Application
Day spas, destination spas and beauty salons may offer Indian head massage as a specialised relaxation treatment.
Beauty therapists providing Indian head massage, operate with some level of autonomy or under limited supervision.
Prerequisites
Nil
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide. |
1 Consult with client and plan the treatment. | 1.1 Consult in a polite and friendly manner to determine client’s expectations. 1.2 Encourage client to ask questions and clarify points that may arise. 1.3 Explain Indian head massage, treatment objectives and outcomes that would meet client needs. 1.4 Identify client’s relevant medical history, contraindications, physical condition and lifestyle. 1.5 Identify relevant contraindications, and discuss with client and refer to an appropriate professional where required. 1.6 Record, explain and confirm treatment plan with client. |
2 Prepare for Indian head massage. | 2.1 Prepare work environment to meet hygiene and treatment requirements. 2.2 Ensure that environmental conditions are suitable for client and treatment. 2.3 Help client into a comfortable and relaxed seated position for the treatment. 2.4 Ensure own posture and position minimise fatigue and risk of injury to self and client. 2.5 Select appropriate massage medium. |
3 Provide Indian head massage. | 3.1 Help client to maintain an upright, comfortable seated position and ensure client safety throughout the treatment. 3.2 Ensure client modesty and privacy at all times. 3.3 Apply massage techniques according to agreed treatment plan to meet intended outcomes. 3.4 Vary massage pressures and rhythms to meet client needs. 3.5 Ensure massage movements suit the parts of the body being treated. 3.6 Recognise adverse reactions that occur during massage treatment and take prompt remedial action. 3.7 Ensure treatment stages are carried out in line with expected treatment time frames. 3.8 Monitor client following treatment in a relaxing environment according to workplace procedures. |
4 Review treatment and provide post-treatment advice. | 4.1 Confirm client satisfaction with massage and seek feedback. 4.2 Offer future treatment advice and make accurate and constructive recommendations. 4.3 Advise client on recommended actions and home care as necessary. |
Required Skills
Required skills |
The following skills must be assessed as part of this unit: interpersonal and communication skills to: develop rapport with clients when conveying service and product advice ask questions to identify and confirm requirements use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences use and interpret non-verbal communication explain the features, benefits and application processes of Indian head massage technical skills to: monitor client comfort and wellbeing at regular intervals safely perform and sequence Indian head massage techniques to meet client needs respond to contraindications and adverse effects literacy skills to read, comprehend and update treatment plans, relevant workplace documents and treatment information numeracy skills to comprehend and achieve workplace treatment time frames critical thinking skills to evaluate outcomes of Indian head massage and recommend further treatments. |
Required knowledge |
The following knowledge must be assessed as part of this unit: history, origins and traditions of Indian head massage basics of Ayurveda and Ayurvedic bodywork anatomy and physiology of the: body and body structures as they relate to Indian head massage skin and skin structures as they relate to Indian head massage classifications of massage techniques and the effects of massage on clients how to apply and adapt massage to meet client needs why effective client breathing is necessary before starting the treatment what constitutes a contra-action, for example: tiredness heightened emotional state course of action in the event of a contra-action occurring during treatment reasons for recording contra-actions workplace service time frames for Indian head massage treatments post-treatment recommendations to clients, such as food and drink intake benefits of continuous treatments principles of body, mind and spiritual wellness properties and benefits of carrier oils used in Indian head massage treatments, such as sweet almond, sesame, coconut and olive how the operator's own breathing techniques can enhance the effectiveness of the treatment process by maintaining stamina and concentration principles and practice of Marma (pressure) point application principles and practices of the seven primary chakra areas in relation to Indian head massage treatment. |
Evidence Required
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package. | |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Evidence of the following is essential: interacting with clients in a polite and friendly manner planning treatments to meet client needs safely performing Indian head massage according to the range statement and within workplace service time frames recognising and managing contraindications and adverse effects providing treatment and post-treatment advice. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure: that competency is consistently demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor or the technical expert working in partnership with the assessor as described in the Assessment Guidelines that competency is demonstrated the workplace or a simulated workplace environment in a range of real work situations which may include client interruptions and involvement in other related activities normally expected in the workplace. Assessment must ensure access to: an environment, which includes as a minimum: individual treatment spaces adjustable massage chair or couch with safe working access for operator and equipment appropriate supply of small towels massage medium appropriate cleaning and disinfection products and equipment relevant workplace documentation including: manufacturer's equipment instructions product instructions manufacturer safety data sheets workplace policies and procedures manuals range of clients seeking Indian head massage treatments. For further guidance on the use of an appropriate simulated environment, refer to the Assessment Guidelines in this Training Package. |
Methods of assessment | A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit: direct observation of the learner providing Indian head massage over sufficient time to demonstrate handling of a range of contingencies, including: consulting clients and planning treatments performing Indian head massage according to the range statement and within workplace service time frames providing post-treatment advice written and oral questioning appropriate to the language and literacy level of the learner, to assess knowledge and understanding of the required skills and knowledge of this unit completion of self-paced learning materials, including personal reflection and feedback from a trainer or supervisor third-party reports from experienced beauty therapists in the workplace. |
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: SIBBSPA501A Work in a spa therapies framework SIBBSPA502A Plan spa programs SIBBSPA503A Provide spa therapies. |
Range Statement
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included. | |
Consultation may include: | questioning visual examination reviewing client records. |
Clients may include: | new or regular clients with routine or special needs female or male clients people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities. |
Indian head massage must include: | shoulders arms neck scalp face. |
Treatment objectives may include: | general feeling of wellbeing, calmness and relaxation for muscles providing immediate relief of tension and fibrous adhesions, knots and nodules providing relief from conditions, such as: tension headaches neck and shoulder stiffness stress and anxiety chronic depression improved circulation and condition of the skin nourished scalp, encouraging strong and healthy hair improved joint mobility in the upper back and shoulders. |
Client's relevant medical history must include: | existing medical conditions previous medical conditions medications. |
Contraindications may include: | spondilytis and other severe bone inflammation high temperature or fever acute infectious disease skin infections on the head, neck or shoulders recent haemorrhage recent head, shoulder or neck injury recent surgery severe circulatory disorder heart condition alcohol or drug abuse thrombosis or embolism very high or low blood pressure dysfunctions of the nervous system epilepsy diabetes recent scar tissue in the massage area severe bruising, open cuts or abrasions undiagnosed lumps, bumps or swellings severe allergies severe migraine or headaches scalp infections. |
Lifestyle may include: | occupation dietary and fluid intake hobbies, interests and means of relaxation exercise habits smoking habits sleep patterns. |
Treatment plan may include: | lifestyle details contraindications relevant medical history and medications outcomes of previous treatments massage routine product recommendations recommendations for future treatments. |
Environmental conditions may include: | lighting heating ventilation music. |
Massage medium may include: | carrier oils, such as: sweet almond sesame coconut olive. |
Massage techniques may include: | petrissage effleurage tapotement hacking vibration friction Marma (pressure points). |
Parts of the body may include: | head neck shoulders upper back arms hands primary chakra areas. |
Adverse reactions may include: | dizziness nausea skin irritation headache. |
Future treatment advice may include: | frequency of future treatments other related treatments. |
Recommended actions and home care may include: | suitable rest period food and drink intake stimulants, such as: alcohol smoking contra-actions hair and scalp care. |
Sectors
Beauty
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.