Hospital tries reflexology to boost fertility

Thousands of women trying to become pregnant may find the answer to their prayers at their feet. Reflexology, the ancient healing art that employs manipulation of pressure points in the feet and hands, is being hailed as a possible treatment for female infertility.

Thousands of women trying to become pregnant may find the answer to their prayers at their feet. Reflexology, the ancient healing art that employs manipulation of pressure points in the feet and hands, is being hailed as a possible treatment for female infertility.

The technique - first used by the Egyptians and Chinese more than 2,000 years ago - is to come under serious medical scrutiny for fertility benefits.

After strong anecdotal evidence of conceptions following reflexology, doctors at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, have begun a comprehensive clinical study of the possible link between the treatment and fertility. Over the next two years, 150 women will take part in trials aimed at determining whether pregnancy rates are affected. The results of the study will offer a direct comparison with the standard fertility drug, clomifene.

There is little scientific evidence to prove the effectiveness of reflexology, which holds that natural energy channels running through the body become imbalanced causing congestion which is mirrored in the corresponding area of the feet or hands. Firm finger pressure is applied by the therapist to "break up" this congestion, dispel toxins and restore normal energy flows.

Devon-based reflexologist Jane Holt approached the IVF unit at Derriford with a catalogue of rapid pregnancies in supposedly infertile women following her treatment, many after fewer than 10 one-hour sessions. She claims 13 of 23 women with infertility problems have become pregnant after being treated by her over the past year. In the medical trials, 150 volunteers, who would have been treated with clomifene to try to induce ovulation, will instead be offered eight reflexology sessions, with half receiving a bogus treatment.

Dr Jonathan Lord, clinical lecturer in reproductive medicine at Derriford, said the trial would be easy to carry out as it focused on how many women ovulate after treatment, not on the number of pregnancies. "We're able to look directly at how effective the reflexology is in prompting ovulation," he said.

Up to 30 per cent of infertile women who try clomifene are not helped by the drug, and 10 per cent who become pregnant after using it give birth to twins. It is one of the main causes of triplets and other multiple births in Britain.