According to The American Institute of Stress, it is estimated that 75 to 90 percent of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related problems. The myriad immediate and automatic responses associated with stress such as elevated heart rate, blood pressure and blood sugar contribute to hypertension, strokes, heart attacks, diabetes and ulcers, as well as neck or low back pain. Labeled “diseases of civilization”, these health issues can be mitigated by learning to invoke the relaxation response, which directly counteracts stress by reversing its physical equivalents. A single one-hour session of shirodhara treatment may potentially invoke such a powerful relaxation response that the effects of stress can be alleviated for hours, or even days.

A form of Ayurvedic bodywork, shirodhara is an ancient and powerful tool for bringing body, mind and consciousness into harmonious balance. While the majority of various massage therapies primarily work on the physical level, Ayurvedic treatments have a long history of facilitating the multiple layers of physical health, emotional well-being and soul connection.

During shirodhara, a stream of warm, herbalized oil is gently poured onto an energy point on the forehead, activating the brain to transition from hyper-alert beta waves into the deeply relaxing alpha wave pattern. This evokes the energy-saving parasympathetic nervous system response, which helps the body to relax muscles and slow the heart and respiratory rate. The flow of oil pour lasts for approximately 30 minutes, reducing anxiety and inducing mental clarity and tranquility. The treatment also stimulates vital points all around the head, improving blood circulation in the brain due to the vasodilatation of all the blood vessels.

Shirodhara therapy sessions can help awaken intuition and the gentle recalling of events buried in the past, enabling a retro-perspective previously inaccessible. This can lead to the resolution of past emotional issues and a deeper, clearer level of understanding. It also reduces the level of stress hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline, and thus relaxes the mind, helping to relieve stress and tension. It can also help in alleviating psychosomatic ailments such as tension, depression and anxiety. 

Shirodhara is best done in the morning or in the evening in order to achieve maximum results.

Christina Carlin is a licensed massage therapist, Ayurvedic practitioner and owner of Ayurveda Massage & Yoga Institute, located at 501 Goodlette Rd.  N., Ste. A-107. For more information, call 239-450-6903.