Throughout pregnancy, females can experience physiological and psychological stresses. The anticipation of a child, and family and financial worries, might increase the psychological stress of an expectant mother. Physiological stresses that occur during pregnancy range from altering hormone levels, fetal development and changes in weight. Controlling stress during pregnancy is vital for the health and quality of life of both the mother and fetus. Complementary alternative medicine such as massage, reflexology and chiropractic care can be used to decrease and manage psychological and psychological stresses that occur during pregnancy without invasive procedures and medication.
Effects of Stress on Pregnancy
Pregnancy is associated with stresses such as fear, anxiety, depression, hormonal changes or body image issues. Psychological stress results in the normal production of adrenaline and cortisol and increased heart rate. Lower degrees of stress common with pregnancy allow a female to psychologically cope with the pregnancy and birthing processes and allow a female to prepare for the new infant. Stress at a higher degree can raise levels of cortisol, a regulating blood glucose hormone to unsafe levels, and over time might result in hyperglycemia or glycosuria. Elevated blood glucose concentrations termed hyperglycemia can increase the risk of fatigue, diabetes and weight loss. Elevated stress levels are undesirable and might increase the risk of hypertension, cardiovascular events and other pathologies that could affect the mother and fetus.
Reflexology to Control Stress
Therapies such as reflexology, also known as touch therapy, help reduce cortisol and adrenaline releases during stressful events and helps to control heart rate in response to stress during pregnancy. Reflexology is based on the idea that feet represent a map of the body. Touch therapy to feet can restore physiological homeostasis. Reflexology is designed to increase blood circulation in the mother and helps to control risk of hypertension.
Structural Reflex Zone Therapy
Structural reflex zone therapy, an adaptation of reflexology, uses the same zones of treatment as reflexology, however follows an osteopathic model. RZT techniques such as massage, holding or "caterpillar crawling" is designed to resolve chemical, biomechanical, neurological and electrical physiological dysfunction, and helps to re-establish homeostasis. RTZ might be an effective method to reduce physiological and psychological symptoms associated with pregnancy.
Precautions
Before starting any therapy such as reflexology, a pregnant female should consult her health-care provider. Reflexology might be contraindicated in females with a history of pre-eclampsia. Consult your health-care provider to receive evidence-based literature examining reflexology to learn more about the therapy and whether it can be used safely to decrease and control stresses associated with pregnancy.
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