What is it?
Practised informally among family members in India, Indian head massage consists of various massage techniques applied to the upper back, shoulders, neck, head and face. Many Indians believe that head massage keeps hair healthy and delays greying. Various oils such as coconut, sesame, almond and olive are used to nourish the hair while scalp massage revitalises circulation. In India, head massage is included as part of a visit to the hairdresser.
What does it treat?
Essentially a treatment for a well person, Indian head massage is deemed useful for relieving tension in the head, neck and shoulders. It is also believed to relieve certain kinds of headaches, sinus problems and eye strain. As the techniques are relatively easy and quick to learn, Indian head massage is a therapy that lay people can use on friends or family members to relieve stress as it was originally intended. It is not recommended for people with painful cysts, dermatological conditions, fungicidal infections, weeping eczema or osteoporosis. Caution should be exercised for those with epilepsy.
A first timer's experience:
"Following a brief chat with no medical details taken, the massage therapist suggested I take off my top and bra. I was given a towel to place around my upper body from under my arms. (Indian Head Massage can also be done over clothes but it is more comfortable with direct skin/hand contact.) I also took off my shoes and socks and made myself comfortable sitting in a chair.
"The therapist started by gently pulling her fingers through my hair. Then, she did some downwards strokes on my neck before moving on to my upper back and shoulders. Applying various strokes to my back and shoulders, she worked into the muscles. Then, she returned to my neck with firmer upwards strokes. She used some gentle strokes on my face before moving back to my head. Here, she used about five different actions with her fingers on my scalp, some of which felt like she was playing the piano on my head. This was the most satisfying part of the treatment. And then, it was over. "I was left alone for a few minutes and given a glass of water before I left. I found the treatment pleasant and light."
An advocate's view:
(70-year-old mother of four and grandmother of nine) "I had headaches for about a year. Every day, I would have this constant pain in the top of my head. Sometimes, I took paracetamol but mostly I just put up with them. It was suggested to my son that I go for an Indian head massage. I went twice and I haven't had the headaches since (which is about three weeks now). The treatment itself is gentle, very soothing and relaxing. I feel great now, although I keep thinking the headaches will come back. However, if they do, I will simply go for another treatment. I feel I have found a solution to my problem."
The medical view:
Dr Muiris Houston, Irish Times Medical Correspondent, says: "There have been no medical trials to test the effectiveness of Indian head massage. However, the relaxation and anxiety-reducing benefits of general massage are likely to be similar in the case of Indian head massage."
There is no association of therapists who solely practise Indian head massage in Ireland. It is usually used by reflexologists, massage therapists and acupuncturists as an adjunct to their usual treatments. Seamus Lynch gives workshops in Indian head massage and keeps a list of practitioners of Indian head massage. Tel: 012846073. A treatment costs between £20 and £25 and lasts approximately 30 minutes.
