How to Give a Head Massage

Most people lose about 100 strands of hair each day. For those losing more, regular head massages might be a natural way to stimulate growth. Other benefits enjoyed by someone to whom you would give a head massage, like a sibling or sweetheart, include an increased sense of relaxation and energy, a natural cure for a bad headache, better sleep patterns and an increased overall sense of wellbeing. Read on to learn how to give a head massage.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Learn the pressure points of the head and neck areas before giving someone a head massage. There are several charts online you can print out as a handy reference.
2. Begin with a shoulder massage to help loosen up your subject. Then, using your thumbs, start massaging the temples in a circular fashion. Spend about one minute on these areas before moving to the next pressure point.
3. Slide the tips of your index and middle fingers to the points located near the inside ends of the eyebrows. Press in with a circular motion, holding the person's head from behind with your palms so your thumbs and middle fingers can massage the pressure points for about 45 seconds. Do not press in and hold the pressure points because it could provoke a spasm.
4. Walk your index and middle fingers up from the outer end of the eyebrows to the scalp, applying pressure as you work up and out. Massage these points for about 45 seconds.
5. Spend three to five minutes moving your hands around the head as if you were shampooing the hair. Keep the heels of your hands and fingers in contact with the scalp all the time. When you reach the top of the head, allow your fingers to lift off the head while maintaining a gentle traction-like motion with the heels of your hands. Move around to different areas of the head and continue until you've covered the entire scalp.
6. Follow the head massage with a hand and foot massage and end with a facial. Then have the recipient provide you with the same royal treatments within the next few days.

Tips & Warnings

• Head massages can ease sinus congestion, increase blood circulation and release more oxygen to the brain, giving the recipient stronger levels of concentration and energy.
• While normally considered safe for most people, head massages should not be performed on anyone with degenerative spinal disorders before they first check with their physician.