What changed over the four weeks?

One of the most noticeable observations during this period was a change in the measured area of swelling.

At the first session, it measured approximately 5 cm. By the fourth session, the measurement was approximately 1.5 cm.

My client also reported that the area felt softer and smaller. By the fourth week, it was much less noticeable to the touch, and she reported that the discomfort had reduced. The shape of her breast had also moved closer to its previous appearance. The bruising remained visible during the four weeks, although its colour gradually faded.

These were notable observations during the treatment period. However, changes occurring during a course of treatment do not establish that the treatment caused them. The wider medical circumstances are important when considering this experience.

Fatigue: a more complicated picture

The second area we monitored was fatigue, and this proved much less straightforward.

Fatigue remained a significant challenge throughout the four weeks. My client often felt tired after sessions and continued to experience periods of exhaustion between appointments.

She kept notes about how she was feeling, which helped her reflect on changes in her energy, sleep and general wellbeing. Her experience included some periods of improved energy alongside ongoing tiredness and emotional ups and downs.

She was also navigating wider changes in her health and wellbeing and had access to additional support and wellbeing resources.

By the fourth week, the change recorded in her fatigue score was modest. Although she described some positive moments, fatigue remained a significant part of her experience.

This was an important reminder that changes in one area do not necessarily mean that other symptoms will improve at the same pace. Each person's experience of fatigue is individual and can be influenced by many different factors.

A later follow-up

I saw my client again approximately a month after the four-week course.

In the intervening period, a temporary pause in her medication had been agreed with her medical team so that changes could be monitored. At our follow-up, she described feeling happier and more balanced and reported that her menopausal symptoms had stopped. 

Medication  plays an important role in treatment and recovery,  decisions about starting, changing or stopping medication should always be made with the appropriate healthcare professional.

As her circumstances and medication plan had changed, it would not be appropriate to attribute her later improvements to RLD.

For me, this reinforced the importance of considering the whole picture. Wellbeing can be influenced by many factors, and one person's experience cannot tell us what another person will experience.

What has this experience taught me?

This case gave me an opportunity to observe changes over a structured period and reflect on the importance of monitoring different concerns separately.

The changes recorded in the swelling, alongside my client's report of reduced discomfort, were notable observations. Her ongoing fatigue reminded me that wellbeing is rarely straightforward and that progress can look different from one person to another.

It also reinforced the importance of listening carefully, working within my scope of practice, respecting each client's circumstances and recognising the role of appropriate medical care.

Reflexology Lymph Drainage is a specialised reflexology approach. It does not replace medical assessment, diagnosis or treatment. New or unexplained breast swelling, pain, bruising or changes in breast shape should be assessed promptly by an appropriate healthcare professional.

I'm grateful to my client for allowing me to share her experience anonymously. It has been a valuable part of my continuing development since completing my RLD training, and I hope this account offers a thoughtful insight into one person's journey.

This is an individual client experience, shared with permission. It does not establish that RLD caused the changes described and should not be taken as a guarantee of similar outcomes for others. RLD is a complementary therapy and is not a substitute for medical care.

A note from Elena: These client experiences were originally documented as part of my RLD training. Both clients have given permission for their experiences to be shared. Names and identifying details have been omitted to respect their privacy. Every person's experience is different, and these stories are not a promise of results or a substitute for medical care.

Feeling exhausted and overwhelmed

My client  described feeling sluggish, heavy, inflamed and congested. Her desk-based job meant that she spent much of her working day sitting down, and although she was active, she felt that her energy levels were persistently low. She also experienced stiffness and discomfort in her joints.

Alongside the physical feelings of exhaustion, she described a mind that rarely seemed to switch off. Work and other responsibilities  created a constant mental load, and she struggled to find the space to do things just for herself.. She wanted to feel lighter, calmer and more energised.

Session one: discovering how deeply she could relax

One of the first things that surprised my client was just how relaxing she found the treatment, describing her mind becoming quiet, as though the constant internal noise had finally stopped. Afterwards, she felt energised and slept well.

Something else happened that week, too.

She had been putting off making plans to do something for herself during the summer break. Following her first session, she decided to stop postponing it and booked herself onto a boot camp that reconnected her to being outdoors  and enjoying being away from her phone.

Her family were delighted to see her doing something she wanted to do for herself.

What I particularly valued was hearing how she was beginning to make space for herself outside the treatment room, doing something she had wanted to do for some time.

Session two: finding a little more calm

At her second session, she again experienced a deep sense of relaxation.

She described feeling calmer throughout the day and finding it easier to get on with things without feeling guilty about taking time for herself.

We also talked about the importance of pausing between activities rather than moving continually from one demand to the next.. It was an opportunity to reflect on the small changes that can help us create more breathing space in an otherwise busy life.

Session three: noticing a difference

By the third session, my client was noticing further changes.

On this occasion, her mind felt busier than it had during the earlier treatments. That was a useful reminder that each session can feel different, and that relaxation is not necessarily the same every time.

She continued to describe changes in how she felt, including a sense of increased energy and greater ease of movement. Her experience was evolving, and she was becoming more aware of how she felt from day to day.

Session four: feeling lighter, physically and mentally

in her words: “By the end of the four weeks, I feel calmer and lighter both physically and mentally. Having more physical energy has helped with mental clarity and it's created a positive knock-on effect in terms of increasing time for myself, more exercise and eating more healthily.

Curious about Reflexology Lymph Drainage?

RLD is a specialised reflexology approach. If you'd like to find out more about what a session involves, you're very welcome to get in touch and ask questions.

You don't need to arrive with a particular goal. We can talk about your needs, your expectations and whether the treatment is appropriate for you.

Sometimes, taking a little time for yourself is a good place to start.

This article describes one person's experience and is not a promise of a particular outcome. RLD is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Any persistent or unexplained symptoms should be discussed with an appropriate healthcare professional.

Drinking plenty of water and being well hydrated often don’t equal to the same thing. Proper hydration needs not only enough water, but the help of appropriate proportion of electrolytes, as they play a significant role in regulating our body’s water balance.
Electrolytes are molecules of important minerals - sodium, calcium, magnesium chloride, potassium, hydrogen phosphate and bicarbonate - and when dissolved in fluids, form electrolytes.

These are the positive or negative ions needed for our metabolic processes, as well as our  digestion, nervous system, muscular system, visual function - the whole body in fact - down to the cellular level. Our cells rely on correct 'osmolarity', as they survive by balancing the water uptake and water loss, and we can seriously harm them if we either take in too much water, and cause serious damage if they don't get enough. Electrolytes also help maintain our PH balance.
Experts suggest that hydration should be approached as intermittently as eating. Throughout the day, we should avoid sipping ahead of thirst, as that does not hydrate the body properly at any one time, and may result in the loss of valuable sodium in the blood - so we need to rather plan focused fluid intake breaks and drink fully when thirsty.  

For extreme endurance sports, the quantity of fluids needs to be adjusted to every individual's needs, to maintain the appropriate hydration level and additional electrolytes are recommended.  

How to hydrate sufficiently

• It is generally recommended to drink between 6-8 tall glasses of water per day on a rest day, however the most sound guideline is - as long as you are drinking water when you feel thirsty and include plenty of water-rich and electrolyte-rich foods to your diet, you will remain hydrated. 
• For some variety, enjoy adding the following to your drinking water: lemon, lime, orange, cucumber, strawberries and mint. 
• Adding a green smoothie or freshly pressed vegetable juice to your mornings will not only contribute to keeping your body well hydrated throughout the day, but help to absorb the rich nutrients.
• Herbal teas such as Hibiscus, Rose and Chamomile are not only hydrating, but calming and balancing at the same time.
• Stretching throughout the day helps to hydrate your body via the vast fascia network

Hydrating foods: cucumber, lettuce, spinach, celery, carrot, tomato, bell pepper, cauliflower, courgette, sprouts, beetroot, apple, pear, kiwi, blueberries, raspberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, peach, plums, apricot, orange, pineapple, mango, grapes, grapefruit and more...
Electrolyte rich foods: *can be added to your smoothies*

• Sodium rich food for fluid balance and nerve function: Celtic salt, Sea salt, Himalayan pink salt, celery and celery juice
• Potassium rich foods for muscle and nerve function: coconut water, banana, citrus fruit, avocado
• Magnesium rich foods for muscle relaxation and cellular energy: chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, spinach, cacao
• Calcium rich foods for muscle contraction and bones: Chia seeds, sesame seeds, leafy greens, almonds and almond milk

ENJOY!! 

Chamomile’s characteristic bittersweet flavour also promotes digestive function. The body's response to this taste triggers the release of saliva, digestive enzymes, and bile, thereby improving digestion and nutrient absorption. As a result, one can obtain better nourishment from food, which is essential for repair and healing.

Additionally, chamomile’s carminative properties are highly effective in relieving bloating, abdominal distention, flatulence, abdominal pain, as well as digestive disorders such as ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Chamomile owes much of its relaxing effect to its chemical constituents. Its extract contains apigenin, a compound that binds to GABA receptors in the brain, inducing a gently sedative and calming effect. This makes chamomile tea a popular natural remedy for sleep disturbances and insomnia. Since sleep is crucial for cellular repair, chamomile is an excellent all-round herb to support overall health.

The two most well-known commercial varieties are German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). Today, much of the world’s commercial chamomile is grown in Egypt, but both varieties are also cultivated in temperate climates across India, South America, South Africa, and Australia.

Chamomile originally comes from Europe and Western Asia, where it was highly esteemed by ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans for its healing properties. The Egyptians regarded chamomile as sacred, believing it to be a gift from the Sun God.

For the most effective relaxing and healing tea, use loose dried flowers:
Rinse them with cold water, then add to a pot of boiling water. Cover the pot and steep for 5 minutes to extract all the beneficial compounds. You may add honey to sweeten, if desired.

Tip: Always prepare chamomile tea in a covered vessel to prevent the escape of steam, as evaporation may reduce the medicinal value of the flowers.

Research shows that magnesium is vital for managing our circadian rhythm, which controls sleep, wakefulness, hormone/endocrine regulation, body temperature, and many other bodily functions - down to the cellular level. Additionally, both Calcium and Vitamin D depend on magnesium for proper absorption, which is vital for bone strength.

Mineral Salt baths are also anti-inflammatory, helping to soothe and relax muscles, ease stiff joints, and support recovery.

Bathing in warm water at night promotes sweating, which helps lower core body temperature and signals the body to relax and prepare for restful sleep.

How to use:
Add a minimum of 2 cups of salts to a tub of warm water.

Tip:
If you don’t have a bath, a 15-minute relaxing foot soak is a great alternative. Simply soak your feet in a large bowl of warm water with one cup of Epsom or bath salts, and relax for 15 minutes.

2 Key reflex points for emotional balance

* There are several ways to stimulate our body’s autophagy process, and one of the key ways of doing this is through fasting.  Research suggests that autophagy and fasting go hand in hand, as we can turn up the autophagy process by restricting our 'eating window' or fast intermittently.  Intermittent fasting (IF) means eating within a shortened period of time, and fasting the rest of the time. IF gives our digestive system and our body a chance to reset; when we take a break between meals our insulin levels down-regulate and our body has a chance to stimulate the autophagy process and cleanse. 

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to intermittent fasting however. Beginners may start experimenting with the 12:12 protocol, as it is less restrictive, and one only fasts for 12 hours per day (mostly at night while sleeping), and one has an equal amount of time to eat. Slowly progressing to 13:11, then 14:10, then 15:9 is a good way to build up the practice, eventually building up  the optimal 16:8  - a great option for those who usually don’t find themselves hungry in the mornings. 

Please note that intermittent fasting is not for everyone.