Body massage and body treatments, including electrical and mechanical equipment
Body massage and body treatments, including electrical and mechanical equipment
This domain tests safe massage technique, contraindication screening, and the principles and hazards of electrical body equipment.
Core rules
- Massage movements are effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, friction and vibration. Start superficially, increase pressure, work toward the heart and lymph nodes, and never over bones, joints, varicose veins, inflamed areas or the abdomen in pregnancy.
- Contraindications include fever, DVT, uncontrolled hypertension, cancer without specialist advice, recent surgery, fractures, infectious skin disease and pregnancy.
- Electrical equipment includes galvanic, high frequency, microcurrent, ultrasound, faradic or EMS, vacuum and brushes.
- Galvanic uses direct current: the cathode (negative) is alkaline and softens sebum; the anode (positive) is acidic and drives products in. Keep current comfortable and avoid broken skin.
- High frequency produces ozone and a violet or neon glow; avoid in asthma, pregnancy, epilepsy, pacemakers and metal implants.
- Remove metal jewellery, ensure dry skin and intact electrodes, follow manufacturer settings and check for pacemakers.
Worked example
A client wants a galvanic facial for congested skin. You cleanse, test sensation, apply desincrustation gel, use the negative electrode, keep the roller moving gently for a few minutes, then switch to cataphoresis with the positive electrode for product infusion. The reasoning is that polarity determines the chemical effect, and a stationary electrode can burn.
Traps
Using electrical equipment on a client with a pacemaker; working over wet skin or metal jewellery; deep massage over varicose veins; treating a client with DVT.