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HM has it roots in ancient Ayurvedic traditions, the first written records of which date back some 5,000 years, and it has formed part of Indian family custom and ritual for centuries. Its arrival in the West is credited to Narendra Mehta, an Indian osteopath and massage therapist who, arriving in England in the 1970s to study physiotherapy, was surprised to discover that there appeared to be no obvious tradition of head work in Western culture. He subsequently developed a technique which combined the skills and traditions of ancient Eastern practices with modern Western techniques to produce a form of massage suited to Western tastes. IHM thus combines massage of the face, ears, neck, shoulders and arms with chakra balancing and scalp massage. Mehta’s own style is called champissage (from the Hindi word meaning massage), but since the name has been copy written, most now refer to it as IHM.
Traditional IHM involves the use of fragrant or Ayurvedic oils and spices worked into the hair and scalp - the quality and lustre of a person’s hair being an important status symbol in certain social circles. Modern IHM has moved beyond this predominantly aesthetic and ritual aspect and is now offered with or without the use of oils. By working on the musculature of the neck and the scalp, the shoulders, arms and face using a combination of different massage techniques and hand positions, IHM can help to relieve tension and stress which is often held in these areas, to make the client feel calm, deeply relaxed and more centred in their own energies. In addition, more focussed chakric work can help balance and restore the client on an even deeper level, as Mehta explains:
The skilful placing of the therapist's hands on the upper three chakras– vishuddha, governing the throat region and its associated organs; ajna, the third-eye point, located on the forehead; and sahasrara the master chakra associated with the pineal plexus and found at the crown of one's head, combined with visual and auditory stimuli, allow the client's innate healing energy to rebalance and harmony to prevail. (http://www.massagemag.com/spa/treatment/indianhead.html)
Traditional IHM also works with Marma points: these are energy points found throughout the body and which are very similar to the acupuncture points found in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Modern IHM focuses less on these points than traditional methods, although they are encompassed by the techniques used.
As with the evolution of all therapies there are now a number of different styles of IHM and there is no one ‘right’ way so long as the underlying principles are adhered to. The techniques are performed in sequence, though more time may be spent on certain moves if this is likely to benefit the client. The style offered here is based on the Dharma method. Treatment is carried out while sitting in a low backed chair. No oils are used, but for comfort a light cream or dusting powder may be used if the skin is particularly dry. In the initial session the therapist will take a verbal medical history and will then commence treatment, which usually lasts for about 35 - 40 minutes.
As with all therapeutic treatments, clients are advised to drink plenty of water afterwards, and to take it easy in the immediate post-treatment period. Local mild stiffness or headache not uncommon after an IHM session because of the release of toxins in previously tense muscles, but should resolve themselves soon afterwards.