Adrenal glands and reflexology

[CupOfEarlGrey]

I’ve just had an amazing experience at a reflexology appointment (on a holiday with my Mum).

At the end of the session the therapist asked to look something up and then said ‘you’ve got a blockage in your adrenal glands’. I hadn’t mentioned anything about steroids or adrenals before and she said it was an unusual place on the foot to find resistance.

She felt more reflexology would help spring the adrenals back in to life (I’m slowly trying to reduce from 7mg) and also recommended aurolic acupuncture.

Who knows, but I think it may be worth a shot!

Anyone else had any experience/ success with this?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Not sure they will "spring back into life" whilst you are still on Pred - that is what has put them to sleep [rather than a blockage].

They need nudging slowly into life to take up the slack as you reduce the Pred doses...which is only chemical cortisol after all. So the natural cortisol has to replace the chemical variety.

It's always worth giving the acupuncture a go... and any feedback would be appreciated by many I'm sure.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to DorsetLady]

see this

Reflex points

[SnazzyD]

Your adrenals are being ‘blocked’ by the current level of Pred simply because they don’t need to work much right now. It isn’t just the glands that decide, but the feedback from the brain that decides whether it’ time to turn them on. If you have bags of artificial steroid there, the brain won’t tell the glands to work. As you get lower the feedback needs to crank into gear and other hormones need to released before the final messaging gets to the adrenals. When the adrenal glands are slow to get going again, it isn’t always obvious if it is the glands that won’t work or whether it’s somewhere else in the chain of events that hasn’t kicked in.

I’d do it if it felt beneficial generally but I wouldn’t do it just for that in the hope it’ll speed up the process, especially if the cost is significant.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I've had relexology many years ago, pre-PMR. It was very relaxing but the only "blockage" felt was not something I had a problem with.

Your adrenals aren't blocked because there is something wrong with them - they are blocked in the same way the central heating boiler is blocked from switching on when the wood burning stove is pumping out warmth in the room where the thermostat is: there is already plenty of the required item present, any more would be surplus to requirements.

[piglette]

I have had reflexology and acupuncture. The acupuncture did not help at all in my case. I enjoyed the reflexology as it was relaxing and I liked the lady doing it and we had some interesting conversations, but in my case it did not really go further than having my feet played with, which was lovely.

[Pippah45]

I have been thinking of trying acupuncture in my quest to lower pred. I got stuck at 7 for ages and have now managed 3. I am nearly ready to start to go lower but after I have had a tooth out next week! Thanks for the suggestions.

[CupOfEarlGrey in reply to Pippah45]

Good luck with your tooth! X

[Louisa1840 in reply to Pippah45]

Hi Pippah, I think our response to acupuncture is a very individual one and if you can afford it, by all means give it a try. But, I tried it after a recent bout of Shingles left me totally stiff. After 3 sessions I was so much worse. My left leg had completely seized up and I found I was dreading the next appointment. I cancelled but people have said I should have persevered. I found having needles stuck into me and then being mildly electrocuted (it was Electro acupuncture) was not a pleasant experience.

[Pippah45 in reply to Louisa1840]

Sorry it didn't work for you. I think I may stick to Reflexology as I don't know an acupuncturist.

[Louisa1840 in reply to Pippah45]

Good luck Pippah! . We all have to try and see what works for us.....

[Vito5566]

Hi I found it totally relaxing & it helps with the pain. But after a few days the pain came ba k. But only this week I found I needed a new hip replacement so its unfair to say it did not work. I would definitely try if I had other pain & if I could afford it I have one session every week.