Reflexology for Migraines
Whilst reflexology does not claim to diagnose, treat or cure a disorder,
it is thought that some disorders, such as these, have been shown
(through mainly anecdotal evidence due to limited investment in
scientific research) to respond well to reflexology.
Disorder of the nervous system is the most common reasons for seeking medical help. Migraines are one of the main nervous system disorders.
Nervous System
The nervous system is an internal communication system, relaying
signals with short electrical impulses. The central nervous system
is composed of the brain and the spinal cord. The peripheral nervous
system extends to all other parts of the body and provides somatic
nerves to skeletal muscles and autonomic nerves to internal organs
and glands. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) has two branches,
the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) which governs the stimulating
and excitatory responses, and the parasympathetic nervous system
(PSN) which is responsible for storage, calming and restorative
functions. The overall function is to detect changes in the body’s
internal and external environment and to operate a response. It
works together with the endocrine / glandular system to control
all body functions and maintain homeostasis.
Therapeutic effects of reflexology on the nervous system
• The feet have 1000’s of nerve endings and specialised touch and
compression techniques used in reflexology stimulate them, sending
nerve impulses through the open neural pathways.
• Nervous system responses can be very rapid with consequently swift
responses in the vital organs and other body structures.
• Stimulation of the ANS activates the endocrine / glandular system
and a cascade of hormonal responses may result.
• Treatment of the nervous system improves the ability of the organs
and structures whose function has become diseased or depressed,
to respond positively to therapeutic intervention – all organs are
supplied by nerves, the nerves are stimulated, organs return to
normal function.
• Relaxation induced by reflexology helps balance the ANS, restoring
harmony to its sympathetic and parasympathetic branches.
• Break down of deposits in the feet and the stimulation of reflexology
decongests energy pathways allowing the nervous system to work optimally
(as it does for all systems).
What are Migraines?
For most people migraine is a great deal more than just a headache.
It can be a debilitating condition which has a huge impact on the
quality of life of sufferers and their families.
If you have two or more of the following symptoms during an attack it is probable that you are suffering from migraine.
*Visual disturbances including blind spots, distorted vision, flashing lights or zig zag patterns. These symptoms, often called an aura are most often identified with migraine but in fact only about 10% of sufferers experience them. Migraine with aura is often called classical migraine.
*Intense throbbing headache, often on one side of the head only.
*Nausea and/or vomiting and/or diarrhoea.
*Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia)
*Increased sensitivity to sounds (phonophobia)
*Increased sensitivity to smells (osmophobia)
You may also experience stiffness of the neck and shoulders, tingling or stiffness in the limbs, an inability to concentrate, difficulty in speaking, or in very rare cases paralysis or loss of consciousness.
A general rule of thumb is that if a headache and/or other associated symptoms prevent you from continuing with normal daily activities it could be a migraine.
Migraine attacks normally last between 3 and 72 hours and sufferers
are usually quite well between attacks.