Indian head massage is a part of the ancient practice of Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda means “knowledge of life.” It is used to help the body to heal itself.

Indian head massage techniques have existed in India for thousands of years. It is an art that is taught in childhood and passed on through the generations. The art has come to the Western world and has been making a significant change in the lives of many.

Through the manipulation of the head, neck and shoulders, the rest of the body can be affected. A take-off of this type of massage has always been performed between mother and child. The act of massaging the head increases the blood flow to the scalp and also to the brain. More oxygen means increased clarity and focus. It also means that hair follicles are incredibly nourished, resulting in longer and stronger hair which Indian women have cherished for centuries.

The particular type of Indian head massage performed in the West is called champissage and was brought here by its founder Narendra Mehta. People have found great relief from chronic ailments that were once only treated with medicine or just left untreated to run their course.

Ayurvedic medicine deals with the entire entity of a person and not just the ailment that they have at the time. As an “energy” being, life flows through the body through its chakras promoting health. When that flow is blocked at any point, there is a physiological change in the body that results in illness like headaches, backache, sinus trouble and all manner of other things. Keeping that energy flowing is the first issue to deal with.

As a physical being, the tissues of the body can be manipulated to unblock this energy flow throughout the body. Through gentle techniques that involve fingertip massage and others, the body begins to recover so it can begin the healing process.

The Art of Indian Head Massage

The head is often neglected in massage. The pressure focuses on the back, the legs arms and shoulders but the head is left out. Here, the head (along with the neck and shoulders) is the principal player. From here, balance can be achieved in the rest of the body and you can feel like you’ve had a full body workout.

The benefits of this massage include:

  • Greater focus
  • Detoxification of the body
  • Stronger hair
  • Increased immunity
  • Relief from migraines, neck injury and stress

It takes about an hour to complete this massage. Aromatherapy oils (like lavender, mint and chamomile) may also be used to aid in treatment. Be careful though, since concentrated oils can seep into the scalp faster and cause some problems.

This massage doesn’t require getting undressed and offers many benefits. Look around your area to see if you can make an appointment for an Indian head massage.