The Indian Head Massage has been one of my treatment offers I had on for September here at ILLUMI, this 45 minute seated treatment is one of my favourite treatments to give and receive due to its holistic benefits.
The Indian Head massage is classified as a holistic treatment. The physical, psychological and subtle levels are treated, resulting in a de-stressing programme for the whole body.
Many positive effects are achieved through physically working on the neck, shoulders and scalp. This treatment helps relieve tension headaches, reduces the onset of migraines and can help relieve sinus issues. The treatment balances the upper chakras, working on chakra energy will strengthen, decrease or balance as needed.
The Indian Head massage is deeply relaxing and works on every level, mind, body and spirit. The massage treats the following areas of the body:
Head and Neck
Face
Chest and Shoulders
Arms and Hands
Chakras
Physical Benefits
Blood flow is improved to the head and neck bringing with it oxygen and nutrients to nourish the body’s cells and promote healing.
Lymphatic drainage to the head and neck is stimulated and increased therefore waste materials from the body are eliminated more efficiently.
Relieves muscular tension and improves muscle tone.
Improves mobility of joints.
Greatly helps to ease headaches and migraines.
Relieves mental strain and aids concentration.
Relieves sinusitis and congestion.
Scalp massage relieves tension from the scalp and increases blood supply to the area, thereby improving the condition of the hair and increasing the rate of hair growth.
Revitalises the whole body.
Psychological Benefits
Alleviates stress, anxiety and depression.
Helps the body to achieve a state of equilibrium – a balanced feeling of peace and harmony.
Clears the mind.
Subtle Benefits
Re-balances the flow of energy through the body.
Stagnant energy is released.
Chakras?
The word Chakra is Sanskrit – an ancient language of India (Hindu) meaning ‘wheel’. It conveys not only the idea of a circle but also of turning, for the energy in chakras are constantly revolving. Traditionally there are seven chakras – these are the energy centres of the etheric body. They are beneficial to the wellbeing and are the only way of uniting the individual soul with the universal consciousness.
Within Indian head massage, work is primarily carried out on the three higher chakras, the crown, the brow (third eye) and the throat. Within my treatments I also work on the heart chakra known as the bridging chakra and use the crystals to help the client visualise the colours relating to each. Energy can be re-aligned and harmony restored.
Interested in where it came from?
Head massages originated as part of the ancient Indian practice of medicine, called Ayurveda. The word “Ayurveda” comes from the Sanskrit, the ancient language of India, and means “science of life” or “Knowledge of life”. Ayurveda is a complete healing system, possibly the oldest in the world, which teaches a truly holistic approach, concentrating on achieving a balance of mind, body and spirit to promote physical, emotional, spiritual health and well-being.
The tradition of Indian head massages was confined to India until native Indian Narendra Mehta traveled to England in 1973 to study physical therapy. He began offering the head massage practice in England and it spread to other Western countries as more people learned the technique. Mehta also expanded the tradition to a more holistic massage of the head, neck and shoulder region. He used his heightened sensitivity as a blind man to identify the other areas related to the head that would also benefit from the massage.
The word “massage” derives from the Arabic “mass” meaning to press softly. As an art, massage must be as old as man himself – to rub an injured part is an instinctive reaction to pain.
The importance of massage featured regularly in the earliest Ayurvedic texts, dating back almost 4000 years. Massage has always played an important part in Indian family life, praised for its therapeutic benefits and believed to maintain good health and longevity. Ancient Indians believed that massage of all types, used with herbs, spices and oils, promoted strong muscles and skin, good health and encouraged the body's natural healing powers.
There are many different massage techniques used throughout the Indian Head massage including Pressure or Marma points. There are 37 marma points that can be treated or manipulated during an Indian head massage. Massaging these points is thought to cleanse blocked energy flow by using the finger tips to either stimulate or calm the marma point and promote physical, emotional and spiritual balance.
As a society we are always searching for the next anti-aging products, techniques and procedures. However, stimulating your marma points can leave you with less lines and wrinkles, less stressed, and more balanced at no extra cost 😊
Here at ILLUMI my Indian Head massage has the option of an AVEDA scalp remedy. There are three choices which are a lovely add on to your treatment, drops of these essential oils can be applied and massaged into the scalp during your treatment.
Soothing - an aroma-therapeutic essential oil blend with lavender, blue chamomile and rose for calming the scalp.
Purifying – an aroma-therapeutic essential oil blend with rosemary, tea tree, and orange balances an oily scalp.
Conditioning –an aroma-therapeutic essential oil blend with cedarwood, patchouli and vetiver will benefit a dry scalp.
Alternatively we have the AVEDA nourishing oils: Shampure, Beautifying and Stress-fix. Some of you may be familiar with these oils after experiencing one of our hand rituals we offer within ILLUMI.
Worried about leaving the salon with oily hair?
I would advise you leave all oils on the skin and scalp for as long as possible to absorb and provide beneficial effects. At ILLUMI we want everyone to leave feeling cared for so if you would prefer to have a wash and rough dry before leaving the salon this is something we can do for you. Please request this at the time of booking to ensure availability.
The extra services /products can be added to your Indian Head treatment for an additional cost of £5 each.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about another one of my treatments I have here at ILLUMI. If you would like to book you may contact the salon on 01527 852444. I am available at the salon Tuesday, and Thursday. This particular treatment is priced at £40 for a full (hands on) 45minutes.
Until next time warmest wishes Stephanie x