CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME – HOW REFLEXOLOGY CAN HELP
I suffered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for years and therefore what follows is quite personal to me. As you read this please believe me there is hope.
In the 1980s, when I was first diagnosed, there was no real help and although I was blessed with a wonderfully supportive doctor, not a lot was known about this condition and there was no treatment available. Things have changed thankfully and although this still remains a complicated condition there are many things that can help, which is why when treating this condition i use a mixture of Reflexology, Reiki, Tissue Salts and Homoeopathic remedies.
I will start by explaining more about the condition and then tell you how I can help.
What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is also known as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). The main symptom of this illness is persistent fatigue (exhaustion) that affects everyday life and doesn’t go away with sleep or rest.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a serious condition that can cause long-term illness and disability, there are many different symptoms that come under this umbrella term.
It’s estimated around 250,000 people in the UK are affected by Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. It appears to be more common in women than men.
It can affect anyone irrespective of age.
What causes this condition
There are many and varied causes but the following have been indicated as prime examples of how this condition can start:
- viral or bacterial infections
- problems with the immune system
- an imbalance of hormones
- prolonged stress either physical or emotional
- physical trauma
How are people affected
Most cases of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are mild or moderate however up to one in four people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have severe symptoms. The symptoms can be defined as follows:
- Mild symptoms – tiredness that affects everyday activities but still allows the person to care for themselves. Disturbed sleep patterns. Various physical symptoms.
- Moderate – reduced mobility, disturbed sleep patterns and often need to sleep in the afternoon just to be able to achieve minor tasks. Physical aches and pains of unexplained origin and a feeling of constant flu with enlarged lymph nodes.
- Severe – severely reduced mobility, difficulty concentrating, need to rest or sleep for long periods, often having to rest for days on end and may struggle with minor tasks. Severe physical aches and pains.
How is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome diagnosed
There are specific guidelines issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) about the diagnosis and management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
NICE says a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome should be considered if you meet specific criteria regarding your fatigue – for example, it can’t be explained by other conditions – and if you also have other symptoms, such as sleeping problems or problems thinking and concentrating.
The diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can be confirmed if these symptoms are experienced for several months.
What can Reflexology do to help
Reflexology can help with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome by improving the general health of a sufferer. It does this by stimulating the 7,000 nerve ends on each foot and in doing so it can:
- Help regulate sleep patterns. Constant sleepiness is common but good quality restorative sleep is often lacking in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Release built up tension and stress allowing the body to heal naturally
- Improve blood and lymph circulation and thus also help in ridding the body of toxins
- Help balance the endocrine system
- Improve the digestive system and therefore the uptake of nutrients
My Individual approach to treating Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Due to my personal experience of this condition I have found that in addition to Reflexology a combination of other complementary treatments such as Tissue Salts, Homoeopathic remedies, Vitamin and Minerals, Reiki and Meditation work wonderfully well.
As a qualified Homoeopath I often prescribe Tissue Salts during a Reflexology consultation. As an example a Tissue Salt i use a lot with people suffering Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is Kali Phos 6x. Kali Phos is a brain and nerve tonic and really well indicated for:
- burnout, poor concentration and memory problems
- total exhaustion both physical and mental
- generally weakness in the nerves and muscles hence pain or numbness
- helping to regulate sleep patterns.
I hope you have found the information in this blog helpful.