Reflexology is type of therapeutic massage treatment focusing on the feet and, to a lesser extent, the hands. A reflexologist will apply direct pressure to specific points on the sole of the foot, with each point purportedly linked to various organs and systems throughout the body. When treating a patient suffering from a severe headache, a reflexologist will typically massage those areas of the foot associated with head pain.
Reflexology Explained
Reflexology is predicated on the theory that the body’s immune system has an innate ability to heal itself of all manner of illnesses. Sickness is caused when the free-flowing path of energy throughout the body is blocked, thus inhibiting this healing ability. According to the University of New Hampshire Health Services, applying pressure to reflexology points on the foot will release the energy blockage that’s affecting the corresponding part of the body. In addition, some reflexologists claim to be able to diagnose a patient’s medical condition simply by examining his feet.
Headaches
The Pacific Institute of Reflexology references a blind random trial undertaken at the Institut fur Pflegeforschung in Bern, Germany, that examined the effect stimulating reflexology points had on subjects’ headaches. The study, published in a 1994 issue of the German medical journal “Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift,” ultimately concluded that reflexology was just as effective in treating headaches as Flunarizin, a preventative medication, and recommended reflexology as an “alternative non-pharmacological therapeutic technique” for patients suffering from headaches who may have experience side effects associated with pain medication.
Survey
A study published in the September 2001 issue of “Complementary Therapies in Medicine” surveyed 223 professional organizations that provided complementary and alternative medicine to patients to find out which therapies are best suited to particular conditions. When the results were tabulated, the researchers found reflexology was one of 12 therapies surveyed that was deemed effective at treating seven specific health conditions, one of which was migraines/headaches.
Therapeutic Benefits
A Danish study published in the May 1999 issue of “Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine,” examined 220 patients with migraines or tension headaches who sought relief via reflexology treatment. After a three-month follow-up, 81 percent of patients claimed that reflexology either helped their headaches or cured them entirely. But in their conclusions, the researchers noted additional studies were necessary “to determine the proximate cause of reflexology's therapeutic benefits.”
References
- Pacific Insistute of Reflexology: Research Studies Evaluating the Effectiveness of Reflexology for Headaches and Pain Conditions
- Reflexology Association of America
- University of New Hampshire Health Services: Reflexology
- “Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenshrift"; Foot Reflex Zone Massage; A. Kesselring; 1994
- "Complementary Therapies in Medicine"; Which Complementary and Alternative Therapies Benefit Which Conditions? A Survey of the Opinions of 223 Professional Organizations; L. Long, et al.; September 2001
- "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine"; An Exploratory Study of Reflexological Treatment for Headache; L. Launso, et al.; May 1999
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