Some patients explore an alternative medicine, such as reflexology, as a complementary treatment for thyroid problems such as goiter. A goiter is an inflammation of the thyroid gland and can occur when your thyroid produces too much or too little hormone. Reflexology for goiter involves applying pressure to areas of the foot that correspond with the thyroid gland as a means to stimulate healing. Discuss it with your general physician before using reflexology for goiter.
Efficacy
In reflexology, a trained therapist applies moderate to firm pressure to the pressure points of your foot. Although evidence for the efficacy of reflexology is lacking, you might experience an improvement of your thyroid symptoms after several reflexology sessions, according to Kevin Kunz, author of "Reflexology Rescues for Thyroid and Parathyroid." Some patients even find that they need to lower their dosage of thyroid medication, explains Kunz. Work closely with your endocrinologist and only decrease your dosage with your physician's permission.
Prep
A reflexology session typically lasts about 45 minutes. Prior to your session, a reflexology therapist will ask detailed information about your thyroid function. If you have test results from your endocrinologist, it is a good idea to bring those along to your appointment, according to Martine Faure-Alderson, author of "Total Reflexology." The reflexology therapist will also seek detailed information about your overall health to determine whether other organs are involved in your thyroid dysfunction.
Session
When you arrive for your reflexology session, your therapist will typically soak your feet in warm water for about five minutes to relax them. Some therapists perform a gentle foot massage for the same purpose. Your therapist will then ask you to lie down comfortably to begin your session. The area of the foot that corresponds to the thyroid gland is right above the ball of your foot, where your big toe connects to your foot, explains Kunz. You can expect your therapist to devote some time to this area.
Follow-Up
After your reflexology session, you might experience some soreness in your feet. You can keep a journal of your symptoms after your reflexology session so that you can track your progress. You might need up to 10 sessions before your condition improves, according to Faure-Alderson. When you return for your next session, your therapist will ask information about the progress of your symptoms. If you notice that your goiter is getting smaller, inform your therapist.
References
- Reflexology Rescues for Thyroid and Parathyroid; Kevin Kunz
- Total Reflexology: The Reflex Points for Physical, Emotional, and Psychological Healing; Martine Faure-Alderson
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