Indian massage techniques

Indian head massage is incredibly popular in the west now due to its health benefits and stress reducing capabilities. Below is a guide to the basic techniques used during an Indian head massage. These techniques can be used almost anywhere on the body, but I have given examples of areas for ease of explanation.

Effleurage/ stroking.,

This is a rhythmic stroking that is performed with the palms of the hands.

Place your hands on the upper back of the person that will be receiving the massage, put one hand on either side of their spine making sure that your fingers face upwards.

Using large circular motions, make large stroking motions around the shoulder blades, you will need to try different types of pressure to see which one works best and fells nicest. To use more pressure, place one hand on top of the other and continue.

You can also use your fingers to perform this, gently stroke your fingers down the back of the receivers’ head; you can use the sides and backs of your fingers aswell.

Petrissage/kneading.

This is used to work the muscles, so it should really be kept to the fleshy areas of the body.

Place your fingers over the muscle, grasp it firmly, squeeze it gently then release it, the best place to practise this is on your own arm.

Friction.

Small circular movements that cause the muscle and/or the skin to be moved against the bone.

Place your thumbs on the area that you will be working on, move them in small circular motions, you can increase the pressure, but it’s best to start off gently. You can use your body weight to increase the pressure, for extremely knotted muscles you can use your knuckles to help relieve the tension.

Please note that frictioning is not suitable for use on the head or directly on the spine.

Tapotement.

This includes different types of strokes and movements such as hacking, cupping, and flicking.

Hacking.

This is performed by using the outer edges of your hands, keeping your wrists flexible and your thumbs facing upwards, gently flick your hands up and down alternatively. The movement should come from the wrists and should not be a chopping motion.

Double hacking.

As the name suggests, this is like hacking, but you use both hands. Hold your hands in the praying position, but make sure there is a gap between your palms, only the heels of your palms and your fingertips should be touching. Make light striking movements on the area.

Tapping.

This is simply as the name suggests, tapping movements are made over the area, this is suitable for sensitive areas such as the face. Slower, gentle tapping has a relaxing effect, whilst faster, firmer tapping is energising.

Cupping.

Make a hollow curve with your hands and bring them down onto the body alternatively, this should not be done too firmly and a slapping noise should not be heard.