Indian Head Massage Exposed

Massage, in general, has always played a significant part in Indian culture. As early as 12 B.C., as implied by Hindi Ayurvedic texts, head massage together with herbs that have healing agents and aromatic massage oil not only strengthen the muscles and firm the skin but also encourage one’s body’s innate healing energy. It was the women of India who developed this kind of massage, paying attention to every detail, from techniue to the container for massage oil. At that time, they just wanted to condition their hair using different kinds of aromatic oils depending on the climate or season.

As years passed by, men, particularly barbers performed Indian head massage. If the women were more focused on beautifying and conditioning their hair, barbers focused on massaging the scalp. They continued to do this after receiving positive feedback that after doing it, customers feel relaxed. A few more years and the Indian head massage has become popular among other countries because of the soothing and relaxing feeling it gives. Then, when hospital therapy was not readily available, people relied on Indian head massage as a means of relieving stress and tension. It was in 1970’s that an Indian came to England to train as a Physical Therapist. Growing up with Indian head massage after every haircut, he dearly missed his own country. He came back and studied more about Indian head massage techniques and how it helps one’s body.

Higher learning also incorporated the Indian belief of Chakras. On the belief that the head represents who we are and that it is home to one’s identity and intelligence. As they say, if our head feels good, we feel good. Technically speaking, Indian head massage is a non-invasive treatment of therapy of the scalp, head, and shoulders used to stimulate the nerve endings and break up muscle and tissue tension.

As years passed by, different Indian head massage techniques were developed in the belief that it can help in alleviating body tensions, physical, psychological, and emotional. Indian head massage’s firm and gentle massage rhythm helps unlock pressured points and blockages to blood flow to relieve body tension. They particularly focused on massaging the head because the head and the hair have sensitive full nerve endings which make it very receptive to touch. Though it’s called Indian head massage, it also extends to massaging the scalp, face, neck, shoulders, upper back, arms, and the hands.

Indian head massage does not require being undressed. The usual Indian head massage begins from the back and the neck deeply working on the pressure points to relax the muscles from any neck or shoulder tension. From the back, it moves to the scalp to set off proper blood circulation, oxygen movement, and nutrient distribution. The scalp massage also stimulates hair growth and revitalizes and relaxes the brain. The Indian head massage therapy or treatment ends with a face massage. The face massage relaxes the pressure points that can alleviate simple headache, migraine, and even sinus problems.

Usual massage therapies only eliminate muscle tension giving one a relaxed feeling. The difference that Indian head massage brings is the healing energy it stimulates in one’s body. Muscle and other body tensions of are relieved because of the connected pressure points throughout the body.

Subsequent Indian head massage therapies is also said to be highly effective in treating several physical health disorders and problems such as:

•    arthritis
•    osteoarthritis
•    rheumatoid arthritis
•    chronic fatigue
•    temporo-mundibular joint tension
•    frozen shoulder
•    multiple sclerosis
•    asthma
•    bronchitis

As for the psychological and emotional benefits of Indian head massage, it is said to clear and revitalize the mind to improve one’s alertness and concentration. Also, long before aspirins were developed to alleviate migraine and mental tension, Indian head massages were already proven to relieve these. As by Indian belief, Indian head massage also balances one’s Chakras or body energies by releasing stagnant energy to keep the all the body systems work harmoniously. Other benefits from Indian head massage include reduction in levels of stress, improved skin tone, and improved sleeping habits.

Nowadays, Indian head massage is considered, not only by massage therapists but also of health practitioners, as one of the leading contemporary therapies especially in the United Kingdom. Also, India has extended their efforts to keep this part of their very colorful culture. Today, Indian newborns are given soft Indian head massages daily to keep them supple, agile, and healthy. When they reach the age of three, the frequency of Indian head massages were decreased to once or twice a week. Once they reach the age of six, they are taught share massages between family members. Indian head massage has not only contributed to India as an art but has also contributed to their culture as a significant part of family life and tradition of family grooming.