Healing
A very highly used pressure point within Chinese medicine is SP6, also known as the three Yin intersection. This is a widely used reflexology point used to nourish the blood, regulate menstruation, and benefit urination. Known as one of the most common and versatile points within foot reflexology, this point is the crossing of the Spleen, Kidney, and Liver sections.
For this reason, it serves multiple purposes, such as aiding emotional healing as well as digestive issues. Interestingly, the pressure point is located inside the lower leg, just above the ankle. The fundamentals for mapping used here are also widely known within acupuncture treatment because Chinese medicine is very widely known within alternative medical practices.
Hormone Regulation
Another common symptom of menopause is hormone fluctuations which cause irritability, mood outbursts, and irregularities. Getting a reflexologist to focus on the area just underneath the ball of your foot can help to regulate glandular activity and hopefully manage stabilizing mood.
The role of reflexology here is not necessarily considered a form of medical practice, and it is necessary that you speak with your doctor before seeking treatment. The glands are responsible for producing hormones within the body, and that is often why there is too much of one or not enough of another hormone. This is usually a big contributor to irrationality within those who experience menopause symptoms.
Another reason why this area would be beneficial to focus on is that it can regulate other organ functions such as digestion.
Overall, reflexology can be done on the feet, hands, and other areas of the body to encourage normal function and rebalancing hormone levels. Not only that, but it can make moods more regular, consistent, and help individuals regain control over their body temperature and feel more self-confident.
Chinese medicine is growing in popularity, and it’s partly due to the widely known risks that come with HRT, which is causing many women to avoid medical treatment for menopause. This is why many are focusing on making their individual symptoms more manageable and to continue living their lives as normally as possible.
Unfortunately, reflexology is not suitable if you have gout or a history of blood clots. If you are experiencing these symptoms, please speak with your doctor before seeking reflexology help. Also, if you are pregnant, we cannot recommend reflexology and suggest that you also consult a doctor.
If you are wanting to find a new way to manage your moods, temperature regulation, or even prevent the onset of these before they get too crippling, research your specific symptoms today.
That way, you can pinpoint exactly what you want to work on when you consult a reflexologist, and they are then able to offer you a more personalized experience that is as catered to your needs as an individual as much as it can be. Of course, there is growing speculation about whether reflexology is effective in improving health and maintaining regular organ function.
Regardless of this, studies have shown that there is scientific evidence in favor of reflexology playing a role in menopause symptoms. Reflexology has been shown to make moods more consistent as well as temperature management, which largely comes down to regulating kidney and other glandular functions within the body.
There is a difference between massaging the feet and reflexology. Simply massaging the feet provides localized relief to pain from overall wear and tear to the feet. While this is an effective way to get relief and improve posture, it has far fewer total benefits when compared to reflexology. The body is a fascinating map that has so many connections according to Chinese medicine.
Reflexology primarily runs on the principle that the feet and hands can be hubs for the rest of the body. It is therefore suggested that applying specific pressure to certain areas will improve the body’s functioning and efficiency. There is some level of debate around whether both feet are responsible for the same area of the body.
However, the consensus is that there is symmetry in feet mapping. This means that the left foot is responsible for the left arm, and the right foot is the right arm.
Chakra balance can be a highly influential form of reflexology that relieves overall pressure within and around the body. Through focusing on the solar plexus, there is a release and individuals may feel significantly lighter than before.
The added benefits of this include Yin and Yang balance. We all know the role that overall life balance plays within Chinese culture and how many factors and health issues will be improved by balancing this.
This is why some levels can be improved with a bit of perspective and self-awareness. Whether you want to reduce menopause symptoms, improve organ function, or simply want to explore Chinese medicine methods, check out reflexology today and begin your journey to better health and improved lifestyles.
