Saturday, 22 May 2010

Aftercare Advice of Indian Head Massage

Aftercare Advice:

• Healthy eating, eating a light diet
• Increase water intake
• Reduce the amount of tea and coffee consumed
• Exercise more
• No Alcohol
• No Smoking
• Don’t over exert after a treatment, take it easy
• Suggest yoga classes or meditation if appropriate
• Relaxation
• Hair care, suggest keeping oils on over night and to use shampoo on dry hair, then apply water to get the oil off correctly
• General care and lifestyle advice and the beneficial effects thereof
• Helping clients to identify options to improve their health and wellbeing
• Empower a client to concentrate on their posture and breathing to alleviate stress

Contra-actions of Indian Head Massage

Contra-actions of
Indian Head Massage


With Indian Head Massage there many benefits but there may also be unwanted side effects that can occur during or after a treatment, these reactions are normal and show toxins are being released.


Side effects:

• Allergy
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Increased Urination
• Lethargy
• Nausea
• Aching Muscles
• Cold like Symptoms

Contra-indications of Indian Head Massage

Contra-indications of
Indian Head Massage

A contra-indication is a condition which either prevents or restricts the treatment, however there are conditions that you can still carry out a treatment but avoid the area as well as conditions that you will need a doctor’s referral first.

Restriction of Treatment Conditions:

• Medication
• Inflammation
• Bruising
• Undiagnosed Lumps and Bumps
• Cuts and Abrasions
• Allergy to Massage Medium (nut allergy)
• Recent scar tissue due to risk of damaging tissue


Prevention of Treatment Conditions:

• Recent Operations in treatment area
• Thrombosis / Embolism
• Intoxication
• Severe Bruising or recent Haemorrhage
• Recent head or neck injury
• Skin/Scalp diseases or infections that are contagious, viral, bacterial, fungal
• High Temperature or Fever due to the risk of spreading the infection


GP Referral before Treatment Conditions:

• Dysfunction of the Nervous System
• High or Low Blood Pressure
• Circulatory Problems
• Pregnancy (after 12 weeks is safe)
• Migraine
• Undiagnosed Lumps
• Eye Conditions
• Scalp Infections
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy

The Physical and Psychological benefits of Indian Head Massage

The Physical and Psychological benefits of
Indian Head Massage




The Physical Benefits:

• Better hair condition
• Better skin condition
• Improved muscle tone
• Improved scalp circulation
• Improved lymphatic drainage
• Reduction of migraine, headaches and eyestrain
• Reduction of Insomnia and disturbed sleep
• Increased energy
• Helps improve mobility in the neck and shoulder area




The Psychological Benefits:

• Reduced tension
• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Improves wellbeing and happiness
• Higher levels of concentration and alertness
• Balances the Chakras by releasing blocked energy in the system
• Increases relaxation in the whole body

Indian Head Massage, what's it all about?

Indian Head Massage is a relaxing treatment which concentrates on massaging the upper back, shoulder, upper arms, neck, scalp and face.

Indian Head Massage has been dated back 4000 years due to the earliest Ayurvedic texts. Ayurveda is India’s oldest healing system and it means ‘science of life and longevity’. It balances body, mind and spirit and to increase long life by the combined use of massage, diet, herbs, cleansing, yoga, meditation and exercise.

At present in Indian, children from birth until they are 3 years old get massaged daily to keep them in good health. From then until they are 6 years old they would be massaged up to twice a week. After 6 years old, they are then taught how to massage and share it with other family members.

Indian Head Massage has been used in India for over a thousand years and the techniques was originally developed by women who used oils according to that season from coconut, sesame, almond, olive, herbal, buttermilk, mustard oil to henna to keep hair strong, lustrous and in beautiful condition.

In India, head massage had been given as an integral part of a treatment by barbers and masseurs. The treatments would differ from the massages performed by women in that they where mainly invigoration scalp massages designed to stimulate and refresh the individual, but not as part of a beauty treatment.

These skills have also evolved through the ages and have been handed down from barber farther to son. The females in the family have also kept the tradition of hair massage and grooming by passing it down from mother to daughter. It is very common to visit a barbershop, and receive a head massage as part of the treatment. Indian Head Massage can be seen in many parts of Indian form Calcutta to Bombay, mainly seen being performed on street corners, markets and the beach.

The Importance of Reflexology with Fertility, Pre Natal, Childbirth, Post Natal, Paternity and Babies

The Importance of Reflexology
with Fertility, Pre Natal, Childbirth,
Post Natal, Paternity and Babies

By Trisha Rainbow McQueen
October 2009


Reflexology is a therapy of healing with pressure and stimulation of the hands, feet and ears. Every part of our bodies has a mirror image on these parts known as reflex points. The body can hold toxins that can block the energy flow and cause small crystals to form and with reflexology it can break them down for the body to expel them naturally and in sequence we can balance our bodies point by point. Although there are great results and a number of researches carried out by using reflexology, it is not a substitute for medical attention or treatment. Reflexology harmonises with standard medical care and medication.


Reflexology and Fertility

There are a number of problems that cause imbalances in a body to function that could contribute to problems conceiving such as: In females, irregular or heavy periods, p.m.s, endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes and hormone imbalance. In males, blockages in the ducts that carry the sperm; Varicocele (veins that cause is overheating in the testicles; or hormone imbalance caused by estrogen type hormone taken by mothers in the 1950’s and 1960’s to prevent miscarriage. For both sexes the problems would include lifestyle and environmental factors such as: smoking, alcohol, diet and stress. The reflex points that should have attention is the Pituitary gland as this is the master gland and produces many of the hormones regulating the menstrual cycle; the Hypothalamus as it regulates the Pituitary hormone production; the Thyroid as over/under active thyroid function can impact fertility; the Solar Plexus particularly if the client is stressed and the Reproductive organs: Ovary/testicles stimulates the gland to produce sex cells and hormones; Fallopian tubes/Vas Deferens: stimulate the points to release any blockages that may exist and the Uterus/Prostate gland: to increase the blood circulation and promote normal functioning.


Reflexology and Prenatal

Reflexology during pregnancy can help to prevent imbalances in the body as with pregnancy the body will go through significant changes which will affect the hormonal, emotional and physiological balance.
During pregnancy the problems that may arise are: low energy levels, stress and anxiety, physiological discomfort, heartburn, haemorrhoids, backache, nausea and vomiting, high blood pressure, swelling of the ankles and feet, ligament and groin pain, pelvic joint pain, sciatica, constipation, cystitis, insomnia and sleep problems. Along with these symptoms, reflexology can help with general relaxation; it can help encourage the baby to turn after 34 weeks onwards and the preparation of childbirth. Research in Denmark and the UK have found that women who receive reflexology treatments during a pregnancy tend to deliver closer to term and have shorter labours. In a UK trial in 1988, 37 pregnant women completed a course of 10 reflexology sessions. For these women, the second stage of labour lasted an average of 16 minutes, compared to the expected 1-2 hours. Reflexology is safe during pregnancy after the 1st trimester and with pre-consultation before any treatment a client should let the reflexologist know that they are pregnant and how far on they are.


Reflexology and Childbirth

Research carried out in Copenhagen showed that reflexology is beneficial to women during the labour of childbirth. 58 out of 60 women giving birth experienced "outstanding pain relief using reflexology treatment", and 11 out of 14 women were able to avoid surgery under general anaesthesia. As well as, women who have had reflexology treatment during childbirth may have shorter labour, induction of labour, co-ordination and acceleration of regular contractions and preventing a retained placenta. Further studies on the effects of reflexology on pregnant women found that 37 pregnant women completed a course of 10 reflexology treatments average length of the first stage of labour was 5 hours, normally this is 16 - 24 hours; the second stage of labour lasted an average of 16 minutes, normally this is between 1-2 hours, and only 5.4% of the women who had reflexology treatment required emergency caesarian section compared to an average of 13% in the area where the study was conducted.


Reflexology and Postnatal
After childbirth, it take s a mother’s body time to adjust and reflexology can help balance hormones and help alleviate postnatal problems such as: help with breast feeding by promoting lactation, swollen breasts, constipation, backache, release urine retention, sleeping problems, stress and anxiety, low energy levels and postnatal depression is less likely to occur. To treat depression certain reflex points to focus on are the Pituitary, Thymus, Pineal, Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands. Other points that are associated correspond to the Heart, Chest, Solar Plexus, Lung and Upper Limbs will be massaged to alleviate the symptoms of depression. Reflexology can also promote the release of endorphins within the body. Endorphins are the ‘feel good’ chemical that we naturally produce and are known for relieving stress which has a big impact on depression.


Reflexology and Paternity

Father’s-to-be are usually taking this time to rush around, working extra hours, high stressed and supporting the mother-to-be all at once in a short period of time. Their bodies are over stressed and they too need to take time to adjust to changes that are happening around them and to create balance and support in a family unit, reflexology on fathers/partners could also reduce stress and anxiety with having treatments throughout the pregnancy. For both parents this is great for bonding and could lower the risk of paternal depression which is increasingly becoming more popular in fathers over the years.


Reflexology for Babies

With both parents being comfortable with touch and massage, this is a great bonding experience for the parents and also helps build the parent’s relationship with their child that can continue with the Solar Plexus reflex point. Reflexology can be used to help with problems such as colic, teething, Feeding problems, Digestive issues, wind, constipation, Ear/Sinus congestion, boosting baby's immune system, pain relief and for soothing baby when she or he is crying and it can be used any time and anywhere. Along with reflexology Baby Massage and Baby Yoga will continue balance.

Reflexology - What's it all about?

Reflexology is a therapy of healing with pressure and stimulation of the hands, feet and ears. Every part of our bodies has a mirror image on these parts known as reflex points. The body can hold toxins that can block the energy flow and cause small crystals to form and with reflexology it can break them down for the body to expel them naturally and in sequence we can balance our bodies point by point. Although there are great results and a number of researches carried out by using reflexology, it is not a substitute for medical attention or treatment. Reflexology harmonises with standard medical care and medication.

Watch it grow

It very exciting times! This blog is all about watching Touched by a Rainbow grow.

This week sees the start of this blog, a facebook page and group, the business cards and post cards being ordered, logos created, insurance inquiries, making letterheads, gift vouchers, the gift of a massage couch and other bits and pieces thanks to my very supportive circle of family and friends and without them this dream would not come true.