Vitalis Therapies

Indian Head Massage (or "Champi" in Hindi) is a practice that originated over a thousand years ago in India, where it stemmed from a tradition of family grooming. Indian mothers used to massage their daughters' hair with different oils to encourage long, lustrous locks.

Mehta arrived in England in the 1970s where he trained as a physiotherapist. In 1978 he returned to India where he studied the benefits and practice of Champi. Mehta soon included the neck, shoulders and face in the massage and employed modern knowledge of shiatsu and acupressure to relax tense areas, rebalance the energy and clear any areas of concentrated negativity.

What to expect during and following an Indian Head Massage

The treatment uses techniques of kneading, percussion and stroking. Kneading to the scalp increases blood circulation, re-energising the body and mind. Massage techniques to the neck, shoulders and upper back relieves tension and eases stiffness. The incorporation of accupressure to pressure points can help release tension and release energy.

After an Indian Head Massage at Vitalis you should in fact feel like you have had a full-body massage, just as a reflexology massage is performed on the feet, but is felt throughout the entire body. This is because there are several important acupressure points on the head. Indian Head Massage focuses specifically on the Upper Back, Neck, Arms, Shoulders, Head and Face which are the areas that can become tense and ache when we are particularly stressed or when over-used.

A treatment is performed while the client is seated on a specialist "massage chair".

Clients remain fully clothed, however during a treatment with oils we would suggest the removal of upper garments to prevent the oils damaging them. A wrap will be provided for your modesty as comfort and confidence are of great importance to help you relax and reap the full benefits of your massage.

Indian head massage may be performed 'dry' but as discussed I would advise the use of oils as they not only nourish the hair, but also calm the nervous system -- the roots of one's hair are connected to nerve fibres.

Whilst Indian Head Massage is effective, the effects of treatment need to build up cumulatively. To experience the full benefit of this therapy I usually recommend six sessions - the first two sessions close together then one session per week. Six sessions are generally enough to sort out stress, tension, anxiety, and emotional problems; the physical symptoms can take a little longer, but not always.

Long-term beneficial changes are produced, so you will not need to keep coming back for endless sessions. However, once you have experienced how wonderful it feels, you may decide that you want to keep coming back for more!

No matter what your particular complaint, the general effect of any treatment is to make you feel more relaxed, calmer, less stressed and more able to cope. It will boost energy levels, raise spirits and make you feel more positive about things. With your life back in balance, stressful situations can then wash over you.

Indian Head Massage During Pregnancy

Backache is very common in pregnancy. Half of all pregnant women can expect some back pain. Your ligaments will become softer and stretch to prepare you for labour. As the baby grows, the hollow in your back may increase and this may cause you backache. Also, due to the increased weight, the muscles in your back may have to work harder to support your balance, resulting in increased lower back pain. About half of all pregnant women complain of backaches.

So Pamper Yourself! Pregnancy means people will tolerate you lavishing yourself with tender loving care for a whole nine months! Pampering yourself, even if it’s just getting more rest, can mean reduced back pain.

Indian Head Massage is a wonderfully relaxing treatment to receive throughout your pregnancy. A large part of the session focus on the upper and lower back and gives welcome relief from the aches and pains associated with being pregnant. Indian Head Massage is carried out in an upright, seated position and is therefore more comfortable for a pregnant woman to receive than other forms of massage which require them to lie down, flat, on a couch. The use of a specialist 'massage chair' enables the client to lean forwards in a fully relaxed position without her 'bump' causing discomfort.

Bringing your partner into the proceedings -- Partners can feel very much 'out on a limb' when it comes to being involved in the 9 month pregnancy process! Remembering back to my husband's feeling of helplessness during our own childrens' births, I have put together some basic massage techniques to teach willing partners, which they can use during your pregnancy and, more importantly, to give you relief and support during your labour. These massage techniques will not only bring you comfort but will actively and positively involve your partner in the birth of your child.

Please note in line with health professional guidelines it is my policy not to treat clients until after 16 weeks of pregnancy - if you require more information on this please contact me here.

On-site therapeutic Corporate/Office Massage

Each year several million working days are lost as a result of stress. Two out of three medical consultations concern stress-related conditions. We spend the major part of our lives at work and thus what happens at work is vitally important to our health and well-being. 

Indian Head Massage is well suited to the corporate environment because it is flexible and the recipient does not need to undress. No creams, oil or special equipment is required. On-site massage can easily be adapted, depending upon your time schedule, into a treatment session lasting as little as 10 minutes whereas a full treatment would last approximately 45 minutes.

On-site Massage - What Is It?

• A short, fully clothed, seated massage
• A series of effective techniques and movements based on traditional acupressure and massage.
• Used on the back, neck, shoulders, arms, scalp and, if required, the face.
• A convenient, non-intrusive form of massage which can be performed in the office, at home or wherever suits you.

Benefits to the individual:

• Calms the nervous system and stimulates the parasympathetic system to alleviate stress
• Improves flexibility and increases range of movement, thus reduces risk of injury and muscle imbalance
• Increases circulation, improving oxygen flow to the body and the brain, as well as aids toxin removal
• Relieves general muscular aches and pains and tension
• Uses specific trigger point techniques to alleviate muscle spasm
• Boosts energy levels and revitalizes
• Improves concentration and alleviates mental fatigue
• Stimulates the skin and underlying nerve endings
• Aids the elimination of toxins and waste products
• Helps to eliminate fatigue and lethargy
• Strengthens and tones the scalp Improves hair condition
• Relieves headaches
• Relieves eyestrain
• Releases tension
• Relieves stiff necks
• Relieves aches and pains
• Improves posture
• Encourages relaxation
• Improves circulation
• Makes you feel fantastic!

Benefits to the working environment:

• Revitalizes office personnel
• Improves productivity
• Alleviates and offsets occupational hazards of a sedentary occupation. Provides power breaks during high stress meetings
• Provides a motivational tool to compensate for and facilitate extended working hours
• Reduces employee absenteeism
• Improves general office and interpersonal dynamics
• Provides a means of de-stressing before leaving the office

Health benefits:

Indian Head Massage works on areas affected by mental and emotional stress and can bring immediate relief. It also improves circulation in the head, enhances your senses, improves memory and promotes clear thinking.

People who suffer from headaches, migraines, insomnia, tinnitis, vertigo and depression should consider Indian head massage as a way to bring fast relief. It is also said that the head massage addresses the harmful effect of mobile phone radiation.

Many different medical practitioners and corporate companies are discovering the benefits of this ancient practice. Dentists, for example, are using it to ease their patients' discomfort, while businesses are offering their employees free in-office massages in the quest to increase productivity and reduce absenteeism.

Air-conditioning and artificial lighting of the office environment often cause headaches, as can sitting slouched in front of the computer all day or the steering wheel, which may result in the formation of stress nodules in the neck and shoulders. Because Indian head massage can be performed anywhere and is just as effective if done dry, it is the ideal way to relieve office-related stress.

Other benefits:

• Increases oxygen and glucose supply to the brain.
• Improves circulation of cerebrospinal fluid.
• Dissipates accumulated toxins in the head.
• Increases brain's pranic energy level.
• Helps reduce hair loss, premature balding and greying.
• Growth and lustre of hair are improved.
• Massage of the temples, eyebrows and forehead improves eyesight and concentration.
• Good for the sinuses.
• Helps in the development of a six- to nine-month-old baby's eyesight and brain.

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