【Overview】
Gray hair is caused by a decrease in the activity of tyrosinase, a reduction in the function of melanocytes to produce melanin, and a decrease in the formation of hair melanin. Gray hair is related to genetics, excessive mental work, nervous system stimulation, emotional stress, fear, and anxiety. It is normal for people to have gray hair at a certain age, but it is not normal for adolescents to have gray hair prematurely. There are two types of gray hair: reversible and irreversible. Reversible gray hair can gradually turn black when the factors that affect the function of pigment cells are removed. Massage therapy can stimulate the hair follicles at the root, improve blood circulation, and enhance the nutrition and metabolism of pigment cells.
【Massage Therapy】
(1) Sit down and place both hands together with four fingers close together. Starting from the front hairline near the ears, push backwards through the earlobes to the occipital wind pool acupoint, and repeat this process 20 times.
(2) Sit down and press the Fengfu, Fengchi, Jiaosun, Shuai Gu, and Baihui acupoints with the fingertips of both thumbs, index fingers, or middle fingers, pressing each acupoint 15 times. Then, rotate each acupoint in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction for 30 cycles.
(3) Lie face down and have a family member use the palms of their hands to rub the Feishu acupoint from top to bottom until the lumbar and sacral region. Repeat this process 15 times, and the skin should become warm and red. Then, use the fingertips of the thumb to knead the Ganshu, Pishu, and Shenshu acupoints for 1 minute each.
(4) Lie face up and have a family member place the fingertips of the thumb at the Yin Valley acupoint (inside the dimple, between the semitendinosus muscle and the inner muscle tendon of the semitendinosus muscle, as shown in Figure 6-1), and massage downwards along the inner side of the lower limbs, passing through the Zhubin, Jiaoxin (2 inches above the inner ankle, along the inner edge of the tibia, as shown in Figure 6-1), Fuliu, Taixi acupoints, and reaching the Yongquan acupoint. Repeat this process 10 times, and it should feel sore and transmit downwards at the massaged areas. Then, apply strong pressure to knead the Yongquan acupoint for 2 minutes.
(5) Sit down and have a family member simultaneously press the Fengchi acupoint on both sides with the fingertips of both thumbs. The pressure should be optimal when there is a sore and radiating sensation towards both sides of the head, lasting for about 2 minutes. Then, shape the five fingers into a plum blossom shape and gently tap the scalp from the top of the head to both sides, as if pecking like a chicken. The pressure should be tolerable, lasting for about 6 minutes. It should create a warm and comfortable sensation in the head.
