Indian Head Massage

The principles of Indian head massage is to rebalance the body’s energy and improve overall health using acupressure massage on the head, face, neck, shoulders and back (all areas which are prone to hold stress and tension).

It is believed the massage techniques connect with the seven “chakras” unblocking energy pathways.  This allows the energy to flow freely and encourage the whole body to heal and balance physically, mentally and emotionally.

Unlike other massage therapies, Indian Head massage can be treated over clothes (although most clients will remove tops to benefit from any essential oils used and deeper relaxation).  Essential oils are traditionally used (although not necessary) and offer all kinds of benefits depending on the oils used.  Click here to find out more about essential oils.

In today’s society, we spend most of day in our heads.  This treatment can help to calm the mind and is deeply relaxing. Working with a firm and gentle pressure it helps relieve muscular discomfort and tension as well as calming the mind and aiding relaxation.  It can also improve circulation in the head, enhance the senses and promote clear thinking.  Following the treatment you can feel relaxed, calm, focused, ache-free, ready to tackle the rest of the day or fall asleep depending on oils used.

The treatment involves massaging the neck, shoulders and upper back so it’s recommended you wear loose-fitting clothing to feel les restricted or uncomfortable.  It’s also a good idea not to have too many layers otherwise you will not experience the benefit from the massage if you choose not to remove any clothing.

Although Indian head massage is kind to hair through the use of oils, it isn’t too kind in maintaining the hairstyle you arrive with.  You will be asked to remove any hair bands, clips or slides before the treatment.  Because I use oils on the scalp and hair, you may also want to bring a hat or Alice band for after the treatment.

Some more benefits you may experience from this treatment include:

  • Enhancing sleep and boosting memory
  • Reducing jaw ache
  • Stimulating lymphatic system
  • Improving circulatory, muscular and nervous system
  • Relieving tension
  • Improving oxygen flow and glucose supply to the brain and alleviating mental tiredness
  • Alleviating migraines, headaches and back pain
  • Promoting healthy hair and stimulating hair growth
  • Releasing toxins
  • Renewing energy levels and balancing chakras
  • Alleviating stress and anxiety symptoms as well as stress related disorders
  • Relieving sinusitis
  • Improving sleep and sleep disorders
  • Calming the respiratory system and supporting asthma symptoms

Where did it all begin?

Indian head massage (also known as Champissage or Shirobhyanga) was initially based upon the traditional Hindu system of medicine known as the Ayurvedac healing system  over 4,000 years ago.  The principles is that mind and body are connected and can influence one another and the use of the massage techniques coupled with herbs, oils or spices aided good health, strong muscels and encouraged the body to self-heal

India was the only place using this treatment until 1973 when Narendra Mehta came to the UK.  Narenda, blind since the age of 3, experienced regular head massages and the benefits attached whilst living in India.  When he came to the UK, he started to miss the beneficial effects of the treatment and discovered that UK Barbers (where he used to have the treatment in India) were not providing a similar service nor was the treatment readily available.  He eturned to India in  1978 to return to India to study the many different techniques families had developed over generations.

Through his research, he discovered the massage could be extended to the face, neck and shoulders to help rebalance the body’s energy system by introducing an Ayurvedic element to the treatment when focusing on the three higher Chakras:­ Visuddha, Ajna and Sahasrara.

Given his heightened sensitivity to touch, he was also able to record specific parts of the body that reacted positively to specific points on the face, scalp, head, neck and shoulder when touched with various techniques.

With his discoveries, coupled with the traditional head massage he developed and created “Indian Champissage” and in 1981 he showcased this ‘new’ therapy at a UK Exhibition and the feedback he received by those visitors suffering from headaches and other stress-related symptoms was overwhelming.  Over the years he was able to continue his research to further advance his understanding and knowledge in order to enhance the healing powers of the treatment.