IHM with client on massage table

[Addie]

joblackcat,
I also do ihm and have recently taken clinic space with a couch, and was wondering how to do it lying down...(not me, the client ) Do you mind if I pm you too? (that is if I can figure out how to do a pm)
Thanks..Kathryn

 

[FugPoonocouts]

I was taught to do seated / lying on couch combo and I understand that the VTCT course at the local college uses the same method.

I’ve found the transition from seat to couch very un-disruptive to the relaxation experience and the clients have welcomed the lie down. In fact, many times, snoring ensues within moments of the client’s head hitting the couch, LOL. I’ve found a chair / Lafuma recliner combo works well too.

I, personally, find it difficult to fully relax unless I’m supine, so I’ve always enjoyed and indeed looked forward to this part of the routine when I’ve had a treatment myself. My sister has had both a seated and a lying down IHM and says she prefers my method.

I’ve seen a method in an IHM book by Francesca Gould where a towel is rolled up to form a bolster to support the client’s neck and head for the facial massage, this is totally impractical for me as I’m just over 5ft tall and I work barefooted or in flatties, the client’s head would rest just beneath my chin, LOL.

However, its down to choice whether you do it wearing a Sari, cross-legged behind your client on a Goan beach or you use one of those massage chair contraptions - We must remember that we should consider our own safety and comfort as much as the client’s and I know that, the way I work, I’m not putting any undue stresses or strains on my own muscular/skeletal system.

 

[Katie Sunshine]

hi i wonder if you could send me the details of the ihm done on a treatment bed i am starting the course this week and would be interested to see how it is done on a bed ,when i did it on my ocn course we always did it on a chair

thankyou julie

 

[melouofs]

I've only just seen this thread and while I was reading through I was interested tosee that no one actually uses a portable headrest. I take mine around to offices and it rests on desks/tables etc. The top part looks like a therapy chair in thatthe client rests on the front and puts their head on the face cradle. After you have given some really good massage to the back, neck and scalp, you gently bring your client back to the upright position, place a towel or air cushion under their neck and do the face massage/chakra balancing. It is so easy to take around, and you get all the benefits of a good back massage and face massage without too much disruption.


Love

 

[Thistle (BU)]

Hi Lotusflower. I have been thinking of buying one of these to put on to my massage couch for IHM. Would this work and if so where did you buy it from?? Thanks

 

[relddrededfdf]

Hi, you can buy them from a couple of wholesalers, like Beauty Express/Ellisons or the FHT catalogue. It is the same price (£99.00) but carriage costs do differ. I got mine from Beauty Express as I have an account and brought some other odds and ends as well.
[link=http://www.beautyexpress.co.uk]http://www.beautyexpress.co.uk[/link] click on to equipment and scroll down to mobiles and you will find it there.

I attach mine to a desk/table in an office environment, or if I do schools/community centres, I take a foldup table and I rest it against that but I'm sure they would rest comfortably against a couch.

Love

 

[NICOLE!]

Thanks Sue I'll have a look into that. I currently pile loads of pillows up onto the massage couch and whilst it works I don't really think it's the best thing to do for the client. Just how we were taught in college. You mentioned schools. Do you do IHM in schools and if so how does this work? Do you do the teachers? I am planning to write to some schools but didn't know whether to offer them taster sessions or whether to get them to come to me? It would be interesting to know what you do , thanks x

 

[<Alex>]

Hi again Bexx

I have done a few schools - they were part of a pamper evening for the teachers and I did head massage for them. My work tends to be more in the office environment.

Love

 

[Kai]

I have just done a IHM course where it was started (shoulders/neck/head) seated then moved to the couch to do the final massage. I have been practising on friends and family and all have said they love it. My husband is so relaxed that once he gets on that couch he cant remember anything else. Also, unless someone has a problem with it or containdications then I am quite vigorous.

Tinasparkles

 

[Nikk]

When giving an IHM I usually leave the decision upto the client, most of my clients prefer the couch, with their top removed so that the back can be massaged, although some do prefer to be sitting up and not remove any clothes.
When I have an IHM myself, I prefer to be on a couch, I find it is much more relaxing... even when I have to turn over to have my face massaged.

I think its just personal preference.

Lotsaluv aqua_isme

 

[italiangirl13111]

Hi there

I have recently completed an IHM course and we were only taught how to do it with the client sitting upright. I would be really interested to learn a routine for laying down on a massage table. Would you mind sharing this information with me? I would be really grateful.

I actually had no idea you could do IHM with the client laying down. I love HP as I have learnt so many new things!

Love and blessings
xxx

 

[vycaobpz]

My IHM teacher taught the traditional Indian Head Massage not the westernised version. This type of IHM is done sitting in a chair not lying down.




I agree with what Daisychain wrote (above), some of the traditional treatements are being too westernised and some colleges seem to be cashing in on by teaching body massage and changing the name of it.

*Off to join Daisychain in Siberia, lol.

Sue xx

 

[bond]

Hi ya everybody
(in the voice of Dr. Nick on the Simpsons - hi ya Nick)

I have been reading carefully everyone's threads about whether to do IHM on a chair or couch.

I agree with the idea that IHM is simple, easy, low cost, portable treatment on a chair. I learnt IHM several years ago for that reason.

I also feel that if a couch is available and that the treatment is more suitable for a client supine, then I will do that.

Client care is more important than labels and so called authenticity!

I teach ITEC IHM and show the seated routine to the students for the exam and case studies, but at the end of the course show them how to work clients on a couch and futon mat.

The key here is flexability. I treat people is festivals, clinics, and homes. One of my learning disabilities clients sits on the sofa and I have to adapt to that suitation.

Also a lot of people have neck problems that may be more suitable for couch based treatments. After all, postural muscles have to keep the head up!

While I am typing, I would recommend the Tibetan Acupressure Head Massage as a 1 day CPD course for IHM practitioners if you wish to do it couched.

Best Wishes

Dave

 

[aSkegilkinny]

Hi Everyone,

I'm afraid I agree with Daisy Chain and Enchanted Moonbeam and believe that you should retain as much authenticity as possible when doing a treatment otherwise it would all become very confusing.
Yes, you should be able to adapt for certain clients but if you change the way a therapy is practiced altogether then surely it becomes a different therapy (or is it just me that's confused?) and where do you draw the line?
Surely that is why we train in different therapies/disciplines so that we can offer the client the most appropriate treatment for them?
Personally I always practice IHM seated and would be disappointed if I went to a salon and they asked me to lie down as if that's what I wanted I would have booked for an upper body, face and scalp massage which is surely what you are giving them!
As a practitioner of body massage on a couch and IHM I personally find that giving a seated massage is a very different experience for the client and I know that when my clients book an IHM that's what they expect.
I would be interested to know how those performing the massage on the couch describe their treatment on their website, leaflets etc without it sounding like just another upper body massage as surely that is all you are really giving them? (which is very different from an IHM massage in IMHO!!).
Yes, flexibility is important but why not just offer them a body massage in the first place if you feel lying on a couch being massaged is the most appropriate therapy for the client?



Sorry Reiki Pixie but I can't agree. Authenticity and labels are important as many of these therapies are based on thousands of years of knowledge and whilst they do change and adapt (not always for the best) the essence should still be the same. By saying authenticity doesn't matter is dismissing all the knowledge and experience these therapies are built on. Many therapists try to stay true to the authenticity of a therapy as they believe that the therapy is effective in its own right and it is very egotistical of us to think that we know better and change a therapy to suit our own beliefs.
My client care is always the most important thing and the best way I can look after my client is to offer them a therapy I believe will work without the need for any changes. Yes, I do adapt(slightly) and combine therapies when I feel it is necessary but this is on an individual basis and not something I make a habit of.

Anyway, rant over, anyone wishing to have their say please feel free!

 

[nona_goldencat]

Hi ya Relaxed1

Of course people love labels and if I was given a client a IHM and included Thai or Indonesian techniques (which I often do) I would tell them why (because it is a more effective treatment).

As for authenticity, I do question that IHM in the form practised in the UK is that ancient. I have no problem with the head aspect with Ayurvedic oils, but the neck, shoulder, upper body and upper arm stuff - wasn't that added on? If you look at page 7 of Nerendra Metha's Indian Head Massage book he says "...that the therapy would benefit by extended to include not only the head, but also the neck, shoulders and upper arms".

Isn't there also Ayurvedic treatments called Shiroabhyanga, Shirodhara, Picu and Shirovasti for the head that are performed on a couch.

Cheers

Reiki Pixie

 

[Dalton Barnes]

Hi Reiki Pixie,

Yes, of course IHM has been westernised to include extended massage but I think that is the crucial part, the upper body massage is an extention but the essence of the therapy is the same. Correct me if I'm wrong but IHM is based on simple head and hair grooming and massage techniques performed seated by family members and barbers in India using appropriate oils?
Therefore the therapy we are carrying out is authentic in that respect but has now been extended to provide more benefit to the client. The main focus of the therapy should be a simple treatment focusing on the head and hair moves.
On this thread several therapist have mentioned the positives of doing the massage on the couch as being better for back massage etc. which IMHO is not the point of an IHM.
I just can't see any authenticity in doing an upper body, head and face massage on a massage couch. Apart from massaging the head it has no other bearing on the traditional teachings of IHM.
As for Narendra Mehta, he states himself that his teachings are only based on traditional IHM and the type he teaches is his own trademarked version, although I believe he does teach the course as seated!?

As for the other Ayurvedic treatments you mentioned, they are very different from IHM and I don't see how they can be compared.

This is only my opinion of course but if anyone can explain to me how their couch massage is authentic to a traditional IHM as described above and not just another body massage then I'll be happier and I'm now going to join the others in Siberia!

 

[E&L]

Hi ya Relaxed

The head massage part of Nerendra routine is traditional, but the neck, shoulder section isn't. That is why I quoted straight from his book.

Of course you can do IHM on a couch, it's easy peesy. All the frictions, hair tugs, pressure points, pluckings, squeezing etc can be done. Oiling the hair is also easy, apart from oil can go every where if you are not careful.

If the same results with the same techniques can be achieved, it's genuine. I rather give my clients a choice in how they wish to receive their treatment - seated, couched, matted, anti-gravity boots from the ceiling if they like, if it achieves good outcomes.

Best Wishes

Dave

 

[Golden boy]

Hi Dave,

If you are basing your treatment on the same techniques then that's one thing but the point I and others (I think) are trying to make is that alot of people practicing and teaching IHM are not putting the emphasis on this technique. As I said just by reading some of the threads it seems to me that some people are using the couch to put emphasis on things like giving a good back massage etc.

I'm afraid though (and it's nothing personal! ) we'll have to agree to disagree, as you said there are already therapies that provide for head massage on the couch so I don't see the need to offer IHM on a couch. I also still have the feeling that by changing the traditions of a therapy you are no longer practicing a true IHM. Yes, before you say it, you are using the same techniques to acheive the same results but I just feel that you may be offering an effective head massage that pleases your clients (not a bad thing) but you have lost the main roots of the therapy and to me this is important not just for IHM but many other therapies. Call me old fashioned but I think tradition is often under-rated and progress not always for the best (must be the Scots in me, we like our tradition LOL!!).

I always carry out my IHM on a seat and often have clients falling asleep and many clients return time and time again and have never had a complaint. I have also had couch massage clients state that this is a much more relaxing treatment and therefore I am happy to continue this way.

Anyway, whatever you and your clients are happy with is important to you and I'm glad you care so much about them .

Truce????

Susanne x

 

[Liaineeexcela]

Hi ya Susanne

Yes, it has been a good debate. I sure plenty of people have been reading this and come to their own conclusion.

As you may gather, I'm not one for tradition, and time will tell as it has that habit.

Have a good evening

Dave

 

[Cynthia rodriguez]

Hi Dave,

Don't like tradition?? I could tell you were a rebel!!

Susanne x