Hands on head

MY desk at work isn't usually a stress-free zone. Honest. But after a visit from Jennifer Barnes I felt as though I was floating on air. Jennifer is an exponent of a wonderful massage technique known as champissage - or Indian head massage, to you and me. It's a technique based on traditional Indian massage that is great for relieving stress and which is, Jennifer believes, ideal for uptight Brits who aren't too good on the touchy-feely side of things and who are so busy they haven't got time for a whole hour lounging on a massage couch.

A proper Indian head massage lasts 30 minutes and takes in the upper back, upper arms, shoulders, neck, head and scalp, ears and face. But if you're really pushed for time, even a shortened version can help. In London, Jennifer says, it's quite common for office workers to book a quick 15 or 30 minutes with their head masseur in the middle of the working day - although York being York, it's probably not that advisable to try it here. Your employer may not be too impressed.

Still, that wasn't going to stop me. Jennifer arrived prompt at 8.30am, sat me in a hard-backed chair in the office restroom, and we were away. She started with my shoulders, upper back and upper arms, pushing with her thumbs, pulling at the muscles, kneading them to iron out the knots.

Then it was on to my neck, usually iron-hard with tension from staring for hours on end day after day at a computer screen. It's hardly surprising that our necks get tensed up, Jennifer, a former civil servant who trained in anatomy and aromatherapy before doing a course with the guru of Indian head massage Narendra Mehta, told me.

"There is seven to eight pounds of head carried by just six tiny muscles, so it's no wonder the neck aches by the end of the day," she says.

She set work to put that right, probing with her thumbs into my neck at the base of my skull, then tilting my head forward with one hand on my forehead and pushing with the heel of the other hand against the base of my skull. I could feel the tension and stress - caused by the build-up of chemicals in the muscles - draining away.

Next was the scalp massage - a variety of strokes, including one in which Jennifer's fingers fluttered across the top of my head, making a sound that sounded to me like rain on a glass roof. It helps to drain away the toxins that gather in the skin and muscles, and also improves circulation in the scalp. It was also deeply comfortable and wonderfully refreshing.

Sadly, with a photographer hopping around trying to get pictures, I couldn't get the full treatment - but even so, at the end of 15 minutes I felt like a new man. "I've had people literally fall asleep on me," Jennifer says - and I can well believe her.

The benefits of head massage, according to Jennifer's teacher Narendra Mehta, are many.

Narendra, who developed champissage from traditional Indian massage and who runs the London Centre of Indian Champissage, says the head, neck and shoulders are important energy centres in the body.

If you are stressed or angry, tension builds up there - manifesting itself as stiff neck and shoulders, and even eye strain.

"Indian head massage involves working with a firm and gentle rhythm to help unknot blockages and relieve this uncomfortable build-up of tension," he says.

"However, its effect is not just physical: it works on an emotional level too, calming the spirit, promoting relaxation and relieving stress."

Simply being touched, he adds, does you a power of good. "Touch is essential for stimulating our nervous system and promoting healthy physical development. It is also critical for our mental and social development. Touch connects us to the outside world, brings people closer and weaves intimacy."

There's another benefit of head massage, too - especially the face massage. It can leave your skin looking great.

Narendra's wife Kundan says: "Facial massage is a valuable tool in resisting age-related changes. First of all, massage helps to relax the facial muscles.

"Muscular tension can restrict the blood vessels and obstruct the free flow of blood and other fluids to the tissues, so reducing the amount of nourishment the skin receives and preventing the removal of waste products. With massage, you can work the connective tissue to make space for the muscles to return to normal size, so releasing tension. After a few sessions you'll feel the tension ebbing away and notice a big difference in the condition of your skin."

Just don't try it sitting in front of your computer at work.

- Jennifer Barnes works full time, but still offers head massage sessions in her spare time. She can also give tips on massage to use at home. For more information, contact her on 01904 652222.

The London Centre of Indian Champissage can be contacted on 020 7609 3590.