Lesson Preparation of Wellness Massage

1 Products, Furnishings, and

Paraphernalia

A massage center should have the tidiest, sanitized, and the most comfortable place where a client
can relax, and can feel the best caring hands that would relieve them from pain and stress as the
massage therapist give a satisfying service through massage. Here are some of the tips on how to
make the working area more comfortable and can create a “feel at home” ambiance.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/ SPA ROOM

1. Room should be peaceful and quiet and calm.
2. Room should be warm, well ventilated and draught free
3. Lightning is subdued.
4. Use fragrance, potpourri or vase of flowers.
5. Play soft relaxing music.
6. Use clean towels or blanket to cover cushion to support legs and neck
7. Massage table, mattress must be firm on the floor.

ACCESSORIES/ TOOLS/ EQUIPMENT

Tools Description/Function Picture/Illustration

Thermometer An instrument for determining

temperature.

Stethoscope An instrument for listening to the sounds

made within the body, typically hollow
disc that transmits the sound through
hollow tubes to earpieces.

An instrument, often attached to an

Sphygmomanometer inflatable air-bladder cuff and used with a
stethoscope, for measuring blood pressure
in an artery.

An instrument, often attached to an

Digital inflatable air-bladder cuff and used with a
Sphygmomanometer stethoscope, for measuring blood pressure
in an artery.
Massage Bed Is used by massage therapists to position
the client to receive a massage.
L = 1.8M x W = 0.8M x H = 0.7 M

Shower Room A place in which a person bathes under a

spray of water.

Gives comfort to the client while waiting

Lounging chair for their massage.

Optional Furniture and

Equipment for a Spa. Description/Function Picture/Illustration

Is a device that plays discs produced under both the

DVD-Video and DVD- Audio technical standards, two
different and incompatible standards. Some DVD
CD/DVD Player players will also play audio CDs. DVD players are
connected to a television to watch the DVD content,
which could be a movie, a recorded TV show, or other
content.

Television Set A system for transmitting visual images

and sound that are reproduced on screens.

a device that projects an enlarged image

Overhead Projector of a transparency placed on the wall or
screen by means of an overhead mirror.

Massage belt The massaging motion of this belt is

reportedly designed to stimulate and
sooth the muscles.
 soothing head massager with music,‖
Head massage which uses “a combination of patented air
pressure technology, vibration massage,
magnetic therapy, gentle heat and
soothing music” to do whatever it is a
good head massage does.

SUPPLIES AND
MATERIALS Description/Function Picture/Illustration

This is used to cover the body while doing the

Bath Towels massage

Face towel/hand This is used to wipe and cover the body

towel

Bed Sheets This is used to cover the massage bed

Short/disposable To be wear by the clients during the

undergarment massage

Lotion Used to rub all throughout the body

during the massage

Body Massage Oil This is also applied to the clients body

 Basins Used to put water, warm or cold

Pillow Used by the client while lying down

Alcohol (Ethyl)/ This is being rubbed by the massage

Sanitizer therapist before starting massage

Plants/ Herbs/ oils/ Are applied to the clients. Depends what

essences essence is being requested by the clients.

PREPARATION OF WORKING AREA

1. Make the area warm, well-ventilated, quiet, peaceful, and free from distracting noise. Play some
soft, relaxing music but check with the client’s approval. Some clients prefer to be quiet.

2. The color scheme should be pale but warming, using pastel rather than harsh bold colors.

3. The area must be sanitized, regularly cleaned, and organized.

4. Enough supply of clean laundered towels and linen should be available and accessible anytime.

5. A cabinet for extra pillows, small support pillows or rolled towels are also well-organized and
ready anytime you need them.

6. The shower and toilet facilities for the clients should be regularly cleaned, sanitized and
accessible, and with special provisions for some elderly clients or persons with disabilities.

7. A hand basin or sink should be available for the therapist to wash the hands.

8. Hot air dryers or disposable towels should be used to dry the hands and must be regularly
cleaned.

9. Always place a bin for the disposal of wastes.

 In selecting a massage
couch, it must be:
1. wide enough for the
clients to turn over easily,
safe, and secure;
2. long enough to support
the length of the body;
3. firm, and must not move
or rock nor grate or squeak
when massage is going on;
4. must have standard
height for working;
5. covering should be
smooth, washable, and easy
to wipe and clean.

PREPARATION OF MASSAGE COUCH

a. Cover the entire surface with a toweling or cotton sheet – the fitted types are best as they stay
neat and tidy.

b. Next, cover this with a large bath towel or cotton sheet. This must be removed and boil-washed
after each client and a clean one re-applied. Many salons and colleges use disposable paper sheets
(bed roll) to save on the laundry – these are quite acceptable, but they can tear and crumple during
the massage and may interfere with some movements.

c. Use one or two pillows for the head. Cover these with pillow slips and then a towel.

d. Fold two large towels and place them at the foot of the bed. These will be used to cover the
client.

e. Place extra pillows, large and small, and a rolled towel on the trolley for use if extra support is
required during the massage.

PREPARATION OF TROLLEY OR TABLE

A well-organized trolley should be used

where the items need in massage are at
hand.

A variety of massage techniques need

different supplies or materials that must be
prepared well on a trolley.

Examples are: essential oil, stones, leaves,

other massage medium, towels, bowls lined
with tissue to place the jewelry of the
clients.
The following items should be laid out on the top shelf of the trolley:

a bottle of cologne – for cleaning the skin if the client has not taken a shower
a bottle of surgical spirit – to clean the feet
a good quality oil, lotion or cream – used as a medium for the massage
talcum powder or corn starch – these powders may be used instead of oil or cream as a
massage medium. They work well for very hairy clients.
a bowl containing tissues and balls of cotton wool
a bowl for placing the client’s jewelry is sometimes used, but it is much safer to ask the client
to place jewelry in her/his bag and place this under the couch.

PREPARATION OF TROLLEY OR TABLE

A. Massage Oils. The main purpose of massage oils is to lubricate the skin to reduce friction
while doing the massage on the body. This helps the massage therapist have a smooth glide to
the skin surface.

B. Essential Oil

This is a concentrated essence, much

lighter than water, and highly
flammable. They evaporate quickly, so
they are usually mixed with other
ingredients to trap their effectiveness.
Essential oil is measured in drops
because it is very concentrated.

Essential oils are extracted from an array of plant sources-petals, leaves, seeds, nut, kernels,
bark, stalks, flower heads, and gums and resins from trees. The sensuous vapors provide the
fragrance in many perfumes, essential oils become an established alternative natural therapy
which can assist in the treatment of almost every type of ache and pain, as well as smoothing
away the stress and strains of modern life.

Each oil has a distinct chemical composition which determines its fragrance, color, volatility, and
the ways it affects the system, giving each oil its unique set of beneficial properties.

Uses of Essential Oils

1. Baths
2. Body and Facial Oils
3. Foot Bath
4. Fragrances
5. Hand Bath
6. Humidifiers
7. Inhalation
8. Jacuzzi or Hot Tub
9. Perfumes
10. Ring Burners
11. Room sprays
12. Sauna
13. Scented Candles
14. Shower
15. Therapeutic Massage
 PREPARATION OF OTHER PARAPHERNALIA
Towel – invest in a high-quality towel to serve a wide range of functions to your massage center.

Tips for using spa towels

Use warm, moist towels as part of your massage routine.
A nice, steamy, heated towels can be incorporated in massaging the face, arms, or legs.
Offer cotton hand towels in your bathroom.
Spa towels can be used as exfoliants.

Benefits of Hot Towels

A massage is a relaxing and healing process and with the addition of a hot towel, a massage
becomes even more comforting and can gain more physical benefits. Hot towel’s heat ability has
the following benefits:

1. Ease sinus pressure. Applying hot towel on your client’s face or chest can help reduce
congestion associated with illness or allergies.

2. Reduce soreness. Heat helps reduce the pain such as back pain and stiff muscles due to any
number of activities, such as work and exercise.

3. Sooth joint pain. Heat helps reduce joint pain like arthritis or other issues affecting the joints.

4. Speed healing processes. Many use heat to aid recovery after having some injury.

5. Promote circulation. Heat applications helps promote repair damaged tissues and promotes
blood circulation.

6. Encourage relaxation. A hot towel enhances spa or salon experience.

Preparing the Client

1. Welcome the client

2. Indicate what clothing they need to remove

3. Indicate what position on the bench they need to be in

4. Place the client’s shoes under the bench

5. Couch roll should be placed under the couch for them to stand on

6. Clearly explain the treatment procedure

7. Secure the client’s spectacles, lenses, or jewelry where they can be seen by the clients