A head massage feels fabulous. In addition to the sensory pleasure it offers, a head massage may ease symptoms of a headache, reduce stress, and possibly boost hair growth, too. And the best part? You can learn how to do one at home.
Cranial-sacral massage therapy is a gentle massage technique that focuses on the central nervous system of the head, spinal column, and sacrum. This type of head massage is often used to:
release tension
ease migraine and headache pain
reduce stress
promote relaxation
It is worth noting that even with less specialized massages, like the type you do at home, may help reduce stress and tension, condition the scalp, and improve blood circulation in your head and neck area.
Here are a few other benefits of a head massage.
1) Promotes hair growth
If your hair is thinning or not as thick as it used to be, you may want to consider a scalp massage. In a small 2016 study, the participants experienced an increase in hair thickness after 24 weeks of daily scalp massages.
2) Lowers blood pressure
It is no doubt that a scalp massage can help ease the stresses of the day and promote feelings of relaxation. A 2016 studyTrusted Source also found that both 15- and 25-minute scalp massages could decrease systolic and diastolic blood pressure in female participants.
The authors of the study believe this may be because a head massage can help promote blood circulation, which has a positive effect on the relaxation of blood vessels and neck muscles.
3) Reduces tension headache symptoms
A tension headache commonly causes pain in your head and neck and behind your eyes. Muscle contractions often trigger these types of headaches.
The American Massage Therapy Association reports that a scalp massage may help reduce the intensity, duration, and frequency of tension headaches. This may be due to the relaxing effect a head massage has on the muscles in your neck.
How to do a head massage?
The beauty of a head massage is that you can do it yourself. All you need are your fingertips. Massage oil is optional. If you prefer, you can use a scalp massaging tool instead of your fingertips. These tools come in the form of brushes or handheld rubber massagers. You can work the massaging tool all over your scalp in the same way you’d use your fingertips.
To give yourself a head massage, follow these steps:
Sit down in a comfortable chair. If you’re using oil, make sure to put a towel around your neck and on the chair to catch any drips.
Begin by applying light to medium pressure on your head with your fingertips or massage tool. If you’re using oils, dip your fingertips in the oil, then proceed with the massage.
Move around your scalp in small circular motions.
Massage for a minimum of 5 minutes, making sure to cover your entire head.
You can wash the oil out with shampoo.
Scalp massages are also a good way to connect with your partner. Try giving each other an at-home head massage with these tips:
Have your partner lie down or sit in a comfortable chair. If you’re using essential oils, start with a small amount. Dip your fingertips in the oil.
Focus on delivering slow, gentle strokes on your partner’s head and work up to light circular motions that go across their head.
Use your thumbs to gently massage their neck as well.
Can it help with hair growth?
According to a small 2016 studyTrusted Source, researchers concluded that regular scalp massages may lead to thicker hair. This study involved nine men who received a 4-minute scalp massage each day for 24 weeks. At the end of the study, it was found that the men had thicker hair than at the start.
Additional research from 2019 supported these findings. This study was based on survey responses from 340 participants who had followed specific instructions by doing twice-daily scalp massages to improve hair loss.
According to the self-reported findings, approximately 69 percent of participants reported that their alopecia had improved.
The benefits of a scalp massage for hair growth centers on the hair follicles. Each hair on your head starts its life within a follicle, located just beneath the skin on your scalp. According to research, scalp massage increases hair thickness by stretching the cells of hair follicles. This, in turn, stimulates the follicles to produce thicker hair. It’s also thought that a scalp massage may help dilate blood vessels beneath the skin, thereby encouraging hair growth. Although the research is limited, what’s known so far does show some promise regarding scalp massages and hair growth.
Regular head massages can help relief stress and helps with hair growth.
Tags: #headache, #massage, #hairlossremedy, #hairgrowth, #reliefstress
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