13 benefits of massaging your head

Massage, whether it is a body massage or a head massage is a great way to feel relaxed and calm. Head massage, in particular comes with plenty of other benefits including relief from emotional as well as physical problems. Massage therapy improves your mood and the feeling of well-being by stimulating the release of hormones like serotonin, cortisol and dopamine. These chemicals make your mood better, reduce your stress and promotes relaxation. In addition to reducing stress, massage helps improve memory and cognitive skills, strengthens the nervous system and promotes healthy growth of hair. Given below are the most important benefits of head massage:

Head massage helps with migraines and head aches

Millions of people around the world suffer from the intense and throbbing pain caused by migraines. Medications are available that can provide temporary relief from the pain. However, natural methods like head massage helps not only to reduce the pain but also when done regularly, helps prevent its occurrence. Massaging the head relaxes tense muscles, improves blood flow, relieves muscle spasms and promotes relaxation, thus helping to relieve the pain associated with migraines.

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Head massage promotes hair growth

It is a well-known fact that massaging the scalp with warm oil is a great way to improve hair growth. Massage increases blood circulation to the roots of the hair and stimulates the growth of healthy and strong hair. The increased blood flow stimulates the follicles and makes hair grow at a faster rate. Massaging the scalp regularly with oil not only boosts hair growth, but also helps prevent scalp related problems like dandruff and itchy scalp.

[Read more natural food for hair loss]

Head massage provides relief from insomnia

Insomnia or sleeplessness can make you sluggish and cause a lot of problems including depression, anxiety and reduced cognitive functions. If you are looking for a natural remedy for this problem, then head massage is one ideal choice. Massage helps you become calm and relaxed, and helps induce your regular sleep pattern. Head massage is very effective at increasing deep sleep. It has been found that your body releases certain types of pain chemicals when you are deprived of deep sleep. What head massage does is that it stimulates a release of serotonin, that acts as a natural pain killer. Studies reveal that massaging with essential oils like lavender provides better results such as improved sleep and reduced anxiety.

[Read more about natural food for insomnia]

Head massage reduces stress, anxiety and depression

Massage is an excellent remedy for people dealing with problems like stress, anxiety and depression. When the head is massaged, it improves the blood circulation throughout the head, which helps in relaxing muscles and reducing stress and tension. Massage helps fight depression by lowering the levels of cortisol, which is released by the body in response to stress. It also increases the levels of serotonin and dopamine, two neurotransmitters that help improve your mood. These chemicals produce a feeling of calmness and helps to overcome stress and anxiety.

Head massage increases blood circulation

A proper head massage increases the flow of blood to the head, neck and shoulders. This is particularly beneficial as it helps in nourishing the cells and tissues as well as promoting faster healing. As the blood flow increases, the oxygen supply and delivery of nutrients to the various parts also happen effectively. It also aids the removal toxic wastes from the system. Head massage dilates the blood vessels, which further helps in decreasing high blood pressure.

[Read more about 10 reasons for using coconut oil for hair]

Head massage aids removal of wastes

Just like increasing blood circulation, head massage also increases the lymphatic flow to the neck, head and shoulders. This helps in reducing edema, a condition characterized by the accumulation of excess fluids in the tissues or cavities of the body. It also helps in the removal of accumulated wastes and toxic byproducts in the body. Improved lymphatic flow ensures an increase in the number of white blood cells, which in turn helps in boosting the immunity.

Head massage stimulates the nervous system

Head massage causes the release of endorphins from the brain, which helps in improving mood, relieving stress, soothing pain and reducing anxiety and depression. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, a part of the autonomous nervous system that deals with functions such as increasing intestinal and gland activity, slowing the heart rate and relaxing the sphincter muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. By stimulating this part of the brain, head massage provides relaxation and promotes good rest and sleep. The sympathetic nervous system, on the other hand is the part of the nervous system that activates the fight or flight response by increasing blood pressure, raise the heart beat and constrict the blood vessels. Head massage decreases the stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system, which results in reduced blood pressure and reduced heart beat rate. It also slows down your breathing and reduces stress and anxiety. Head massage increases blood flow to the brain, which helps in improving concentration, relieving mental fatigue and promoting clearer thinking.

[Read more about natural food for headaches]

Head massage relaxes the muscles

Another great advantage of head massage is that it relaxes the nerve and muscle fibers, and reduces muscle spasms. This not only relieves muscular tension and fatigue but also increases the flexibility of your body. It improves your muscle tone, joint mobility, posture and balance as well. By relieving the tension in the muscles, head massage helps in reducing headaches, pain and discomfort. Massage therapy is also beneficial in reducing inflammation in the muscles and tissue, which helps in providing relief from pain and in lowering the stress on bones and joints.

Head massage and skin benefits

Most head massages also involve massage of the face, which helps improve the skin health and keep wrinkles and fine lines at bay. By increasing blood circulation, massage facilitates improved supply of oxygen and nutrients to the skin. It increases the elasticity of the skin and keeps it smooth and supple. Massage also helps get rid of dead skin cells and encourages the regeneration of cells. It increases the production of sebum, thereby preventing infections and increasing suppleness of the skin.

[Read more about 18 ways to treat migraine at home]

Head massage for vertigo

Vertigo, a vestibular disorder that affects the inner ear is characterized by dizziness, loss of balance, nausea and sometimes loss of hearing. Head massage has been found to be helpful in reducing the symptoms of vertigo. Massaging your head, neck and upper back with essential oils helps improve blood circulation and provide relief from the condition.

Head massage for treating epilepsy

Massage helps in reducing stress, tension and pain in the muscles, along with improving relaxation. Head massage is a natural way to treat epilepsy and seizures. It can be done with or without the use of essential oils. However, it is important to know which oils are safe to be used in people with epilepsy. Essential oils such as rosemary, eucalyptus, fennel, sage, camphor, hyssop and spike lavender are not recommended for epilepsy as these oils may trigger seizures in some people with epilepsy. However, oils like jasmine, lavender, camomile and ylang ylang produce a calming and relaxing effect and hence may be helpful in reducing stress-related seizures. When these oils are used for a head massage, the molecules of the oil penetrate the skin and pass through the bloodstream into the brain and produce the calming effect.

[Read more about 14 home remedies for vertigo]

Head massage improves respiration

Head massage increases the rate of internal respiration and deepens the external respiration. This helps in relaxing the tight respiratory muscles and also improves the lung capacity.

Head massage is beneficial to the eyes

Head massage that includes facial massage is a great way to relax the tense eye muscles. This therapy brightens the eyes in addition to providing relief from eye strain.

Massage is one of the oldest forms of treatment methods and has been practiced for several thousands of years. Getting a head massage is one of the most effective ways to calm your mind and relax. It helps in improving blood circulation, reducing blood pressure and in soothing the nerves. A good head massage is extremely beneficial as it provides immense relaxation and stimulates the natural healing mechanism of the body. It will give you a fresh and relaxed mind that will eventually help you lead  a happy and healthy life.

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