Headaches and Migraines
Study 1-
This widescale study was commissioned in Denmark since there were 729,000 lost workdays in 1994 from migraines.
The results showed that 19% of headache sufferers stopped taking medication following reflexology work. They found that reflexology treatments had a beneficial effect on patients suffering from migraine and tension headaches. The study was conducted at the Department of Social Pharmacy, The Royal Danish School of Pharmacy in co-operation with 5 reflexology associations. 220 patients participated.
The majority had moderate to severe symptoms: 90% had taken prescribed medication for their headaches one month prior to the study (81% was acetvlsalicyclic acid and paracetamol taken twice a week, with 72% of stronger medication taken fortnightly); with 36% experiencing side effects from the medicines. 34% had taken medication for other non-headache ailments.
3 months after completing the reflexology treatments, the results were:
- 16% had been cured
- 65% had reduced symptoms
- 19% reported that they had been able to stop all medication taken before the study.
Those participants who continued with reflexology sessions after the six-month period reported the greatest probability for cure. Those who had headaches for the shortest period prior to the study reported the greatest relief after the study.
One thing the researchers noticed that may have affected the study was that once receiving reflexology, many of the participants seemed to make lifestyle changes that reflected how they looked at their headaches. Prior to receiving reflexology, patients looked at their headaches as something separate from themselves over which they had no control. After working with a reflexologist, they seemed to understand the mind-body connection to their headache and how it could be controlled through the integration of the mind and body. It appeared that the reflexology practitioner became a catalyst for initiating the learning process and inspiring personal development in the patient.
(Brendstrup, Eva and Launs¯, Laila, "Headache and Reflexological Treatment," The Council Concerning Alternative Treatment, The National Board of Health , Denmark , 1997)
Study 2-
Reflexology was found to be as effective in the treatment of headaches as medication (flunarizine), without its side-effects.
It was concluded that the reflexology treatment may be classified as an alternative non-pharmacological therapeutic treatment that would be particularly appropriate to those patients that were unable to follow pharmacological treatment.
In a blind random trial, (Lafuente) examined 32 patients between the ages of 15 and 57 (25 women and 7 men). One group had reflexology treatments twice a week for 2-3 months. The other received Flunarizine (a selective calcium entry blocker with calmodulin binding properties and histamine blocking activity that has been effective in preventing migraines) and massage of a non-specific area twice a week for 12 sessions. Patients were evaluated at the end of the study and again 3 months after the study.
(Lafuente A et al (1990). Effekt der Reflex zonenbehandlung am FuB bezuglich der prophylaktischen Behandlung mit Flunarizin bei an Cephalea-Kopfschmerzen leidenden Patieten.Erfahrungsheilkunde. 39, 713-715.)
Study 3-
A Chinese study of 26 patients, 9 men and 17 women, from 19 to 43 years of age showed that after one session of foot reflexology, 13 of the participants considered themselves symptom free, and 1 reported symptoms relieved. After two sessions, 6 considered themselves to be cured and 1 reported to be symptom free. After three sessions, 2 participants said they were cured and 3 stated their symptoms were unchanged. The conclusion of this study was that reflexology is a safe, economic therapy.