F. Describe Salon Requirements for Preparing Yourself, the Client and Work Area

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Provide body massage

f. Describe salon requirements for preparing yourself, the client and work area

Make sure the area meets health and safety regulations by clearing the area of obstacles, clearing spillages and sterilising/disinfecting tools, returning lids to bottles. Regular visual checks are needed.

Make sure tools are and equipment are easily accessible and working area is kept clean and tidy during and after treatments and fresh towels readily available for each client.

Keep your uniform clean and well presented to optimise a professional appearance.

g. Describe the environmental conditions suitable for body massage treatments

The treatment room should be at a comfortable, warm temperature with soft lights, preferably no harsh spotlights or strip lights.

Creating a relaxing atmosphere with calming music at a low background level.

There should be sufficient ventilation so that the room does not become stuffy or polluted.

The working area should be clean and tidy with enough space to manoeuvre around.

Good décor.

The room should be kept private and not easily accessible by others unless permitted. A sign should be placed on the outside of the door to show that a treatment is in progress.

The client should be made to feel comfortable at all times.

h. Describe the different consultation techniques used to identify treatment

objectives

Prior to carrying out a massage treatment, it is important to gain an understanding of what your client wishes to achieve, whether it be for relaxation, stress and tension relief, lymphatic drainage to help reduce swelling, postural improvement or health management and general well being. This discussion will help you advise and prepare the client to ensure their experience is satisfactory. A body analysis will help you understand what type of massage is needed, such as what areas are troubling your client, If they have had any injuries or discuss areas that need to be avoided for medical reasons. Muscle tone, weight, height, cellulite, oedema, excessive hair and posture need to be analysed, along with noting a persons body shape, such as ectomorph, mesomorph or endomorph. The initial consultation will help you decide what products should be used. Costs should be discussed in advance so that you can create a treatment programme that meets the client’s budget. Client cards should be carefully managed for each individual to keep track of appointments, treatment outcomes and client satisfaction.

Your client should be made aware of any expected sensations they may feel during the treatment so they have an idea of what to expect. The treatment process should be thoroughly explained. Contra-actions or indications, along with aftercare need to be outlined.

Tact has to be employed with consultation technique, especially with elderly or disabled clients, as an offer of help must not be shown as patronising or over protective.

Record card information must include:

·  Client’s title, name and address

·  Home and work telephone numbers [ to cancel /update appointments ]

·  Date of birth

·  Medical history

·  Doctors name and address

·  State of health at consultation period

The purposes of asking personal and medical questions are to find out:

·  The presence of conditions where medical referral is necessary

·  Whether there are contra-indications present

·  If any conditions present require special care

·  If any localised conditions affect treatment of specific areas

The record card must be checked by the client that the information is correct and signed by both the therapist and the client.

i.  Describe how to select products and tools to suit client treatment needs, skin types and conditions

Equipment for massage

·  Massage couch of suitable height

·  Trolley with suitable products

·  Towels

Lubricants/ Massage mediums

·  Oil

The advantages of using oil, is that it is relatively cheap, easy to use and is good for lubricating and softening dry skin. The disadvantages are that excessive oil can soil towels and clothing and is difficult to wash out,too much oil can lead to little pressure being applied, due to hands sliding over the surface of the area being worked on.

·  Talcum Powder

The advantages of using powder is that it is suitable for excessively hairy areas and is comparatively cheap to use, whilst the disadvantages are that it is not suitable for dry skin conditions and it can form a dust in the air which can cause an allergic reaction.

·  Massage creams/lotions and gels

The advantage of creams and lotions are that it gives the client a feeling of a much more luxurious treatment, but it may not be cost effective to use on large areas due to the need to replenish regularly.

Gels can also be expensive due to the rate that they absorb into the skin.

j. Describe the different skin types and conditions

Skin type is the description of how and why your skin looks, feels and behaves. The four most common skin types are:

1.  Normal:This skin type displays a smooth texture and a rosy, clear surface, with fine pores. There are no visible blemishes, greasy patches or flaky areas. Sebum production, moisture content, well-balanced. Normal skin is often found in young persons.

2.  Oily:Skin of this type is characterized by an increased amount of lpids on the skin surface due to overactive sebaceousglands. It is shiny and thick, often with enlarged pores. Oily skin is prone to blackheads and other blemishes. It occurs more often in men than in women, and it predominantly affects adolescents.

3.  Dry:lack of moisture in its corneous layer, dry skin results in tightness and sometimes flaking. The skin appears dull, especially on the cheeks and around the eyes. It may lack elasticity, with more pronounce fine lines and wrinkles. In more severe cases, itching and burning may occur. Extremely dry skin shows signs of cracking and fissuring.

4.  Combination:Combination skin is dry in some parts of the body and oily in other localisations. Mixed facial skin tends toward dryness on the cheeks and around the eyes while being oily in the t-zone (nose, forehead, chin). The dry parts and the oily parts require different skin care regimens.

5.  Sensitive: skin often appears pale, can be dry, there can be redness, easily reacts to products.

6.  Dehydrated – normal sebaceous secretions but still flaky, tight.

7.  Mature – loss of elasticity, loose muscle tone, wrinkles.

8. Young - firm, plump, and wrinkle-free. It bounces back and heals with minimal scarring

k. Explain the contra-indications that prevent or restrict body massage treatments
The following conditions are not suitable for a full body massage:

·  Fever

·  Contagious diseases, including any cold or flu, no matter how mild it may seem

·  Under the influence of drugs or alcohol-including prescription pain medication

·  Recent operations or acute injuries

·  Neuritis

·  Skin diseases

The following conditions can allow a massage to be carried out but any affected areas must be avoided:

·  Varicose veins

·  Undiagnosed lumps or bumps

·  Pregnancy

·  Bruising

·  Cuts

·  Abrasions

·  Sunburn

·  Undiagnosed pain

·  Inflammation, including arthritis

It is important to find out whether your client has any medical conditions that they may be suffering from. A massage can only take place once it has been approved by the clients physician in writing. Conditions include:

·  Cardio-vascular conditions (thrombosis, phlebitis, hypertension, heart conditions)

·  Any condition already being treated by a medical practitioner

·  Oedema

·  Psoriasis or eczema

·  High blood pressure

·  Osteoporosis

·  Cancer

·  Nervous or psychotic conditions

·  Heart problems, angina, those with pacemakers

·  Epilepsy

·  Diabetes

·  Bell’s palsy, trapped or pinched nerves

·  Gynecological infections

A massage can be very therapeutic for many medical conditions. However, in the above cases it is best to have advice from a physician. Massage therapists, unless they are also qualified doctors, may not, under law, attempt to diagnose a condition.

l. State the objectives of massage treatments

Therapeutic massage treatments can aid in relaxation, stress and tension relief, help with lymphatic drainage, can increase postural improvement and can enhance your overall sense of emotional and physical well-being.

m. State the benefits derived from massage treatments

Massage therapy can play an important part of a persons health maintenance plan, improvements include:

·  Reducing or eliminating pain.

·  Improving joint mobility.

·  Improving circulation.

·  Improving lymphatic drainage.

·  Reducing muscular tension.

Massage therapy can be used for the treatment of both acute and chronic conditions for all ages, in the treatment of illness, injury rehabilitation and disability.

There has been a wide variety of research, published in peer reviewed journals, proving the benefits of massage therapy for various conditions.

The following is a list of conditions for which massage therapy, when provided by a Massage Therapist, can prove beneficial:

Anxiety and depression / Asthma and Emphysema
Back, leg, and neck pain / Cancer symptoms
Carpal tunnel syndrome (repetitive strain) / Chronic Fatigue syndrome
Dislocations / Fibromyalgia
Fractures and edema / Gastrointestinal disorders
Headaches / Inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and bursitis
Insomnia / Kyphosis and Scoliosis
Multiple sclerosis / Parkinson’s disease
Muscle tension and spasm / Palliative care
Post-surgical rehabilitation / Pregnancy and labour support
Sports injuries / Strains and sprains
Stress and stress related conditions / Stroke
Tendinitis / Whiplash

Massage Therapy can also be used as part of a preventative care program. This includes sports training, injury prevention, ongoing stress management, and more.

n. Identify general body types

Body types are usually broken up into three types:

·  Ectomorph: Lean and long, with difficulty building muscle.

·  Endomorph: Big, high body fat, often pear-shaped, with a high tendency to store body fat.

·  Mesomorph: Muscular and well-built, with a high metabolism and responsive muscle cells.

o. Describe the different types of body fat

Types of Fat

We have adipose tissue all over the body. This tissue is made of adipocytes (fat cells) whose sole job is to store energy in the form of fat.

Howebver,body fat distribution differs from person to person. There are generally two types of fat storage:

·  visceral(surrounding internal organs)

·  subcutaneous(beneath the skin - about 80% of all body fat)

From a health perspective, visceral fat is the most dangerous.

Basic Areas

·  Women - generally around the buttocks and thighs (gluteofemoral): "pear-shaped".

·  Men - generally around the abdomen: "apple-shaped".

Note that these are the predominant patterns - but both 'apple' and 'pear' shaped distribution can be found in either gender.

Specific Areas

Knee / Fat often builds up on the inside region of the knees in women.
Upper Arm / Also common in women, fat build up can occur in the middle to upper area of the upper arm - typically covering the triceps area.
Abdomen / Fat buildup around the navel area is common in both men and women. It is also one of the few fat deposits that are also found in slim women.
Inner Thigh / Fat storage between the thighs is common in women - but also occurs with men. It is more noticeable in women due to the width of the pelvis that in turn influences the position of the thigh (femur).
Outer Thigh / Sometimes called "Riding Breeches" - this area is the most likely place for the pitted or 'quilted' appearance of cellulite. This fat concentration also blends with fat tissue on the inner thigh and the buttocks.
Buttocks / Without fat here - sitting would be quite uncomfortable. Fat is held in place by the gluteal fold. If significant fat is lost from the buttock, then only appropriate training can prevent the buttock from sagging down against the thigh.
Lower Back / This fat concentration often merges with the buttock area.
Chest / Breast tissue comprises the mammary gland (one's 'endowment') surrounded by fat. Men also have atrophied glands and fat in this area. Both sexes gain fat in this area. In men this can sometimes be mistaken for the condition of gynecomastia - a condition that includes not only fat build up, but growth in gland tissue.

Gender and Ethnic Variation

There is considerable research showing that fat distribution varies between gender and ethnic groups. For example men have an overall less body fat percentage than woman and Asian adults are more prone to visceral and central obesity than Europeans. Mediterranean women are prone to fat gain in the outer thighs.

Many people compare subcutaneous fat to the layers of an onion. Rather than disappearing from a particular place, it comes off layer by layer from the whole body.

Moreover, the way fat is shed is different from person to person.It tends to go from the most recent place it appeared.

Complications of Cellulites

This is further compounded by cellulite. With cellulite tissue, fatty acids are contained in a net of fibrous connective tissue. As fat loss occurs the net becomes compressed - making it difficult for the blood supply to readily remove the fat from these stubborn areas.

p. Outline common postural faults

The three most common ones areKyphosis, lordosisandScoliosis.

Kyphosis is used to describe the curving of the back which leads to the top of the back rolling forward and causing a ‘hunchback’. The shoulders appeared curved and the scapulas are positioned further away from the spine. The chin alsoprotrudes forward instead of being tucked neatly under the head.

It is caused by a plethora of factors including degenerative diseases, injuries, muscular conditions and problems such as slipped disks and also bad posture during adolescents, sometimes it will develop later in life, sometimes due to stress or a change in job which causes a stooped and rounded posture.

For some it can lead to pain, tiredness and in some causes breathing problems because the chest wall is not open as it should be.

Kyphosis can affect other areas of the body as the curve increases. The muscles in the upper back become out of balance and the pectoral, scapula muscles (shoulder blades) and internal rotators (within shoulders) will begin to tighten as they readjust to their new position, this in turn may lead to a weakness in the lateral and upward rotators in the shoulders. This causes a loss of strength in these areas. Due to the protrusion of the chin the sternocleidomastoid (neck muscle) becomes incredibly tight and uncomfortable which can lead to headaches.