We all crave for head massages after a long tiring day. But what we don t know is how these head massages actually work. When you massage your head with your finger tips the nerves in your scalp get stimulated and increase the blood flow to the brain giving you a very relaxed feeling. Massaging your scalp gently also helps in releasing certain hormones which instantly lift your mood.
Benefits of a head massage:
It aids in releasing certain feel-good hormones that help you relax and de-stresses you.
It activates and improves the blood circulation to other parts of the body.
It helps in improving concentration.
It helps in getting rid of headaches due to increased blood flow. Head massages have been used in treatment of headaches since a very long time in Ayurveda.
It aids in a quick and sound sleep.
Conditions your hair, stimulating hair growth and strengthening them.
Acupressure head massage: Accupressure is an ancient Chinese technique where certain pressure points(acupuncture points) on your body are activated which help to relieve tension in your muscles. The concept of acupuncture is that energy flows through certain meridians or lines in our body, and acupuncture is used to relive the blocked meridians. Acupressure has shown positive results while treating certain diseases such as muscle tension, lower back ache, head ache, drug addictions and sexual dysfunction. Here are some acupressure points for healthy hair growth
Watch the video for how to activate the pressure points on your head for a relaxing head massage-
Ayurvedic head massage: Massages primarily have been a part of Ayurveda for treatment of various diseases. Ayurveda uses various herb-infused and essential oils for massages. There are different types of Ayurvedic head massages namely: Shirobhangya- where oils are smeared on the head, Shirodhara- where oils are poured on the head in a single stream, Shirapichu where a cloth dipped in oil is wrapped on the head and Shirovasti- where oil is kept on the head in a bowl or a holder. You may also like to read about other Ayurvedic massages everyone should try once in their lives.
Watch the video to see how an Ayurvedic Indian massage (Shirobhangya) is done-
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Various oils used in head massages:
Oils help in conditioning the scalp and hair. They also help in relaxation during the head massage. Oils are also used to stimulate hair growth and help in general maintenance of hair. In India, we have a tradition of oiling hair daily or weekly for their nourishment. You may like to read a few tips to oil your hair the right way by hair expert Jawed Habib.
Commonly used oils in India are:
Coconut oil- It is the easily available and most widely used oil in India. It is an excellent moisturizer and helps in hair growth. You may like to read about how coconut oil helps in reducing hair loss.
Almond oil- Almond oil is used widely because it is a natural moisturizer and helps in increasing the strength of the hair. It increases its luster and is the best substitute for a leave-in conditioner. It has also shown to reduce scalp inflammation which is caused due to use of many hair styling products and treatments.
Castor oil- Castor oil is known for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps in fighting scalp conditions also helps reducing split ends. You may also like to read how castor oil is a one stop solution to all your hair woes.
Sesame oil- Sesame oil is an integral part of Ayurveda. Besides moisturising, it also prevents graying of hair.
Bhringaraj oil- Bhringaraj is an important part of Ayurved. It is easily available commercially and widely used in many Ayurvedic products that are used to treat hair problems. Bhringaraj is used for treating scalp ailments, reducing dandruff and graying of hair in addition to being an ideal stress buster. There are many more benefits of Bhringaraj oil you should know about.
Steaming your head after an oil massage: Steaming is usually done after an oil massage. Steaming your hair creates a humid environment which keeps the hair soft and bouncy. The moisturisation has many benefits. It smoothens and nourishes dry and brittle hair making them strong. It also cleanses your scalp and gets rid of the dead skin. Steaming also increases the flow of natural oils produced by the scalp improving your hair texture and promoting hair growth.
How to steam your hair at home: You don t require fancy salon-like hair steamers to moisturize your hair. It s a very simple technique that can be followed efficiently at home.
Follow these steps after you have oiled your hair and massaged your scalp:
Soak a towel in some water and wring it out, so that it does not drip.
Place it in the microwave and heat it for around two minutes.
Wrap the hot towel around your head covering all your hair.
Wear a shower cap or a tie a big plastic bag around your head to retain all the steam from the hot towel.
Leave it on for approximately 15 minutes or until the towel is cold.
Image source: Getty Images
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