What is Indian Head Massage?

Indian head Massage has its roots in the culture and traditions of India where it is known as Champissage and forms part of the traditional Ayrvedic system of health. In India today, champissage is widely practised within the home, in barber’s shops and also on street corners and on the beach.

Modern day Indian head massage incorporates other areas of the body vulnerable to stress including the neck, shoulders, upper back, arms and face which makes it very effective as part of a stress management programme.

What happens in the session?

Lying down treatment

Following a consultation I will make a blend of essential oils and plant oils to use in your treatment. You will need to remove the top half of your clothing and lie on the treatment couch covered by a towel. The massage incorporates the shoulders, upper back, upper arms, neck and face before moving onto the head.
Traditionally aromatic oils are applied to Marma points on the scalp as part of the massage. According to Ayurvedic ancient texts, these are vital points where muscle, vein, ligament, bone and joint meet together. A Marma point massage is said to strengthen the mind/ body by stimulating and freeing the vital flow of energy through our whole being and thus restoring normal function. If you prefer not to have oil applied to the scalp, this step can be omitted.

Massage strokes can be adapted to be more stimulating or more soothing and gentle so please discuss your requirements during the consultation or during the treatment if you would like me to adapt the approach.

Seated treatment

Indian Head Massage can also be given as a seated treatment over clothing with no use of oils, taking as little as 10 – 20 minutes. This can be an ideal treatment to have at work, leaving you feeling refreshed and ready to face the rest of the day. If you are interested in booking this treatment for a group of people at your workplace, please get in touch to discuss this.

Heaven and Earth Massage

Combine a head massage with an Oriental foot massage for a therapeutic experience that's as restorative as a full body massage.

 

Benefits of Indian Head Massage:

  • Increased blood flow to the brain, scalp, neck and shoulders encouraging alertness of mind and body
  • Prevents / reduces muscle stiffness and aches and pains in the neck and shoulders
  • Improved condition of the skin and hair
  • Relieves / reduces tension headaches
  • Relaxes and soothes tense eye muscles, relieving eye strain
  • Relieves nasal congestion and conditions such as sinusitis
  • Improved sleep

‘Enjoyed it very much. Deeply relaxing and stimulating. I felt in very safe hands.’ Jane, Oxford.

How many treatments do I need?

Like all holistic therapies, Indian Head Massage can have a cumulative effect, and depending on your circumstances you may need a series of 3 -5 treatments to feel the full benefits. After that it is an ideal treatment to have once a month or so as part of a stress management programme.

After your treatment

Your reaction to receiving massage may vary according to your current physical and emotional condition. If there has been a considerable amount of stress it is not unusual for there to be some kind of reaction as the body adjusts itself back into balance, such as a feeling of tiredness (often replaced by revitalisation) or aching and soreness in the muscles, which will subside in a day or so.

During the massage or immediately afterwards, some people experience a light-headed sensation, others feel sleepy or conversely feel much more alert and energetic.

Following your treatment, you should

  • Increase intake of water
  • Have a suitable rest period
  • Avoid eating a heavy meal
  • Avoid smoking
  • Cut down on consumption of tea, coffee and alcohol.

If you have had oil used in your hair, it’s beneficial if you are able to leave this in for at least an hour to condition the hair and scalp. To remove the oil, use neat shampoo first, before wetting the hair, in order to break the oil down.