Tall clients and IHM

[?r??nn? :D]

Hi
I have just finished studying an IHM course and am currently practising on family members and friends before i have enough confidence to treat the public.
I have bought a low backed computer chair which i can raise up and down (mainly down though) because of my height. I'm 5ft 3 which isn't that short, is it??
When treating a tall client -
Even though the chair is right down, I have problems when it comes to the face massage/pressure points and I can't really see what I am doing (I do use a cushion for client to lean back into when carrying out these moves) When I was at my course it wasn't a problem because there was no-one there who was that tall. I try to feel my my around the face but I do like to see what I'm doing.
Should I buy a step kind of stool? I have visions of me carrying round a chair, stool, bag, cushion etc etc..

Would be grateful for any tips.
Laura

 

[Romantic Fun]

hi Laura

congratulations on finishing your IHM course

standing on a stool while doing IHM could be quite dangerous for you........ do take care I am sure that it would not conform to health and safety standards

I am only 5'2" tall and use a wooden folding chair (you can get aluminium ones too which would be lighter).......... I find that this is low enough for me to 'see' what I am doing as regards the client's face..... on all but the exceptionally tall person!! if you are going to be a mobile therapist the folding chair would be much more useful and easier to carry as it will fit into a couch/lefuma chair bag along with towels, oils etc........ so all in one handy bag to carry from the car

wishing you the best of luck with your new career

blessings, Marcie

 

[woedgurwidkihuezb]

Hi Marcie,
Thank you for your advice.
I thought at the time that using a computer chair would be ideal (as others had suggested) but it isn't so pratical to use when doing certain movements -as the chair moves, especially when doing shoulder rotations. I will buy a fold up chair like you said. I am hopefully aiming to have more female clients so it shouldn't be a big problem. I could maybe alter the face massage slightly with what i feel more comfortable with, if i have a tall client and maybe spend longer on other parts of the massage.
Where do I purchase a couch chair bag that you recommended? That sounds good if you can fit everything in it.
Anyway, just off to practise on my friend who is my guinea pig at the moment.
Thanks againmuch appreciated,
Laura x

 

[maggiebridget09]

hi Laura

the LaFuma bags are available wherever you buy LaFuma chairs....... The Federation of Holistic Therapies (FHT) have them at £13 with £4.50 postage http://www.fhtonline.co.uk/product.asp?productid=1027&sectionid=2

also The Tao of Books have them at £14.39 with £2.75 postage http://www.taobook.com/acatalog/Lafuma_Recliners.html

the one I have is like the one from FHT but I bought it from Tao of Books......... but seems that the design has changed....... just to confuse you...... sorry.

if you shop around you may find a better deal............ but the bag is very strong and a good size to put all your things in. I can get my reflexology (LaFuma) chair and fold-up stool plus a pillow and several towels in the bag with room to spare. I haven't tried it but I would think that a couch would fit in it............. anyone tried that???

good luck with finding a bargain

blessings, Marcie

 

[agollakes]

I have the opposite problem. I'm 5ft 10 and when I was practising on 'short' people who wanted the chair lower so they could have their feet flat on the floor I'd get backache and sore knees from bobbing up and down!!!

If and when I do this as a job I will invest in a decent chair AND a footstool so the chair can be at a height that's comfortable for me and the client can have their feet flat on the stool if necessary.

 

[emzoid44]

Hi Moopet,
Sorry I didn't respond to your reply, too busy looking at other topics. There are so many good threads on the forum.
I suppose nothing is straight forward and we will all come across problems.
At least if you're taller you dont get your finger stuck up any noses! hee hee
I have to take my time with certain moves on the face now if I have a tall client. I have also kept to the basic fold up chair.