Body Massage Course

By Tina Conway

We are a provider of beauty treatments and also teach Beauty Therapists. These books have been written for our students who are taking professional beauty courses in the UK. They are equally useful and interesting for anybody who has an interest in beauty treatments.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tina Conway
• Release date: Jun 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201778552

Book preview

COURSE 

MANUAL

BODY

MASSAGE

Introduction

During this course students will be learning the art of Swedish massage. No student will be qualified until they have satisfied the lecturer/assessor of their practical and theoretical standards.

On completion of this course you will be able to:

Lesson Objectives

HYGIENE, HEALTH & SAFETY

HYGIENE RULES:

Hands should be washed before & after each client

Long hair tied back

Jewellery removed

Short, clean nails

Open cuts/abrasions should be covered with a waterproof dressing

Check client for contra-indications

Tools and implements cleaned and sterilised*

Clean towels for client to rest hands on

Waste disposed of in covered container

Sanitisation is the destruction of some, but not all, micro-organisms.

Methods – UV Cabinet, surgical spirits, Barbicide, disinfectants, antiseptics

*Sterilisation is the destruction of all living organisms.

Methods – glass bead steriliser, hot air oven, autoclave (Always wash tools in warm soapy water before sterilising, to remove grease, as the sterilisation will not be effective).

SAFETY RULES:

Always work within the Health & Safety Policy

Always work within COSHH guidelines (control of substances hazardous to health)

Ensure adequate ventilation when working with chemicals

Protective equipment such as gloves and aprons should be worn when appropriate

Report faulty equipment and remove from use

Ensure no trailing wires etc. which could cause a fall

Spillages should be notified and cleaned up immediately

Be aware of posture when working or lifting

Ensure clients are aware of fire evacuation procedures

PLEASE NOTE :  You would need to check with your local Borough Council if you are required to hold a Massage licence to run a High Street Salon along with this, you too would also need to check if there is an age restriction applicable when treating minors, as you could be breaking the law. Most therapists make it a policy to only offer full body massage treatments to adults.   

It is important for you to check if the client has a nut allergy as this would restrict the type of massage mediums the therapist could use. 

A full hygiene and safety guide can be found in the Guild of Beauty Therapists core manual.

BODY MASSAGE – CONTRA-INDICATIONS

A contra-indication refers to any condition that either prevents a treatment being carried out or will require the treatment to be adapted.  You must thoroughly question the client during the consultation to ascertain if any contra indications are present, so that treatment can be delayed or adapted as necessary.

As a therapist you are not qualified to diagnose, but if any condition is suspected, you must advise the client to seek medical advice. If you miss-inform the client, they could treat the condition with the wrong medication and your insurance would not cover you.  Please refer the NHS sight as attached for additional information  - http://www.nhs.uk/Tools/Pages/skinproblems.aspx

Contra-indications which could prevent treatments are – 

Skin diseases or infections (see infectious conditions)

Epilepsy (could bring on an attack, and the client could fall off the couch – would seek GP approval) High/low blood pressure (could affect medication & high blood pressure – risk of a stroke, whilst low blood pressure – risk of fainting)

Severe bruising in treatment area (would need to wait until the bruising has subsided)

History of thrombosis or embolism (would need GP approval, maybe at risk of re-occurrence) Spastic conditions (stiff and rigid muscles, lack of movement would make the treatment difficult, would need GP approval)

Dysfunction of the nervous system (could affect medication, loss of sensation, would need GP approval)

Cancer (would depend on type, would need to liaise with consultant)

Undiagnosed swellings (need to discover cause, would need GP approval)

Severe diabetes with poor skin healing/papery skin

Skin inflammation or sunburn in the area (would wait until skin has healed)

Severe eczema or psoriasis in area (not contagious, but treatment could irritate, and if weeping and inflamed – unhygienic)

Client under the influence of alcohol or drugs (unpredictable, may collapse, vomit etc.  Treatment could exacerbate condition).

Contra-indications which could restrict treatments are – )

Open cuts/abrasions (cover with waterproof dressing and would not work wax over these)

Recent haemorrhage (seek GP’s written approval)

Recent operation (seek GP’s written approval)

Recent head/neck injury -(seek GP’s written approval)

Lack of tactile sensation Recent scar tissue (would not work over the area and seek GP’s written approval)

Pregnancy (DO NOT work over the Abdomen area.  Client would not be able to lay on their tummy. If unstable pregnancy, then not at all, and some insurance companies stipulate no full body treatments in the first three months of pregnancy. If in doubt whether it is safe to offer a massage treatment to a pregnant client, you must always seek GP’s written approval Menstruation (avoid stomach massage during the first couple of days)

Arthritis and rheumatism (do not work over this area and seek GP’s written approval)

Do not massage over varicose veins

Skin inflammation or sunburn in the area (would wait until skin has healed)

Recent scar tissue (would not work over the area)

There are always exceptions to the rule and a therapist must use their common sense and discretion.  If ever in doubt, politely refuse treatment and refer the client to their GP.

You will need to  follow manufacturer's instructions for the product used and carry out any sensitivity patch tests that the manufacturer advises should be performed. The date the patch is carried out and the outcome must be recorded on the client record card and a treatment