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 Healing
properties of massage have long been known to a man, but most often by «massage»
we mean the effect on the body and picture a massage table, a relaxing patient
and manual therapist working his magic on him or her. However, sometimes masseurs
work specifically on one or another area or part of the body, not so much
seeking to restore body to the healthy condition, but rather pursuing a
specific goal. Head massage is a variety of such «localized» approach to manual
body stimulation.
Head massage
helps to achieve health-improving and relaxing effects, and also has a beneficial
effect on hair. Therefore, head massage is an excellent method for curing fatigue
and stress, its lifts the mood, stimulates zonal blood flow in the scalp, and as
a result helps to boost hair health and improve its appearance.
What are
the basic principles of head massage and what are the main features of this
manipulation technique? The main task of the therapist (or masseur) is to stimulate
the blood circulation in the scalp and brain. As a result, a person feels a
burst of positive emotions, which, in turn, positively affect the functioning
of all organs and systems of the human body. Improving blood circulation in the
scalp normalizes microcirculation in the hair roots, thus strengthening the
hair, making it less brittle and less prone to hair loss during washing and brushing.
Prior to massage,
experts recommend to create an appropriate atmosphere necessary for full
relaxation and the emotional disposition of the patient. Complete relaxation is
very important for achievement of the desired therapeutic effect, because if
the patient is nervous and stressed his muscles are tense which prevents normal
blood circulation. In order to feel more relaxed, the patient is recommended to
listen to quiet soothing music, light aromatic candles and yield to helpful and
sympathetic attitude of the therapist. To this end, some therapists prefer to
start the procedure with a general massage, gradually moving to head massage.
Head
massage is more comfortable to administer when the patient is sitting on the
chair. To this end, he is offered a soft comfortable chair with armrests.
Before the beginning of the massage the patient takes deep breath. The
therapist stands behind the patient and commences by kneading the shoulders and
neck. Then, the therapist massages symmetrical sections that are on either side
of the spinal column with his thumbs. This manipulation has a positive effect
not only on the head, but on the body as a whole, as these are the areas of
cerebrospinal fascicles which consist of blood vessels and nerve fibers, which
innervate various organs and ensure their normal functioning. The therapist's thumbs
begin at the level of the upper thoracic vertebrae, and move up to the scalp.
Then, putting his left hand on the patient's forehead, he moves his right hand
upwards along the back of the neck, while his thumb is positioned on one side
of the spine, and the remaining four fingers are on the other. In this case the
therapist is more comfortable standing by the side of the patient. Then,
without changing the position of his hand, the therapist makes some circular
movements. He or she then runs his fingers through the patient's hair. This
causes blood to rush to the massaged area and stimulates the scalp. After this
the therapist uses a series of light slapping movements with his or her palm on
the back and side of the head to induce relaxation.
During the
next massage stage the therapist performs vibrating movements. He puts one hand
on the patient's forehead; while with his other hand makes circular vibrating
movements in the occipital-parietal area. Then the therapist changes hands. The
scalp surface can be massaged with these vibrating finger movements. After that
the therapist resumes stroking movements, but this time they are deeper. When
the head, neck and shoulders have been sufficiently massaged, the therapist
proceeds to massage the face and ears. At the end of a massage session the
patient will feel totally relaxed and de-stressed.
Typically, a
massage session takes about than 5 - 10 minutes and can be performed at home by
anyone.
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