Perimenopause, Menopause, Foot Health and Finding a Little Calm Along the Way

The Changes We Don't Always Talk About

Perimenopause, Menopause, Foot Health and Finding a Little Calm Along the Way

By Serena | Balanced Healing Foot Clinic & Reflexology

There comes a time in many women's lives when things begin to feel a little different. Perhaps you're not sleeping as well as you used to, your mind feels constantly busy, your emotions are closer to the surface, or the smallest things suddenly feel overwhelming. You might find yourself standing in a room wondering what you went in there for, or perhaps you look in the mirror and quietly wonder where the woman you once knew has gone.

And yet, life doesn't stop. There are families to care for, jobs to do, appointments to remember and endless expectations to meet. Somewhere amongst it all, we can forget that we need looking after too.

I understand some of these feelings because I'm navigating my own perimenopause journey. It has given me a greater appreciation of how deeply these changes can affect our everyday lives, sometimes in ways we never expected. It has also strengthened something I feel passionately about in my work. Women deserve to be listened to, understood and cared for, not simply expected to carry on as though nothing has changed.

More Than Just Hormones

Most of you already know that oestrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate during perimenopause and menopause. But did you know these hormonal changes can affect far more than your periods, mood and sleep?

They can also influence your skin, joints, muscles and even the comfort of your feet. As oestrogen levels begin to decline, our skin can become drier and lose some of its natural elasticity. You might notice your heels becoming rougher, your feet feeling less comfortable or your joints becoming a little stiffer.

And then there are the changes we can't always see. The exhaustion after another restless night, the anxiety that seems to appear from nowhere, the brain fog that leaves you questioning yourself, or simply that unfamiliar feeling of not quite being you anymore.

For some women, these changes are subtle. For others, they can affect almost every part of everyday life. No two women experience this transition in quite the same way, and that's something I've come to appreciate both personally and through my work.

I believe we need to look beyond the hormones and remember the woman experiencing them. Because sometimes, what we need most is to feel heard, understood and given a little space to breathe.

Our Feet Tell a Story Too

As a Foot Health Practitioner & Reflexologist, I've become increasingly interested in how the changes we experience during midlife can influence our foot health. Our feet carry us through every stage of life, yet they're often one of the last things we think about when it comes to looking after ourselves.

Declining oestrogen, alongside the natural ageing process, can contribute to changes in skin moisture and elasticity. Our heels may become drier and more prone to cracking, nails can become more difficult to manage, and joint stiffness may make walking or standing uncomfortable. Not every foot problem is caused by menopause, of course, but recognising these changes can help us take better care of ourselves.

At Balanced Healing Foot Clinic, I provide professional care for dry and cracked heels, corns, calluses, thickened toenails and general foot health. My aim is to help you feel comfortable and confident on your feet, while offering a gentle, individual approach to your care.

But something I've come to value just as much as the clinical treatment itself is the conversation that often happens during an appointment.

Sometimes, what begins as a discussion about uncomfortable feet becomes an opportunity for someone to share how they're really feeling.

And I think that's important.

The Woman Behind the Appointment

One of the most rewarding parts of my work is seeing women begin to relax. We can carry so much without even realising it. Work, family, responsibilities, worries and the constant feeling that there's always something else we should be doing.

Sometimes clients arrive with busy minds and the weight of the week still resting on their shoulders. As their appointment progresses, I can often see them beginning to settle, allowing themselves that rare moment when nothing else needs their attention.

I never underestimate how meaningful it can be to have someone take care of you for a change.

My clinic is somewhere you can talk openly if you wish, share what's on your mind or simply enjoy the quiet. There is no expectation to fill the silence, no pressure to be anything other than yourself.

And what I find particularly lovely is seeing how relaxed and settled some clients appear afterwards. That gentle sense of calm, the slower pace, the feeling that perhaps the world outside has been able to wait for a little while.

Every client's experience is different, but these moments remind me why I love what I do.

Reflexology: Finding Calm in the Middle of Change

Reflexology has become a particularly meaningful part of my work. It's a complementary therapy that uses gentle, considered pressure across specific areas of the feet, traditionally associated with different parts of the body.

For me, however, reflexology is about much more than the treatment itself. It's about creating a space where women can step away from the noise of everyday life and allow themselves to rest.

During perimenopause and menopause, when sleep may be disrupted, emotions can feel unpredictable and our bodies sometimes seem unfamiliar, that opportunity for relaxation can feel especially welcome.

I know from my own journey how important it can be to find moments of calm when everything feels a little overwhelming.

Reflexology cannot correct hormonal imbalances or cure menopausal symptoms, and I would never want to promise something that research hasn't established. But I do believe there is value in compassionate touch, a peaceful environment and giving ourselves permission to slow down.

Some of my clients arrive simply wanting an hour to themselves. Others are looking for a gentle way to support their general wellbeing during a particularly demanding period of life.

Whatever brings you to my clinic, my approach remains the same. I want you to feel comfortable, respected, listened to and genuinely cared for.

What Does the Research Tell Us?

As I continue developing my knowledge of reflexology and women's health, I'm particularly interested in the research exploring its potential role during perimenopause and menopause.

A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis examined eight studies investigating reflexology for menopausal symptoms. The findings suggested possible improvements in some symptoms and fatigue, although the researchers considered the certainty of the evidence low or very low.

Further research has explored areas such as sleep, psychological wellbeing and quality of life, with some encouraging findings. However, larger and more rigorous studies are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.

I think it's important to approach complementary therapies with both an open mind and a respect for scientific evidence. Reflexology should never replace appropriate medical advice or treatments such as HRT, but it may offer a valuable opportunity for relaxation and self-care alongside conventional healthcare.

For me, professional knowledge and compassionate care should always go hand in hand.

How I Can Support You

One of the things I love about Balanced Healing Foot Clinic & Reflexology is being able to offer both clinical foot health care and reflexology.

Perhaps you've noticed your heels becoming dry and uncomfortable, your toenails are becoming difficult to manage, or you've been experiencing changes in how your feet feel. Through professional foot health care, I can help address these concerns and offer practical advice to keep your feet comfortable.

Or perhaps your feet aren't troubling you at all. Perhaps you're simply exhausted, overwhelmed or longing for an hour where someone else looks after you.

My 60-minute reflexology appointments provide a peaceful opportunity to rest, unwind and reconnect with yourself.

And if you feel you would benefit from both clinical foot care and reflexology, we can discuss a treatment approach that suits your individual needs.

I offer appointments at my clinic in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, as well as home visits by arrangement.

My approach has always been centred around the individual. I don't believe in rushing someone through an appointment or treating everyone as though their needs are the same.

Because behind every pair of feet is a person with her own story, her own experiences and sometimes struggles that we cannot see.

And that deserves kindness.

A Little Thought to Leave You With

Perhaps perimenopause and menopause aren't simply about the changes happening within our bodies. Perhaps they can also become a time when we begin to recognise just how much we've given to everyone else and how little we've sometimes kept for ourselves.

A time to listen to our bodies a little more closely, to stop apologising for needing rest and to understand that looking after ourselves isn't selfish.

I'm still learning through my own journey, through my professional development and through the women I have the privilege of caring for. And the more I learn, the more passionate I become about creating a space where women feel supported through every stage of life.

You don't have to arrive feeling your best. You don't have to have all the answers, and you certainly don't have to apologise for needing a little time to yourself.

Sometimes, you simply need somewhere to put your feet up, let the world wait and feel like yourself again.

And I'd love to offer you that space.

With warmth,

Serena

Level 4 DipCFHP
Foot Health Practitioner & Reflexology Practitioner

Balanced Healing Foot Clinic & Reflexology
Stonehouse, Gloucestershire

Clinical Foot Health Care | Reflexology | Home Visits

Instagram: @balanced_healing_foot_clinic

Reflexology is a complementary wellbeing therapy and does not replace medical assessment or treatment. Persistent or unusual foot symptoms should always be assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional.

Further Reading

Association of Reflexologists, research into reflexology and menopause: https://www.aor.org.uk

2024 systematic review and meta-analysis on reflexology for menopausal symptoms.

2026 review of reflexology and menopausal wellbeing: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41650323/