Indian Head Massage (Champissage)
It’s all the rage in the UK, and it may even be in your city in Canada or the USA. It claims to help with anything from headache to hair loss, and it only takes 20 minutes out of your day. What is it? It’s Indian Head Massage, otherwise known as Champissage.
There are a number of slightly different treatments that go under the name of Indian Head Massage. But, in the 1970s massage therapist Narendra Mehta from Bombay India formalized the treatment while working in London. Champi means simply “head massage”, but the head massage is combined with massage of the shoulders and back. In its simplest form, however, the Indian Head Massage can just involve the head and not even any oil (although it’s recommended), making it very un-invasive and easy to do over a lunch hour.
Mr. Mehta’s version of the head massage is tied to the Hindu belief in energy centres in the body. Those of us who don’t accept the Hindu belief system may have trouble with a treatment based on these concepts. However, head massage itself is a helpful technique, based as well on simply the power of touch and the same muscle-relaxing techniques of any massage.
For those who easily get tense around the head, jaw and face, and who prefer a quick, less invasive massage, a basic head massage may be something to try.
14 March 2011 @ 11:54 am
Several of my clients experience headaches. I dinstincly remember one woman who gave me direct feedback during the Indian head massage treatment about a specific champissage technique that gave her a feeling of relief. In particular, she loved having her head compressed (squeeze and lift) a lot — fully 5 minutes. It seemed to release the feeling of pressure and tension in her head. When doing the squeeze and lift technique make sure that the hair isn’t moving while doing it.
Also, not a Champissage technique, but really effective for her was to apply firm to deep pressure along the base of the skull (occipital ridge). I chose from 3 to 5 different points on both the right side and the left side. Sometimes these points are very tender/sensitive. But, having them release, can often help dissolve the neck and scalp tension that is contributing to the headache.
Let me know what you think on facebook (champissageusa) or if you have other insights.
Hope this helps.
26 April 2020 @ 7:04 pm
Please specify, next time, when you say, “Indian” head message, if you are talking about American Native or East Indian.
I am an American Indian, and our culture and medicine – techniques are not the same and the East Indians.
However, we too have our way of handling medical problems, including Migraines, not just head aches.
Thank you,
Rilla Heslin
4 May 2020 @ 1:27 pm
Hi Rilla – thanks for your comment! “Indian Head Massage” is simply a commonly used term for this type of massage, not a term that I invented. Hopefully in the context of the post it was clear that it comes from India.