Crohn’s Disease And Reflexology

As a Reflexologist, I am always keen to deepen my understanding of the benefits of reflexology on various chronic health conditions. One area that I have found myself drawn to is autoimmune disorders, Crohn’s Disease in particular.

Crohn’s Disease, as with other inflammatory bowel conditions, has a profound effect on an individual’s quality of life in many ways. Along with the abdominal pain and bloating that is the most recognized symptom of the disease, people with Crohn’s disease often deal with a myriad of secondary symptoms (extraintestinal complications) such as arthritis, skin disorders, eye inflammation, and nutritional deficiencies, among others. 

With such a broad range of effects on an individual’s physical health it is not surprising to learn that people with Crohn’s have a high rate of depression and anxiety. Indeed, dealing with a disease that can wreak havoc with so many body systems, causing pain, immobility, and fatigue, one can begin to grasp the effect that Crohn’s Disease can have on someone’s  mental and emotional health.

Throughout my coursework, self-study, and interactions with my clients who have Crohn’s Disease, I find myself motivated and inspired to create treatment plans that can help people improve their quality of life while they manage this disease. By looking at an individual in a holistic way, in that the human body isn’t simply a collection of separate and isolated systems, but  functions as an interconnected, interdependent, and collaborative whole. Each system’s health directly impacts the entire organism, working together to maintain overall internal balance, sharing tasks to support trillion-cell communities and responding to internal and external stressors in unison.  

 By supporting various body systems, Reflexology is a powerful supportive therapy for people living with Crohn’s Disease and while it isn’t a cure and shouldn’t replace your prescribed medical treatments, many find it a powerful tool for managing the “side effects” of the disease—both physical and emotional. 

Let’s look at some ways that reflexology can be a great supplementary therapy for those living with Crohn’s Disease:

1. Calming the “Fight or Flight” Response

Chronic health conditions like Crohn’s Disease often have a significant emotional impact, with stress being one of the most common triggers for a Crohn’s flare. Reflexology is specifically designed to shift the body out of a stressed state and into the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest and digest” mode).

Our autonomic nervous system manages our response to stress via the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. These systems are also responsible for routine functions in the body such as heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and digestion. Research now suggests that around 90-95% of our serotonin is produced and stored in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This peripheral serotonin regulates gut motility, digestion, and inflammation.  

The nervous system of the gut is called the enteric nervous system. It is important to understand that the enteric nervous system is constantly in contact with the autonomic nervous system; when stressful situations arise (and the sympathetic nervous system takes over) it can cause symptoms in the digestive system that range from a feeling of heaviness in the gut to diarrhea or constipation.

With this information, we begin to understand that reflexology is more than just a foot massage. For someone with Crohn’s, it acts as a physical “off-switch” for the nervous system. Each of our feet have over 7000 nerve endings, making them among the most sensitive parts of the human body! By focusing on selected areas of the foot, reflexology can manually nudge your body out of “fight-or-flight” (which shuts down digestion) and into “rest, repair, and recover” (which promotes healing). By regulating cortisol and adrenaline, it helps the gut relax, which can potentially decrease the frequency or severity of stress-induced flares. When emotional tension is reduced, muscular tension also decreases.

2. Reflexology and Pain Management

Crohn’s often involves intense abdominal pain and muscle tension. Reflexology works on the “Gate Control Theory” of pain, where stimulating certain points on the feet can signal the brain to release endorphins. Endorphins are the body’s natural painkillers. Released by the pituitary gland in response to pain or stress, this group of peptide hormones both relieves pain and creates a general feeling of well-being. 

Reflexology can also target specific points that help reduce muscle tension in the abdomen and pelvic region, and stimulate reflex points related to the immune system. 

Many people with Crohn’s disease often suffer from secondary symptoms and disorders, one of the most common being arthritis throughout the body. Decreased mobility, “feverish” joints, and daily pain are common complaints that often go hand-in-hand with the abdominal discomfort and fatigue of Crohn’s Disease. 

By targeting reflex points related to joints, reflexology can help increase flexibility and range of motion. Combined with decreased inflammatory response, many clients report a marked improvement in their arthritis pain and mobility, which in turn improves energy levels and emotional well-being.

3. Improving Digestive Flow Through Reflexology Points

Since Crohn’s can cause either diarrhea or constipation, reflexology aims to restore “homeostasis” (balance) to the digestive tract.

• The Ileocecal Valve: This is a critical reflex point for Crohn’s sufferers, as the ileum is the most common site for inflammation. 
• Peristalsis: Targeted pressure may help stimulate the natural wave-like contractions of the intestines, helping to clear bloating and gas.

4. Combating “Crohn’s Fatigue”

Chronic inflammation is exhausting. Many patients report that regular reflexology sessions help improve their sleep quality and provide a gentle “reset” for their energy levels.  By encouraging circulation to the digestive system, and other organs, improved metabolism can increase energy levels.  When inflammation levels are lowered, the body expends less energy on healing and coping with inflammation. Combined with improved quality of sleep and overall well-being, many reflexology clients report having more energy and an increased feeling of vitality.

5. Clearing “Inflammatory Waste”

Inflammation creates a lot of “biological trash“—dead cells, spent immune cells, and chemical byproducts (cytokines). If the lymphatic system is sluggish, this trash sits in the tissue, keeping the area irritated. Reflexology aids in lymphatic drainage, which helps the body process the “waste” products of inflammation more efficiently.

Just as Crohn’s Disease has many facets, so can your treatment plan. Reflexology can be a valuable addition to the ways you optimize your body’s natural healing, through improved circulation, decreased inflammation, restorative rest and stress management. A customized treatment plan can be created for you, to help you manage pain, improve mobility, decrease inflammation, and improve your overall sense of well-being.