Indian Head Massage has been practised in India for over a thousand years. It was brought to the west in the 1970’s when the therapy was extended to include the shoulders, neck, upper arms and face.
As we tend to spend most of our time in our heads, this treatment can really help calm the mind and is surprisingly deeply relaxing. As well as relieving muscular tension, it calms the spirit, improves blood circulation to the head, enhances the senses and promotes clear thinking.
The massage begins with the upper back and shoulders to relax the muscles and melt knots. Next the upper arms are worked using a combination of friction and compression. Moving up to the neck where gentle effleurage helps to relieve tension which can cause headaches and improves blood flow to the head. The scalp is massaged next using techniques that stimulate, relax and revive the whole of the head, increasing circulation and promoting healthy hair. Finally the treatment ends with a gentle face massage using techniques and acupressure points that help circulation, skin tone, sinus problems and promote lymphatic drainage.
This therapy is very popular and can be performed with or without oils, either lying on a massage couch or with the client fully clothed in an upright massage chair, which makes it a very popular choice for the workplace.
Benefits of an Indian Head Massage include:
- Some clients have reported improvement of migraine, headaches and sinus conditions
- Improved quality and quantity of sleep
- Improved suppleness and flexibility to head, neck and shoulders
- Increase of oxygen to the brain aiding clearer thinking and improved memory
- Calms the respiratory system which may help with breathing related disorders
- Promotes a sense of calmness, peace and tranquility
- Release from anxiety, stress and mental strain
- Renewed energy
- Improved levels of concentration
- Chakra balancing and energetic healing