Indian Head Massage

Evastar

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History


Massage has been used traditionally in India for thousands of years. It has been and still is seen as a way of preserving the body’s life force and energy and as a way of relaxing and rejuvenating the body.

Indian infants often receive a daily massage to keep them in good health. Indian women massage their family’s heads to keep their hair beautiful, strong and lustrous. Barbers offer head massage to their clients.



The techniques and skills of head massage have been passed down through the generations, from mother to daughter, barber father to barber son, naturally becoming more refined and evolved with the passage of time, into the form of Indian Head Massage as we know it today.


Ayurveda

Head massage forms part of the tradition of Ayurveda, an ancient holistic medicine system used in India for thousands of years that is currently gaining popularity worldwide. The term Ayurveda comes from Sanskrit and means ‘science of life and longevity.’

Ayurveda is known to date back at least four thousand years. It is discussed in ancient Indian texts, called Vedas which date back to this time. According to the Vedas, human life span should be around 100 years, and all these years should be lived in total health, physically and emotionally.

The aim of Ayurveda is health, beauty and long life. The holy texts advocate massage and holistic living, in that health results from harmony within oneself.


The Ayurvedic view of health is a holistic one, promoting physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. The purpose of Ayurveda is to nourish the ‘root of life’ in order to keep ourselves healthy and happy.

The ‘root of life’, or ‘life-giving forces’ are known as doshas. The three doshas are Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Vata is the driving force and relates mainly to the nervous system and the body’s energy centre. Pitta is fire and relates to metabolism, digestion, enzymes, acid and bile, and Kapha is related to water in the mucous membranes, phlegm, moisture, fat and lymphatics.


In Ayurveda people are also made up of five elements, space, air, fire, water and earth. Ayurveda treats each individual as a unique combination of these doshas and elements, which need to be kept balanced to maintain good health.


Western History

Indian Head Massage has only become popular in the West very recently. The massage routine now includes shoulders, upper arms and neck as well as scalp and hair. It was brought to the United Kingdom by Narendra Mehta and has spread rapidly, growing more and more widely accepted and used as a method of stress reduction.


Use of Oils in Indian Head Massage


It is optional whether or not to use oils in Indian Head Massage. Most people would probably like a small amount of oil to be used when you are working on their neck and shoulder area, as it helps you to get deeper and enables you to use more pressure, but not everyone will want oil and some people prefer to be massaged through their clothes.

Oil can also be used when working on the scalp, and has the benefits of reducing dryness, softening and moisturizing the scalp and hair, slowing down hair loss, encouraging healthy hair growth and reducing tension and fatigue in the muscles of the scalp. Again, not all your clients will want oil used on their scalp, so it is important to ask their preference.



Indian Head Massage Oils

There are a number of oils traditionally used in Indian Head Massage. Each has individual properties and benefits. These oils include sesame, coconut, olive, mustard and almond.

Sesame is a very popular oil in the western part of India. It is traditionally used in summer, as it is said to give some protection from the sun. It contains iron, calcium and phosphorous and reduces swelling, relieves muscular pains and stiffness and strengthens and moisturizes the skin.

Coconut is popular in southern India. It is particularly used in the spring. It is a light oil, which is very moisturizing and softening on the skin and hair. It is good for dry, brittle, lifeless hair and dry, dehydrated skin. It helps to relieve inflammation, but may irritate very sensitive skin.

Olive is popular in the Western world. It is quite a pungent oil, which often gets mixed with lighter oils, such as almond. It contains high levels of unsaturated fatty acids and has excellent moisturizing properties. It is soothing and penetrating and helps to reduce swelling and muscular tightness. It is a stimulating oil which helps to increase heat in the body.

Mustard is most popular in the northwest of India. It is particularly used in winter, because of its warming effect. Mustard is pungent and warming, and should always be diluted with another oil. It increases body heat and helps break down congestion and swelling from tense muscles and relieves pain. It is used in conjunction with tumeric powder to treat dry scalp. It may irritate the skin because it is so stimulating.

Almond is a very popular oil which is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, proteins and vitamins A, B, D and E. It is used on all hair and skin types and is a particularly good hair conditioner. It reduces muscular pain and tightness, is good for dry skin and hair, moisturizing and protecting it and helps stimulate hair growth. It is a stimulating oil that has warming effects on the body. Do not use this oil if your client has a nut allergy.


Use of Essential Oils in Indian Head Massage


Sandalwood, jasmine and rosemary have been traditionally used in Ayurvedic practices in India. Their properties can be extremely beneficial to the hair and scalp, and pre-blended preparations may be bought from oil suppliers that are suitable for use in Indian Head Massage. It is not recommended that a therapist use essential oils they have blended themselves in Indian Head Massage, unless they are qualified and insured for the practice of Aromatherapy.


Benefits of Indian Head Massage

Indian Head Massage has helped many thousands of people worldwide. Its main benefits include:

* Increase in blood flow to the head, neck and shoulders, nourishing the tissues and encouraging healing, and increasing the circulation, thereby improving the delivery of oxygen and nutrients and speeding up the elimination of toxins.

* Increase in lymphatic flow to the head, neck and shoulders, stimulating the immune system, reducing oedema and speeding the elimination of toxins and waste products.

* Relaxes the muscle and nerve tissue of the head, neck and shoulders, relieving
muscular fatigue and tension, improving posture and increasing flexibility.

* Can help to relieve tension headaches and aches and pains.

* Reduces stress and anxiety.

* Encourages relaxation and sleep.

* Improves circulation to the scalp and hair, encouraging healthy hair growth
and improving the condition of the skin and hair.

* Relaxes and soothes tense eye muscles, reducing eyestrain, relieving tired eyes
and brightening the eyes.

* Very versatile. Can be used through clothes, all you need is a chair.

* Increases the flow of oxygen to the brain, helping to improve concentration.

* Can help relieve sinusitis and congestion.

* Indian Head Massage helps the body to achieve homeostasis, a state of balance.
 
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