What is Blood Pressure?
The force of circulating blood through the heart and arteries is commonly referred to as blood pressure. It varies from person to person, depending on their diet, exercise regime, family history, emotional state, stress levels, smoking habit and sleeping patterns.
How do Different Blood Pressures Affect Your Health?
Whilst in extreme cases low blood pressure may be problematic, it is high blood pressure that is known as the ‘silent killer’. It often presents without symptoms, and may cause arteries to burst (hemorrhage) or bulge (aneurysm). High blood pressure has also been linked by science with conditions such as:
- Kidney disease and failure
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Trauma
What is Indian Head Massage?
Indian head massage is a deep style of massage that works to release tension held in the muscle tissues of the shoulders, neck, head and face. As with reflexology, it stimulates certain acupressure points in to unblock energy in specific energy centres of the body commonly referred to as the "chakras". This allows for a free flow of energy around the body, restoring the individual to optimum health and feelings of wellbeing.
How Indian Head Massage Benefits Your Blood Pressure
Through its unique massage technique and use of acupressure, an Indian head massage has the ability to reduce high blood pressure whilst simultaneously alleviating the conditions associated with it. Some of the ways it does so include:
Relief of muscle tension
Built up blood pressure may be caused by tense muscles constricting the flow of blood within the blood vessels. Indian head massage aims to reduce this tension, allowing for venous blood to be pushed towards the heart thus easing strain put upon it.
Relief of Stress and anxiety
One of the first physical signs of stress and anxiety is a pounding heart, which naturally increases a persons blood pressure. By relieving muscle tension, the Indian head massage encourages better circulation that reduces both the heartbeat and blood pressure. It also decreases blood pressure by activating the body’s parasympathetic nervous system, which counteracts your body’s negative response to stress. This further relaxes muscle tension, stimulates circulation and allows blood pressure to return to normal levels.
Through the touch of human hands bold
The touch of the masseuse’s hands can incite a powerful emotional response, as the closeness of another human being can create feelings of connectedness and well being. This relieves stress and relaxes the individual, reducing the heart rate and blood pressure as a result.
Please make sure to choose an experienced head massage therapist you feel comfortable with. Inform them of areas of discomfort, and talk openly about any health issues you may have including high blood pressure.
Originally published on May 21, 2010
