Reflexology during pregnancy can relieve fatigue, but there are conditions

Reflexology itself is a traditional therapy that originated in China for centuries. By applying pressure to specific points in the body, reflexology can provide health benefits for the body. The points that are pressed when we undergo reflexology are believed to be closely related to the organs in the body.

Reflexology is an additional therapy that can be given during pregnancy. Reflexology can reduce the complaints about the feet that are often felt during pregnancy.

For example, sore feet, leg cramps, and swollen feet. In addition, reflection can also help reduce the burden on the joints of the body, improve blood flow, and help the relaxation process so that sleep quality will be better.

Reflexology is proven to reduce fatigue in pregnant women

Based on research published by the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research in 2017, experts found that reflexology on the soles of the feet can reduce the feeling of fatigue felt by mothers.

The study involved hundreds of women aged 18 to 35 who became pregnant for the first time with a gestational age between 19 and 29 weeks. The participants were then divided into two, namely the control group who did not get any treatment and the group that received reflexology on the soles of the feet.

In this study, foot reflexology was performed twice a week for five weeks. Each session lasts 30 to 45 minutes. After the study ended, pregnant women who received reflexology stated that the fatigue they felt was significantly reduced when compared to the group of pregnant women who did not receive foot reflexology.

Is foot reflexology during pregnancy safe?

Women in the first or third trimester of pregnancy should be more careful if they want to do reflexology. Why so? This is because pressing on certain points on the feet can increase blood flow to the uterus, causing changes in hormonal reactions, leading to uterine contractions. This is certainly a danger if you are still in the first trimester of pregnancy.

So, first consult with your obstetrician to assess the safety of your womb before doing reflexology. Remember, tell the therapist who will massage you that you are pregnant. Therapists who are trained and professionals will usually immediately know which points need to be avoided when massaging the feet of pregnant women.

So, which massage points should be avoided during pregnancy?

If the doctor has allowed you to do foot reflexology, it doesn't hurt for you to check with the therapist again about the points that should be avoided during pregnancy because they can stimulate uterine contractions.

Consider the following picture to find out six pressure points that should be avoided during pregnancy because they can stimulate contractions in the uterus.