Indian Head Massage in Palliative Care

In my work as a complementary therapy volunteer at St Wilfrid’s Hospice in Chichester, adapted Indian Head Massage has become a popular therapy for patients, carers and bereaved. Yet so many hospices and care homes are reluctant to use this therapy as they feel it is too vigorous. Hopefully, this blog feature will encourage more therapists to adapt their IHM routine.

Much of the joy of using Indian Head Massage in a palliative care setting lies in its simplicity and accessibility – no special equipment is needed except a chair and a gentle pair of hands.

Indian Head Massage can be defined as a seated massage therapy that involves the systematic use of massage techniques on the area surrounding the head: scalp, ears, face and neck, and extending to the shoulders, upper back and upper arms.  However, such is its versatility that massage moves and treatment positions can be adapted in many different ways. Treatment can be given through light clothing or with a choice of oils. Qualified aromatherapists may choose to use a blend of essential oils in a carrier oil.

A Gentle Treatment

• Adapted Indian Head Massage always takes into account the fluctuating physical, emotional and energetic condition of the individual.
• In general terms, practitioners start gently and slowly – increasing pressure to suit the person, avoiding heavy percussion moves or very deep kneading, vigorous stretching or manipulation.
• Treatment includes plenty of stroking, holds and repetitive moves.
• Sessions tend to be of less duration, usually 20-30 minutes, but sometimes as little as five to ten minutes, which includes time spent on relaxation and breathing exercises.
• The practitioner needs to be flexible and creative at all times, always aware of the body language of the patient.
• In some instances, treatment positions and massage moves may need to be adapted to such an extent that the Indian Head Massage bears little resemblance to original training. Skin can be very sensitive and fragile, mobility can be seriously impaired, there may be drips and dressings to work around – and hospital beds can present a variety of challenges!

Benefits of Indian Head Massage

Reported benefits of Indian Head Massage within palliative care settings include reduction in anxiety and mild depression, increased relaxation and a feeling of safety and reassurance. An adapted Indian Head Massage can also be helpful for relieving tension headaches, general aches and pains and improving sleep patterns. Touching the head is especially intimate and can act as a releasing mechanism for expression of emotions. Above all, many people explain that with regular Indian Head Massage they are able to “cope better” with their devastating effects of their illness.

One gentleman with Motor Neurone Disease commented that Indian Head Massage helped slow down his breathing which in turn, helped him relax and enjoy the psychological benefits of gentle touch. A lady, who had lost her hair whilst undergoing chemotherapy, found that Indian Head Massage using organic sunflower oil helped boost her body image and confidence. A third person reported that her Indian Head Massage session offered her a safe haven and was one of the only times when she felt free from fear of the future. These evaluations show that the importance of communication and empathy with supportive and caring touch can never be underestimated.

 Cautions and Contra-Indications

It is vital that therapists working within a clinical setting are issued with a policies and guidelines which include issues surrounding consent to treatment, as well as cautions and contra-indications to Indian Head Massage which may be additional to those already covered as part of training.

Once cautions and contra-indications are taken into account and the person has offered consent to Indian Head Massage, then the therapist’s role is to offer a safe and appropriate treatment for the individual. It is so important that therapists learn to change their ‘mind-set’ from actively ‘doing’ to offering a calm presence and ‘being’ alongside the person. The therapist’s attitude and intention to share a comforting Indian Head Massage, is as important as the choice of particular techniques or oils.

 New Diploma Course

There’s just one place left on a three day FHT accredited Diploma course in Indian Head Massage (with special emphasis on techniques suitable for palliative care) at St Wilfrid’s Hospice Education Centre, Chichester.

Dates: Mondays March 12^th, 19^th and 26^th 2012

Time: 0930 – 1630

Course fee: £275 (to include lunch, refreshments and final assessment)

Venue: Education Department, St Wilfrid’s Hospice, Chichester P019 8FP

Places limited to ensure a fun, informative and supportive learning experience

Accreditation. This FHT (Federation of Holistic Therapists) accredited 3 day Diploma is open to all therapists and healthcare professionals with a recognized qualification in anatomy and physiology and business awareness.  Prior learning and experience may be accepted.

Course content. The course covers all the essential practical and theoretical knowledge necessary to offer a safe, effective and appropriate Indian Head Massage to a wide range of clients including the elderly and those receiving palliative care. The course teaches the European Approach to Indian Head Massage (with optional use of oils) whilst offering a colourful insight into the history and traditional techniques still practised in India today.

Assessment. Written evidence of 10 treatments plus a practical demonstration of techniques and a written multiple choice paper. There is on-going support following the course.

Facilitator: Mary Atkinson. Mary has been a complementary therapy volunteer at St Wilfrid’s Hospice since 2000. She is author of The Art of Indian Head Massage and teaches, writes and speaks on the subject of Indian Head Massage.  Mary has a PGCE teaching qualification and was recently awarded a Masters Degree from Chichester University.  You can find out more about Indian Head Massage from Mary’s website www.maryatkinson.com

 For more details and/or application form please contact:

Education Administrator  01243 755812 or 01243 755830

Email: education@stwh.co.uk    Website: www.stwh.co.uk