Provide body massage treatments
Overview
This standard is about the skills involved in providing head and body massage treatments. It covers manual massage of the head and body, as well as mechanical body massage techniques. The ability to adapt massage techniques to suit an individual client's needs is a requirement.
To carry out this standard you will need to maintain effective health, safety and hygiene throughout your work. You will also need to maintain your personal appearance and demonstrate effective communication and consultation skills.
The main outcomes of this standard are:
1. maintain safe and effective methods of working when providing body massage treatments
2. consult, plan and prepare for massage treatments
3. perform manual massage treatments
4. perform mechanical massage treatments
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
Maintain safe and effective methods of working when providing body massage treatments
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1. maintain your responsibilities for health and safety throughout the treatment
2. prepare your client and yourself to meet legal and organisational requirements
3. maintain your client's modesty and privacy at all times
4. position your client to meet the needs of the treatment
5. ensure your own posture and working methods minimise fatigue and the risk of injury to yourself and others
provide support and cushioning to the required areas of the body during the treatment
take remedial action if contra-actions or discomfort occur during the course of treatment
check the client's wellbeing throughout the treatment and allow sufficient post-treatment recovery time
ensure environmental conditions are suitable for the client and the treatment
use working methods that minimise the risk of cross-infection
ensure the use of clean equipment and materials
promote environmental and sustainable working practices
follow workplace and suppliers' or manufacturers' instructions for the safe use of equipment, materials and products
dispose of waste materials to meet legal requirements
complete the treatment within a commercially viable time
Consult, plan and prepare for massage treatments
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use consultation techniques to determine the client's treatment plan
ensure that informed and signed parental or guardian consent is obtained for minors prior to any treatment
ensure that a parent or guardian is present throughout the treatment for minors under the age of 16
recognise any contra-indications and take the necessary action
assess the client's physical characteristics and agree the treatment objectives that meet the client's needs
obtain signed, informed consent from the client prior to carrying out the treatment
give your client advice and recommendations on the treatment provided
ensure the client's records are completed and signed by you and the client
Perform manual massage treatments
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adapt your massage techniques, sequence and massage mediums to meet the client's physical characteristics and treatment areas
vary the depth, rhythm and pressure of massage techniques to meet treatment objectives and the client's physical characteristics and preferences
ensure the application and use of massage medium minimises waste
Perform mechanical massage treatments
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provide information about the sensation created by the equipment and the treatment procedure to the client at each stage in the process
adjust the equipment and duration of the treatment to suit the client's physical characteristics and the treatment areas
vary the sequence, depth and pressure of massage movements to meet treatment objectives and treatment areas
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
Maintain safe and effective methods of working when providing body massage treatments
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your responsibilities for health and safety as defined by any specific legislation covering your job role
the legal and organisational requirements for client protection and preparation
the legal and organisational requirements for your own personal hygiene, protection and appearance
the responsibilities under local authority licensing regulations for yourself and your premises
the reasons for maintaining the client's modesty and privacy during the treatment
safe positioning techniques for yourself and your client and why using these are important
the areas of the body that may require provide support and cushioning during the treatment
the remedial action to take if contra-actions or discomfort occur during the course of treatment
why it is important to check the client's wellbeing throughout the treatment and allow sufficient post-treatment recovery time
the necessary environmental conditions for services such as heating and ventilation and why these are important
methods of cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation
methods of working safely and hygienically to avoid cross-infection
the hazards and risks which exist in your workplace and the safe working practices which you must follow
the different types of working methods that promote environmental and sustainable working practices
suppliers' and manufacturers' instructions for the safe use of equipment, materials and products which you must follow
the legal requirements for waste disposal
the reasons for completing the treatment in a commercially viable time
Consult, plan and prepare for massage treatments
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why it is important to communicate with clients in a professional manner
how to complete a consultation taking into account the client's diverse needs
the legal requirements for providing treatment to minors under 16 years of age
the age at which an individual is classed as a minor and how that differs nationally
the importance of agreeing with the client the treatment that meets their needs
the legal significance of gaining signed, informed client consent to carry out the treatment
the legislative requirements for storing and protecting client data
how to recognise contra-indications that would prevent or restrict the treatment
the contra-indications **requiring medical referral and why
the necessary action to take in relation to specific contra-indications when referring clients
the reasons for not naming specific contra-indications when referring clients
how to visually assess different clients' physical characteristics
the causes of postural faults and conditions
how to match massage medium to different skin types and conditions
the advice and recommendations on products and treatments to your client
Perform manual and mechanical massage treatments
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the different types, uses and benefits of pre-massage heat treatments
the use and application of massage techniques to meet a variety of treatment objectives
how the massage sequence, depth and pressure can be adapted to suit different client physical characteristics
how to adapt the massage treatments to suit different treatment objectives and treatment areas
the areas of the body and body characteristics needing particular care when undertaking mechanical massage treatments
how to select and utilise massage equipment, media and techniques to achieve maximum benefits to the client
the benefits of mechanical and manual massage and how these can be adapted to prevent work related injuries
how other parts of the body can be utilised for manual massage and the benefits of incorporating these techniques
the different skin types and skin characteristics
the anatomy and physiology of the body
the physical and psychological effects of body massage
the effects of massage on the individual systems of the body
the importance of ensuring the client has post-treatment recovery time
the methods used to evaluate the effectiveness of body massage treatments
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Consultation techniques
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1. questioning
2. listening
3. visual
4. manual
5. written
Necessary action
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1. encouraging the client to seek medical advice
2. explaining why the treatment cannot be carried out
3. modification of treatment
Physical characteristics
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1. body type
2. posture
3. muscle tone
4. age
5. health
6. skin condition
Treatment objectives
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1. relaxing
2. sense of wellbeing
3. uplifting
4. anti-cellulite
5. stimulating
Advice and recommendations
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1. suitable aftercare products and their uses
2. avoidance of activities which may cause contra-actions
3. present and future products and services
- post-treatment advice
Massage techniques
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1. effleurage
2. petrissage
3. tapotement
4. vibration
5. friction
Massage mediums
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1. oil
2. cream
3. powder
Treatment areas
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1. face
2. head
3. chest and shoulders
4. arms and hands
5. abdomen
6. back
- gluteals
8. legs and feet
Equipment
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1. gyratory massager
2. infra-red
Scope Knowledge
Health and safety
1. Health and Safety at Work Act
2. The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)
3. The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations
4. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order
5. The Manual Handling Operations Regulations
6. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH)
7. The Electricity at Work Regulations
8. The Environmental Protection Act
9. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations
- The Health and Safety (Information for Employees) Regulations
Contra-actions
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erythema
hyperaemia
allergic reaction to products
Environmental and sustainable working practices
1. reducing waste and managing waste (recycle, reuse, safe disposal)
2. reducing energy usage (energy efficient equipment, low energy lighting, utilising solar panels)
3. reducing water usage and other resources
4. preventing pollution
5. using disposable items
6. using recycled eco-friendly furniture
7. using low chemical paint
8. using environmentally friendly product packaging
choosing responsible domestic products (Fairtrade tea and coffee)
encouraging carbon reducing journeys to work
Diverse needs
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1. cultural
2. religious
3. age
4. disability
- gender
Contra-indications which prevent
contagious skin diseases
dysfunction of the nervous system
recent scar tissue
undiagnosed lumps and swellings
Contra-indications which restrict
undergoing medical treatment
uncontrolled diabetes
epilepsy
high/low blood pressure
history of thrombosis or embolism
varicose veins
metal pins or plates
medication
pregnancy
piercings
cuts and abrasions
during cancer treatment
Advice and recommendations
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additional treatments
additional products
the lifestyle factors and changes that may be required to improve the effectiveness of the treatment such as diet, exercise, stress and sleep
post-treatment restrictions and future treatment needs
post-treatment advice includes drinking plenty of water and relaxation
time intervals between treatments
Work related injuries
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1. back injury
2. carpal tunnel syndrome
3. neck strain
- repetitive strain injury (RSI)
Anatomy and physiology
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1. the structure and function of cells and tissues
2. the structure, function and different types of muscles
3. the positions and actions of the main muscle groups identified within the treatment areas of the body
4. the position and function of the primary bones and joints of the skeleton
5. how to recognise postural faults and conditions
- the structure and function of the circulatory system
7. the structure and function of the lymphatic system
the basic principles of the central nervous system and autonomic system
the basic principles of the endocrine, respiratory, digestive and excretory systems
the structure and functions of skin
the structure and location of the adipose tissue
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Physical and psychological **
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Physical effects:
- relaxes muscles
2. stimulates circulatory and lymphatic systems
3. calms or stimulates nerve fibres
Psychological effects:
stress and tension relief
improved general well-being
3. calming and relaxing
Values
The following key values underpin the delivery of services in the beauty, nails and spa sectors
a willingness to learn
a flexible working attitude
a team worker
a positive attitude
personal and professional ethics
Behaviours
The following behaviours underpin the delivery of services in the beauty, nails and spa sectors. These behaviours ensure that clients receive a positive impression of both the organisation and the individual
meeting the organisation's standards of behaviour
greeting the client respectfully and in a friendly manner
communicating with the client in a way that makes them feel valued and respected
treating the client courteously and helpfully at all times
adapting behaviour to respond effectively to different client behaviour
checking with the client that you have fully understood their expectations
responding promptly and positively to the client's questions and comments
recognising information that the client might find complicated and checking whether they fully understood
meeting both organisational and industry standards of appearance.
Skills
The following key skills underpin the delivery of services in the beauty, nails and spa sectors
the ability to self-manage
excellent verbal and non-verbal communication
using the most appropriate ways of communicating with a client
responding promptly to a client seeking assistance
quickly locating information that will help the client
providing the client with information they need about services and products offered by the organisation
Glossary
Body types
The ectomorph is often below average weight for their height and will have a lean appearance. Ectomorphs tend to have a very high metabolism and often complain of relentless eating with little to no weight gain.
The endomorphic body type is the complete opposite of an ectomorph. This individual will usually be larger in appearance with heavier fat accumulation and little muscle definition. They find it hard to lose weight, even when they diet and exercise.
The mesomorph has a more muscular and lean physique. The mesomorph is between the ectomorph and the endomorph so displays qualities from both. They may have a larger frame than the endomorph, but a lower body fat percentage than the ectomorph. This is often the body type that everybody wants.
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Gyratory massage
Gyratory massage uses a revolving mechanical equipment to reproduce the effects of manual massage movements.
Pre-heat treatments
These can include heat packs, sauna, steam, infra-red, baths, paraffin wax baths and power showers are some examples of pre-heat treatments.
Treatment plan
The stages or plan you intend to follow in carrying out a particular treatment. The basic content of the treatment plan includes areas to be treated, type of treatment, product and/or equipment to be used, known contra-indications, contra-actions, treatment advice, client signature, and client feedback.