Case Study #1 Ischaemical Cerebral Vascular Accident

Results of the research for the poster on the 8th RIEN Conference

Therapist: Mónica Baltazar ( Reflexology and TCM student in Centro de Reflexologia da Madeira since 2011)

Pacient: female, 67 years old

Pathology: Ischaemical Cerebral Vascular Accident

Diagnosis: 07/06/2011

Cerebral Vascular Accident: neurological disease caused by the sudden decrease of blood flow to a particular region of the brain. May be caused by the clogging of a cerebral artery, being unable the arrival of blood to that region of the brain (ischemic stroke) or "disruption" of an artery (hemorrhagic stroke). It is a state of medical emergency and in Portugal is the main cause of death.

Symptomatology: facial assymmetry, tremor at rest, impaired deglutition (liquids), muscular rigidity, paralyzed right side, difficulty in opening the left eye. Impaired speech. Moodiness, crying jags. Obstipation.

Medication: Propycil (hyperthyroisism), Vastarel (anti ischemic), Concor (treatment of chronic heart failure), Risperidone (treatment of schizophrenia), Fluoxetine (antidepressant), Isoptin (coronary heart disease), Zanator (hypercholesterolemia), Diazepam (anxiolytic).

Start of sessions: 03/11/2013

Treatment: 15 reflexology sessions were conducted for a duration of one hour, with thw frequency of 2 times per week. During the treatments were applied : Relaxation Techniques, Eunice Inghams Method, Advanced Techniques, Metamorphic Technique, Aromatherapy, Acupressure and Moxabustion. In Acupressure L2, L3, GB60 and GB67 were stimulated points.

Analysis of results: in all sessions were worked with different techiques the reflexes: Central and Peripheral Nervous System, Pituitary, Liver, Stomach, Colon, Kidneys and Bladder. The relevant changes, compared to the patients state, was at the mood level (wouldn't cry so hard after sessions) and at the muscular level ( made several moves with her right leg voluntarily). Changes occurred in the first few sessions; after the third session the patient crossed her right leg over her left leg; at the sixt session had spasms throughout the whole treatment. After the ninth session, both legs folded to the abdominal area, and tried to sit up alone. At the tenth session, moved her right leg from side to side at request of the therapist and fully opened her left eye.

Conclusion: it was concluded that reflexology treatments  helped patient improve her mood, relieve obstipation, facilitate spontaneos and voluntary movements with the member detaind by illness.

feet at the 1st session

feet at the 15th session