Ballina Reflexology and Lymphatic Drainage Centre

Ballina Reflexology and Lymphatic Drainage Centre 24 years experience under my belt. I offer support to pregnant, peri and post menopausal women, balancing hormones, calming frayed nerves.

The comment I hear most is "You've got amazing healing hands". 👣❤️WhatsApp 083 336 0433 to book yourself in.

05/03/2026

Lovely mix of clients today and when I thought about it one is getting married next week so has been coming in for reflexology to keep the nerves at bay and one is the mother of a bride, not related, and again looking for a bit of calm admist the busyness of the final week before the big day.

Wonderful happy occasions and celebrations of life to enjoy.

So glad I can help 😁

PS. My video is a selection of some of my books. I took them off the shelves in order that my clients can see some of the wonderful material inside the covers.



02/03/2026

Lymphatic Drainage flow in motion using a specialised camera to visualise florescent dye that has been injected into the skin.

Lymphoedema

Lymphoedema is a long-term condition that causes swelling in body tissues due to a build-up of lymph fluid. It most commonly affects the arms or legs.

What is the lymphatic system?

The lymphatic system is part of your immune and drainage system. It includes lymph nodes and lymph vessels that help:

Drain excess fluid from tissues
Filter out bacteria and waste
Support immune function
When this system is damaged or blocked, fluid cannot drain properly, leading to swelling.

Types of Lymphoedema

1️⃣ Primary Lymphoedema

Caused by a genetic or developmental problem with the lymphatic system
May be present at birth or develop later in life

2️⃣ Secondary Lymphoedema

Caused by damage to the lymphatic system
More common than primary lymphoedema
Common causes include:
Cancer treatment (surgery or radiotherapy)
Infection
Trauma or injury
Obesity
Venous disease
For example, people treated for breast cancer may develop arm swelling after lymph node removal.

Symptoms

Persistent swelling (usually one limb)
Feeling of heaviness or tightness
Reduced flexibility
Skin thickening or hardening (in later stages)
Recurrent infections (e.g., cellulitis)
Swelling may start mild and gradually worsen if untreated.
Complications
Skin infections
Reduced mobility
Psychological distress

There is currently no cure, but it can be well controlled.

Main treatments:
✔ Compression therapy (bandages or garments)
✔ Manual lymphatic drainage or Reflexology Lymphatic Drainage
✔ Exercise
✔ Skin care to prevent infection
✔ Weight management



05/02/2026

The IRI (Irish Reflexology Institute) hosted Sally Kay this week on a CPD. Sally's trademark RLD (Reflexology Lymphatic Drainage) a problem specific reflexology treatment, which was initially researched and developed for women who had developed Lymphoedema after a breast cancer diagnosis.

I trained with Sally 7 years ago and from the beginning it was clear to me that this was a highly effective treatment. Sally has now trained thousands of therapists all around the world. Her data has been presented at the British Lymphoedema Societly, the British Cancer Society have linked her website with all the scientific data and case studies presented in her thesis to theirs.

In recent weeks Peter McKerrith (who leads a team of 30 + reflexologists/therapists at Christies Hospital in Manchester) invited Sally to train them in RLD protocol. Christie is the largest single site cancer centre in Europ3 and offers complementary therapies to all their patients.

I am also privileged to have trained with Peter in providing Reflexology support to people living with, or recovering from cancer.

Thank you to Cepta and Gina from IRI for a well run event and as always, thank you Sally for sharing your incredible knowledge with us. You change lives daily ❤️



02/02/2026

What have you been up to this Bank Holiday Monday?

Here I am totally panned out, unable to wake myself up after my reflexology treatment.

Full body relaxation with lots of focus on my hip following an injury. I'm fit for nothing now for the rest of the day.

Bliss



29/01/2026

Great segment with Chris Evans on Virgin Radio discussing the nervous system, specifically the parasympathetic system, your body’s “rest, digest, and repair” mode—the calming counterbalance to the fight-or-flight response (sympathetic nervous system that revs everything up).

This is the response that we can illicit during a Reflexology treatment and why regular sessions are so beneficial to your overall health and well-being.

WHAT IT DOES

When the parasympathetic system is active, it:

Slows your heart rate
Lowers blood pressure
Stimulates digestion (salivation, stomach acid, intestinal movement)
Promotes nutrient absorption
Constricts pupils (for close-up vision)
Supports immune function and tissue repair

WHEN ITS ACTIVE

You’re mostly in parasympathetic mode when:

You are receiving Reflexology
You’re relaxed or sleeping
Eating and digesting a meal
Breathing slowly and deeply
Feeling safe, calm, and socially connected

WHY IT MATTERS

A healthy parasympathetic system helps with:

Stress recovery
Good digestion
Emotional regulation
Heart health
Better sleep

Chronic stress can suppress it, which is why long-term stress often shows up as gut issues, poor sleep, or constant tension.

24/01/2026

The FEET are probably one of the most ignored and disliked parts of the body. Hidden away all day long in often ill fitting shoes that can damage them. We would never treat our hands this way, being squashed, pinched or rubbed.

The mechanics of feet are incredible and in Reflexology terms, the feet are a portal to your whole body, physically, mentally and emotionally. Ask anyone who receives regular treatments what it does for them and the answers will be wide and varied from better sleep, feeling less achy, less anxious, all system begin to run more effectively over time, it is something they really look forward to. I know I certainly do!

When you know, you know!

Isn't it time you tried it for your self?





Thank you to for creating these incredible reels. They are just amazing 👏

It doesn't look like much. All bent up and creased from being squashed into a pocket.I can you you the person who receiv...
22/01/2026

It doesn't look like much. All bent up and creased from being squashed into a pocket.

I can you you the person who received it as a Christmas Present had never tried or considered reflexology before. Infact they didn't know what it was.

The great bit is, they didn't need to know. They just had to show up for themselves and be present.

This lady described her treatment as "feeling like she was floating up in the sky on a big fluffy cloud".

She has booked herself in again.

Know that the gift you purchased was priceless. Not just for that first treatment but going forward they now have another tool, another method of looking after their health into the future. That's the real gift 🎁



14/01/2026

Reflexology during pregnancy can support physical comfort, emotional wellbeing, stress reduction, and labor preparedness, benefiting both the pregnant person and the unborn child.

Tag a friend or share the post about these amazing benefits.

Benefits for the Pregnant Person

1. Stress and Anxiety Reduction
Promotes deep relaxation by calming the nervous system
May lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels
Helps with emotional balance and sleep quality

2. Relief from Common Pregnancy Discomforts
Reflexology is commonly reported to help reduce:

Back, hip, and pelvic pain
Swelling in feet and ankles (edema)
Headaches and sinus pressure
Digestive issues (constipation, heartburn, nausea)

3. Improved Circulation and Lymphatic Flow
Encourages healthy blood flow to the legs and feet
May reduce water retention
Supports oxygen and nutrient delivery throughout the body

4. Hormonal and Nervous System Balance
May support regulation of pregnancy-related hormonal shifts
Encourages parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) response

Benefits for the Unborn Child

1. Indirect Stress Reduction

When the pregnant person is relaxed, the fetus is exposed to lower stress hormones
A calmer intrauterine environment supports healthy development

2. Improved Oxygen and Nutrient Delivery
Enhanced circulation may contribute to better placental blood flow

3. Strengthened Parent–Baby Bond
Reflexology sessions often deepen mindfulness and awareness of the baby
Encourages emotional connection and presence

Benefits for Labor and Delivery

1. Preparation of the Body for Birth
Regular relaxation may help reduce tension in the pelvis and surrounding muscles
Supports overall physical readiness for labor

2. Pain Management Support
Reflexology may stimulate endorphin release
Can be used as a natural coping technique during early labor

3. Reduced Labor Anxiety
Familiar relaxation techniques learned during pregnancy may carry into labor
Calm breathing and body awarene



12/01/2026

The hands, our incredible hands and more specifically, my own incredible hands have been the tools I have used for 25 years, powerful healing tools.

In Reflexology, specific points in the feet mirror the entire body, allowing gentle pressure to help release tension, rebalance energy, and support overall wellbeing.

By working these reflex points, the hands can encourage relaxation, improve circulation, and activate the body’s natural ability to restore harmony—anytime, anywhere.

The body is miraculous.





Full credit to for their incredible videos of the human body. Fascinating and highly educational.

09/01/2026

HOT WATER BOTTLE SAFETY AND PRECAUTIONS

With another cold snap upon us, there's nothing quite like a cozy hot water bottle! Its great comfort and relief for muscle aches and period type cramps and spasms.

Do check the date and age of the bottle as they have a limited safe life span. You should dispose of them after 2 years.

An episode of This Morning with Cat Deeley and Dermot O'Leary showed just how devastating a burn can be from a burst hot water bottle.

So take steps to enjoy the comfort without any risk.

Jackie



07/01/2026

I'll be in touch with you all shortly now that I have my diary. Thank you Tara ❤️ Lots of you have your set day and time so I'll pop those in. If new to my page or you've been thinking about making an appointment drop me a WhatsApp to 083 336 0433.

I deliberately did not get my diary last year as I wanted to stay present and not skip past the holidays thinking and planning what was coming in the New Year. Thats not always the case, however, it was how I was feeling so I went with it 😃.

Today is the first "proper " school day so things will begin to settle down. Weekly rehearsals for my choir
start back tonight too. Its a big one for us as we will be celebrating our 40th Anniversary . Our Spring Concert is Saturday 13th June so Save The Date as I know many of you enjoy our concerts 😍 and my daughter will have just about completed her Junior Cert so maybe I'll start with those big events in the diary first!

Finally, I want to wish you all health, peace and happiness in the days, weeks and months ahead. If I can help you along the way then please do get in touch.

Jackie
❤️



05/01/2026

I don't know why I do it to myself! It starts off innocently enough, a bit of sweeping and mopping, maybe moving the treatment couch to clean underneath, emptying a shelf to dust and then I get possessed and go on a mad cleaning and moving everything around rampage.

And then hours later....... this! and all whilst making a Sunday roast and picking up and dropping kids off at friends.

Do I regret starting? Yes. Will I be delighted when it's all done and feels like a whole new energetically charged healing Sanctuary? Yes!

So today Monday 5th January I have to take down the Christmas decorations AND put the treatment room back together.

I didn't think this through 🤣😃😄🤪



Address

Riverslade
Ballina
F26

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My personal story of why I became a therapist.....

Hello, my name is Jackie Mehigan. I am a qualified Reflexologist, Acupuncturist, including cupping and moxibustion, Massage Therapist and Reiki practitioner. I also qualified in Indian Head Massage, Hopi Ear Candling. I spent 6 weeks post Graduate training at the Shanghai 6th Teaching Hospital and Jiao Tong University of TCM, China in 2004. I was very fortunate to spend a week in the company of Dr Randine Lewis, Author of The Infertility Cure: The Ancient Chinese Wellness Programme for Getting Pregnant and Having Babies. Her ethos and approach to preparing the body to conceive and working towards being your best fertile self was enlightening back in 2006. Other notable influencers and training received was by Jane Lyttleton, Author of Treatment of Infertility with Chinese Medicine. She is now Director of the Paddington Medical Centre in Sydney, Australia and a number of eminent Dr’s of Chinese Medicine that I attended training with both here in Ireland and in the UK and whist in Shanghai.

I am a wife and mother to two beautiful young children. We, as a family moved to Ballina a couple of years ago. As is the case with most therapists, there is a story that lead them down the path of natural healing and I am no different. So like all good stories, we need to go back to the beginning......

Back in the late 90’s I was living and working in Dublin in what was a stressful job and various ailments let me to a GP visit. I got very little satisfaction and left feeling embarrassed that perhaps I was over complicating and overthinking my symptoms. I got on with life and work, however, the symptoms continued, got worse and more were to follow. Eventually, I made my way back to the GP surgery again. This time I was greeted by a different Doctor who listened, really listened and it was such an unburdening I felt instantly better that I wasn’t loosing my mind. She told me she had an idea what was causing my symptoms and would need to follow up with tests. So some weeks later following CAT scans, MRI’s and blood tests I got my diagnosis. I had a one and a half centimetre tumour on my pituitary gland. This little fella was pushing down on my optic nerve causing all my “stress” headaches. Humdingers that would have me out of action for days and as for my menstrual cycle and what it did to my emotions............ well don’t go there. So I was referred to an Endocrinologist and over the following months various drugs and quantities where tried and tested to reduced the size and pressure of my internal lodger, Macro prolactinoma, to give him his official title.

It was at one of these many appointments that I was told in quite the most casual of manners that my “chances” of conceiving were minimal if at all. Now, as a 30 year old single gal, this casual remark hit me like a juggernaut. I did not know what to do with this information, who to discuss it with or how could I work it out. I was single and where does that conversation fit in when you meet someone.