Ayurvedic Head Massage (Shiro Abhyanga)
Shiro Abhyanga is an Ayurvedic massage of the head, scalp, neck and shoulders with warm medicated oil. It is relaxing, easy to include in a routine, and often combined with other therapies.
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C8, 5th Floor (Medical Floor), C-Tower, Spectrum Mall, Phase 1, Sector 75, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301
Who It May Suit
- Stress and tension
- Difficulty switching off and poor sleep
- Neck and shoulder tightness
- Dry scalp
Precautions & Safety
Avoid during fever, colds, scalp infections or wounds, and right after a head injury. If you have hair loss, see a doctor to check for medical causes such as thyroid problems or iron deficiency.
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What to Expect
- You sit comfortably; warm oil chosen for you is applied to the scalp.
- The scalp, neck and shoulders are massaged for about 20 to 30 minutes.
- You rest briefly; keep your head covered and wash the oil out as advised.
What the Evidence Shows
Direct evidence on Ayurvedic head massage is limited. In a small study, standardised scalp massage increased hair thickness, possibly through stretching forces on hair-follicle cells [1], and a survey of people with androgenic alopecia who did scalp massages reported self-assessed improvements [2]. Research on the related therapy Shirodhara shows relaxation effects [3], but that is a different procedure. Abhyanga has been studied for stress in a pilot study [4].
Prepared by the AyurSoul Healthcare team from the published research listed below. Medical review by Dr. Hemlata Soni, BAMS is in progress. This page is for education and does not replace individual medical advice. Medical disclaimer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will head massage stop my hair fall?
We cannot promise that. Small studies suggest scalp massage may help hair thickness, but hair fall has many causes that need assessment.
How often should I have it?
Weekly sessions or a short course are common, and simple self-massage can be done at home.
Which oil is used?
The doctor chooses it for your constitution and scalp.
Clinical Research
4 studies: 1 pilot study, 1 observational study, 1 laboratory study, 1 narrative article.
Show the 4 studies
Numbers in the text refer to this list. Each study is labelled by type: systematic reviews and randomised trials are stronger evidence than pilot studies or single case reports.
- Koyama T, Kobayashi K, Hama T, et al.. Standardized Scalp Massage Results in Increased Hair Thickness by Inducing Stretching Forces to Dermal Papilla Cells in the Subcutaneous Tissue. Eplasty, 2016. Laboratory / observational research PubMed
- English RS Jr, Barazesh JM. Self-Assessments of Standardized Scalp Massages for Androgenic Alopecia: Survey Results. Dermatology and therapy, 2019. Observational study PubMed
- Dhuri KD, Bodhe PV, Vaidya AB. Shirodhara: A psycho-physiological profile in healthy volunteers. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine, 2013. Perspective / narrative article PubMed
- Basler AJ. Pilot study investigating the effects of Ayurvedic Abhyanga massage on subjective stress experience. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.), 2011. Pilot / feasibility study PubMed