“I can’t shake off my tiredness lately.”
“Work stress keeps me from relaxing.”
“My head doesn’t feel clear even after sleeping.”
Many of you may be dealing with concerns like these.
When we feel stress, our bodies release a variety of hormones.
One of the best known is a hormone called cortisol.
In this article, we introduce a study that reported on the relationship between head massage and stress hormones.
What Is Cortisol, and Why Is It Called the “Stress Hormone”?
Cortisol is a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands and is also known as the “stress hormone.”
To protect the body when it’s under stress, it works to
• maintain blood sugar levels
• reduce inflammation
• produce energy
among other roles that are essential for living a healthy life.
So cortisol itself is not a bad thing.
However, when stress continues for a long time and cortisol tends to stay high, it is thought that this may be linked to fatigue, poorer sleep quality and reduced concentration.
That is why, today, not letting stress build up too much is considered important for maintaining physical and mental health.
A Study on Head Massage and Stress Hormones
In a study published in 2016, 34 female office workers aged 20 to 49 received a 15- or 25-minute scalp massage twice a week for 10 weeks.
As a result, significant changes were seen in:
• cortisol
• noradrenaline
• blood pressure
These three measures all changed significantly.
The researchers suggest that scalp massage may calm the activity of the sympathetic nervous system and make it easier for the parasympathetic nervous system to take the lead, which may help the mind and body relax.
On the other hand, no significant change was seen in heart rate.
In other words, this study does not show that head massage improves every physical measure; it reports that changes were seen in some stress-related indicators.
Busy Days Are Exactly When You Need Time to Relax
Of course, this study alone can’t prove that getting a head massage will relieve stress or improve sleep.
Still, it is a very interesting example of research suggesting that scalp massage may help the mind and body relax.
With desk work and smartphone use on the rise, many people are unknowingly putting strain on their head, neck and shoulders and remain in a constant state of tension.
That’s why it’s important, amid busy days, to look after yourself and make time to relax slowly.
Looking for a Head Massage in Shinjuku? Visit La HEAD
La HEAD is a dry head spa salon with fully private rooms, a 3-minute walk from Shinjuku-nishiguchi Station.
Through technical collaboration with nationally licensed staff at an osteopathic clinic (seikotsu-in), we incorporate knowledge of body structure and muscle connections into our treatments.
By caring for the head, neck, shoulders and arms as one connected whole, we tailor each treatment to your individual condition.
“I haven’t been able to relax lately.”
“I’m bothered by fatigue in my head, neck and shoulders.”
“I want to make time to take care of myself.”
If that sounds like you, please come and visit La HEAD.
We look forward to welcoming you.