Headache is very common in people’s life, for some on a daily basis. Even children can suffer from it. Headache will happen due to a chemical activity in the brain. Nerves and blood vessels surrounding the skull or the muscles that function the neck and head play an important role in getting headaches.
Headaches, migraines can be triggered by many things in our environment. These include vibrant, bright lights, loud sounds, strong smells such as perfume, paint, glue, chemicals in general or even sleeping problems. Weather or sudden temperature changes or wind can also cause headaches. We also know about food allergies such as chocolate, fried food resulting in a chronic headache. This is when a cleansing diet is recommended. In my work, many of my clients complained about headaches and therefore I thought this would make a good read here.
Furthermore, headaches can come from nervous tension due to poor digestion/constipation, poor or congested lymph circulation, menstrual imbalance women experience or jaw, neck, or spinal tension. Migraine is a type of headache triggered by liver congestion or eye strain. Nevertheless, headaches can occur in people who carry genes that are more likely to develop headaches.
Reflexes in the feet and hand are specific areas that relate to certain human body parts. So, when we reflexologists work on those reflexes, it will correspond to that body part we focus on, regard to feet map above. Very importantly, reflexes are in the tissue, not on the skin and they are not acupuncture/acupressure points.
Both feet and hand are producing reflexive action in the body but the feet being further from the heart contains more deposits than the hands. The neck’s role is a gateway between the body and the head. Therefore, using reflexology techniques working on the head and neck reflexes will relax muscle tension in those areas. This will help a better blood flow, nerve supply, lymph, bioelectrical energy and the movement of other benefiting fluids in the body.
Each individual client will have different factors that contribute to the development of a headache in their lives such as repetitive jobs, the way they sit all day at work. Usually, the source of headaches is muscular tension, thus it is crucial to examine muscular systems’ reflexes related to the client’s unique circumstances.
Like myself, a trained reflexologist understands the anatomy of the head, the shoulders and the neck and can locate any muscle reflexes in the feet or the hand. Massaging those points feels like rubbing crystals in the reflexes. Jesus Manzanes (MD) found via biopsies of the feet that, the organic tissue characteristics of deposits including connective tissue, nerve fibers and vascular elements, which are palpable for consistency, size, sensitivity and mobility.
Reflexes for the structure of the head – cranial bones, brain, sinuses, nerves, facial features etc. – are found on both sides of the toes. When reflexologists work through these areas, congestions of deposits and fluids lessen.
Headache relief
With the help of the reflexology map of muscular system reflexes (above and below), you can see that most muscles of the neck and head are connected to the clavicle. The head reflex is allocated in the great toe and all toes (all surfaces). The neck reflex is found in the shaft of all toes (all surfaces). And other muscular reflexes for the neck are located deep in the webbing of each forefoot. Working on all toes and forefoot areas simultaneously affects the nerves, the cardiovascular and lymphatic systems and their reflexes which produces a therapeutic change in the body.
For instance, if there was a head injury, a concussion to the head or an even more severe damage to the head after an accident, a stroke, or a surgery, the head cannot be touched. The tissue in the head and the neck might be inflamed, painful or about to recover. Reflexology provides a safe and an effective technique to ease discomfort and support the healing process without touching the affected area. A professional reflexologist can evaluate and lessen or even release tension within minutes on the areas of the body where excess fluids, deposits or congestion needs to be dissipated. This includes areas that contribute to muscle tension and headaches.
I didn't want this to be a long read so please find the second part on what reflexology methods are used to release head and neck pains, in next week's blog.
Until then, you know where to find me if you have any questions :) klara.reflexology@gmail.com
Best wishes
Klara
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Sources
Reflexology and headaches, Paula S. Stone, July/August 2011, Massage and bodywork PDF
The Reflexology Handbook, Laura Norman & Thomas Cowan, 1988
Reflexology: A Practical Approach, Vicki Pitman & Kay MacKenzie, 1997
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