indian head massage
Traditionally adopted in everyday family life in India, Indian Head Massage combines gentle and stimulating techniques on the back, arms, shoulders, neck, head and face. It can help to improve blood flow, alleviate headaches, release sinuses and get better sleep by balancing the energies of the upper body. The treatment is performed with the client fully clothed and seated in a chair.
Five stages in Indian Head Massage
Indian head massage is generally performed in five stages. The process starts by massaging the back area, then the shoulders and neck, moving along the arms, then massaging the scalp and finally the face while the client sits comfortably on a massage chair. Massage oil is applied only to the neck and face area. The rest of the body parts are massaged over the client’s clothing.
Benefits of Indian Head Massage
After receiving an Indian Head Massage, it is normal to you feel relaxed, calm, and rejuvenated. It is also natural that you feel sleepy. To get the maximum benefits of the treatment, it is advisable to drink plenty of water to flush out the toxins.
In addition to the benefits mentioned at the start, you may also experience back pain relief, accelerated hair growth and a boost in memory.
But what is Indian Head Massage?
Indian Head Massage is also referred to as “Champi” in Indian culture and has evolved out of the Ayurvedic tradition. The therapist uses around 40 massage techniques to help with the flow of energies in the body. Ayurvedic healers have been using this remedy for thousnads of years to treat headaches, stress, insomnia, muscle tension, migraines, and sinusitis.
History of Indian Head Massage
Narendra Mehta was a blind man who grew up in a community where “Champi” was very common and important. When he travelled to England in the 1970s as a physical therapist, he was surprised to find that head massage was not being practiced anywhere. He was also disappointed that massaging of the head was completely neglected even during a full-body massage.
He came back to India in 1978 to continue his research and practice Indian head massage in local barbershops. It was only in 1981 that Narendra Mehta officially presented the new massage therapy called “Indian Champissage” at an exhibition in Olympia England. The benefits of head massaging were quickly experienced by the Europeans so it wasn’t long before the healing technique spread throughout Europe.
Today head massage is used seperately or as part of holistic treatments in healing centres and spas all over the world.