finding it very difficult to carry out a treatment with clothes on

say no more!

well I can only do massage THROUGH THE CLOTHES, so can't imagine doing the massage any other way.

the art of performing the massage over clothes is to put a bit more pressure on and use the friction movement of the clothes to your advantage.

Did they teach you at college to practice over clothes Daisy? I will keep at it but to me it feels annoying for the client when they have baggy jumpers on etc

hiya,
yes, I was taught the traditonal way, but it was quite a few years ago, by Helen McGuiness (who writes all the books).

The modern-take on IHM seems to be an oiled - on the skin massage, or (horror of horrors) a lying down treatment. But, perservere with doing through the clothes, as it so much more versatile.

Re: baggy jumpers, you need to educate your clients to wearing the 'proper' clothes to receive the treatment. T-shirts, polo shirts, shirts are the best thing to massage over. Jumpers, silk, and strappy tops are very difficult.

Thankyou for your swift replies they are appreciated! yes if I had to perform on a fully clothed client I would certainly make sure they wore something i could work with. I've been practicing on my boyfriend and he doesnt like it . he told me it didnt feel as effective as it does when i do it the other way ..... then again he was probably just wanting to show off his tan and make me jelous!!

Thanks Daisy.
ps do you do mobile work?

hiya Tracy,
yes I do some mobile work, and I have a clinic room in Chester-le-street.

Hi Tracy - i was taught to massage with oils on the skin as well as through clothes at college. I have a room at home and so people tend to have their IHM massage with oils. However, I do do quite a few taster sessions and do these all through clothes. Like Daisy said you need to use the clothes to your advantage - jumpers are hopeless but if you have tshirts etc then all you need to do iswork the way over the body using more friction. I suppose you basically don't move around quite so easily.

I've never done a lying down IHm and can't imagine how I would really achieve this - in terms of doing IHM in the office you can buy a portable head rest which you can put onto a table. Don't know if you have seen these. HOpe that helps:)

Hi ya Inner Peace

Where I studied IHM several years ago, the attraction of it was that you can do it fully clothed! Then I discovered some other practitioners did it oiled, how weird I thought. Personally happy now to do both, but one of the ideas of IHM is portability and modesty.

You need to consider clothing as a massage medium; so lots of frictions, and thumb and palm kneading/rolling/pressing techniques.

I would personally use my own portable treatment chair. Some office chairs are OK, some are not. I like those "film director" chairs myself, light, portable, cheap, good height, and can massage through the canvas back if necessary.

Another thing about clothed massage, is that if the client is shy, they will relax into the treatment more than unclothed.

Give clothed treatments ago, it worth it.

Best Wishes

Dave

Thankyou Bexx and Dave for your comments. It is something I'm gonna have to practice hard at because I have turned down work in the past because of it. I wish college had taught us both ways though. I guess its like all things... practice makes perfect!
I like the idea of the directors chair, light and easy to carry round .I expect they are quite comfortable too. I will bear that in mind when looking for a suitable chair.
Have read a few posts lately on doing Indian head while lying down, have to say I prefer the old method sitting in a chair. I'm not comfortable with having to disturb client to turn them round to do face, but each to their own. The important thing is to do what feels right and what works better for you and your client.

Tracy

I wouldn't do IHM when a client was at their desk for the simple reason that they would be distracted - they need to be able to relax!! It's great to do this outdoors, on a park bench, when it's sunny!

I've done both over clothes (usually) and over skin (my daughter hates the feel of fabric being rubbed). I've also done IHM on dreadlocks.

I felt that I needed to be able to adapt to circumstances and not turn work down because it doesn't fit the pattern.

Hi ya Inner Peace

Couple of extra tips:

1. Do a treatment swap with an IHM therapist who is comfortable with clothed massage

2. Do an introductory course on Shiatsu or Thai Massage, as both are clothed massage methods.

Cheers

Dave

Hiya Innerpeace

I'll do a swap with you if you like (I don't think I'm too far from you)- I was taught IHM over clothes and haven't had one 'with out clothes' before. 🙂

Sue xx

Hi, I've done IHM at people's desk as some places don't actually have a private room. I have a portable workstation (FHT, Ellisons, etc sell them) you attach it to the desk and the top part is like that of a therapy chair. It's so easy to carry around and it comes with a bag. I'd fully recommend it if you haven't got room for a chair. It's also very suitable for female members of staff who may have a tight skirt on as, unlike the therapy chair where you have to straddle, this one you sit straight in your office chair and lean forward into the workstation.

Love

Thanks everyone for all your comments. You have been great in advising me on this topic and I really appreciate it.

Enchantedmoonbeam I would love to swap therapies with you as I'm eager to get to know more therapists to discuss ideas/problems/and generally to boost morale or have a friendly chit-chat etc. Got a few things going on for the next 2 weeks but some time after that would be ok for me . keep in touch and we will arrange a swap thats convenient for us both (fingers crossed)

Tracy x

It's interesting to see how people work differently.

IHM was the first therapy I learned, and I chose that first because I was a bit inhibited about 'touching' other people and thought that as IHM was done clothed it would be a good introduction for me. Lo and behold at the first class we were told to take our tops off, drop bra straps so they were under the arms and wrap a towel round us! We practised like that for the whole course, with oils, and I never thought to ask to practise on someone who was clothed. The thought of doing IHM through clothes now seems weird to me, though that was my original perception of it. Strange.

Ali

Enchanted
I just want to say a big Thankyou to you for coming over and doing a therapy swap with me . It was really interesting the different routines we use. I will certainly be adapting my routine and using more of your movements when I perform over clothes.

I practiced your routine on my daughter and guess what , she loved the caterpillar walk when it was done firmly ,so keep it in your routine lol, infact there was loads that she really enjoyed. My boyfriend has yet to sample it but i'm sure he is gonna love it too!

I hope i was able to offer you some alternative moves. We were a bit concious of the time today but next time we'll have a proper treatment each.

Will be in touch about the pamper evening soon .
Thank again... you were brill!! ( and such a lovely person too, it was a pleasure meeting you )

Tracy xxx

Awwww thanks Tracy. I enjoyed the swap. I'll email you those moves either today or tomorrow.

Hugs
Sue xx