Reflexology for Panic Attacks

Whilst reflexology does not claim to diagnose, treat or cure a disorder, it is thought that some disorders, such as these, have been shown (through mainly anecdotal evidence due to limited investment in scientific research) to respond well to reflexology.

 

Disorder of the nervous system is the most common reasons for seeking medical help. Panic attacks are a stress related / nervous system disorder.

 

Nervous System

The nervous system is an internal communication system, relaying signals with short electrical impulses. The central nervous system is composed of the brain and the spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system extends to all other parts of the body and provides somatic nerves to skeletal muscles and autonomic nerves to internal organs and glands. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) has two branches, the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) which governs the stimulating and excitatory responses, and the parasympathetic nervous system (PSN) which is responsible for storage, calming and restorative functions. The overall function is to detect changes in the body’s internal and external environment and to operate a response. It works together with the endocrine / glandular system to control all body functions and maintain homeostasis.

 

Therapeutic effects of reflexology on the nervous system

• The feet have 1000’s of nerve endings and specialised touch and compression techniques used in reflexology stimulate them, sending nerve impulses through the open neural pathways.
• Nervous system responses can be very rapid with consequently swift responses in the vital organs and other body structures.
• Stimulation of the ANS activates the endocrine / glandular system and a cascade of hormonal responses may result.
• Treatment of the nervous system improves the ability of the organs and structures whose function has become diseased or depressed, to respond positively to therapeutic intervention – all organs are supplied by nerves, the nerves are stimulated, organs return to normal function.
• Relaxation induced by reflexology helps balance the ANS, restoring harmony to its sympathetic and parasympathetic branches.
• Break down of deposits in the feet and the stimulation of reflexology decongests energy pathways allowing the nervous system to work optimally (as it does for all systems).

 

What are Panic Attacks?

A panic attack is a severe attack of anxiety and fear which occurs suddenly, often without warning, and for no apparent reason. In addition to the anxiety, various other symptoms may also occur during a panic attack.

These include one or more of the following:

 

• Palpitations or a thumping heart.
• Sweating and trembling.
• Hot flushes or chills.
• Feeling short of breath, sometimes with choking sensations.
• Chest pains.
• Feeling sick.
• Feeling dizzy, or faint.
• Fear of dying or going crazy.
• Numbness or pins and needles.
• Feelings of unreality, or being detached from yourself.

 

The physical symptoms that occur with panic attacks do not mean there is a physical problem with the heart, chest, etc. The symptoms mainly occur because of an 'overdrive' of nervous impulses from the brain to various parts of the body during a panic attack.

 

During a panic attack you tend to over-breathe (hyperventilate). If you over-breathe you 'blow out' too much carbon dioxide which changes the acidity in the blood. This can then cause more symptoms such as confusion and cramps, and make palpitations, dizziness, and pins and needles worse. This can make the attack seem even more frightening, and make you over-breathe even more, and so on.

 

A panic attack usually lasts 5-10 minutes, but sometimes they come in 'waves' for up to two hours.

 

What is panic disorder?

At least 1 in 10 people have occasional panic attacks. If you have panic disorder it means that you have recurring panic attacks. The frequency of attacks can vary. About 1 in 50 people have panic disorder.

 

If you have panic disorder, you also have ongoing worry about having further attacks and/or worry about the symptoms that you get during attacks. For example, you may worry that the palpitations or chest pains that you get with panic attacks are due to a serious heart problem. Some people worry that they may die during a panic attack.

 

What causes panic attacks?

 

Panic attacks usually occur for no apparent reason. The cause is not clear. Slight abnormalities in the balance of some brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) may play a role. This is probably why medicines used for treatment work well. Anyone can have a panic attack, but they also tend to run in some families. Stressful life events such as bereavement may sometimes trigger a panic attack.

 

Panic disorder, agoraphobia and other fears

 

Some people with panic disorder worry about having a panic attack in a public place where it is difficult to get out of, or where help may not be available, or where it can be embarrassing. This may cause you to develop agoraphobia. About 1 in 3 people with panic disorder also develop agoraphobia.

 

If you have agoraphobia you have a number of fears of various places and situations. So, for example, you may be afraid to:

 

• be in an open place.
• enter shops, crowds, and public places.
• travel in trains, buses, or planes.
• be on a bridge or lift.
• be in a cinema, restaurant, etc where there is no easy exit.
• be anywhere far from your home. Many people with agoraphobia stay inside their home for most or all of the time.
• You may also develop other irrational fears. For example, you may think that exercise or certain foods cause the panic attacks. Because of this you may fear (develop a phobia) for certain foods, or avoid exercise, etc.