“On days when I get a head spa, my head and my mood both feel somehow clearer.”
Have you ever felt that way?
In fact, that feeling may not be just your imagination.
In recent years, research on how scalp massage affects the mind and body has advanced, and changes related to stress and relaxation have been reported.
In this article, we look at the relationship between scalp massage and stress.
The Stress Hormone Cortisol Dropped by About 58%
In a study published in 2013 in the Journal of Society of Cosmetic Chemists of Japan, 30 healthy women received a 30-minute scalp massage.
As a result, the stress hormone cortisol in their saliva
decreased from 3.27 ng/mL to 1.37 ng/mL, an average drop of about 58%.
Cortisol is known as a hormone whose secretion increases when we are under stress.
Of course, the right amount of cortisol is necessary for the body, but staying at high levels due to chronic stress may put a burden on the mind and body.
Greater Relaxation and Less Physical Fatigue Were Also Seen
In this study, changes were seen not only in stress hormones but also on the psychological side.
After the treatment, the researchers confirmed:
• a higher level of relaxation
• less feeling of physical fatigue
• improvement in negative feelings such as anxiety, tension and depressed mood
These changes were all observed.
In addition, secretory IgA, a marker related to immunity, increased about fivefold, suggesting that scalp massage may be connected to relaxation of the mind and body.
Heart Rate Also Settled Gently
The study also measured heart rate during the treatment.
The average heart rate, about 70 beats per minute at the start, fell to about 66 beats per minute by the end.
Heart rate changes for many reasons, so this result alone can’t prove that participants relaxed.
However, considered together with the cortisol and psychological assessment results, it is possible that the mind and body shifted into a calmer state during the treatment.
Caring for the Neck and Shoulders, Not Just the Head, Matters Too
Today, desk work and smartphone use make it easy for strain to build up not only in the head but also in the neck and shoulders.
At La HEAD, we treat the scalp, neck, shoulders and arms as one connected whole, carefully tailoring each treatment to the individual guest.
When your days are busy, stress can build up in your mind and body without your noticing.
“Lately I just can’t shake off my fatigue.”
“My head feels heavy.”
“I haven’t had time to relax slowly.”
If that sounds like you, why not make time to restore your mind and body, starting from the scalp?