The London School of Massage offers professional massage training and complementary therapy courses.
Contact us to learn more about our courses, events, and industry news.
The London School of Massage offers professional massage training and complementary therapy courses.
Contact us to learn more about our courses, events, and industry news.
The VTCT (ITEC) Level 3 Award in Indian Head Massage is a professional qualification for beginners and qualified therapists who want to learn Indian Head Massage and provide treatments to clients.
Indian Head Massage is traditionally performed with the client seated and focuses on the upper back, shoulders, neck, scalp and face. Students learn a complete treatment routine alongside consultation, contraindications, relevant anatomy and physiology and the appropriate use of traditional Indian hair oils.
This fast-track Indian Head Massage course combines guided home study, live online theory and in-person practical training at London School of Massage. Students develop the knowledge, practical skills and treatment experience required to complete the coursework and final assessments.
After successfully completing the qualification and obtaining appropriate professional insurance, graduates may offer Indian Head Massage as a standalone treatment or incorporate it into an existing massage, beauty or complementary therapy practice.
London School of Massage has provided professional massage and complementary therapy training since 1994. Students benefit from experienced tutors, structured practical tuition and internationally recognised VTCT and ITEC qualifications.
Read more about London School of Massage’s accreditations, approvals and professional recognition.
This Indian Head Massage course is suitable for people who want to:
No previous massage qualification is required.
Students who are new to the industry can also explore London School of Massage’s massage courses for beginners.
Students may also view the Indian Head Massage course progression chart to understand the route from training through to qualification.
This quick guide summarises the main course and qualification information.
| Course name | VTCT (ITEC) Level 3 Award in Indian Head Massage |
| Qualification level | Level 3 RQF |
| Qualification type | Ofqual-regulated professional qualification |
| Awarding organisation | VTCT Skills under the ITEC brand |
| Qualification number | 603/4070/8 |
| Suitable for | Beginners and qualified therapists |
| Study format | Blended learning |
| Theory training | Guided study and live online teaching |
| Practical training | In-person Indian Head Massage training |
| Treatment areas | Upper back, shoulders, neck, scalp and face |
| Treatment position | Client seated |
| Coursework | Four treatments across two clients |
| Assessments | Online theory examination and in-person practical examination |
| Training location | London School of Massage, Caledonian Road near King’s Cross |
| Insurance eligibility | Graduates may apply for professional therapist insurance once qualified |
| Progression | Massage, Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Chair Massage and related training |
The qualification is completed through four main stages:
Attending the training sessions alone does not complete the qualification. Students must successfully complete the required coursework and assessments before certification.
The course combines online theory with practical classroom training.
The online element covers:
The practical element includes:
Indian Head Massage cannot be learned effectively through online study alone. All practical techniques are therefore taught and assessed in person.
The advertised course fee includes:
Students may need to provide suitable clothing, treatment products and a suitable adult model for the practical examination. Any additional items required will be explained before the course begins.
Practical training is held at London School of Massage’s Caledonian Road centre near King’s Cross.
Students can view the school’s London massage training venues and directions and travel information before booking.
Exact dates, locations and learning arrangements are shown under Course Dates and Booking.
The course combines practical Indian Head Massage training with the anatomy, physiology and professional knowledge required to provide treatments safely and effectively.
Students learn:
Students learn how to perform a structured treatment lasting approximately 30 minutes.
Practical training includes:
Techniques are taught through tutor demonstration, supervised pair work, repetition and individual feedback.
Students study anatomy and physiology relevant to Indian Head Massage, including:
Theory training covers:
Students are introduced to the chakra system and its traditional association with Indian Head Massage.
The course explains these concepts within their historical and traditional context while distinguishing complementary wellbeing practices from medical treatment.
Students study:
Indian Head Massage may also be performed without oil.
Students learn how to:
Students complete four recorded Indian Head Massage treatments:
Students complete the required consultation, treatment and evaluation records using the templates and guidance provided.
This Indian Head Massage course is open to complete beginners and qualified therapists.
No previous massage, beauty or Anatomy and Physiology qualification is required.
Applicants must:
Students must be able to:
For students whose first language is not English, a level equivalent to approximately IELTS 6–7 is recommended but is not a formal entry requirement.
Indian Head Massage training is physically active and students practise on each other during classroom sessions.
The treatment is normally performed with the client seated and clothed. Depending on the routine and use of oils, access may be required to the shoulders, upper back, neck or scalp.
Professional conduct, informed consent, hygiene, client comfort and dignity are maintained throughout the training.
Students with a health condition, injury, disability, pregnancy or other circumstance that may affect practical participation should contact London School of Massage before booking.
Reasonable adjustments may be considered where appropriate but essential qualification and assessment requirements must still be met.
Students who have previously completed relevant VTCT or ITEC units may be eligible for recognition of prior learning or mark transfer, subject to current awarding-organisation requirements.
Evidence of previous qualifications must be submitted before the course begins.
Students must complete the required coursework, treatment evidence and final assessments before the qualification can be awarded.
Assessment includes:
The theory assessment consists of:
Students perform a complete Indian Head Massage treatment during an in-person practical examination.
The assessment includes:
Students must provide a suitable adult model aged 18 or over for the practical examination.
Students complete:
All coursework must be completed by the deadline provided by the school.
Successful students receive the:
VTCT (ITEC) Level 3 Award in Indian Head Massage
Certificates are issued after all coursework, assessments and quality-assurance requirements have been successfully completed.
ITEC qualifications are internationally recognised and awarded by VTCT Skills, an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation.
VTCT Skills qualifications are recognised in more than 50 countries and ITEC courses are delivered internationally across massage, complementary therapies, beauty, sport and fitness.
ITEC qualifications are widely valued by employers, spas, wellness businesses and therapy providers in the UK and overseas.
Professional recognition and permission to practise can vary between countries, employers, insurers and local regulators. Students planning to work abroad should therefore check the requirements in their intended destination.
Further information about London School of Massage’s awarding and professional organisations is available on the Accreditations and Approvals page.
Once qualified and certificated, graduates may apply for suitable professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
Students can review London School of Massage’s massage therapist insurance information before beginning professional practice.
After qualifying and obtaining appropriate insurance, graduates may offer Indian Head Massage through:
Indian Head Massage is particularly suitable for environments where space is limited or where a full massage-couch treatment is not practical.
Graduates establishing their own practice should consider:
Students planning to work overseas should check the local employment, insurance and professional registration requirements in their intended country.
The Level 3 Award in Indian Head Massage can provide a foundation for broader massage and complementary therapy training.
Students may progress to:
Students interested in seated treatments may progress to the:
This is particularly relevant for therapists who want to provide workplace, event or corporate wellbeing treatments.
Related specialist courses may include:
Students who later complete a recognised full-body massage qualification may progress to additional courses such as:
Entry requirements apply to some advanced and specialist courses.
Students can explore the complete range of massage courses for beginners and massage courses for qualified therapists when planning their progression.
Yes. This course is open to complete beginners as well as qualified massage, beauty and complementary therapists. No previous massage, Anatomy and Physiology or complementary therapy qualification is required.
The course includes the essential theory and practical skills needed to learn Indian Head Massage safely and work towards a recognised professional qualification.
After successfully completing the coursework, treatment evidence and final assessments, students receive the VTCT (ITEC) Level 3 Award in Indian Head Massage, qualification number 603/4070/8.
This is an Ofqual-regulated qualification awarded by VTCT Skills under the ITEC brand.
Students learn a complete seated Indian Head Massage routine covering the upper back, shoulders, neck, scalp and face.
The course also includes consultation, contraindications, treatment planning, relevant Anatomy and Physiology, traditional Indian hair oils, client positioning, therapist posture, aftercare and professional practice.
No. You do not need to hold a separate Anatomy and Physiology qualification before joining.
The course includes the relevant anatomy, physiology and pathology of the head, face, neck, shoulders, upper back, skin, muscles, nerves, blood supply and lymphatic system.
The course is delivered through blended learning. Students complete guided home study and live online theory tuition before attending face-to-face practical training at London School of Massage.
Practical sessions include tutor demonstrations, supervised pair work, individual feedback and plenty of time to develop a smooth and confident treatment routine.
Assessment includes an online theory examination, an in-person practical examination, four recorded treatments and the required consultation and treatment records.
The theory examination includes 15 multiple-choice questions. During the practical examination, students perform an approximately 30-minute Indian Head Massage treatment for an external ITEC examiner.
Yes. Students complete four documented Indian Head Massage treatments outside the classroom.
This involves treating two suitable adult clients twice each. London School of Massage provides the consultation forms, treatment records and guidance needed to complete the work correctly.
You do not need to bring a massage couch. Indian Head Massage is normally performed with the client seated and London School of Massage provides the equipment required for practical classroom training.
Students usually work in pairs during classes and take turns practising and receiving treatment. You will, however, need to arrange suitable adult clients for your treatment evidence and bring your own suitable adult model on the day of the practical examination.
Yes. Classes are open to all genders and students normally work together in pairs during practical training.
Indian Head Massage is generally performed with the client seated and clothed. Access may sometimes be required to the shoulders, upper back, neck or scalp but professional conduct, consent, privacy and student dignity are maintained throughout.
Yes. Once you have successfully completed the qualification and received your certificate, you can normally apply for appropriate professional insurance and offer Indian Head Massage within your professional scope.
Indian Head Massage may be offered as a standalone treatment or added to an existing massage, beauty or complementary therapy practice. It is particularly suitable for mobile work, salons, spas, clinics, hotels, wellness settings and workplace wellbeing because it does not normally require a massage couch.
Course Dates:
Part 1) 2nd September (Online Zoom, 9:30am - 5:00pm approx.)
Part 2) 3rd - 4th September (Kings Cross, 9:30am - 5:00pm approx.)
Exams: (TBC)
Course Dates:
Part 1) 11th November (Online Zoom, 9:30am - 5:00pm approx)
Part 2) 12 - 13th November (Kings Cross, 9:30am - 5:00pm approx)
Exams: TBC
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Introduction
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