A history of Indian Head Massage
Massage is the oldest form of medicine known to humans and has been practiced for thousands of years. The art of Indian Head Massage originated from Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine. This Sanskrit word can be translated as the “science of life” or “knowledge of life”. The Ayurvedic approach to health is the balance of body, mind and spirit and the promotion of long life.
Massage has always played an essential role in family life in India. It is an integral part of the daily routine and is highly recommended for everyone throughout all stages of life. Indian Head Massage was originally developed by Indian women as part of their daily grooming routine. Massage skills were passed on from mother to daughter from generation to generation. The oils such as sesame, almond and coconut that they massaged (and still do) into their scalps assured a healthy scalp and beautiful, long, lustrous hair.
Indian barbers incorporate massage into their treatment. A visit to the barber will always involve champi – the Western word “shampoo” is derived from this word which means “having your head massaged”. A barber will pass on his particular techniques to his son. Everyone has his or her own individual techniques. You can also receive an Indian Head Massage in India on any street corner and on any beach. It is widely available.
In the West, we tend to view the scalp as independent from the rest of the body and treat it in a different way. In India, however, the scalp is regarded as an extension of the body skin and lavished with care and attention. Head massage has been developed and refined, with each family and region in India adding their own special touches. The concept of Indian Head Massage as a complementary therapy was first introduced to the west in the United in the early 1980s.
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