Massage Therapies
A work colleague keeps saying how wonderful reflexology has been for her. What is reflexology?
Reflexology is one of the massage therapies. Parts of the foot are reckoned to correspond to areas of the body; if any part of the foot is tender, it is massaged gently to release ‘toxins’ that are believed to be the cause. As a result, there is an improvement in general health or in the symptoms associated with that particular part of the body.
Reflexology seems to work for some people with different conditions. Should I try it for my headaches?
Reflexology is unlikely to cause you any harm and may be of some benefit. If you try two or three sessions, you will be able to see whether it makes any difference. Note, though, that any therapy you try is about breaking the headache cycle you are in and is not likely to prevent all your headaches for ever.
Is seeing a reflexologist likely to help my migraine?
Afoot massage is certainly a relaxing experience and any opportunity for a bit of ‘me time’ in a busy day or week will be able to push up your migraine threshold and reduce the chance of a migraine attack being triggered.
Several of my friends have found aromatherapy helpful in their busy lives. Can you tell me a bit about it?
Aromatherapy was first described in 1928 by a French chemist Gattefossé working in his family perfumery business. In 1964 Dr Jean Valnet published a paper in the journal Aromathérapie showing that he could successfully treat specific medical and psychiatric disorders using essential oils. (Essential oils in their natural form are much more effective than any synthetic substitute.)
Essential oils are absorbed through the skin when used in massage treatment. Different oils are absorbed at different rates and have three modes of action: on a pharmacological, a physiological and a psychological level.
If you know that certain smells or scents can trigger your migraine, be sure to mention it to the therapist, and remember to check that he or she is using unscented base oil.
Lots of people seem to like aromatherapy. Is it safe?
Massage is, in large part, safe. However, it should avoid on an area of skin that is damaged or burnt or on a limb if there has been a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). There is no evidence to suggest that cancer can be spread by massage but it is best to avoid treatment directly over the cancer site.
The essential oils in aromatherapy are used externally and in low concentration. Nevertheless, some should be avoided in certain medical or physiological conditions. This means that it is vital that any massage therapist is fully aware of any and all co-existing medical conditions.
Who can do aromatherapy or massage?
At present, anyone can be an aromatherapist – there is no statutory regulation of the therapy. However, many physiotherapists as well as specifically trained massage and aromatherapists can use aromatherapy and massage. A range of health-care professionals can also be trained in using these approaches to support patients. The Aromatherapy Consortium is working towards voluntary regulation of aromatherapy and already has developed training and competence standards for its members.
How would aromatherapy help me and my headaches?
Different oils have different effects. For example:
• Chamomile, bergamot, sandalwood, lavender and sweet marjoram have a sedative effect on the nervous system
• Jasmine, peppermint, basil, clove and ylang ylang have a stimulating effect on the nervous system
Oils can have an effect at a physiological level but another effect at a psychological level. Ylang ylang and jasmine can be nerve stimulants but have a soothing and relaxing effect as well.
What oils are recommended for headache symptoms?
These essential oils can be used for massage, as a compress and as a vapour to ease headache symptoms:
• Chamomile (German and Roman), lavender (spike and true) and mint (peppermint and spearmint) are probably more effective and tend to be more readily available
• Less commonly available, and possibly less effective, are citronella, cumin, eucalyptus (blue gum and peppermint), grapefruit, lemongrass, sweet marjoram, rose (cabbage and damask), rosemary, rosewood, sage (clary and Spanish), thyme and violet.
Are there any oils that are more effective for migraine than for ‘ordinary’ headache?
Essential oils suggested for migraine alone should be used as a compress; they include angelica, lemon balm, French basil, coriander, linden, clary sage, valerian and yarrow. Essential oils suggested for headache as well as migraine include chamomile, citronella, lavender, sweet marjoram and mint. The most effective, and possibly the most readily available, is true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia).
What can I expect from a massage session?
First, you will need to remove all your clothes, but will usually be given a towel to cover yourself with. You will be asked to lie on a couch in a warm room, often with soothing music being played.
The massage will often focus on parts of the body that feel sore or tender, using a range of techniques of gentle stroking, firm pressure, deep massage and light slaps or karate chops. Oil is used to aid the process of the massage and aromatherapy oils may be added. In the interests of practicality and speed there are times when just the hands or feet are rubbed or the neck or shoulder may be massaged through clothes.
I am thinking about trying aromatherapy. How can I find a reliable therapist?
The best source of information would be the British Complementary Medicine Association for example. It has developed training and competence standards, and has a panel that regularly reviews its members.
