| INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE. The Beginning; Massage has always played an important part in Indian life, featuring in the earliest Ayurvedic texts that date back nearly 4000 years. Indian Head Massage or ‘Champissage’ as it is known in India, springs from a rich tradition of family grooming. The techniques were originally developed by women who used different oils according to the season (coconut, sesame, almond, olive oil, herbal oils, buttermilk, mustard oil and henna) to keep their hair strong, lustrous and in beautiful condition. It is an integral part of the treatment given by barbers and masseurs, and it became a normal custom so that people from the king down would have someone to treat them. Treatments given to men differ to those performed to the women in that they were mainly invigorating scalp massages designed to stimulate and refresh the individual and not as a part of a beauty treatment. Today, infants often receive a daily massage from birth until they are 3 years old to keep them in good health and then from once to twice a week. After 6, they are then taught to share a massage with family members and massage them across the generations as an integral part of family life. In the West, Indian Head Massage as been developed to help relieve the stress of everyday living, and the areas covered are the upper arms and back, the shoulders, neck, head and face. The Benefits; Indian head massage works on the physical, psychological and subtle levels and the techniques used represent a de-stressing program for the whole body. Physical benefits: -
Improves blood flow to the head and neck increasing distribution of oxygen and nutrients to nourish the tissues and encourages healing. -
Stimulates and improves lymphatic drainage to the head and neck thus helping to eliminate waste material from the body. -
Relieves eyestrain and headaches and is effective for tinnitis, jaw ache, sinusitis, congestion and insomnia. -
Relieves mental and physical strain to improve concentration and better productivity. -
Improves muscle tone. -
Relieves muscle tension and pain from muscular spasms. -
Constriction and adhesions can be reduced or prevented as traumatized muscle tissue heals. -
Unlocks restricted joints movement and improves mobility. -
Revitalizes the whole body. -
Scalp massage boosts the blood supply to the scalp, increases the amount of nourishment and oxygen reaching the hair, thereby promoting hair growth. Psychological benefits: - Creates a ‘balanced’ feeling of peace and calm.
- Alleviates stress, anxiety and depression.
- Helps clearer thinking by increasing alertness and concentration.
Subtle benefits: - Re-balances the energy flow to the body.
- Release of stagnant energy.
- Revitalizes the whole person.
Submitted by: ItsMerv, April 2003 
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