Less Stress for the NHS
Because, as reflexologists, we are used to helping our clients with a wide variety of conditions it is easy to overlook how having regular reflexology can be a great preventative healthcare treatment.
Lynne Benfield qualified as a reflexologist in 2007, and she enjoys running her practice in rural Oxfordshire.
This is Lynne’s story and it shows just what we mean.
Lynne says: - ‘In July 2009 I suffered stomach pains and was unable to eat. I felt strange so my daughter insisted I should go to the doctor. I was immediately sent to A & E as I had been diagnosed with appendicitis; but I didn’t feel that ill. I was given all kinds of tests and saw quite a few doctors, because they knew I was seriously ill but could not understand why I looked so well. To that I replied ‘well, that would be the reflexology, wouldn’t it?’ I explained that my immune system was obviously working really hard to beat the infection, hence why I felt strange. I was tired and the area over the appendix hurt if you pressed it, which they did several times, but it did not feel as though I needed a major operation. I was also going to a Facial reflexology conference in London on the Saturday and I told the doctors I couldn’t miss it, so they sent me home with antibiotics and an appointment to go back and have my appendix removed once it was ‘well’. In October I returned to hospital and had my appendix and gall bladder removed by laparoscopic surgery and was then told that they had repaired my hernia too! Three for the price on one. I spent 36 hours in hospital and 2 weeks at home recovering. The alternative would have been a full open wound with a chance of infection if the appendix had burst, 5 days in hospital and 4 –5 weeks recovering. They would also not have removed my gall bladder or found my hernia. Therefore I would have had to undergo further surgery at a later date. I know which scenario I preferred and just look at the savings to the NHS budget from receiving regular reflexology.’
Lynne Benfield PRM