Benefits Of Scalp Massage -
Advice, Tips & Guide |
| Karen Marie Shelton - Copyright - All
Rights Reserved |
| Revised Date: 12/22/08 - Publication
Date: 04/01/08 |
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I've been writing about the benefits of scalp and
body massage for a very long time. Maybe because I
have been involved with the study of massage since I was
a teen back in St. Louis. As part of my early workaholic
years I worked as a type of nurse's assistant during my
junior and senior years of high school for a well-known
hospital.
As part of my training I went to massage school and was taught to
specifically deal with terminal patients who had developed bed
sores. I also learned that providing massage provided soothing
for pain and other wonderful benefits.
In the early 1980s I helped to co-found the first holistic health
care center with my husband Michael, who was a chiropractor,
herbalist and acupuncturist, and a partner.
My contribution was to offer massage treatments provided with or
without aromatherapy, which I studied through courses in St. Louis.
I also offered energy treatments (Reiki) and provided other
metaphysical counseling. It was a very rewarding experience.
At our clinic besides offering chiropractic, acupuncture and
craniopathy, we offered a wide range of body treatments such as
rolfing and other movement techniques.
My early work with massage convinced me of its many benefits and
although I gave up my practice when I moved to Dallas, I continued
to visit massage therapists for the overall health benefits and
stress relief.
When I lost a lot of my own hair through extreme dieting and from
thyroid issues, I utilized my own formulas along with off-the-shelf
products, to grow my hair back. I also developed my own hair
vitamin and hair oils.
Although I have transitioned through a series of massage
therapists, I have had a few over the years that were amazing and
helped me tremendously. One such therapist is Wendy
Menendez who I first met at the now-defunct Rejuvena Spa off
Northwest Highway. I religiously visited Wendy on a weekly or
bi-weekly basis until the Rejuvena Spa went out of business.
I tracked Wendy to the world famous Cooper Clinic where she still
provides incredible full body massages to clients of the Spa.
Because it was so hard for me to get away from work, I convinced her
to provide special on-site massage at HairBoutique.com for several
years. We built a special massage room just for her in the
back of the building and every week she would show up just in the
nick of time to help relieve my skyrocketing stress.
Wendy's magical fingers could instantly pop out gigantic knots
and I would sleep like a baby, sometimes on her famous massage
table. In fact, there are stories that I would start talking,
fall asleep in the middle, and wake up to finish the story at the
end. Benefits Of Scalp Massage Wendy
also gave a really great scalp massage. At the end of every
full body massage she would massage my scalp with
warm oils and I could feel my hair follicles relaxing.
For days afterwards, the normal tightness in my scalp and head,
which can actually cause hair loss, would be completely gone.
I believe everyone should have a scalp massage on a regular
basis, whether they do it at home to their own scalp, have their
favorite massage therapist, like a Wendy, do it, or ask a loved one
who is willing, to massage their scalp.
Like full body massage, scalp massage can definitely can be a
wonderful bonding experience between a couple.
Listed below are my own opinions of the benefits of scalp
massage:
- It provides deep relaxation to the head and scalp which
allows blood circulation to flow more easily to the hair roots.
- Improved circulation, which results from scalp massage,
provides hair roots with nourishment to help trigger hair
growth. Why? When the scalp or head it constricted or
tight due to stress and tension, it blocks adequate blood flow
to the hair roots.
- When scalp massage is repeated on a regular basis, it will
help to actually strengthen the roots of the hair which will
help hair growth.
- When a good moisturizing oil like jojoba is used as the
base, it can help add moisture and conditioning to the scalp and
the hair enhancing natural textures and making it move vibrant.
- Moisturized hair is less likely to split and break, which is
a wonderful benefit of the oils used for scalp massage.
- Scalp massage adds natural luster and shine to the hair.
- In some cases, scalp massage can relieve itchy scalps,
prevent flaking and help with chronic dandruff. Of course
this is dependent on other factors but is a possible benefit.
- Regular scalp massage can help protect hair from
environmental toxins and other weather conditions by helping to
strengthen the follicles.
- It can help eliminate depression or other stressful or
negative emotions.
- Scalp massage can also help alleviate chronic insomnia and
provide restful sleep.
- In some cases, scalp massage can slow hair loss conditions.
- It also helps to spread the natural scalp oils to the ends
of the hair without the harmful effects of daily brushing.
Sebum, if produced in sufficient amounts, is typically
distributed along the length of the hair shaft through normal
combing and brushing but can be distributed through fingers at
the time of the scalp massage.
- The benefits of scalp massage also help provide a glow to
the complexion of the face.
- Scalp massage as well as body massage can also help to
regulate the thyroid and can help to balance body temperatures.
- It can help your eyes to relax, help to minimize chronic eye
strain, and can be a general tonic for hypersensitivity or
excessive nervousness. In some cases it may help to soothe
ADD behaviors.
- Scalp massage, can also help awaken creativity centers in
your brain for more enlightened idea processing or long term
meditation.
- It can be combined with deep breathing for even deeper
results.
- When the base scalp massage oils are blended with essential
or aromatherapy oils, emotional, spiritual or mental blocks can
also be relieved, with ongoing treatments. Harmony can be
restored.
- In some cases, regular massage with appropriate essential
oils can help to slow the onset of white or gray strands.
- Regular scalp massage has proven to help in some cases of
chronic headaches or migraines.
Life Changes
When my beloved husband died suddenly of a tragic heart attack in
April of 2005 I discovered that I could no handle massage.
Why?
It brought up so many emotions for me that the act of massage
would be excruciating. Yes, it's good to get the grief
out, but it left me literally unable to function, which I managed to
do, most of the time.
Shortly after my husband's death through a series of
circumstances, Wendy stopped coming to HairBoutique.com for the
weekly stress reduction treatments. Even now, I miss her
deeply, but sometimes things just don't work out the way you ever
imagined and with my husband's death, I was forced to go in new
directions.
I started massaging my own scalp every week to keep the follicles
energized and my hair growing at optimal speed. I also
developed and started using the HairTopia oil which is my own
personal blend made from my recipe by an aromatherapist.
Note: To read more about Jojobo & Other Hair Oils &
HairTopia Beautiful Hair Oil click on this link.
Although I no longer have a weekly massage, I do have lots of
different body work and from time to time I do pop into the Cooper
Clinic and have a 80 minute deep tissue massage. In my
opinion, the Cooper Clinic (on Preston Road) is the very best spa in
Dallas. I have never had a bad massage there and have had
treatments from Wendy, Roxanne and a few others.
I have sent many of my friends there and they have raved about
their body work treatments.
Can you get just a scalp massage? No, but you can ask that
your head and scalp be a focal point of any massage treatment.
One time I had a massage at Cooper with Roxanne and she focused a
lot of time on my upper shoulders, neck and head. My scalp
tingled for weeks. Disadvantages Of Scalp Massage
In the hair and beauty world there are always two sides of the story
and I always feel it is important to address both.
While scalp massage can be truly amazing at the fingertips of a
great massage therapist like Wendy or Roxanne. There are some
drawbacks which include:
1. It can be messy. If a good oil is used, it will
make your hair oily. Since most massage clinics don't offer
shampoo bowls, you will need to bring the appropriate hair
accessories (hair clips, pins, elastic bands) to pin your hair up
and out of the way.
2. You must be willing to tell your massage therapist how
deep to massage. A scalp massage performed too deeply can
actually cause hair to tangle and could in rare cases cause a
headache. Speak up and tell your therapist what touch you
prefer (light, medium, deep). Always have your hair completely
detangled before you get on the table to prevent unnecessary
tangling which can lead to breakage.
3. Some essential oils may be too intense for a scalp
massage. Discuss the oil formula used by the massage therapist
before you start. When added to a base oil, each essential oil
will provide different results. To energize, peppermint oil
will do the trick. To relax completely, Ylang Ylang oil.
4. Oils applied to the scalp can be more difficult to
remove from the hair unless done properly. The best technique
is to apply a small amount of undiluted moisturizing shampoo to
palms of the hands and pat directly onto the oiled hair BEFORE
applying lukewarm water. The shampoo will cut the oil, make it
easy to wash out. Never use cold or extremely hot water directly on
oiled hair.
5. A scalp massage may be so relaxing that it may not be
wise to drive. If you are so relaxed you can not be alert,
have a friend or relative drive you or ask for a cab to be arranged
to take you home. Summary Scalp massage can
offer many advantages, especially when it's done on a regular basis.
If you're not already enjoying the benefits of regular scalp
massage, consider adding it to your regular hair care regime.
Your hair will love you for it. |