1st IHM Client booked for next week - really nervous

[arman]

Hi All

It has been along time since I have been to the forum as I have been moving house etc.

I have just booked my first IHM client and I am really nervous.

I did my course about 6 months ago and the way I was taught was to seat the client for the 1st 15 minutes and then to lie them down - I am not sure which way everyone else learnt IHM but I am afraid she is going to think that it is "JUST" a head neck and shoulder massage as I was never thought which points to press - Does anyone out there have a sequence that they use?

Thanks

Suzanne

 

[Helpful]

Hiya

If I start with a client sitting up then they sit up all the way....I am not sure what you mean when you say you were not taught which points to work....what course did you do? I assume you have been taught all the head and neck and scalp movements and maybe even the face too?? let us know what you have...and we will see if we can take it from there..
Tigs
xx

 

[Have Compassion]

Hi

Yep I suppose I am being a bit vague arent I?

Here is a breakdown of the way that I was taught:

Having the client in a seated position with their head in a face cradle or on a pillow.

- Check from the lower back upward for any tension
- Effleurage the upper back and shoulders to warm up the muscles
- From a side standing position using your thumb ( and where you feel the tension slide your thumb and using accupressure stay on the area of pain until the pain eases for the client.
- Use this technique in as many areas as possible to help release tension.

Now lie the client down on the therapy bed.
- From a side standing position effleurage the side of the neck
-Cross fibre friction to release tension from the neck.
- Repeat on other side
-Circular finger movement on the scalp both sides and the middle
- Hair pulling and smoothing
- Face - 3 pressure points on the forehead pressing the middle of the forehead and smooth out to the outside
- 3 pressure points on eyebrows
- Drain the sinuses pressing finger on both sides of nose X 3 times
- Circular finger - temples
- Smooth effleurage from chin up to top of head
- Hold Head and put energy into client.

I hope all of this makes sense. I was having a look at other discussions here I really havent a clue about marmas , where they are , what they do. But Chakras I know about as I practice Reiki.

When I am with clients I always try and use Reiki ( as I do Reflex and Massage aswell)- really I just use my intent and want to help people feel better so it just flows for me.


Thanks

Suzanne

 

[Ecorgejitiece]

Its amazing to me how many different methods are taught for each therapy.

My clients always sit throughout, if they lay down it impedes access to all of their neck and head, I would have thought. They lay their head back onto a bolster ( propped on my chest) for the face and ear massage. I also massage the upper arms as well.

I always cleanse my hand with wipes after doing the head and going onto their face, especially if their hair is greasy (yuk).

Which course did you do, I did the Guild of Complementary Practitioners.

Anyway good luck with your client.

Jan .

 

[Hina Jamil]

Hi Jan

Yes I see what your saying about having them seated throughout.

Thanks for the tips.

I actually live in Ireland and did my IHM at my local holisitic centre - they train in ITEC etc but their IHM course is not ITEC accredited. I was told it would be ok to do IHM once I have Full Body Massage.

Now I am thinking it is inadequate. I have gone off and bought a couple of DVD on IHM to see what other people do so maybe that might help me!

What about Marmas - what are they do you know?

Thanks a mil

Suzanne

 

[vuerkuriiwiisceva]

Is it illadviseable to use a massage chair for IHM or is it essential to have the back support?

 

[schott_tristan]

Hiya Suzanne

Marmas relate to ayurvedic terms.... here is a google search for you there is simply lots of info..happy hunting...
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=marmas&btnG=Google+Search&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB

you seem to have very little head or face and no arm work in your routine..how long does it take you can i ask....first things first for your client next week just be confident in what you are doing and you will be fine...I will try and get some movements over to you but I am a little hectic at the moment, so bear with me...

Kai: the problems i can easily envisage with using a massage chair for IHM are that when you need to do the scalp you will want them sat fairly upright and they will have no immediate support and possibly feel that they cannot relax....also for the facial section they tend to lean back, this would put them out of centre and i should imagine feel quite uncomfortable on the stomach muscles - even if they are leaning on you......the chair i use is a lafuma directors style chair, it has no arms but a back which comes up to just below the bra strap level on most women which is ideal for back and arm access...

Hope that helps
Tigs
x

 

[kylie]

i have always doen an indian head massage seated -asking hte client ot move half way through therapy isnt going to help the relaxed attitude of hte session for the clients main beneift - and as has been said if they are lying down then you are not going to have access to all of tehe areas that I generally work.

My massage routine is brokwen down into 6 areas:
Upper back
Shoulders
Upper Arms
Neck
Head
Face

In each area methods are used for effleurage, petrissage and some tapotement inoder to warm and relax, then loosen tissue areas. A combination of palmar strokes, kneading and finger fritctions can be done in all areas - with some finger pulls, thumb pushes and pressures being done in those areas that have more flesh (eg. Arms, back and shoulders)

 

[rxehykpi]

Thanks guys

It seems that my course I did seems to be a little inadequate for IHM - maybe the DVD I ordered will help me and if anyone has a sequence they used please let me know

S