Head massage gives fantastic sensations. In addition to the sensory satisfaction it uses, head massage can relieve migraine symptoms, reduce tension, and boost hair growth.
You can learn how to make a massage at home. Or you can go to a massage specialist if you need a professional head massage.
Read on more to learn more about the benefits of head massage, how to do it yourself, and what to expect when you see a head massage specialist.
Benefits of a head massage.
The advantages depend on the type of head massage you receive.
For example, craniosacral massage. This gentle massage method concentrates on the head, spine, and sacrum’s central nervous system (CNS).
Such kind of head massage is commonly used to:
- relieve pressure
- relieve migraine
- relaxation
Right here are a couple of other advantages of a head massage.
Promotes hair growth
Consider a scalp massage if your hair is thinning or not as thick as it used to be.
In a small 2016 research, participants experienced an increase in hair thickness after twenty-four weeks of daily scalp massage.
Decreases high blood pressure
It’s no secret that a head massage can help relieve daytime stress and induce relaxation.
A 2016 study also found that 15-minute and 25-minute head massages can reduce a person’s systolic and diastolic high blood pressure.
The study’s authors believe this may be because head massage can increase blood flow, positively affecting the relaxation of blood vessels and neck muscles.
Reduces headache symptoms
A tension disorder often causes head, neck, and eye pain. Muscle contractions often cause such headaches.
The American Massage Therapy Association reports that head massage can help lessen stress disorders’ intensity, duration, and regularity. This may be due to the relaxing effect of head massage on the muscle mass of the neck.
How to do a head massage
The beauty of head massage is that you can do it yourself. All you need is your fingertips — massage oil is optional.
You can use a scalp rubbing device instead of your fingertips if you wish. These devices are available as brushes or handheld rubber massagers. You can use the scalp rubbing device in the same way as you would with your fingertips.
To do your head massage, follow these steps:
- Relax in a comfortable chair. If you are using oil, be sure to drape a towel around your neck and over a chair, so you don’t get oil on it.
- Start by gently massaging your head with your fingertips or a massage tool. If you are using oils, dip your fingertips into the oil and then massage.
- Go over your scalp in tiny circular motions.
- Massage for at least 5 minutes, covering the entire head.
- The oil can be washed off with shampoo.
Head massage is also a great way to connect with your partner. Try offering each other a home head massage with these tips:
- Let your partner rest or sit in a comfortable chair.
- Dip your fingertips into the oil.
- Concentrate on slow, gentle strokes on your partner’s head and move on to gentle circular motions that go all over the head.
- Use your thumbs to massage the neck gently.
What are the best oils to use for scalp massage?
While you can massage your scalp without oil, you may enjoy the aroma and advantages of using essential oils.
Whilst you can use any oil of your selection, some essential oils work much better with this relaxing massage.
We like to use essential oils whenever possible. Two of our favorite essential oils for scalp massage are lavender oil and peppermint oil. However, you can also opt for coconut oil if you prefer.
If you want to use oil for scalp massage, jojoba oil or sweet almond oil are excellent choices, as they won’t clog pores.
The caution with oils is to ensure water down the oil before using it on your skin. To avoid irritability, mix a few drops of essential oil with oils such as coconut or jojoba oil before applying it to your head.
Before using essential oils on large areas of skin, it’s also important to do some research to see exactly how your skin reacts. The following shows how to do this:
- Cleanse your forearm with a light, unscented soap, then dry.
- Apply a few drops of watered essential oil to a tiny patch of skin on your forearm.
- Cover the area with a bandage and leave it completely dry for 24 hours.
- If you feel any signs of an allergic reaction, such as pimples, irritation, or pain, discard the bandage right away and wash the area with soap and water. Stop using oil.
- If you don’t experience irritation within 24 hours, the oil is most likely safe to use.
- If pregnant or breastfeeding, you should consult the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA) guidelines for pregnant women to avoid using oils that can cause problems.
What to Expect from a Head Massage Specialist
Doing a head massage on your own is simple and very budgetary. But in some cases, you may want to entrust the job to a professional.
If you’d like to have a professional scalp massage, there are a few things you need to know before making an appointment.
When looking for a cranial-sacral massage specialist, you can look forward to a very soothing and relaxing massage. The massage therapist will focus on light strokes of the entire head and neck throughout the session.
Specialists can be used to carefully correct the bones of the skull and spine to stabilize the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the central nervous system.
With a more regular flow, this fluid will help boost your body’s natural ability to heal itself.
A professional massage session can last from 45 minutes to an hour. During the session, you will interact with your massage therapist to ensure that your requirements are appropriately met.
Depending on where you live, the exact costs may vary. Contact the massage therapist for pricing before making an appointment.
Head massage has several benefits, whether you use your fingertips or get a massage from a specialist.
Head massage can help calm stress and anxiety and reduce tension. It can also reduce migraine headaches or pain from the disorder, lower blood pressure, improve circulation to the head and neck, and promote hair growth.