I recently performed a massage that consisted solely of massaging the scalp, hands, and feet. For a few reasons, this specific client decided to opt out of the full-body experience during this session. Instead of becoming worried - "Oh, how am I to fit in one full hour on just the scalp, hands, and feet," I became ecstatic. This was a chance to really dig in there and spend some time on these lovely areas of tension release.
Upon finishing the session, I started thinking more about scalp massage... about how some people will pay for a massage of just this one technique. And how it could be a convenient and healing technique for those not wanting a full-body experience. Since I indulged in the history of a type of hand and foot massage last week (Reflexology), I decided I'd do some research into a modality based strictly on the massage of the head. One style that focuses on this - and one that I have over and over again heard so much about - is "Indian Head Massage," or "Ayurvedic Head Massage."
So, what the heck is it? Well, first of all, it has a long & rich history. Evidence of the employment (and enjoyment!) of head massage can be found in Ayurvedic texts from about 4,000 years ago (Ayurveda is India's system of traditional medicine, dating back to the second millennium BCE. It is arguably the world's oldest form of medicine and is still used extensively as a primary medicine and as a complementary or alternative medicine). One of the traditional names of Indian head massage is shiroabhyanga, but it has also been seen (in the West especially) under the moniker Champi or Champissage. Shiroabhyanga is often and traditionally used by women as a massage on either other women or on children to both work the person's energy systems (in Ayurveda these are called chakras) and to nourish the skin of the scalp and hair.
Champi is the form of an Indian head massage found more commonly for men in barbershops. Equally as energizing and nourishing, this form of massage was used as the precedent for the modern version of Indian head massage that may be familiar to many of us (that's quite a relative meaning of "many," ahem). Narendra Mehta, an osteopath and massage therapist, created and trademarked "Champissage" (based on the root word Champi) and brought Indian head massage to the West. Mehta, having studied physiotherapy in England, was disappointed to see that most Western-style massages did not include the head or scalp. In 1978 he decided to return to India in order to research the benefits of head massage. Not only did he do this, but he developed a more comprehensive massage that included the shoulders and neck, traditional oils, massage of face and ears, chakra balancing, and scalp massage. "Champissage" was born. There is even a center devoted solely to this modernized version of an ancient healing art-form, the London Centre of Indian Champissage International.
Not only in England was Indian head massage to gain popularity, but in the the rest of Europe, the U.S. and Canada as well. Mehta (via Massage Magazine) outlines a good example of how a version of Champissage is done (and felt!):
"The skillful placing of the therapist's hands on the upper three chakras - vishuddha, governing the throat region and its associated organs; ajna, the third-eye point, located on the forehead; and sahasrara the master chakra associated with the pineal plexus and found at the crown of one's head, combined with visual and auditory stimuli, allow the client's innate healing energy to rebalance and harmony to prevail," explains Mehta. "If a client is feeling a little sluggish mentally, I find that working with the crown chakra and the third-eye chakra simultaneously will enable them to feel more alert and able to release pent-up emotions."
Mehta's champissage treatment begins with massage of the upper back, shoulders, upper arms and neck to melt fatigue. This is followed by a scalp massage, which is a series of integrated techniques.
One of these, the windscreen-wiper technique, is designed to stimulate the scalp, improving blood circulation. The therapist places his hand over one ear, with the fingers splayed out over the forehead. Using the ball of the other hand, a light rubbing movement is carried out on that side of the head. It is then repeated on the opposite side.
The next technique is whole-hand friction. When supporting the head with one hand, the therapist applies firm pressure with the fingertips and heel of the other hand, moving the scalp up and down. This nourishes the hair from the roots and drains away tension.
Other techniques, such as ruffling, stroking, plucking and tapping the scalp and hair, prove to be profoundly relaxing. The techniques are performed in sequence, though a therapist may choose to spend more time on certain moves if this is likely to benefit the client. The massage then proceeds to the temples, which are rubbed in a firm, circular motion to relieve eyestrain and tension headaches."
After getting an Indian head massage, many people report feeling as though they just had a full-body massage. Not only is there better mobility in the entire upper body, but Ayurvedic (chakra) energy points, in addition to circulatory and lymphatic points, have been stimulated. This provides for better blood circulation of the head and aides in lymphatic draining.
When balancing the chakras in Indian head massage, certain techniques are used specifically to release stagnant energy. For example, the heel of the hand is used and rotated counterclockwise along the shoulder girdle of the seated client and moved down and in between the spine and scapula. This "inverted L" shape of the hand is then rotated clockwise and brought back up the way it came. This technique, repeated & repeated, is know as a way to release and spread "prana" or "life force, vital energy."
In addition to stimulating energy work, it is also shown that Indian head massages promote hair health and growth (stimulating the sebaceous glands), are excellent for depression and anxiety, promote calmness and peacefulness, improve memory and concentration, aid in digestion and elimination of waste materials, and relieve eyestrain, headaches, insomnia and sinusitis.
This is not to mention the ability of Indian head massage to relieve muscular tension from the shoulder and upper chest/back on up to the occiput, the scalp (the occipitofrontalis), and the muscles of the face. Most of us, due to the occupations, habits & and stresses of the 21st Century, have more than enough tension in these areas. Indian head massage can help break-down muscular adhesions in these areas, remove said tensions, and aide in reeducating the postural movement of the neck, head and upper back.
Finally, the oils used in Indian head massages (sesame, sweet almond, and olive) can have many benefits. Besides balancing the doshas (the bodily humors of Ayurveda that make up one's constitution), these oils can strengthen and nourish hair, increase sebum production which conditions the hair, and clean out pores. Add in some essential oils (bergamot, rose, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, rosemary, etc.) and the experience can truly be heavenly!!
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