ALTERNATIVE medicine is something that is much-disputed by members of the public and the medical community.

Are they effective at treating medical conditions or ailments? Can it even be dangerous to turn to alternative treatments?

The reality is that each form of alternative medicine should be judged in their own right and it should never be used as a replacement for traditional Western medicine.

Instead, they should act simply as a complimentary treatment.

That is the view of reflexologist Laura Prentice, who last month opened Synergy Reflexology on Winsford Industrial Estate.

Laura said: “Reflexology is a name given to a complementary therapy that has developed over centuries in different cultures across the world in one form or another.

“The first documented evidence of reflexology was found in the tomb of and ancient Egyptian physician’s’ tomb.

“The inscriptions were found in the physician’s tomb at Saqqara in Egypt between 2500 -3000 BC.”

Reflexology involves application of pressure to the feet and hands with specific thumb, finger, and hand techniques without the use of oil or lotion.

It is based on a system of pressure point that supposedly reflect an image of the body on the feet and hands, with the idea that it effects a physical change to the body.

Laura has practiced reflexology for many years, and says she treats a number of clients with a variety of issues.

Laura said: “Clients mainly come to me for help with relaxation. They have found their sessions beneficial, reporting feeling relaxed for days afterwards.

“We live in a 24/7 society and sometimes it is hard to find time for yourself, to self-care and look after your own health and wellbeing.

“So to help people relax can have a positive effect on their overall health and wellbeing. When clients come to me, I want to make sure they relax as much as possible.”

Another common problem Laura comes across is clients who have trouble sleeping at night.

She says some clients have reported sleeping for nine or more hours after having a reflexology treatment, while others have shown evidence from their sleeping app showing a significant difference in the quality of sleep they have had following a treatment.

There are many conflicting theories within the reflexology community as to why the therapy is effective.

These range from the placebo effect, to the touch therapy effect and also the link to the peripheral nervous system.

While there is no convincing evidence that reflexology is effective for any medical condition, Laura said it’s important for people to go into it with an open mind.

She said: “I have treated quite a few health care professionals including doctors, nurses and midwives. “I have found in general that everyone is very open minded and at least prepared to give reflexology a try before they draw their conclusions. “Virtually everyone that has been for a treatment has returned for another one.”

For more information on Synergy Reflexology, visit synergyreflexology.co.uk