How to Prep for an Indian Head Massage Like a Pro (No Fluff, Just Feel)

You ever had your scalp touched like someone’s trying to whisper secrets into your brain? Not the kind of touch your ex gave you when she was mad. I’m talking about the Indian head massage-the kind that makes your spine turn to liquid and your thoughts go quiet like a switched-off radio. If you’re reading this, you already know it’s not just a ‘relaxing spa thing.’ It’s a full-system reset for men who’ve been grinding through life on fumes.

What the hell is an Indian head massage?

It’s not a fancy term for ‘someone rubs your head.’ This is ancient. 1,000+ years old. Rooted in Ayurveda, the Indian system that treats your body like a temple with wiring you didn’t know existed. The massage targets three zones: your scalp, neck, and shoulders. But here’s the kicker-it doesn’t stop there. Pressure points along your forehead, jaw, and even your ears get worked over like a mechanic fixing a seized engine. No oils? Wrong. Warm sesame or coconut oil glides over your skin, sinking in like a warm hug from your grandpa who actually knew how to love.

Think of it as a neural reboot. Your brain’s been stuck in fight-or-flight since 2020. This massage tells your nervous system: ‘Hey, buddy, we’re safe now.’ And guess what? It works.

How do you actually get one?

You don’t walk into a spa in Amsterdam and ask for ‘an Indian head massage’ like it’s a latte. Most places won’t even know what you’re talking about unless you’re in the right neighborhood. The real ones? They’re tucked away in quiet corners-behind unmarked doors in De Pijp or tucked into a basement in Oud-West. No neon signs. No Instagram influencers posing with candles. Just a woman or man with calloused hands and a quiet stare.

Here’s how to find one: Google ‘Ayurvedic massage Amsterdam’ and look for reviews that mention ‘deep pressure’ or ‘scalp release.’ Avoid places that say ‘romantic couples massage’-that’s not what you’re here for. You want someone who’s done 500+ sessions. Ask if they use traditional techniques-fingers, not machines. If they say ‘we use heated stones,’ walk out. Stones don’t stimulate the marma points. Fingers do.

Price? Around €60-€80 for 45 minutes. That’s cheaper than a decent dinner in De Negen Straatjes. And way more valuable. A 30-minute session? €45. But honestly? Go for the full hour. You’ll feel like a new man. I’ve had them in Goa, Bangkok, and here in Amsterdam. The Dutch ones? More clinical. The Indian ones? They feel like your soul got a second chance.

Why is it so damn popular?

Because men are tired. Not just sleepy. Tired in the bones. Tired of pretending everything’s fine. Tired of scrolling, stressing, sprinting. The Indian head massage doesn’t ask you to talk. It doesn’t need you to ‘open up.’ It just takes your tension and melts it like butter on hot toast.

Here’s what happens in real life: I was in Amsterdam last month, post-breakup, post-deadline, post-‘I can’t remember what my dog’s name is.’ I walked into a tiny place near the Albert Cuypmarkt. The therapist didn’t say a word. Just gestured to the chair, poured warm oil, and started. Five minutes in, I forgot my ex’s face. Ten minutes in, I forgot my job. By 20 minutes, I was crying. Not sad tears. The kind that come when your body finally stops fighting you.

It’s not magic. It’s biology. Your scalp has over 14,000 nerve endings. When you stimulate them, you trigger a cascade: dopamine spikes, cortisol drops, serotonin rises. Your brain goes from ‘emergency mode’ to ‘nap mode.’ And for a guy who’s been running on espresso and anxiety? That’s not a luxury. It’s survival.

Why is it better than a regular massage?

Because a Swedish massage is like a vacation. An Indian head massage is like a jailbreak.

Regular massages? They work your back, your legs, your glutes. You feel good for a day. Then you sit at your desk again. The tension creeps back. With an Indian head massage? You’re attacking the source. The tension starts in your jaw from clenching. It travels up to your temples from staring at screens. It piles up in your neck from carrying emotional weight you never talked about.

This massage doesn’t just massage. It unravels. It releases trapped energy. You’ll feel a tingling in your fingertips. Your ears might pop. You might yawn so hard your jaw cracks. That’s your body saying, ‘I’ve been holding this for years.’

And the best part? You don’t need to take off your clothes. You stay fully dressed. No awkwardness. No shame. Just you, the oil, and the hands that know exactly where to press.

What kind of high do you actually get?

You don’t get drunk. You don’t get high. You get clear.

First 10 minutes: Heavy. Like your head’s full of wet sand.

Next 15: Warmth spreads. Like a blanket made of honey.

By 25: Your eyes feel lighter. Your breathing slows. You stop thinking about tomorrow.

At 40: You’re not in Amsterdam anymore. You’re somewhere quiet. Maybe a temple in Varanasi. Maybe your childhood bedroom. Maybe just… nothing.

After? You feel like you just woke up from a 12-hour nap. But you didn’t sleep. You just reset. Your thoughts are clearer. Your eyes sharper. Your jaw unclenched. You don’t feel relaxed-you feel reborn.

I’ve had this done after breakups, after layoffs, after my dad died. It’s the only thing that didn’t just soothe me-it rebuilt me. No pills. No therapy sessions. Just hands, oil, and silence.

What to expect during your first session

• You’ll sit in a low chair. No table. No lying down. Just you, upright, grounded.
• They’ll drape a warm towel over your shoulders. It’s not for modesty. It’s to hold the heat.
• Oil is warmed-not hot, just right. Like bathwater after a long day.
• They’ll start at your scalp. Fingers moving in circles, then strokes from forehead to nape. No pressure at first. Then… deeper. You’ll think, ‘Wait, that hurts.’ Then you’ll realize-it doesn’t. It feels like the tension was waiting to be released.
• They’ll work your temples. Your jaw. Your ears. Even your eyebrows. You’ll feel a strange pressure behind your eyes. That’s the third eye point. Some say it unlocks intuition. I say it just makes you stop overthinking.
• At the end, they’ll tap lightly on your head. Like a drummer saying, ‘All done.’

You won’t feel dizzy. You won’t feel weird. You’ll feel… present. Like you finally remembered how to be in your own body.

Pro tip: Do this after a bad day

Don’t wait for ‘the right time.’ Wait for a day you feel like you’re carrying bricks in your skull. That’s your sign. Book it. Go alone. Don’t text anyone. Don’t check your phone. Just show up. Let your hands be still. Let your mind go blank. Let the oil do its job.

This isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity for men who refuse to break but are tired of holding everything in. You don’t need to be spiritual. You don’t need to believe in chakras. You just need to be tired enough to let someone else hold your weight for an hour.

And when you walk out? You won’t say, ‘That was nice.’ You’ll say, ‘I didn’t know I was this heavy.’