Scottish Institute of Reflexology

ELAINE'S STORY

Evie, (name changed for anonymity), a newly qualified reflexologist, joined the East Lothian Group just as she was due to have her second child.   She and I had contact by phone on several occasions but had not actually met until after Kirsty was born on 19th December 2003.   It was Evie’s intention to come to the group meetings after that but she was in so much pain in her back and around the sacro-iliac joint that it left her taking painkillers daily, difficulty in walking any distance, disturbed sleep, but the saddest thing of all, often unable to take care of her new baby.   With the support of her husband and extended family, Evie struggled with her new baby, had several visits to her GP, was still taking many painkillers and eventually saw a rheumatologist who suspected ankylosing spondylitis of the spine.   - the definition of this disease reads – inflammation of the synovial joints of the backbone.  A type of arthritis.  The resultant pain and stiffness are treated by analgesics and regular daily exercises.  The disorder can lead to severe deformities of the spine -  Evie was devastated at this as she is only 35.    
I gave her first treatment on 1st September 2004 (she had requested earlier treatments but had to call off as she was in severe pain).   I’ve got to say I was a little wary that the treatment would cause discomfort but we continued on a weekly basis.  
Treatment 1.   To begin with her feet were very cold, very tense and Elaine, naturally, seemed rather down.  She had been unable to return to work.  Both ovaries were tender, also her right hip, leg and  knee.  
Treatment 2.  Feet were less cold and less tense.  Sleeping better.  She had seen her rheumatologist who had suggested that exercise and anti-inflammatories might help her S.I. joint.   Evie suffers from colitis and the prospect of a lifetime of painkillers was not good.   Her SI joint was extremely lumpy…………………………….
Sally Ross M.S.I.R.  Dec. 2004
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