Carry out massage using pre-blended aromatherapy oils
Overview
This standard is about the skills involved in preparing clients for and delivering massage using pre-blended aromatherapy oils. The ability to adapt the use of pre-blended oils and massage techniques to suit an individual client's needs is a crucial 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:
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maintain safe and effective methods of working when providing massage using pre-blended aromatherapy oils
consult, plan and prepare for pre-blended aromatherapy treatments
massage the body using pre-blended aromatherapy oils
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
Maintain safe and effective methods of working when providing massage **using pre-blended aromatherapy oils
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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 the 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
6. ensure environmental conditions are suitable for the client and the treatment
7. 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 pre-blended aromatherapy 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
carry out a skin sensitivity test to establish suitability for use of pre-blended aromatherapy oils and record the results
agree the treatment and outcomes with the client that meet their needs
obtain signed, informed consent from the client prior to carrying out the treatment
assess the client's physical characteristics to determine a treatment plan
select pre-blended aromatherapy oils which meet the treatment objectives and the client's requirements
Massage the body using pre-blended aromatherapy oils
provide support and cushioning to the required areas of the body during the treatment
adapt your massage techniques, sequence and use of pre-blended aromatherapy oil to meet the client's physical characteristics and treatment areas
vary the depth, rhythm and pressure of massage movements to meet treatment objectives, treatment areas and client's physical characteristics and preferences
co-ordinate breathing techniques with that of the client
check the client's well-being throughout the treatment and allow sufficient post-treatment recovery time
ensure the finished result is to the client's satisfaction and meets the agreed treatment objectives
give your client advice and recommendations on the treatment provided
ensure the client's records are completed and signed by you and the client
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
Maintain safe and effective methods of working when providing massage using pre-blended aromatherapy oils
1. 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
4. your responsibilities under local authority licensing regulations for yourself and your premises
5. 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
7. 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
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Consult, plan and prepare for pre-blended aromatherapy treatments
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 this 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
the procedure for carrying out a skin sensitivity test prior to using pre-blended aromatherapy oils and recording the results
the reasons for carrying out a skin sensitivity test prior to using pre-blended aromatherapy oils and recording the results
how to visually assess the client's physical characteristics
the causes of postural faults and conditions
how to match pre-blended aromatherapy oils to different skin types, conditions and treatments objectives
the types of pre-blended aromatherapy oils available, their purpose and their beneficial properties
Massage the body using pre-blended aromatherapy oils
the areas of the body that may require support and cushioning during the treatment and how to provide it
the use and application of massage techniques to meet a variety of treatment objectives
how to adapt the massage sequence, depth and pressure to suit different client physical characteristics, treatment objectives, treatment areas and client preference
the areas of the body and body characteristics needing particular care when undertaking massage using pre-blended aromatherapy oils
the benefits of co-ordinating your breathing techniques with that of the client
how to use, store and maintain pre-blended aromatherapy oils
the limitations of using pre-blended aromatherapy oils and when to refer clients onto a clinical aromatherapist
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 well-being throughout the treatment and allow sufficient post-treatment recovery time
the anatomy and physiology of the body
the physical and psychological effects of massage using pre-blended aromatherapy oils
the methods used to evaluate the effectiveness of massage using pre-blended aromatherapy oils
the advice and recommendations on products and service to your client
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Consultation techniques
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questioning
listening
visual
manual
written
Necessary action
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encouraging the client to seek medical advice
explaining why the treatment cannot be carried out
modification of treatment
Physical characteristics
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body type
posture
muscle tone
age
health
skin condition
Treatment objectives
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relaxation
sense of well-being
uplifting
stimulating
Massage techniques
effleurage
petrissage
tapotement
pressure point
Treatment areas
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face
head
chest and shoulders
arms and hands
abdomen
back
gluteals
legs and feet
Advice and recommendations
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suitable aftercare products and their uses
avoidance of activities which may cause contra-actions
present and future products and treatments
post-treatment advice
Scope Knowledge
Health and safety
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Health and Safety at Work Act
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR)
The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH)
The Electricity at Work Regulations
The Environmental Protection Act
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations
The Health and Safety (Information for Employees) Regulations
Environmental and sustainable working practices
reducing waste and managing waste (recycle, reuse, safe disposal)
reducing energy usage (energy efficient equipment, low energy lighting, utilising solar panels)
reducing water usage and other resources
preventing pollution
using disposable items
using recycled, eco-friendly furniture
using low chemical paint
using environmentally friendly product packaging
choosing responsible domestic products (Fairtrade tea and coffee)
encouraging carbon reducing journeys to work
Diverse needs
cultural
religious
age
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
medication
pregnancy
piercings
cuts and abrasions
during cancer treatment
Contra-actions
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erythema
hyperaemia
allergy to pre-blended aromatherapy oils
Anatomy and physiology
the structure and function of cells and tissues
the structure, function and different types of muscles
the positions and actions of the main muscle groups identified within the treatment areas of the body
the position and function of the primary bones and joints of the skeleton
how to recognise postural faults and conditions
the structure and function of the circulatory system
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 (including sinuses and olfactory bulb), digestive and excretory systems
the structure and functions of skin
the structure and location of the adipose tissue
Physical and psychological
Physical effects:
- relaxes muscles
2. stimulates circulatory and lymphatic systems
3. calms or stimulates nerve fibres
Psychological effects:
1. stress and tension relief
2. improved general well-being
3. calming and relaxing
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Advice and recommendations
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
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.
Clinical aromatherapist
A qualified practitioner that can select essential oils and blend with carrier oils to treat physical and psychological conditions.
Skin sensitivity test
This is a test to determine if the client is allergic to the product being applied.
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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.