Monday 9 April 2012

Getting Rid of Migraine Headaches With Reflexology

In one year, it is estimated that 90% of the population get at least one headache, and about 18% of the population will suffer from a migraine headache at some point in their life - that means that 1,231,291,260 people or over 1.25 billion worldwide know what it is like to experience a migraine.
The World Health Organization has estimated that in 2003 over three hundred million people worldwide were migraineurs. They even suggested a year later that there could be more than 20 million people suffering from migraine attacks every single day.
Approximately 13% of US population are migraine sufferers who lose their work time and are unable to perform at their best due to these migraine headaches which may be really painful and unbearable.
Many migraine cases relate to intolerance of food. It is usual for attacks to start in the morning and last, in their acute stage, between 3 and 24 hours. Symptoms can be quite varied pulsating pain, loss of appetite, sensitivity to light, pain localized to one side of head (hemicranial), vomiting, numbness, tingling, weakness, facial pain (trigeminal neuralgia), sweating, chills and sometimes spasmodic abdominal pains. Migraine is a neurological and chronic disorder characterized by nausea, eye pain, neck strain, back pain & headaches that may last from 2 to 72 hours.
Even after the migraine episode has subsided, there are usually migraine 'leftovers' which can leave you not feeling your best for quite a while.
Reflexology is a safe and effective drugless therapy for migraineurs.
What is Reflexology?
Reflexology is the practice of applying alternating pressure techniques to different areas of the body, most usually feet and hands, that corresponds to certain body parts, organs and glands. By stimulating nerves in various areas of the feet or hands, blood flow can be stimulated, stress can be lowered and toxins can be eliminated in the corresponding body systems. Using this method many forms of disease and ill health can be relieved.
Is there any research to back up these claims? Yes!
One such study was set to determine the effectiveness of Reflexology for Migraine and Tension Headaches. A doctor examined the two hundred and twenty patients selected for the study, and determined that headaches were their primary problem. Having established this as a base line the study progressed. Reflexology sessions were given over a three month period, and patients were required to complete questionnaires before and after the treatment session.
The results - were that 16% no longer had any form of headaches, 65% reported that Reflexology had helped to reduce the symptoms, and only 18% reported no changed. The conclusion of the study was that Reflexology was able to totally relieve or help tension and migraine headaches in a substantial number of study participants.
What reflexology does first and foremost is reduce the negative results of stress. It is said that 80% all diseases are stress related. When someone enjoys a reflexology session, the body experiences a release of muscle tension, and allows relaxation to spread throughout the body. Reflexology also helps the body to release endorphins, which are the body's natural pain killers. Reflexology session gives deep relaxation, which in turn allows stress to leave the body, which results in less dis-ease in the body.
Reflexology improves circulation, and cleans out toxins and impurities from our bodies more efficiently. Organs involved in elimination are our kidneys and skin, and reflexology helps them work more efficiently. When the body's systems are more in balance, it results in revitalised energy, and such the immune system works better.
Two techniques you might want to try to ease discomfort and stress associated with migraine headaches might be:
Foot Reflexology - Gentle squeezing of the toes and fingertips from one joint to another (for 1 -2 minutes, for 10 times) stimulates reflexes for release of endorphins which provides relief from migraine pain caused due to changes in blood flow in vessels of head. Pressing on padded portion of foot i.e. below 2nd & 3rd toes provide relief from migraine eye pain.
If the feet are not available, try Hand Reflexology - Gently squeezing fingertips and thumb for 10 to 30 seconds at a time provides non-invasive and quick relief. Kneading the top and bottom of thumb and fingertips to the middle knuckle releases facial tension. Squeezing on webbed portion of palm i.e. between index and middle finger alleviates eye pain or visual discomfort due to migraine.
Extra Tip - Drinking a glass of water after a session will help to ease the healing process and rid the body of any buildup of toxins released by the working the reflex points.
Reflexology is gentle and non-invasive. Anyone can have reflexology - there are no age barriers. In fact older people can benefit greatly from it.
If you suffer from Migraines Headaches, why not give Reflexology a try - you have nothing to lose except your headache.

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