BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – Acupuncture has been used to relieve pain for centuries. If you aren’t a fan of needles though, you’re not totally out of luck; reflexology might provide you with similar relief.
Verena Johnson Ekberg has a rare blood disorder that causes her feet to swell painfully. She said she saw a reflexologist years ago in an attempt to find some relief, but that experience caused her even more pain. However, when she visited Shannon Harms, a physical therapist and licensed reflexologist at Empower Physical Therapy, for a reflexology session, she said it felt completely different.
“For sure it helped, it benefited me a lot. The swelling, they’d get it down; the pain, I felt much better with my discomfort,” Johnson Ekberg said.
Harms said reflexology is a bit like acupuncture because reflexologists target specific pressure points, usually in the feet, to provide pain relief elsewhere in the body. She said it can be used to help manage period pain, bowel pain and more.
Ekberg said aside from providing relief from swelling in her feet, reflexology sessions usually help her knees feel better, too. It can sound hokey to a lot of people; Harms said when she first heard about reflexology, she was skeptical.
“Some people are like, ‘Ooh, it’s voodoo.’ And did I maybe think that at one time? Yeah. And then I learned about it, and then I used it, and my eyes were definitely opened. So, it’s really helpful,” Harms said.
Harms said when she was working on getting her reflexology license, she and the other providers were required to practice on each other. She felt the difference it could make for herself. But even if it is helpful, she said reflexology shouldn’t be used to replace other physical therapies.
“It’s an addition. I don’t want to say that’s curing her blood disorder or curing her swelling, but it’s definitely another tool in our toolbox to use,” Harms said.
Harms said good reflexologists will stop if the treatment becomes too painful. She said it’s something most people can try unless they have open wounds on their feet.
Harms said her reflexology sessions aren’t covered by insurance. The first visit will cost you $60. Any following visits cost $70.
Copyright 2024 KFYR. All rights reserved.
