Having taken an ITEC Indian Head Massage practical recently i'm asking for feedback from forum members regarding a comment i received from the assessor.
To set the scene we are working in an Adult Education College, and although we all had on-site therapy chairs we were not allowed to use them, instead having to work on plastic 'school' chairs.
My client, a stocky man, during consultation asked for firm pressure - i asked if he wouldprefer to sit astride the chair resting over the back (with pillow support for his arms) and he said thatsounded comfortable.
When walking around the room during the treatment the assessor asked me 'why my treatment was different from others in the room' and had to explain the consultation and how the client would have to force themselves against my moves - not relaxing at all.
In the summing up i was told that the examiner said therewas one negative point to my treatment, she "didn't like the fact that my client was supported by the back of the chair" In fact during the treatment my client was very relaxed and nodded off a few times.
I presume that i have lost marks for this and wonder how to go about challenging her 'opinion' - after all it is the client we are supposted to be treating, we are told to take an accurate consultation and make decisions about the treatment plan from this......??????
RE: How far should an Assessors 'opinion' count?
Hi Sandra,
The problem is that in the exam, you do what you need to pass the exam. In real life, you do what is right for the client.
When I was studying for my ITEC massage diploma in 2001, my main case study was a remedial case with a very serious injury. My massage teacher said to dress up my case study write up so as to remove any mention of the injury. It was great though. I worked alongside an osteopath, a personal trainer, a pilates instructor, lawyer (it was a work-related injury undergoing a claim), and medical team. The client needed a wheelchair and was on crutches due to an accident. I bought journal articles related to the type of injury and learnt a lot. There is no way I would know what I now know about injury prevention and healing if it wasn't for this case study, who happens to be my life partner (and who is now walking). If you read the case study notes, though, all mention of injury is absent. Such is life!
RE: How far should an Assessors 'opinion' count?
Hi sandrarose
as an assessor myself I totally agree with the assessor's comments. to do an Indian head massage under assessing circumstances you should have performed the IHM in a plastic chair with the client's back against the back of the chair.
I too had a student who used pillows propped up on the end of the massage couch and allowed her client to rest her head on the pillows for her treatment.
Both are not acceptable in examination situations.
What you do once your qualified is up to you and your reputation, but when your being assessed you need to do what the college sets out.
Sorry, but I wouldn't pursue this as in my opinion, the assessor was totally in the right.