Self-help reflexology for sciatica

Most people are familiar with foot reflexology, but did you know you can also use reflexology techniques on your own hand for some everyday conditions? The Hub’s reflexologist Ally Brown shows you how to work some of the pressure points on your hands to ease your sciatica

The sciatic nerve runs from the nerves at the base of the spine and runs to the base of the foot (heel) and can be excruciatingly painful, making walking difficult. Hand reflexology is known to have a relaxing effect and can ease anxiety. The best bit is that you can do it any time anywhere!

Hand reflexology is very straightforward: simply ‘walk’ over reflex areas with little caterpillar movements up and down, across and back up to five times each. You can do this several times a day and massage these areas too.

Step 1: Work the brain reflex – the red dot on the tip of your thumbs. Gently walk over back and forth with your other thumb several times. The brain is the centre of the nervous system, so controls the rest of the body.

Step 2: Work the sciatic loop which is marked on the diagram by the black line with red borders across the wrist.

Step 3: Work the spine reflex, the red line running from the wrist to the top of the thumb.

Step 4 : Work the sacrum / coccyx reflex which is marked with the yellow oval on the hand, at the base of the spine reflex and above the sciatic loop reflex.

If in any doubt please speak to our reflexologist Ally Brown (MAR). You cannot do yourself any harm by following these tips, but if you are in severe, acute or chronic pain seek medical advice.

Reflexology does not seek to cure, diagnose or prescribe but many everyday conditions and some longer term more debilitating illnesses can be helped with a full reflexology treatment by a fully qualified reflexologist (always choose Association of Reflexologists, www.aor.co.uk).

Ally works at The Hub on Tuesdays. To find out more about reflexology or book an appointment with Ally click here

She also offers facial reflexology, a delicious holistic face massage that brings all the therapeutic benefits of foot reflexology, including calmness and relaxation, with the added bonus of reducing fine lines and facial puffiness. For more info click here