Head Massage Benefits
5 benefits to reduce head pain, ease tension, and nourish the hair
Head massage benefits include easing tension, calming headaches, and relaxation of shoulders, upper arms, neck, scalp and face, but with the right combination of oils, it is also a wonderful treatment to promote healthy, nourished hair.
The great thing about scalp massage techniques is that the service can be performed anywhere and you don't need oil (although many therapists use it as a scalp treatment) or fancy products. You really only need a chair, and a table or desk for the client to rest their head.
Some Asian and Indian cultures believe that when the energy (or qi) does not flow properly through our head, negative energy builds up, causing common ailments, including stress, neck pain, and baldness or hair loss.
5 Head Massage Benefits
- Increased circulation - and therefore, brings more oxygen and nutrients to the scalp
- Decreased head pain - sustained, consistent pressure to trigger points at the base of the skull helps relieve headaches and migraine pain
- Nourish hair follicles - with castor oil , sesame oil, or almond oil, and a few drops of Rosemary essential oil, this is a great treatment to promote healthy hair growth
- Reduces Stress - helping to relax the body
- Reduces Anxiety - helping to relax the mind
Types of Head Massage and Benefits
- Indian (or Champissage), is a vigorous treatment and focuses on the blood circulation for head, shoulders, and neck. Although it can be deeper pressure, it should not be painful.You can read more about at Indian Scalp Massage or "Champissage" and the instructor, Susan Walsh, CMT, NCTMB, LCICI.
- Tibetan Scalp Massage is a very relaxing experience involving acupressure and the balancing of energy pathways. It is often a slow, detailed treatment.Shirodhara
- Ayurvedic - This is a very relaxing head massage treatment that involves pouring a tiny stream of warm, herbal oil over the third eye (forehead) for 30 to 45 minutes, followed by a few minutes of head and face massage.You can read more about types of Ayurvedic Massage and watch a video about Shirodhara here.
Because these traditional massage techniques use a generous amount of oil for the massage, you may want to plan on a trip home for a shampoo before venturing out in public. It's well worth it!
This therapy is a wonderful, natural way to relieve common aches and pains that most of us experience throughout our entire lives.
Natural Products for Head Massage Treatments
Sesame oil - used in many cultures to nourish the hair and provide relaxing massage
Apple Cider Vinegar - known for centuries as one of the most natural ways to provide cleansing to dry, dull hair - brings back healthy, shiny hair
Castor Oil - also know for it's ability to nourish hair follicles and rejuvenate lifeless hair
Warm Coconut Oil - known in many cultures as the oil to use for adding moisture to overworked hair
Head Massage Benefits for Common Pains
Marble facial stones are sometimes used in massaging the head, usually on the face, forehead, and scalp. You can also use them to reduce pain and inflammation in the jaw area for TMJ.
This DVD, Head, Neck & Shoulder Massage with Sherry Galloway teaches simple routines for head and neck massage, providing easy to understand tips for releasing large muscles groups around the shoulders as well as muscles of the head and neck.This is a short massage video clip from this DVD:
Other Resources
Read more about the benefits of scalp massage at LiveStrong.
As with any type of massage therapy, you should learn to identify appropriate massage techniques if you are experiencing headaches and neck pain -head massage and neck massage are great solutions.
More serious conditions could be responsible for the pain, and a therapist should know signs and symptoms of those issues before any type of massage is given.
Head massage benefits many different types of illness and pain, but it is the intense relaxation and healthy hair follicle nourishment, that many consider to be the most wonderful benefit.
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