When work gets on your nerves or your children are driving you crazy, may it be your annoying lecturer you need to put up with or a cranky partner. Whatever the situation may be, there’s nothing a good old massage can’t fix. 

In order to carry on with your day better, you need your body to relax for a good amount of time, but at times when you stay up late, your body does not get the rest it requires to start a new day. 

A massage in general really helps in calming your body and soul and relieves bodily pain. Whereas you are at complete relaxation and still when you get a head massage done. This article will cover more on the benefits of head massages, and tips on how to give good massages. 

What are the Advantages of Massage? 

Massage is probably one of the oldest traditions that was used to relax and relieve pain in the body. The expression “massage therapy” is used to refer to a broad range of methods that vary in the manner which touch, pressure, and treatment intensity are applied.

Massage is usually used as a treatment for certain types of disorders: 

A scientific study shows that massages can have beneficial effects on certain conditions and disorders including Preterm conceptions, full-term newborns, premature babies, autism, skin conditions, a condition called fibromyalgia and other pain syndromes like hypertension, autoimmune disorders like asthma and multiple sclerosis, immune-related conditions like HIV and breast cancer, and aging-related problems like Parkinson’s and dementia.

Massages are also good for managing issues like subacute/chronic low back pain, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), anxiety, stress, soft tissue injuries, high blood pressure, and insomnia.

Benefits of Massages:

Massages usually help in the deep relaxation of a stressed body. This happens because massage stimulates the brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) endorphins to get released, and they’re the cause of sensations of well-being. Stress hormone levels, particularly those of adrenalin, cortisol, and norepinephrine, are also dropped. In accordance with certain research, it was found that the immune system is compromised due to excessive amounts of stress hormones. 

Some of the physical benefits of massages are: 

• Reduced muscle tension
• Improved circulation
• Stimulation of the lymphatic system
• Reduction of stress hormones
• Relaxation
• Increased joint mobility and flexibility
• Improved skin tone
• Improved recovery of soft tissue injuries
• Heightened mental alertness
• Reduced anxiety and depression.

Types of Massages: 

There are multiple types of massages that advocate and affect different causes and parts of the body for different people of various age ranges. I will mention some of the most prominent massage types that might suit your requirements and basically will help you understand what you need for your body stress. 

• Myotherapy: 

It involves recognizing and addressing soft tissue discomfort, dysfunction, and injury which impact the ability to move. Myotherapy is often incorporated to restore and maintain the stability and functioning of the soft tissue structure (muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia) of the human body.

• Remedial: 

 It is the objective evaluation, therapy, and rehabilitation of the signs, symptoms, and causes of biomechanical dysfunction or injury, using specific mobilization techniques, in order to regain usual health and function.

• ‘Western’ or ‘Swedish’ massage:

 It is basically a substitute for therapeutic massage. This moderate whole-body massage technique is designed to promote relaxation and boost blood circulation.

•  Lymphatic Drainage: 

 It is a gentle whole-body treatment that additionally supports the body’s immune system by soothing the nervous system.

• Aromatherapy:

Aromatherapy is known for its distinctive therapeutic effects, essential oils obtained from certain flowers and plants are combined with massage oil. For example, it is believed that the scent of sandalwood minimizes nervous tension.

• Baby massages:

Baby massages are effective remedies for colic, constipation, and sleep problems that hinder babies. Massages on a regular basis help premature babies gain weight faster.

• Reflexology:

Reflexology depends on the idea that specific body parts resemble the entire body. The feet, hands, cheeks, and ears each have reflex points, which are connected to every part of the body. Whenever pressure is exerted on these spots, they respond, promoting the body’s natural healing process.

• Shiatsu: 

 Shiatsu is an Asian massage method that stimulates certain body areas to increase energy flow. Shiatsu massage’s fundamental concepts are identical to those of acupuncture.

• Sports massage: 

 is a type of massage application, not a particular massage method. Depending on the nature of the injury or ailment, the level of training or competition, and the remedial massage therapist’s assessment, a particular technique or method of therapy will be used. Sports massage is a fusion of methods meant to improve performance and accelerate the recovery of worn-out muscles.

After discussing the benefits massages have in general, let us now discuss the benefits and impacts of head massages on the mind and the body. 

Benefits of Head Massages: 

Head massages yield amazing benefits when it is done right. From applying the pressure at the right points to setting the best environment absolutely enjoying the experience of head massages is a mandate to reap the results you expect. 

I shall mention some of the important benefits of head massages: 

• Headache relief: 

Evidently why head massages are for? (if you walk into that massage center or salon and it does not relieve your headache, go back and get your money.) because one of the biggest benefits of a good head massage is it relieves headaches and migraines. The American Massage Therapy Association established in one of their articles that massages help in relieving the pain at the points that accumulate stress, with a good amount of pressure. 

• Boosts hair growth and thickness: 

A good head massage helps in hair growth by stimulating blood circulation which impacts your scalp positively. A scientific study shows that massaging your scalp often can also lead to an increase in the thickness of the hair and an increase in the volume of your hair. 

• Improves mental health conditions: 

Not directly? But head massages help in increasing serotonin levels in the body, which basically helps in advocating anxiety, stress, and depression. So indirectly head massages also help you deal with bad mood swings. 

• Helps in complete relaxation: 

Head massages soothe your soul and bring a sense of calmness and stillness which helps in relaxing your mind and body. It is very important for a human body to receive an ample amount of rest before going back to its routine, but due to busy schedules and hectic workloads, people usually do not rest enough which causes fatigue, or dullness. Hence a quick head massage can help you energise and relax for a while.

How to give a Head Massage: 

There will be days you cannot make time off your schedule to get a head massage done, that’s when you will have to rely on yourself or your partner, family, or friends to give you a head massage. Therefore I shall provide you with a few tips that help in making up to the professional head massages. 

1. First, get onto a comfy chair or your bed and make yourself comfortable there.
2. If you’re using hair oil, make sure you have a towel around your neck and on the chair in case it spills. 
3. Start by using your hands or a massager to provide mild to medium pressure to the head. If you’re applying hair oils, warm them up a little, apply a little layer to the head with your fingertips, and then begin massaging.
4. Apply mild, circular pressure on the scalp with your fingertips or a massager.
5. Make sure to massage the entire head for at least five minutes.
6. Later, you may also use a shampoo to remove the oil.

Best Oils for Head Massage: 

Head massage usually consists of hair oil that not only relaxes the scalp but helps in nurturing your hair. 

• Coconut oil: 

One of the most popular types of oil that is used in India is coconut oil. Not only is it used for massages, but pure coconut oil is also used for cooking.  It effectively repairs color-treated or damaged hair. The shiny appearance of the hair is enhanced and the hair strands receive adequate nourishment from coconut oil.

 It is helpful in treating psoriasis as well.

• Almond Oil: 

It usually helps in nurturing dry hair type. Using almond oil to massage a dry scalp will help in providing nourishment to the scalp. It additionally helps in relieving muscle pain and soreness. 

• Sesame Oil:

Sesame oil is a nourishing agent for the scalp and eases tightness and stiffness. In India, it is a well-liked massage oil. Sesame oil adds volume, heals split ends, and heals damaged hair. Sesame oil provides hydrating effects on hair and soothes itching and inflammation in the scalp. 

It has more benefits when combined with extracts of Brahmi or hibiscus.

• Jasmine oil: 

Jasmine oil, a natural antibacterial and antidepressant is the main oil for easing tension or anxiety. Additionally, the oil contributes to thicker, healthier hair. However, jasmine oil might be marginally toxic if consumed in its concentrated form.

For the best effects, you should always dilute jasmine oil and combine it with different oils like argan oil, almond oil, or amla oil.

Massage Therapy V/s Medical Therapy: 

Have you ever wondered what makes the salon massage different from those suggested or given by medical professionals? 

I shall help you understand the key differences between both types of massage therapies: 

• Training and Experience: 

So, standard massage education requires you to take 500 hours of training which is adequate enough to start massage services at a spa. However, on the other hand, medical massagers are required to indulge themselves further in training to gain knowledge in various fields like different ranges of motion, understanding lifestyle, body functional pain, pathology, and kinesiology. Assessments will be made in order to ensure that the medical massage therapist has enough knowledge and skills required to work and perform well in this field of work. 

• Ethics: 

Medical massage mainly focuses on the welfare and recovery of the client. It requires absolute concentration on the medical conditions and requirements of his clients in order to deliver something that can help improve the condition. Any medical message received by a person becomes a part of their medical records.  

Whereas, for massage therapists who work in spas or massage centers, one of the main motives is profit, since they use this skill to promote their business and provide temporary relief to their customers. It does not make it into their customer records or messages and it’s more of something voluntary and not mandatory. 

FAQs

• Are scalp massagers worth it? 

So, the basic function of a scalp massager is to provide a circular motion sensation to the scalp. It relieves stress, and itching and provides a good experience overall. So if you feel you cannot do a good job in giving yourself a good head massage. A massager is definitely recommended. 

• Do regular head massages cause any harm? 

No, it just helps your scalp in blood circulation and improves your scalp condition.

• Does head massage help in curing insomnia? 

Well, it does provide relief and calms your body down which slowly drifts you into sleep. So you can say it does help in addressing insomnia, but it is not a permanent or a professional cure. Approach a doctor for the best results.