A head massage feels fabulous. In addition to the sensory pleasure it offers, it may also ease headache symptoms, reduce stress, and possibly boost hair growth.
The best part? You can learn how to do one at home or visit a massage therapist for an expert head massage.
Read on to learn more about the benefits of a head massage, how to do one yourself, and what to expect if you get a professional head massage.
Sarah Monreal, a licensed massage therapist and owner of Wayfare Wellness, says the benefits depend on the type of head massage you get.
For example, she offers cranial-sacral massage therapy, which is a gentle massage technique that focuses on the central nervous system of the head, spinal column, and sacrum.
This type of head massage is often used to:
That said, Monreal points out that even less specialized massages, like the type you do at home, may help reduce stress and tension, condition the scalp, and improve blood circulation in your head and neck area.
Here are a few other benefits of a head massage.
Many people turn to head, neck, and shoulder massages as a natural remedy for alleviating headaches and migraine episodes.
According to the American Massage Therapy Association, techniques like deep tissue massage, trigger point massage, self-massage, and acupressure can help relieve tension headaches by relaxing strained muscles and alleviating pain.
While specific research on head massages for headaches is limited, some studies suggest that massage therapy, especially at certain points in the upper neck and back of the head, could reduce headache frequency and intensity.
For example, in a 2015 studyTrusted Source targeting myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in the upper neck and back of the head using trigger point release (TPR) massage, researchers found a reduction in headache frequency and intensity. This indicates that MTrPs may play a role in tension-type headaches and that this type of massage can be effective.
In addition, a 2014 studyTrusted Source on manual and manipulative therapies for tension-type headaches showed significant reductions in headache pain, frequency, and intensity, along with improved neck flexibility. This suggests that these therapies could be beneficial alongside traditional treatments.
A 2002 studyTrusted Source on chronic tension headaches found that massage therapy targeting neck and shoulder muscles reduced headache frequency, but it didn’t significantly affect headache intensity. This indicates that while massage therapy may help with headache frequency, its impact on headache intensity may vary.