Indian head massages, unsurprisingly, were developed in India thousands of years ago. But they were only introduced to us here in the west, in the 1970s.
Whilst you couldn’t be blamed for thinking that they focus on the head - after all, it is called an Indian head massage - it focuses on the scalp, as well as the neck and shoulders. Which means that unlike some full body massages you remain fully dressed except for certain circumstances when the neck and torso are being massaged, in which case you might wear a towel.
On a superficial level, an Indian head massage relaxes you. But in reality, they do muchmore than that. For a start, they can be excellent for relieving headaches and general upper body tension by using deep tissue massage to remove any knots and stimulate blood flow. This means that you relax, release stress and remedy tension-related ailments like headaches, as well as neck and shoulder stiffness and pains. With certain techniques, an Indian head massage can stimulate the lymph nodes, which can aid the body’s detoxification process.
But aside from relieving aches and pains, an Indian head massage can do a lot more. They are a great way of removing mental stress, which in turn leads to better memory and better quality of sleep. It can create a feeling of mental calm and wellbeing in the recipient, which is an aid to clear and balanced thinking. The wide array of oils available for use during an Indian head massage enhance these nonphysical benefits. These essential oils are there to stimulate relaxation and relieve stress.
These oils also have an added bonus - they are great for your hair. In the long run, your hair will be softer and stronger, and they can even stimulate follicle growth depending on which oil you pick. The one caveat is that that essential oils can have a rather overpowering smell so if you intend to go out after your massage, it’s probably a good idea to wash your hair thoroughly. It’s not great for your hairstyle either. Immediately after the massage, the oils can make your hair look like it hasn’t been washed for a couple of days which is why it’s worth wearing a cap or a strategically placed headband afterwards!
