Provide Indian head massage
Overview
This standard is about the skills involved in providing Indian head massage treatment. The ability to adapt massage techniques to suit individual client's needs and the environment in which the massage takes place is a crucial requirement. The ability to perform Indian head massage with and without the use of oils is also required.
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 Indian head massage treatments
2. consult, plan and prepare for Indian head massage treatments
3. perform Indian head massage treatments
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
Maintain safe and effective methods of working when providing Indian head 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 without causing them discomfort
5. ensure your own posture and working methods minimise fatigue and the risk of injury to yourself and others
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
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Consult, plan and prepare for Indian head 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 service for minors under the age of 16
recognise any contra-indications and take the necessary action
carry out a sensitivity test to establish suitability for use of pre blended aroma therapy oils and record the results
obtain signed, informed consent from the client prior to carrying out the treatment
adapt your preparation procedures to suit the environment in which the massage is to be undertaken
assess the client's physical characteristics and agree treatment objectives that meet the client's needs
Perform Indian head massage treatments
provide suitable support and cushioning to the required areas of the body during the treatment
adapt your massage techniques, sequence and massage medium to meet the client's physical characteristics and treatment areas
vary the depth, rhythm and pressure of massage techniques to meet treatment objectives, treatment areas and the client's physical characteristics and preferences
co-ordinate your breathing techniques with that of the client
take remedial action if contra-actions or discomfort occurs during the course of treatment
check the client's well-being throughout the treatment and allow the client 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 your 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 Indian head massage treatments
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1. your responsibilities for health and safety as defined by any specific legislation covering your job role
2. the legal and organisational requirements for client protection and preparation
3. the legal and organisational requirements for your own personal hygiene, protection and appearance
4. the 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
6. safe positioning techniques for yourself and your client and why 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
Consult, plan and prepare for Indian head 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 the treatment that meets the client's 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 the client's physical characteristics
the causes of postural faults and conditions
massage selection criteria for different skin, scalp and hair conditions
the procedure for carrying out a skin sensitivity test prior to use of 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 prepare the treatment to suit different work environments
Perform Indian head massage treatments
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the areas of the body that may require support and cushioning during the treatment and how to provide it
the use and application of Indian head massage techniques to meet a variety of treatment objectives
how to adapt the sequence, depth and pressure of massage techniques to suit different client's physical characteristics, areas of the body and client preferences
how co-ordinating your own breathing techniques with that of the clients can enhance the effectiveness of the treatment
the origins and traditions of Indian head massage and Ayurveda
the principles and practices of marma points and their purpose
the principles and practices of the seven primary chakras and their importance in relation to the Indian head massage treatment
the benefits of Indian head massage treatment
the remedial action to take if contra-actions or discomfort occur during the course of treatment
the anatomy and physiology of the head, neck and shoulders
why it is important to check the client's well-being throughout the treatment and allow sufficient post-treatment recovery time
the methods used to evaluate the effectiveness of Indian head massage treatments
the advice and recommendations on products and treatments to your client
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. posture
2. muscle tone
3. age
4. health
5. skin condition
6. hair condition
7. scalp condition
Treatment objectives
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1. relaxation
2. sense of well-being
3. uplifting
4. improvement of hair and scalp condition
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Massage techniques
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1. effleurage
2. petrissage
3. tapotement
4. friction
5. marma point acupressure
Treatment areas
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1. face
2. head
3. chest and shoulders
4. arms and hands
5. back
6. chakras
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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 treatments
- post-treatment advice
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
- 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
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
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Contra-indications which prevent
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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
allergic reaction to products
Anatomy and physiology
structure and functions of the skin
structure, function, position and action of muscles
position and function of bones
structure and function of the circulatory system
structure and function of the lymphatic system
basic principles of the central nervous system and autonomic nervous system
basic principles of the endocrine, respiratory, olfactory, digestive and excretory systems
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
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
Ayurveda
An ancient Indian Ayurvedic healing system which combines natural therapies and encompasses the mind, body and spirit.
Chakras
The ancient Sanskrit word chakra means 'energy wheel'. Chakras act as a link between the emotional and physical body.
Marma Points
Vital energy points defined as an anatomical site where flesh, veins, arteries, tendons, bones and joints meet up. Acupressure massage is applied to these vital energy points. The ancient Sanskrit word marma means hidden or secret.