IHM with client on massage table

[afqflosleaq]

Hi folks - would welcome some feedback from those experienced IHm therapists amongst us.
My tutor mentioned to us when she is working with clients she offers them IHM on the massage table, as opposed to chair. She went on to say she would do the back massage element with almond oil, and obviously the client unlike traditional IHm, is undressed for this. We didn't hear anymore as unfortunately she left! Be interested to hear if any of you have experimented with delivering an IHM in this way.
love, janice x

 

[dreamofjeanie24]

Hi Janice,

I am studying IHM at the moment so no expert by any stretch. I have heard about this and had my doubts then.

With IHM you work on the face as well as the back of head etc. So what will you client do, turn over? It's not my idea of a relaxing treatment.

Interested to see if anyone has had it done or does this style of treatment.

All the best,

Russell

 

[cnyldajk]

Hi Janice & Russell,

Glad to see some action on the Ind Head forum, it's gone very quiet lately!

As regards, Ind Head Massage on the couch, I am also currently studying Ind Head - we have been taught both ways ie how to give the massage in the chair and on the couch although obviously on the day with ITEC we will only be examined giving the massage in the chair.

Both our tutors have told us that in practice they rarely if ever give the treatment in the chair, that they feel it is far more relaxing and effective giving the massage on the couch. Also, all the therapists in the Clinic where I work give the treatment lying down.

Russell, as regards working on the face, yes, you do the back massage and back of head first whilethe client is lying on their stomach, then you ask them to turn over (like 1/2 way through body massage) and then continue with work on head, shoulders and face. I have experienced both treatments and whilst I always enjoy the treatment in the chair I find the lying down treatment much more relaxing. Plus I think you can incorporate deeper work on the back and neck.

Hope this helps .... ps how are ye finding the study? There's a lot in it isnt there! Take Care - Wildflower [sm=animal-smiley-021.gif]

 

[MIH1406]

Hi To both Russell & Wildflower - I'm going to give it a go using the lying down on the massage table. My sister, who is qualified in various comp therapies, is my willing victim!

My table has a face cradle extension, so just wondering Wildflower if this was the same when you had your experience, or was it a face hole in the bed?

Thanks for taking the time to reply... love Janice

 

[Sleepen Sexy]

Hiya Janice

When I had the treatment, the table had a face hole. But you could also do it with the face panel extension. You could take the face panel off when you turn the client around to lie on their back - that is what I do when I'm giving a body massage because one of the tables I use has the detachable face panel - it is more comfortable for them when lying on their back to take it off.

Good luck with the treatment - I'm sure your sister will love it! Take Care - Wildflower [sm=animal-smiley-021.gif]

 

[Chi Jackson]

Hi Janice, Russ and Lisa [sm=wave.gif]

It's so interesting to see how many different variations other people haveon just one treatment! I have heard of a few practioners that do an Indian head Massage treatment lying down, but there are a few things that could possiblyputpeople off this idea:

1. The client may find being turned over disruptive

2. If you are an IHM practioner and don't do any other treatments, or any other treatments that need a couch, then it isn't really cost effective to buy a couch just for one type of treatment.

3. A client may not see the sense in having to lie on the couch as they would for a back massage or full body massage and then only to have their shoulders done before they get turned over. In other words, they could think- if I have to bother going through the hassle of getting undressed and then have to turn over just when I'm getting relaxed I might as well have a bit more done and just pay a little extra.

However, the plus sides are that they can't slouch and it may be easier to apply more pressure (and men always seem to want more pressure than is humanely possibledon't they?!!)

An alternative to this could be an accupressure type chair, where the client is leaning forwards and being supported (so you can apply more pressure), the only drawback here is that (I think) you'd have to ask the client to sit up to do the face...

 

[Afritardel]

Hiya Azalia,

I agree, it can be disruptive turning a client over but I think the positive effects of the treatment do outweigh the disruption.

In the sequence we do when client is lying down, we actually doa back massage, concentrating particularly on upper thoracic, neck and shoulders. It's nice to be able to do lots of work also on the back of head and neck from this position.

I get your point that it could be expensive for a therapist to buy a couch for only doing IHM. I do think being able to give the treatment whilst sitting in an ordinary chair is a benefit as it even allows you to treat friends or family on the spot with the minimum of fuss.

If all goes well with the exam! I plan to offer the treatment both in the chair or lying down whichever the client wishes, it's nice for them to have the choice. I think some people find lying down that they switch off more. Some people find it hard to get totally relaxed sitting up. Also, as a therapist there is more responsibility for you when client is in the chair as you have to be so conscious at all times of supporting the head and neck - particularly when the client falls asleep sitting up! You literally have their head in your hands.

Good to thrash out these things a/way and get different peoples' opinions. Chat Soon .... Wildflower [sm=animal-smiley-021.gif]

 

[Sandralynn]

Hi Wildflower- I agree, it is really useful to have an insight into how other people carry out their treatments because it helps you improve and evaluate your own practise. Great stuff [sm=idea.gif]

Has anyone else has any further thoughts or ideas on this subject?

 

[BidMyHeartGoodbye]

Update from Janice - tried out the full routine today on massage table/used cradle extension, willing volunteer my sister for the experiment!! Result - even after being turned over to have her face done, returned to a very relaxed state (her description "zonked"). Ended with a short reiki.
My view was this was a far more relaxing experience for the client, however I'm going to continue offering the choice but for me using the bed was by far able to bring a deeper relaxation.

Thanks for everyone who has contributed to this thread. Janice x

 

[??????]

Hi Janice

Delighted the treatment went so well! We had our last w/end of IHM course this w/end and we spent all of yest afternoon doing IH couch work. The results were amazing, the calm in the room was incredible, e/one reached a deep relaxation. Afterwards, some people felt totally chilled out and sleepy and some people felt euphoric! We are lucky to have a fantastic tutor which also helped.

So exam in 3 weeks, pre exam over so it's just study, study, study now! Good luck and take care - Wildflower.

 

[Jabber wock]

Hi! Sorry if this is a daft question but i'm confused as to how you perform the "neck slides" with the client laying down on a couch?I take it the client would be laying on their front for this move?Do you move the head to one side as you do when the client is seated?I just cant envisage it!!

 

[animetalchick]

This is something I have been wondering so thanks for posting this question

I bought myself one of the massage chairs, which is realy great and I thoroughly recommend them. I also bought a massage table as I offer Reiki and will be studying reflexology next year so it will get lots of use as the chair does.

I had been wondering if I could carry out IHM on the couch and how I would actually get to all the scalp positions. I think it will be a case of trial and error as according to replies it obviously can be successfully done

This is really goodnews as occasionally I want to follow my IHM treatments with reiki and/or reflexology and therefore I wont have to move the client from the chair to the couch

Hugs
S xx

 

[katie l]

Hi guys

We were taught the full Indian Head Massage routine with the client laying on the couch. If you want to PM me I will gladly share the routine with you!

You don't turn the client over at all but massage everything from either the side or from the head. When we learnt this our tutor swore by doing it on the couch as there is too much pressure on the neck when seated.

I prefer doing it on the chair but it is an alternative!

Jo x

 

[Element Say FU Yahoo III]

My first experience of having an IHM was on a table-it was the most amazing IHM ever and motivated me to do the qualification. It was sooooo good, i just cant emphaisis how good it was. The masseuse was just the best! It felt like a real Indian Head Massage-like one you would have in India. I was soaking in oil but it felt GOOD! Tables are good because you can literally pour on the oil and use a lot of it to give that feeling of a proper Indian style IHM.
I use chairs and i have had problems supporting peoples heads because they fall asleep (i use a pillow but if someone is falling asleep, its difficult to support them)

 

[zmaicfxd]

Hi joblackcat
I would love to know the fully routine that you had been taught for IH laying on a couch. I have tried doing a treatment on the couch myself but didnt feel quite happy with it (although the client said she was)
I will send you a PM.

Many thanks

 

[cat lover]

Hi have just read through this thread and found it really interesting. I hadn't ever thought of doing the treatment on the couch, although I do incorporate some of the IHM moves into my massage routine and often do the face. I can see the advantages of doing it on the couch and like somebody said earlier, the client is disrupted at some point during a therapy. I am intruiged to know the routine and will PM joblackcat about this as I would like to know how the movements are actually carried out on the head. Very very interesting. It would be nice to offer both versions. In fact the client today was expecting to lie down. I don't think that the undressing is an issue either. My clients always undress their top half for an IHM. Interresting thread thanks.

 

[princessk_x]

I can see the benefits of performing the treatment on the couch, but am a bit concerned about how we are Westernising this treatment.

An IHM should be simplistic, need no equipment and be able to receive anywhere. the massage is performed through the clothes with the client seated.

colleges have taken to giving the massage with the client undressed and a towel wrapped around them.

now colleges are teaching a body massage and terming it IHM.

...................just waiting for the onslaught of complaints etc.

Just remember how simple it should be.

I gave a traditional IHM to a reporter who was writing a piece on IHM and remarked on the fact that she had heard of people falling asleep whilst receiving a massage but that it would never happen to her. The reporter fell asleep 3 times in a space of 25 minutes!

So, by all means try different methods, but don't forget the origins of it.

By the way, I'm emigrating to Siberia tonight, so won't be able to answer any comments from furious HP'ers. Plus, it is my birthday today, so plllllleeeeeaaasssse be nice to me.

 

[Liz S]

Hi all,

firstly, thanks for not attacking me for the above comments, they were written with good intentions.

Secondly, thanks Nell, I did have a nice birthday, and good luck with your move.

Thirdly, enjoy giving IHM, its a fantastic therapy.

 

[Randolph]

I would like to know the full routine for giving IHM whilst client is lying on couch.

Could someone please be so kind as to send me details.

Many, many thanks in advance

Marion

 

[LowTheuoeu]

This doesnt sound like Indian Head to me, it sounds like an adapted form of Shirodhara, which is a specific Indian Ayurvedic treatment. Like daisy chain has said, authentic IHM is done with the client seated. If you are doing head massage with the client lying down, then you cant really call your treatment IHM.