MODULE 2
LESSON 1
PREPARE PATRON BEFORE GIVING MASSAGE
WHAT IS THE LESSON?
The lesson deals on how to prepare the patron analyze
the body condition and determine the type of massage
suitable for him/her. It does also include safety precautions
and good work habits to observe while giving the massage.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
a.) prepare the patron;
b.) conduct consultation with the patron; and
c.) observe safety precautions and good work habits.
Definition of terms:
viral – caused by a virus
ankle – the joint or region between the foot and the leg
forearm – the part of the arm between the elbow and the wrist
limb – one of the projecting paired appendages (as legs, arms)
flex – to bend
HOW TO PREPARE THE PATRON
Greet the patron with a smile and a pleasant voice.
Make him/her feel comfortable.
Explain what is involved in the treatment.
1. Ask the patron specificquestions about
his/herpresent condition and his/her general health.
2. Assess whether the patron is suitable to treatment or
whether the treatment is contra-indicated in some ways.
3. Ask the patron to take off all jewelry and contact
lenses for comfort and safety.
4. Undress only the areas of the body that are being worked on
and only those needed to be exposed.
Massage Therapist should observe the following:
If you are stressed or tensed or if you are not in good health, do
not give massage as your energy level may be depleted.
Wear comfortable footwear and clothes.
Take off any noisy jewelry as this may cause distractions.
Do not massage with long nails and with rough skin.
If you havelong hair, tie it back to avoiddisturbance,
interruptions and distractions.
Use a mouthwash or breath freshener.
To hom NOT to give the massage:
Anyone suffering or recovering from a viral infection.
Anyone who has a high temperature or is suffering from a
contagious disease.
Anyone who has skin infection or has serious medical
condition.
Do not massage area with fracture, strain or sprain.
Do not massage during the first trimester of pregnancy.
After surgery, wait for 1 year after the surgery and 6 months
following minor operations.
After eating a heavy meal or have been drinking quantities of
alcohol.
CREATE A RELAXED ENVIRONMENT
Prepare all materials needed before you start to work:
YOU WILL NEED:
chosen
oil/fragrance
tissue paper
Two bath towels or
sheets Small hand
towel Cushion or a
pillow Blanket
Water to drink after the massage
FACTORS TO CONSIDER:
a. Warmth
Room needs to be warm before the treatment
begins. Body temperature drops while receiving
massage and muscle will not relax in a chilly
atmosphere.
b. Lighting
Avoid direct lighting, as you want your eyes to relax as
much as the rest of your body. Natural light is good for
daytime. In the evening, you can create special feel by
using candles or burners.
c. Peace and Quiet
A quiet atmosphere is important. You will not relax
if there is a television or radio playing in the background.
d. Fragrance
Make sure you have a clean and fresh atmosphere.
e. Base of Support
If you have a sturdy table, you
can place padding on top and use
this as a massage couch. To get the
correct height when standing
straight drop your arms by your side
and your knuckles should touch the
top of the table. The table should be
approximately 6 feet long and about
26 inches wide. You will find working
on table much less tiring than
working on a bed or on the floor.
If you are working on a chair,
choose one that is stable and sturdy
and you will need to use pillows for
comfort and support.
f. Posture and Position
Your own posture and position plays an
important part in the treatment as this will ensure
good central of rhythm, form and pressure. The main
rules for working on a table are:
Stand square to the table.
Bend from your knees and hips.
Do not twist your body.
The working
position is used when
pressure needs to move
from one hand to the
other and when strokes
move from side to side.
Standing slightly away
from the table, place
your body weight equally
over both feet, with your
knees slightly flexed and
your back and arms
straight.
Benefits of Massage:
Improves blood circulation.
Relieves muscle aches.
Relaxes the whole body system (inside and outside).
Stimulates our reflex zones helping our system
to function properly.
Removes toxins from the body.
Helps us relax and soothe our mind from
everyday stress. Safety Measures in Giving Body
Massage:
1. Sanitize hands before giving massage 70% alcohol
maybe used.
2. Don’t give body massage without taking body
temperature and blood pressure of your patron.
3. Don’t give body massage to a person with
skin abrasions and irritations.
4. Don’t give body massage to persons with
hypertension and heart ailments.
5. Taking a bath should be done by patron before
giving body massage.
6. Massage therapist should have short finger nails.
7. Massage therapist should not work if she has
fever cold or cough.
Sanitary Measures:
Towels should be white, clean and smooth.
Use one towel per client.
Massage bed should be stable and secured.
Sterilize and disinfects towels and beddings.
LET US REMEMBER
Body massage is an alternative way for relaxation.
LESSON 2
PERFORMING BODY MASSAGE
WHAT IS THE LESSON ABOUT?
The lesson deals on how to perform body massage
using the different techniques, systematic direction and
strokes in particular body parts.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?
At the end of the lesson you should be able to:
1. check the body and health condition of the patron;
2. follow the systematic direction and strokes in
the massage techniques; and
3. perform body massage.
LET US STUDY
Definition of terms
strokes – a sudden action or process producing an impact
therapist – a person who professionally provides massage therapy
breast Stroke – swimming stroke executed by extending both arms
forward and then sweeping them back with pals out
thigh – the part between the knee and the hip
buttock – the back of a hip forms one of the freshly parts on which a
persons sits
Basic Techniques
A whole body massage is usually broken down into seven
distinct areas.
Back
Torso
Legs and feet
Front
Neck and
shouders
Scalp
Torso
Arms and
hands Legs
and feet
EFFLEURAGE is the simplest technique to perform and
can be used everywhere on the body. It is a
rhythmic movement which is used to:
spread massage oil, lotion, cream or talcum powder easily;
enable you to sense areas of tension; and
warm the muscles in preparation for deeper work.
Flat –handed
Apply oil to your
hands, with your fingers
together and wrists
relaxed, glide both hands
simultaneously with
pressure and momentum
upward, then separate
and return along the sides
of the limb in a breast
stroke-like movement.
Repeat several times.
Cupped
Hands are cupped and horizontal, one in front of the
other, especially useful when you are working on the legs
and arms.
Apply oil to your
hands make contact with
your patron and glide up
the limb, turn and use the
flat-handed stroke to
return. When working on
the upper thigh, stroke
further with the outside
hand, turning inside hand
directly on your patron’s
inner thigh.
PETRISSAGE
Any stroke that presses, squeezes and rolls the muscles under
the skin is called petrissage. It also includes wringing and
kneading techniques. It acts to:
squeeze the tension, toxins and tiredness out of the body;
break up specific knots of tension;
prepare for deeper work such as friction;
stretch and loosen muscle fibers; and
stimulate circulation to an area.
Mirrored Hands
With your hands on
top of the muscle,
squeeze the heels of your
hands downward, each
hand mirroring the other.
Slide the heel of your
hands up Ward over the
muscle.
Alternate Hands
Following the same
procedure, work your hands
alternately, one hand
squeezing downward and
stretching upward, followed
by the other.
Wringing
Using the whole of
your hand with the
thumb close to the
fingers, work alternately
backward and forward in
a continuous flow, lifting
the skin with one hand
and pushing away with
the other.
Kneading
Using the whole of
your hands with the
thumbs
spread, lean them firming into
the muscle and use them
alternately. working them
forward each other, squeezing
and rolling the muscle
in a side-to-side action.
PERCUSSION
This consists of brisk strokes made by using
both hands alternately in a rhythmic motion.
The technique is used to:
stimulate nerve endings;
improve local circulation; and
stimulate soft tissues areas, such as
thighs and buttocks.
Hacking
In a chopping
movement and with a flick of
the wrists, bring hands down
alternately 4-5 cm apart in
your partners body
surface. Only the little finger
should hit the tissues.
Pummeling
Make your hands
into loose fists with your
thumbs on top, then bring
them down alternately, as
in hacking, with the fleshy
side bouncing firmly
on the tissue and making a
strong, rhythmic beating
round. This is applied only to
large well padded areas of
muscle such as the buttocks
and thighs.
Cupping
Keeping your fingers
straight, make a cup
shape with your hands.
Moving from your forearm,
bring your hands down
alternately into your
partner’s body, trapping
air against the skin and
lifting each
hand 1 ½ - 2 inches while
dropping the other.
Flicking
With straight fingers,
bring your thumbs and
fingertips down unto your
partner’s skin and, in
a quick action, take up small
piece of fleshy and let it slip
easily away
with each stroke, turning
your wrist very lightly as
you release.
FRICTION
Friction was mainly the fingertips thumbs and heel of
the
hands and is often done with only one hand at a time and
with
little or no gliding, so that oils and creams are rarely needed.
It is used to:
stimulate the digestive tract and colon;
dispense qualifications around joint areas;
reduce water retention; and
stretch and release knots of tension.
Straight Knuckling
Curl hands into loose
fists, with your knuckles on
your partner’s skin, glide
up leg and back using the
middle section
of your fingers. Always work to
the heart to aid blood and lymph
flows. Do not rotate your fingers.
Circular Friction
Work one hand at a
time, with your fingers
slightly apart, apply
pressure through your
finger tips by moving the
tissues over the body’s
structure in a small
circular movement.
Circling
Place one hand on top
of the other with your fingers
straight.
Lean into the muscle with
your fingertips and slowly
make tiny circles, working
around the joints and areas
of tension. On the back,
work on the muscles that
extend outward from the
spine, never over the spine.
Completing the Massage
Feathering technique is
used to soothe and calm when
completing a massage
sequence. Using one hand
after the other, stroke
your partners skin lightly
downward covering the
maximum area without
changing position.
Rocking
To rock the legs, get
your partner to lie face up.
Place your hands on either
side of the thigh, rock the leg
back and forth between your
hands, moving slowly down
the leg, and finish by stroking
the toes.
Grounding
Place your thumbs on
his/her in steps and the
palms of your hand on the
fronts or soles of her feet,
applying a strong pressure
for at least 30 seconds.
LET US REMEMBER
You must have a thorough knowledge of the different
techniques that can be used in body massage.
Various strokes need to be applied in a specific order for your
partner to feel the benefits of massage.
Massage strokes are applied working toward the heart.
LESSON 3
POST BODY MASSAGE TREATMENT
WHAT IS THE LESSON ABOUT?
The lesson deals on how to prepare and sanitize the
cubicle for the next activity. It also discusses cleaning,
sterilizing the materials and keeping the designated area.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?
At the end of lesson, you should be able to:
a.) sanitize and prepare the cubicle for the next activity;
b.) clean, sterilize the massage tools and store the designated
areas; and
c.) record the massage activity according to salon policy and
procedure.
LET US STUDY
Definition of terms:
gauze – a very thin, transparent fabric used especially for draperies and dressings
airtight – so tightly sealed that no air can enter or escape
cubicle – a small separate space
SAFETY MEASURES IN GIVING MASSAGE
When working on the legs, do not apply kneading
when there are signs of broken capillaries or
varicose veins.
Take care when using friction, do not apply if nerve is
inflamed.
Always work on either side of the spine, never directly
cover it.
HOW TO SANITIZE AND PREPARE THE CUBICLE
Materials, equipment tools must be sanitized and
placed in a dust proof or airtight container or in a
cabinet sanitizer.
Soiled towels, gauze mask or other used materials
must be removed from tops of working stations
immediately after use.
Objects dropped on the floor are not to be used
until they are sanitized.
Clean towels must be stored and sanitized in a closed
cubicle.
Disinfect the cubicle properly.
Keep the cubicle area tidy and organized.
Keeping record card
The confidential card records the personal details of
the patron. Each card records:
patron’s name, address, telephone number;
medical details;
Any contra indications such as allergies;
Treatment aims and outcomes;
A base on which to plan future treatment; and
Services received, products used
LET US REMEMBER
Always observe safety measures while giving body
massage
treatment.
Never apply direct pressure on the spine, but rather work
on either side of it.
Always disinfect the cubicle properly to be ready for the
next patron.