Indian Head Massage

What is it?

Head massage originated in India over a thousand years ago. The origin of shampoo comes from a Hindi word 'champi'. Being 'champi-ed' meant having your head massaged. It began as the way to keep your long hair in beautiful condition and has become a part of daily life.

Massage is probably the oldest therapy known to man, and has been practised in the Far and the Middle East for at least 5000 years. The beneficial effects have been acknowledged for generations, and massage is a part of everyday activity, performed within the family from a very young age.

It is stated that the way to health is to have a scented bath and an oiled massage everyday. Unfortunately this is impossible in today's world, although we are starting to realise that we have to take responsibility for our own health.

The beauty of head massage is you can have it almost anywhere - at home, work or in a salon. You can be clothed or unclothed, use oils, cream, powder or nothing.

Indian Head Massage is a treatment based on old Ayurvedic techniques involving work on the upper back, shoulders, neck, scalp and face. A variety of massage movements are used to relieve accumulated tension, stimulate circulation and restore joint movement. Indian Head Massage is also used to aid the condition and health of the hair, particularly when combined with the use of natural organic oils.

The Benefits

It is both subtle and deep leaving the client feeling deeply relaxed, rejuvenated and deeply affected.

Massaging the head can do much to relieve the stress and tension that fill our day to day lives. The technique involves controlled caresses such as the spider walk, root pull, and comb, and focuses mainly on the face and scalp. It can also continue down the upper back, neck, shoulders and upper arms.

The massage has a strong effect on the three higher chakras of the seven - mind, body and spirit. Chakra (wheel) is the energy vortex that we need to remain striving. As the massage works on the shoulders and neck, the relief of tension is felt almost instantaneously.

As well as easing headaches and stress, the conditions it can help are many. It helps deal with scalp and hair problems, aids localised blood and lymphatic circulation, relieves eye strain, boosts the immune system, relieves muscle tension, and helps restore joint movement. This is particularly good for people who are wheelchair bound or are partially immobile.

The Technique

An Indian Head Massage generally starts with the client sitting in a comfortable chair for the duration of the massage.

There is no need to remove clothing although it should be noted that a cotton top or T shirt is probably the most comfortable thing to be wearing. Some clients prefer to remove their top to prevent any oil staining.

Treatment normally begins with a deep kneading and probing of the neck and shoulder muscles. At times similar to Osteopathy but with no crunching or cracking of joints. The head is then worked with the scalp being squeezed, rubbed, gently tapped and prodded. The hair is briskly tussled and gently combed.

Pressure points are gently worked on and the ears are tugged and pressed. Lastly the practitioner moves to the face, working with acupressure points to help relieve any sinus pressure, stimulate the circulation and increase alertness. The face is also very gently stroked.

Once a massage has been complete the client should remain at rest for at least 20 minutes.

Treatment Cost : 18 pounds per session (30 - 45 mins)

Massage Therapy is a safe and effective treatment which benefit people of all ages and conditions. It is not a replacement for medical advice. 

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