Indian Head Massage Sequence

Indian Head Massage Sequence

Preparation

Students must remove all jewellery before giving a treatment and remove clients’

head and neck jewellery/glasses. Have a neck roll prepared (and oil if required).

All movements should be repeated

3

Introduction

Hands above top of clients head.

Make sure you are relaxed.

Ask the client to breathe slowly and deeply. Wait for 3 breaths. Helps client and therapist relax and prepare themselves for the treatment.

BACK AND SHOULDER MASSAGE

1. Whole hand effleurage (smoothing) -picture

Standing behind use palmar surface of hand to trace around scapular in a C movement – do this on each side. First

communication across the shoulders and enables the therapist to establish contact and feel for areas of tension.

2. Thumb sweeping - pictures

Standing about a foot behind the client, with fingers on the shoulders reach down with your thumbs and place them as far as they go either side of the spine (the lower end of the trapezius), repeating each movement 3 times, gradually increasing pressure. Unlocks tension and frees fibrous adhesions from the trapezius muscle.

Draw thumbs up and outwards towards little finger Repeat drawing out to middle finger

Repeat drawing out to index finger

3. Friction Movements - picture

Stand on the left of the client.

Place your finger pads on the right side of the spine and scapular and with sawing sideways movements, friction over the trapezius muscle going around the C shape of the

scapular.

Repeat on the other side. Helps to free restrictions and tension from around the scapulae

4. Heel of the Hand Rub (no picture)

Standing to the side, with the heel of the hands rub lightly and briskly between the shoulder blade and spine and along the top of the shoulder muscles. Helps to free restrictions and tension from around the scapulae

5. Thumb Circles – 2 x pictures

Using the thumb pad starting either side of the spine in the spinal channels, reaching down as far as you can go, circle with

pressure up to the shoulders.

Now move up and out a little and repeat until whole of trapezius muscle is covered. Deeper movement which unlocks tension and frees fibrous adhesions from the trapezius muscle.

6 Knuckles either side of the spine – picture

Using middle knuckles of forefinger and middle fingers press in slowly and deeply either side of spine from start of thoracic vertebrae down to the mid-spine. Try to combine pressure with clients out breath. Stimulates the nerve endings either side of the spine, releasing blockages in the nerves and easing tension.

7. Smoothing C shape Effleurage – repeat as in 1

8. Thumb Pushes - picture

Place the palms of your hands on the corners of the shoulders with thumbs resting above shoulder blades. Push the thumbs with medium pressure up and over the shoulder muscles at the

corner of the shoulders, then at the middle and then at the junction of the neck.

(Loosens tension in the muscles by squeezing the toxins from the muscles and mobilising the tissues).

9. Finger Pulls – no picture

Placing your hands over the top of the shoulders, with the thumbs anchoring the back with your fingers in front of the shoulders.

Pull back with the fingers whilst lifting and squeezing the muscles, drawing the fingers back towards the thumbs. Same areas as thumb pushes. Use the heel of your hand instead of your thumb if the shoulders are broad. (Helps to break down knots and nodules, squeezing out toxins and softening muscles, thereby easing tension)

11. Heel rolls (no picture)

Heel of hand pushes over the shoulders (deeper movement - once each in same position as 9 – i.e. the finger pulls)

12. Ironing Down – Smoothing – 2 x Pictures (Bend the knees as you iron down)

Stand behind the client and place your forearms with palms up on either side of the neck. Apply firm pressure. Using firm pressure slide both arms to the point of the shoulder turning your arms over as you go and then smooth down the arms. (Stretches and releases the muscles across the top of the

shoulders and helps drainage of toxins from the tissues – also helps shoulders to release tension)

13. Chopping - shoulders and upper back. (may need to kneel down for this one) Picture

Brisk movement squeezing muscle between fingers of both hands. Hands flat on back, palms facing upwards. Work across the whole of the upper back and shoulders. (Loosens the muscles across the upper back and shoulders, stimulates blood circulation and nerve endings, bringing about a refreshing feeling)

14. Hacking across both shoulders (avoiding spine) Picture

Hack the area worked so far either side with hands. Quick, light movements Relax fingers. (Stimulates nerve ends and blood circulation, giving a refreshing and revitalising feeling)

15. Pick up and squeeze – once only on corner of shoulders.

16. Smoothing effleurage – C shape round scapulae (as in 1 above)

WORKING THE UPPER ARMS

Do movements 1 to 3 on one side and then repeat on the other.

1. Squeezing - picture

Stand at side of client and gently squeeze arm muscles from top of arm down to elbow using the palms and heels of the hands. Thumbs move outwards across top of arm. (Helps loosen tension in upper arms). Then squash on same side.

2. Squashing - picture

With one hand at the front of the arm and one at the back – squash together.

(encourages lymphatic drainage by squeezing toxins from tissues). Now mobilise same side

3. Gentle Mobilisation to the Shoulder

Place one hand on scapula and the other on the opposing side.

Gently mobilise the shoulder in a clockwise and anti-clockwise direction, trying to take the shoulder to its full range of movement. (Encourages joint mobility and helps release tension and restrictions in the shoulder joint.

4. Heel Roll

Stand behind your client and work both sides together.

Roll the heels of the hands over the muscles to arrive at your fingertips.

Repeat this movement at the middle of the upper arm and then just above the elbow. (Loosens deltoids, triceps and biceps).

5. Squeeze and Pick Away

Starting at the top of the upper arms, gently squeeze whilst picking them away from the bone. Repeat in the middle of the arm and just above the elbow.

Stroke lightly back up to the shoulder and repeat two more times.. (Helps loosen tension on upper arm)

6. Shoulder Lift

With the clients hand in their lap, place your hands so that your fingers are below their elbows – ask them to take in a long deep breath.

As they breathe in pull the shoulder up and outwards and on the clients out

NECK MASSAGE – all movements 3 times

1. Place hands on forehead and back of neck. Stand at side of client and gently rock head forwards, back and then leave it very slightly back.

2. Grasp and pull back - picture

One hand on the forehead, head slightly forward. With the other hand spread your thumb and fingers as far as possible on either side of the base of the neck. Using firm contact with the skin, slide your hand in to squeeze and lift the muscles of the back and the neck and then release by pulling the hand backwards. (Helps release tension that builds up in the back of the neck and the skull).

Movements 3,4 & 5 are carried out on the right side and then repeated on the left side. Support and tilt client’s head.

3. Frictions. From end of shoulder to neck using fingers extended (no picture)

4. Thumb pushes (use gentle pressure and do not push further than ear lobes) Picture Place thumb at base of neck and push around – x3

Repeat in the middle x 3 and top of the neck x3

Helps to break down fibrous adhesions that restrict movements of the head and neck.

5. Finger Pulls - picture

Anchor thumb at back of neck and pull forefinger back towards thumb in a stroking movement. Top x3 middle x 3 base x3 of neck. (helps to break down knots and nodules, squeeze out toxins and soften muscles)

6. Friction under the occipital ridge – base of skull - picture

Support the clients forehead with one hand and tilt the head slightly backwards, working your way back and forth in a friction movement with extended fingers. The attachments of many muscles are located here and these very often become tight and congested giving rise to headaches.

7. Heel rub under the occipital

Rub the base of the skull lightly and briskly on the right side with the heel of the other hand. Stimulates blood, the lymphatic circulation and drains toxins away. Excellent for relieving the pain of strained muscles in the neck.

8. Grasp and pull back as in number 2.

9. Pressure points – supporting head, place middle finger of other hand into base of skull and gently rock back onto point (pic). Next place thumb and middle finger about an inch apart either side and hold for a few seconds.

(Helps to relieve pressure from congested nerves and muscles)

10. Stretching – supporting head tilt slightly to the left, place right forearm onto clients shoulder and gently stretch once only. Repeat other side. – picture

11. Grasp and pull back to finish (as in 2 above)

SCALP MASSAGE

Now is the time to apply oil if you are going to use it.

Do the first 4 on one side of the head before moving to the other side.

1. Rubbing to the side of the scalp - picture

Support one side of client’s head whilst standing behind.

Use ball of other hand to carry out light rubbing movements just above ears. Light & quick.

2. Frictions to side of scalp

Using three fingers friction area just above the ears. Light quick movements.

Helps to loosen tension from the temporalis muscle that can cause headaches.

3. Rubbing – repeat number 1

4. Windscreen wiper (rubbing) - picture

Supporting one side of the head with one hand use the ball of the other hand to carry out light rubbing movements starting on the right side and travelling across to the centre.

Repeat to other side (Increases circulation of blood to the circulation and warms up the scalp.)

5. Ruffling

Using alternate hands ruffle the hair from front to back. Separate fingers slightly – light movement (Has a soothing and soporific effect on nerves if performed slowly and is more stimulating and invigorating if performed more vigorously)

6. Shampooing – slide fingers in underneath the hair and firmly massage scalp with your fingertips.

7. Hair tugging - picture

8. Plucking - picture

Gently land the fingertips of both hands on the head and quickly take them off again. Repeat this movement all over the head. Remember soft landing, quick take off! Improves circulation

9. Stroking - Combing - picture

11. Pressure points over the scalp -

Tilt head slightly and support. Using tips of fingers and thumb working from hairline towards back. Press in and release. Repeat other side. (Helps release blockages from the nerves and has a stimulating affect on the head).

12. Squeeze and Lift - picture

Place your fingers on top of the clients head with the heels of the hands placed behind the ears, elbows apart. Squeeze inwards with medium pressure lift hold for 3 seconds and release upwards. Repeat with the heels of hands above ears and then repeat in front of the ears. Helps relieve headaches and eyestrain.

13. Circular Temple Friction - picture

Support clients head against you and use the heels of both hands to make circular movements against the temples moving the skin on the skull (this therapist is using fingers, experiment by trying both and see what your client prefers). Excellent for tension

headaches and relieving eyestrain.

14. Squeeze and release frontal and occipital - picture

One hand round front of head and one round the back squeeze inwards and then release. Once only.

15. Stroking through the hair - picture

As in 8 but using the flat of your hands.

THE FACE

Before commencing place a neck roll or cushion behind your client’s head.

1. Tilt client’s head back slightly to rest on you, ensure neck is supported.

2. Smoothing - gentle flowing movements across chin, cheeks and forehead x 3

3. Pressure points on forehead x 3 -

4. Press points on ridge of bone all round the eyes. Outwards along the top and inwards along the bottom. 3 – use ring finger only. See picture.

5. Pressure points underneath cheekbones x 3 – from nose to ear - any finger.

6. Pressure along cheekbone – forefingers from side of nose and across the curve of the cheekbones. Curve forefingers under cheekbones and drain sinuses by holding for a few seconds. See picture

7. Circular pressure on temples using fingertips or heel of hands.

8. Ears - squeeze the lobes in between thumb and forefinger and then release then twiddle the ears by rolling the thumb and forefinger across the ear lob. Work your way up the outer edge of the ears and down. Squeeze, twiddle, pull and finally flick the ears at various points. This technique stimulates the nerve endings to the whole of the body and creates an energising feeling.

10. Hand placing (Relaxes facial muscles and eyes and creates a feeling of stillness and calm)

a. Heel of hands to cover ears, fingers covering lower part of cheeks.

b. Tip of middle fingers to meet at bridge of nose.

c. Palms at temples, fingers to lie along forehead.

d. Place hands on crown

11. Higher chakra work (hold for approximately 10 seconds in each position) as follows:

a. One hand on crown, one hand cups throat (without touching) see picture pi pi

b. One hand on crown, one hand over forehead – see picture

c. Both hands over crown – see picture

12. One hand on forehead, other hand gently circular massage neck (as you did before grasp and pull back)

13. Return hands to the shoulders and C shape effleurage x 3 (as you did right at the beginning on the back)

14. Gently squeeze the shoulders. Hold for a moment and then release.

Now wash your hands and give your client a drink of water