When Narendra Mehta first introduced Indian Champissage to the UK in 1981, little did he know the impact that this deeply relaxing therapy would have – not only in the UK but internationally too. The versatility of the therapy, now better known as Indian Head Massage, has meant that it can be safely and effectively adapted to suit all ages, conditions and situations. Indeed, Indian Head Massage is now popular not only in family homes, spas and beauty and hairdressing salons, but also in airports, offices and schools, and clinical settings such as hospitals, hospices and care homes.

Much of the joy of Indian Head Massage lies in its simplicity and accessibility – no special equipment is needed and it can take less than half an hour to complete. Clients are usually seated on a chair with the therapist working from behind. With a few basic strokes, it is possible to relax and soothe or invigorate and stimulate. Once trained on a recognised course, therapists usually find that it can be as pleasurable and rewarding to give as it is to receive. Therapists soon gain confidence and learn to enjoy experimenting and discovering their own personal style, thus making each individual massage a unique and shared experience.

A colourful history

Before exploring some of the modern applications of Indian Head Massage, it is helpful to look at the colourful history of this ancient therapy, which has its roots in a traditional system of medicine known as Ayurveda, practised in India for over three thousand years. According to Ayurvedic custom, a weekly massage is recommended for men and women to help promote good physical, emotional and spiritual health and well-being. Mothers massage their babies from birth, then when they reach three or four years old, they are given a weekly head massage with vegetable oils. By the age of six or seven children are sharing regular head massages with their mothers and grandmothers to help promote healthy hair growth, boost intelligence and encourage positive communication between generations. There is no formal structure or set routine, it is rather like a recipe that gets handed down through time – with each family adding their own special flavour.

A Western twist

With head massage playing such a fundamental part of life in India, it is not surprising that when Narendra Mehta first came over to the UK to study physiotherapy in the early 1970s, he missed the benefits of the integral routine of his home country. Although it was possible to have a full-body massage, the head was never included in the treatment. So dismayed was Narendra, that he returned to India and travelled around the different regions, selecting techniques that would best suit a Western approach and developed a massage of the scalp, face and ears combined with chakra balancing. The technique was named Indian Champissage, derived from ‘champi’, the Indian word meaning head massage. It is now known as both Champissage and Indian Head Massage.

Whilst Narendra Mehta still teaches his method at the London Centre of Indian Champissage International, set up in 1995, the therapy has been embraced, developed and refined by many other leading Indian Head Massage practitioners over the past ten years. Today, Indian Head Massage can be defined as a seated massage therapy that involves the systematic use of massage techniques on the area surrounding the head: scalp, ears, face and neck, and extending to the shoulders, upper back and upper arms. Such is its versatility that treatment can be given with the client fully clothed, with and without oils, or partially clothed with and without oils.

When and where

When the techniques are applied dry through light clothing, it is the ideal therapy for office workers, including members of the police force, who benefit from the almost instant physical and mental stress-busting effects. Dry treatment has also proved invaluable at airports and on aeroplanes, with tense customers finding that massage helps them unwind and clear their head before and during the flight. Similarly, a simple Indian Head Massage given through clothes can reduce pre-exam nerves and promote concentration and focussed thought for students at school and university.

Use of oils

Many people, however, prefer Indian Head Massage using oils on their back and shoulders and/or in their hair. The aroma and nutritional properties of the oils can add to the relaxation and conditioning benefits of the treatment. It is no co-incidence that Indian women have such long, vibrant and glossy hair. Different oils can be chosen for their specific benefits – mustard is warming oil, for example, whilst coconut has a cooling effect. Qualified aromatherapists may choose to use a blend of pure essential oils in carrier oil. Rosemary and lavender are linked with healthy hair growth.

Standards

Despite the popularity of Indian Head Massage, until recent years, it was classified as part of the beauty and hairdressing industries and mainly offered by beauty therapists and hairdressers. Indeed, there are still no National Occupational Standards for Indian Head Massage as a complementary therapy. This has led to a wide diversity of teaching standards and curriculum content which means that many therapists do not have the skills and confidence to offer the wide range of available benefits to clients. The situation must be addressed if Indian Head Massage and Champissage therapists are to receive credibility and status. And with the expanding interest in the therapeutic benefits of Indian Head Massage within clinical settings, there is a growing urgency for some resolution.

Since this article was written, the General Council for Massage Therapy are looking at Indian Head Massage as part of their self-regulation program, which in turn will bring it under the umbrella of the proposed regulatory body for complementary therapy.

Research

Recent published research into benefits of Indian Head Massage, conclude that Indian Head Massage may well prove to be a very cost effective and pleasant therapeutic tool within the health service. The research, undertaken by Neil Morris, Consultant Psychologist and Senior Lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton, and Sharon Wickes, an Indian Head Massage therapist and trainee mental health practitioner at the Crisis Resolution Service at Parklands Hospital, Hampshire, showed that a 20 minute Indian Head Massage treatment, had a positive effect on participants in the study by reducing tension and gently shifting mood states. Sharon Wickes is now exploring the possibility of providing Indian Head Massage for patients on psychiatric wards and in the community as a contribution to a programme of improving mental health.

(Reference: Mood Enhancement by Indian Head Massage, published in Journal of Holistic Healthcare, Vol 4 Issue 2 May 2007)

Clinical setting

Hospital-based complementary therapy teams such as the award-winning team lead by Peter Mackereth at Christie Hospital, Manchester, have now introduced adapted head massage for patients with cancer and those receiving palliative care. At hospices, including St Wilfrid’s Hospice in Chichester, where I work as a volunteer, adapted head massage is a popular choice for patients with life-limiting conditions such as cancer and motor neurone disease, and also for their carers. Hospitals, hospices and care homes are introducing short Indian Head Massage treatments as an integral part of group relaxation sessions.

Reported benefits of Indian Head Massage within clinical settings include reduction in anxiety and mild depression, increased relaxation and a feeling of safety and reassurance. An adapted Indian Head Massage can also be helpful for relieving tension headaches, general aches and pains and improving sleep patterns. Touching the head is especially intimate and can act as a releasing mechanism for expression of emotions. Above all, many people explain that with regular Indian Head Massage they are able to “cope better” with their devastating effects of their illness.

One gentleman with Motor Neurone Disease commented that Indian Head Massage helped slow down his breathing which in turn, helped him relax and enjoy the psychological benefits of gentle touch. A lady, who had lost her hair whilst undergoing chemotherapy, found that Indian Head Massage using organic sunflower oil helped boost her body image and confidence. A third person reported that her Indian Head Massage session offered her a safe haven and was one of the only times when she felt free from fear of the future. These evaluations show that the importance of communication and empathy with supportive and caring touch can never be underestimated.

Adapted Indian Head Massage always takes into account the fluctuating physical, emotional and energetic condition of the individual. In general terms, practitioners start gently and slowly – increasing pressure to suit the person, avoiding heavy percussion moves or very deep kneading, vigorous stretching or manipulation. Treatment includes plenty of stroking, holds and repetitive moves. Sessions tend to be of less duration, usually 20-30 minutes, but sometimes as little as five to ten minutes, which includes time spent on relaxation and breathing exercises.

The practitioner needs to be flexible and creative at all times, always aware of the body language of the patient. In some instances, treatment positions and massage moves may need to be so adapted that the Indian Head Massage bears little resemblance to original training. Skin can be very sensitive and fragile, mobility can be seriously impaired, there may be drips and dressings to work around – and hospital beds can present a variety of challenges!
Therapists working within a clinical setting will be issued with a policies and guidelines which include issues surrounding consent to treatment, as well as cautions and contra-indications to Indian Head Massage which may be additional to those already covered as part of training. *

Guidelines usually suggest that it is not advisable to massage directly over an area of cancer or associated lymph nodes. Indian Head Massage is generally not suitable for people with any form of cancer that affects the head or neck including brain tumours. It may not be appropriate to offer a session to anyone with cancer that affects the whole body i.e. leukaemia or lymphomas and it is suggested that no pressure should be placed on areas of bony metastases (secondary spread of cancer via the bones). Bones affected can include the spine, skull and upper bones of the arms. Additionally, therapists should be aware that patients may have a lowered immune function and hygiene is of paramount importance. Therapists are advised that if they have any doubts, then seek advice.

Once cautions and contra-indications are taken into account and the person has offered consent to Indian Head Massage, then the therapist’s role is to offer a safe and appropriate treatment for the individual. It is my feeling that therapists need to change their ‘mind-set’ from actively ‘doing’ to offering a calm presence and ‘being’ alongside the person. The therapist’s attitude and intention to share a comforting Indian Head Massage, is as important as the choice of particular techniques or oils. When working in a clinical setting, therapists may gain confidence by recalling the history of the therapy and how it was used as a way of offering support and unconditional love to family members and increasing communication within the home.

*Policies are often based on the National Guidelines for Use of Complementary Therapies in Supportive and Palliative Care published by the Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health (for more information www.fih.org.uk postal address: 33-41, Dallington Street, London EC1V 0BQ tel: 020 3119 3100 fax: 020 3119 3101)