Scalp reflexology a type of bodywork that relieves compression in the bones of the head, sacrum (a triangular bone in the lower back), and spinal column.
Scalp reflexology is noninvasive. It uses gentle pressure on the head, neck, and back to relieve the stress and pain caused by compression. It can, as a result, help to treat a number of conditions.
It’s thought that through the gentle manipulation of the bones in the skull, spine, and pelvis, the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the central nervous system can be normalized. This removes “blockages” from the normal flow, which enhances the body’s ability to heal.
Scalp Reflexology Benefits and uses
Scalp reflexology is thought to relieve compression in the head, neck, and back. This can soothe pain and release both emotional and physical stress and tension. It’s also thought to help restore cranial mobility and ease or release restrictions of the head, neck, and nerves.
Scalp reflexology can be used for people of all ages. It may be part of your treatment for conditions like:
- migraines and headaches
- constipation
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- disturbed sleep cycles and insomnia
- scoliosis
- sinus infections
- neck pain
- fibromyalgia
- recurrent ear infections or colic in infants
- TMJ
- trauma recovery, including trauma from whiplash
- mood disorders like anxiety or depression
- difficult pregnancies
There’s plenty of anecdotal evidence that CST is an effective treatment, but more research is needed to scientifically determine this. There’s evidence that it can relieve stress and tension, though some research suggests that it may only be effective for infants, toddlers, and children
Scalp reflexology was introduced in 1978 in the context of acupuncture by Austrian physician Hans Zeitler. But acupuncture needles are not the only effective way to treat this area as reflexology massage provides an effective, non-invasive way to address a variety of disorders. In this system of reflexology basically, four areas can be treated, as follows:
- Stripe for body sensation: for tingling, pain, phantom sensation
- Stripe for muscle activity: for coordination and improvement in movement patterns
- Stripe for Parkinson’s disease: for movement and edema of the limbs
- Stripe for blood supply: circulation and lymphatic activity
The most common indication for the use of the scalp reflexology is following a stroke, particularly when the person’s ability to move is affected. By gently massaging the whole area of this reflexology system on the scalp we have observed pronounced improvements in people even up to two years after the event when medical guidelines say no further progress is possible.
Other applications of scalp reflexology are related to problems of blood supply. Here self-massage brings relief for people who suffer from cold hands or feet. Just a little massage at the blood supply zone on the scalp for one or two minutes facilitates warmth in the affected limbs. For pain in the hands as a result of chronic rheumatic diseases, we found that a soothing effect resulted from massaging the stripe associated with body sensation. Experience has shown that massaging the zone associated with Parkinson’s disease with a crystal wand made out of rock crystal is beneficial, though the best effects are generally achieved with medical acupuncture. Finally, a rather unusual application concerns musicians. Whether for singing or for finger runs regular massage of all the scalp zones brings an increase in musical skill and virtuosity.
While needle treatment requires the precision application to one or more of the stripes on the skull, such precision is not necessary for a scalp reflexology massage. In fact, it is even better to massage the area covering all four stripes. Be sure to adjust the intensity of the massage if there is any pain or discomfort in these areas.
The system illustrated below follows the coronal suture, the connective-tissue joint found between the frontal and the parietal bones of the skull. Through this system, we can influence all the possible movement activities of the body.
About two-fifths of the cranium is involved in muscular functions. These include the facial expressions, sound shaping, and food intake. About one-fifth is occupied by the gripping, tactile, and fine motor functions of the hands, and the rest of the musculoskeletal system has to share the remaining two-fifths.
The cerebral cortex fields for movement in the brain
Tactile sensitivity in the fingers and our proprioception (the inner feeling of how our joints, ligaments, and muscles are stretched), motor function, nervous excitation, and vascular control—all these impulses on one side of the body are governed by the opposite hemisphere of the brain. The same principle applies in this reflexology system.
For example, disorders of the right hand can be found on sensitive areas on the left side of the skull, and treatments of the zones of the shoulder on the right half of the scalp will have their effects on the left shoulder.