Indian Head Massage
Indian head massage (which is also known as champissage) is a fabulously uplifting type of massage that has its roots in Ayurvedic medicine—an ancient Indian medicine system that’s still used today.
Indian head massage was brought to the west by Narendra Mehta in the seventies, and it’s an ideal introduction to the world of massage. A session of IHM can be both soothing and invigorating, and it will certainly be very enjoyable.
How does it work?
Indian head massage works on the areas of your body that feel stress most, and that’s why it’s been part of Indian grooming culture, carried out before major life events for over a thousand years. The massage treatment helps to switch off some of your annoying mental chatter as well as relieving any muscular pain and tension.
If you suffer from headaches or migraines, IHM is the ideal massage therapy for you because it helps to increase the supply of blood and glucose to your brain. The soothing massage action also helps to make stiff neck and shoulder muscles more flexible, easing the tension that most of us tend to hold in our shoulders and neck.
Many workplaces get a therapist to come in and give IHM because of its stress-busting qualities, so if you’re feeling stressed and overworked, popping in for a massage would be a great way to relax and give yourself some me-time. Your manager will be impressed too, as IHM has another benefit in improving concentration levels. If you sometimes feel a bit fuzzy-headed, regular IHM could help sharpen up your mind!
What happens in an Indian head massage treatment?
IHM suits everyone—even shy types who don’t like the idea of getting undressed. Because you’re only having your head, neck, shoulders and upper back massaged, there’s no need to remove your clothes at all.
Once you’re in the treatment room, you’ll lie down or sit on a massage bed and once you’re ready, she’ll start working on your neck, shoulders and scalp, concentrating on certain points with a selection of different massage techniques. Usually an IHM is carried out with scented oils, but if you’d rather not have the oil (as it can get in your hair) just ask the therapist before you get started and she’ll make sure that she leaves it off.
Some of the massage can be quite deep—it gets right in there to the areas where you hold most stress and tension, with compression and kneading techniques. If it feels uncomfortable, just ask for a little less pressure, but the deep massage movements are really effective! Some of the movements are light as a feather though, especially when you’re having your face worked on, so don’t worry. You’ll feel amazing afterwards and be back for more…
