What would happen if the incidence and intensity of headaches and migraines could be lessened? Statistics reveal that 19% of the adult population suffer from headaches including 10% who suffer from migraines.

In Denmark, a 1986 study revealed that 17% of the population take on average more than 15 sick days a year because of headaches, costing that country $US300  million per year!

I have been researching our extensive case study files. We now have 16 relating to headaches and migraines – 16 x 3 = 48 clients who have received 10 reflexology sessions each and whose headaches have been charted for intensity and frequency over that period of time. An analysis shows that about 78% of the reflexology recipients responded positively with either total ‘cure’ or a significant reduction in symptoms. I see from my files that this result is consistent with that of Danish reflexologists in their Health Ministry funded study of 220 headache and migraine sufferers.

Armed with this knowledge we should be able to:

a) attract a large proportion of the community to our practices and

b) have a significant positive impact on society as a whole.

How to get the best results.

These are just the main points – I could probably do a whole workshop on this!

• Take a very thorough case history with as much detail about the headaches (frequency, intensity, triggers etc) as you can get – for later comparison.
• Make sure that you understand the various causes and triggers of each headache type.
• Ask the client to keep a headache diary.
• Initial sessions must be regular – 1 or 2 per week.
• Include ear reflexology – there are some really effective ear points.
• Give selected points for homework on the hands, ears and/or feet.
• It is vital to work the lateral side of the big toe well; also remember to use the Chinese Reflexology neck technique.
• Encourage your client to make the necessary lifestyle and attitudinal changes – the headache diary is really illuminating in this regard.
• Check ear points to corroborate your findings. Also remember to check the allergy point – food sensitivities are a common cause of migraines.
• The area of the head feeling the most pain during a headache, your case notes and the pattern of reflex sensitivity will indicate strongly which meridian is most out of balance; the treatment plan can then reflect this information.
• There are many emotional causes of headaches; some of these could be addressed with EFT and/or flower essences, journaling exercises and by lending clients books such as ‘Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff’, a pertinent read for those incessant worriers, for example. Louise Hay says that headaches relate to self-invalidation and migraines to perfectionism/putting pressure on ourselves.
• Useful crystals include: Hematite – alignment of the neck, Sugalite – great for headaches, also relevant as it eliminates hostility, helps us forgive ourselves and gives the wearer a feeling of being free; Pietersite – stimulates the pituitary to regulate the other endocrine glands. Crystals can be used directly on the reflex points and tend to get ‘stuck’ on a reflex where they are needed.

I hope you have found this review useful. Remember the headache diary. It may seem pedantic to keep one, but this is what one client had to say:

‘In keeping the diary I have learnt more about what has been causing these headaches than any doctor has ever been able to tell me. As a result of this, I am now able to pinpoint when they will possibly occur and do something about it before I am gripped in pain’.