Scalp Massage 101: The Easiest Guide to Massage Scalp at Home

The history of scalp massage is so ancient that no one can actually pinpoint its origins. Scalp massage is, in fact, connected to the practices of traditional Chinese medicine and ancient Ayurvedic medicine, two of the oldest systems in the world. 

Many people dedicate their lives to learning to refine these ancient medicinal arts. But you don’t actually need to study for years to reap the benefits of scalp massage. You can do it by yourself at home using a simple wood comb! Unlike going to a health care practitioner or the hair salon, this is something that you can (and should) do multiple times a day. 

What is Scalp Massage?

Scalp massage is a massage that relaxes the mind, stimulates the blood circulation, and opens up the blocked channels in the head. 

Can Scalp Massage Stimulate Hair Growth?

For thousands of years, ancient Chinese people have been incorporating combing the scalp as part of their daily routine. Just as tending the soil and roots nourishes the leaves of a plant, massaging the scalp nourishes the hair. By stimulating blood and energy circulation, scalp massage provides nutrients and oxygen to the hair’s roots. This makes the hair grow stronger and healthier. 

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Can Scalp Massage Improve Health?

The essence of how scalp massage works is in the flow of blood and oxygen. You may have come across the word qi. It is commonly used in Eastern medicine and essentially refers to nourishing the body with a constant flow of energy in the body. If this flow is normal, then your body is functioning well, but if it’s not, your body will react and send signals in the form of hair loss, pain, stiffness, and other unpleasant symptoms.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner  Dr. Serene Feng, there are at least 60 acupressure points spread across the scalp. Both meridians and acupoints are rather dense in this area of the head, which is the capital of the human body. 

By massaging the scalp, you promote the flow of qi and blood in the related meridians, treating not only hair loss, but also improving the body’s overall well-being.

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Mapping the Scalp 

Since there are so many pressure points and meridians on the scalp, you may think it’s too complicated to do a successful scalp massage. But actually, it’s not complex!  With our method, you can easily do it by yourself at home. 

Before we show you how to massage your scalp correctly in an easy way, let’s first take a look at the scalp map by following 5 lines and 3 main meridians.

Du meridian

The du (means governing) meridian is very important, governing all the yang channels. There are 28 pressure points on the path of the du meridian, and 10 of them are located on the scalp.

• Main function of du meridian: 

             Nourishing the brain and spinal cord

             Prevent mental disorder and dizziness

             Treat febrile diseases

• Position on scalp:

            Right in the middle

• Baihui point on du meridian:

             The baihui acupuncture point is a very important point in the du meridian because this is where all the energy channels in our body meet.  According to traditional medicine, blockage of this point is responsible for tension, anxiety, lethargy, brain fog, and a list of other complaints.  In the Indian Ayurveda system, the baihui point is called the crown chakra or sahasrara. Stimulating this point is vitally important for achieving health and a beautiful head of hair.

Bladder meridian

The bladder meridian is the longest meridian and the largest detoxification channel.  Its blockage will prevent moisture and toxins from being excreted, leading to the stagnation of blood and pain. It’s important to ensure the free flow of the bladder meridian.

• Imbalance of bladder meridian will lead to: 

             Difficult urination, incontinence

             Nasal congestion

             Painful eyes

             Runny nose, nose bleeding 

• Position on scalp:

             About 3 fingers away from du meridian.

Gallbladder meridian

According to The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic, the gallbladder is called the central court of justice or the general’s advisor. (胆者，中正之官，决断出焉) 

• Imbalance of gallbladder meridian will lead to: 

            Poor quality of sleep

            Lack of confidence

            Easily discouraged by adversity

            Pains of two ribs

            White hair

There are a total of 44 pressure points on each side of the gallbladder meridian and 20 pressure points on the scalp. This means that almost half of the points connected to the gallbladder are on the head. 

As you can see, these five areas cover the most important pressure points and meridians running through our scalp. You don’t need to worry about remembering those complicated point positions. You just need to comb your scalp by following these simple five regions.

Efficient Tools for Scalp Massage

To have an effective and enjoyable scalp massage, you need a powerful  tool—a wood comb.  Here we use M combs, which are handmade by Taiwanese master craftsman Xianyi Chan. 

According to the traditional Chinese theory of Five Elements, wood overcomes or regulates earth, the element to which the skin belongs. Thus, wooden tools, like the M combs, are much better to treat our skin than plastics or electric gadgets. 

The shape and feel of the wood combs are also essential to creating a soothing and invigorating scalp massage experience. With its handmade cone-shaped form and made from the best natural woods, the M Comb can effectively activate pressure points without scraping the scalp.  

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Steps to Use the M-comb

Here are our simple steps to enjoying scalp massage at home:

• Move the wood comb from the front to the back of the scalp along each of the five regions shown above. Repeat at least 20 times for each line.
• Take care not to stop short of the back of your neck, since this area is filled with pressure points.
• In the morning, we recommend using faster movements for an invigorating feeling that gets you ready for the day.
•  At night, try a slower soothing message to promote relaxation and sleep.
• Pay attention to the indents and bumps in your scalp. Some might be more sensitive than others. Use a good amount of pressure, but remember that the massage isn’t supposed to be painful. Using your comb should do the job without scraping your scalp. 
•  Make sure the comb remains in contact with the scalp to ensure an effective massage. 
• Invest a few minutes into watching this great video introduction on scalp massage.

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How Often Do You Need a Scalp Massage?

We suggest doing a scalp massage every morning and every night, spending three to five minutes combing your scalp.

In addition to mornings and nights, you can use your wood comb to massage your scalp anytime during the day. If you want to improve your focus during the work day, grab your M-comb and massage the crown of your head (the baihui point). As mentioned, this area is known for boosting your brain power!

But you can also comb your scalp while reading books, watching TV, relaxing, and other activities. Scalp massage is an easy way to express self-love and alleviate stress. It’s convenient and can be done most anywhere and at any time. In the words of M Comb craftsman Xianyi Chan, “People say you can assess a person’s success from his daily routines. … If you routinely comb your scalp, your health will be very good.”

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