I just recvd an email regarding "how to induce labor" This was from
a massage therapist (who also does reflexology in her practice).
She was emailing me because she had a client who's doctor suggested
reflexology - she was not happy w/my answer as I replied that
reflexology does not make any claims, diagnosis treatments
etc,,,Reflexology does not induce labor ( a fallacy misunderstood by
from most health professionals)- it is solely a modality to assist
the body in achieving homeostasis & thereby allowing the body to
naturally function in a balanced harmonious state,,,my advise to you
would be to relax the client in the best way you do in massage &
leave the "decision" to your client's body as to when labor "should"
begin.
WOW she did not like that answer(see below email)
Look, I know what she was asking but honestly, esp after attending
the last RAA AMAZING conference, - I just had to call her on
this "misinformation". I felt just because she was a massage
therapist who also did reflexology,it was unethical of me to pass
this type of information to someone esp in an email whom I've never
met.

Am I being too prudish regarding this?

Here's her email:

"I am an 11 year massage therapist.Tomorrow for the first time I have
a pregnant woman coming in wanting to induce labor (her Dr. suggested
reflexology).I am not sure I know how to induce labor........can you
give me any suggestions? I do reflexology, but I DO NOT consider it
my strong suit......You however are a professional at Reflexology
that is why I asked you this question.Whenever I am asked the
question,"Can reflexology induce labor?"....I have always said
that, "from all I have read.....it has never been proven." However,
I have taken pre-natal classes and the teachers will SWEAR that they
CAN induce labor.....and since this is your FORTE....I thought I
would ask for your input on the subject. Thanks for the advice! I
will stick with what I usually do and know!"

Yikes!

So I ask you, my reflex colleagues,in this era of professionalizing
(dont know if that's a word;-) & stepping up the educational
standards in Reflexology - should I have told her what points I felt
she should work (remember she is trained in massage not reflex) -
which I feel would be wrong -
for me it would be like,as a nurse, asking a MD what drug to use to
induce labor, since I have a background in the medical field but am
not a trained doctor.

Thanks in advance for your input on this!
Sincerely
Marie T. Koepke, RN, NBCR
A Step in Thyme, LLC
Reflexology/Aromatherapy