One of the most common uses for reflexology is for stress relief.  In our fast paced society today, everyone is looking for a way to unload the stress of everyday life and for good reason.  Stress is a silent killer.  The effects of stress have been studied for quite some time and it is known that if you do not release stress from your body on a regular basis, it will eventually wreak havoc on your body in the form of one of many different sicknesses or diseases.  Furthermore, stress can definitely be a factor in migraine headache development.  Relieving stress is an important step in becoming well.

Although reflexologists cannot diagnose or claim to cure a sickness or disease, the results speak for themselves, making it one of the most sought after treatments today.  Many celebrities have regular reflexology sessions.  Not only is it beneficial as a tool for relaxation and stress management, but it is also an effective tool for improving circulation; relieving pain, and as an immune and nervous system stimulator.  Many people suffering from migraines have benefited from reflexology.

To learn more about reflexology, this website considers itself the “most popular reflexology site for foot and hand reflexology information on the Internet”. The site is impressive with some well known reflexologists presenting a good selection of reflexology charts, books, newsletters and research that is useful to therapists and patients alike.

If you plan to use a professional reflexologist, always check that they are fully registerd. Here is an information website provided by the Association of Reflexologists. It provides the latest information, useful links and contacts to the general public while a separate category has been made available especially for those that are trying to qualify as a therapist.

In fact you probably DID know that, or at least instinctively feel it.

Well, in the article on the website above you can read how the hormones play havoc with us ladies.

You can also discover some ways to cope.

Don’t forgot, those of you who haven’t already bought it, my ebook “A Complementary Approach to Migraine” will cover a wealth of drug-free ways to prevent your next migraine.

I’ve spent some time browsing and am really impressed with their content.

Here’s just one (of many) posts I found particularly interesting. It focuses on nutrients missing from your diet. Do spend some time browsing – you’re sure to find something of interest! Please comment here on what you liked most.

Having recently enjoyed an Indian Head Massage, using a Christmas gift voucher from my son, I asked holistic therapist, Pauline McKittrick, from Really Good Life, for her thoughts on how Indian Head Massage could help migraine sufferers. Read her comments below. (And as a personal aside, I can vouch for the fact that my massage was an absolutely blissful experience!!)

Here’s Pauline, on “Indian Head Massage”:

Pauline McKittrick, Holistic Therapist. Really Good Life, Formby, Liverpool (UK)

I wanted to comment on how one of the therapies I regularly use with clients (Indian head massage) can support the prevention of migraines.

The Hindi word for head massage is champi or champisage, which is where the word “shampoo” comes from.

Families and barbers in India routinely used champi for over 4,000 years. The massage works on arms, shoulders, upper back, neck, scalp, eyes, ears and face and typically lasts between 20-45 minutes. A good therapist will tailor it to the client’s preference.

Clients are left with a sense of utter well-being, with tensions in the upper body, neck and head alleviated and a clear, calm frame of mind.

For migraine sufferers the main benefits are in the prevention of migraine attacks.

There is often a correlation between migraine attacks occurring and tension in the upper body, stress and anxiety, reduced blood flow to the brain, and disturbed sleep – all of which can be alleviated by Indian head massage.

Clinical trials on patients suffering with migraine showed an increase in serotonin levels following massage.  Serotonin is a neurotransmitter found in the brain that is important in reducing pain. It could be deduced that a relaxing massage can therefore help reduce migraine frequency and levels of pain.

Tension often reduces blood flow to the brain, which can cause neck muscles to tighten. Massage combats this, promoting blood flow and relaxing the neck. Massage also releases natural endorphins that reduce pain and promote a feel-good factor. The pulse is also lowered and breathing slows during massage, calming the body and mind.

I would not advise attempting to alleviate symptoms with Indian head massage during a migraine attack to  as the massage can be too deep.

Perhaps some gentle self massage may feel beneficial instead – using acupressure with thumbs gently in the hollows between the neck muscles below the base of the skull. Or try gently leaning your head back, breathing deeply while pressing between your thumb and forefinger with the thumb and index finger of your opposite hand for one minute, and repeat with the other hand.

Drinking lots of water is important after massage treatments, and also avoid tea and coffee for the rest of the day. This is often a trigger for migraine sufferers anyway.

Migraine prevention is, of course, better than cure. Massage isn’t capable of curing a serious illness like migraine – but it can provide welcome relief from the symptoms of anxiety, tension, depression, sleep problems and stress, as well as back pain, headache, muscle pain and some forms of chronic pain.

If, on reflection, you are feeling routinely stressed and think that this may be triggering your migraine attacks perhaps it would be helpful for you to find out more about stress management techniques or stress coaching, in order to change the situation that’s causing the stress in the long-term.

I hope this information is useful and if you try an Indian head massage, or some of my self-help tips, it will help promote your well-being and reduce the occurrence or severity of your migraines.

Please contact Pauline with any comments or questions.

Two large reviews of studies have found that people having acupuncture for at least eight weeks had fewer headaches than those who only treated themselves with painkillers when the headaches developed.

Should you decide to try acupuncture, be sure to find a qualified and registered practitioner. Your health professional should be your first port of call. We’d love to read of your results in comments to this blog.

Interestingly, sham acupuncture was as effective as real acupuncture at preventing migraines, and nearly as effective at preventing tension-type headaches. Sham acupuncture is where needles are inserted incorrectly.

The reviews were done by researchers in Germany, Italy, the US and the UK.

You can read the full article here.

Source: The Guardian (UK) Wednesday 21 January 2009

For more drug-free ways to treat or prevent migraine subscribe to a free mini-course at: StopTheMigraineMadness.com.

I’d very much like anyone who tries, or has tried, anything I post about, to add their comments.

Here’s a new, and very unusual, therapy I read about the other day. Oil Pulling. A business colleague was very enthusiastic in telling me it had worked for his long-term migraines, and provided significant other health and well-being benefits too.

It’s always good to learn of something new that others have found helpful, so head on over to the Oil Pulling website, to learn more.

A quick Google of Oil Pulling found lots more information and, without going through it all I only found one “debunking” article. (Plus a warning NOT to gargle with it.)

As with much of complementary therapy, what works for one person will not work for another – so this could be something that will help your migraines – or other health conditions. Not something I’ve tried myself, but if YOU try it, please add your comment.