Traditional Indian Head Massage originates from women in India massaging and using oils on their daughters’ hair to keep it in good condition, whilst Indian men received head massages (‘champi’, believed to have given rise to the word shampoo) from their barbers. These techniques were passed down the generations and are still practised today.

Indian Head Massage became more widely practised here in Britain from the 1980s when the treatment was expanded to include the upper back, shoulders, arms, neck and face. Ayuveda, the ancient Indian medical system, was also incorporated. In Ayuveda, the body is said to contain seven energy centres, points known as chakras. When the body is unbalanced, the energy flow between the chakras is affected. During an Indian Head Massage, the three higher chakras (the crown, the third eye and the throat) are usually worked upon, which can bring the energy (prana) of the whole body back into balance.

Indian Head Massage is usually performed with the client sitting in a chair and can be performed through clothes and with or without oil. It can help relieve many physical and emotional problems and a full list of benefits are listed below.