Is there alot of difference between Itec swedish body massage to VTCT?

[AngiO]

HI,

Does anybody know if there is much difference between Itec & VTCT, I did a massage on a friend who Has Itec qualification, almost everything I did was different to what she was tought, like I start with front of the body and finish with the back, i did her head and face & she said they were never told that they needed to the head or the face, I always assume Swedish body Massage was from head toe. Maybe I'm wrong and she's right, or does it really matter as long as the client is happy which end we start from. It feels more relaxing to me to finish off on your back rather than front, what do you think to all the massage therapist out there?


Farideh xx

 

[lostsfqeeqduz]

Hi Farideh

I do Swedish massage VTCT and I've been taught to finish with the back, however the face and head is not included.

I can't comment on the ITEC, perhaps someone else could answer that for you.

Joyce x

 

[regina]

Hi Farideh,
Like you and Joyce I've done VTCT swedish massage and was taught to finish with the back. However I am also an aromatherapist and taught to start on the back with this treatment. I have adapted my routine as I have become more experienced and generally start on the back as most clients prefer this. Your training is there as a guide and you just need to develop from there. Go with what feels right for you and try not to compare yourself to others. Just because your friends does it differently doesn't make it better or worse just different.


Love and Light

oh and I do the face and head as well

 

[2010]

Hi,

I've just completed the ITEC holistic massage course and we were taught the following routine:- start on the front of the body with the client's left leg, then right, move onto the right arm, then onto the décolletage, shoulders, face, left arm, abdomen, ask the client to turn over, then the posterior right leg, left leg and finish off on the back.

Having said that, during my case studies I adapted my routine to suit the client's needs. I agree with pinkangel, just because your routine is different to others, doesn't mean it's wrong/incorrect. I think that no matter which course you do, you will always change the routine to suit you and your client - experience counts for a lot.

Love and light,
Jo

 

[factory]

Hiya folks
You are probably all right!

Swedish massage is traditionally the way the strokes are applied not in which order. I was taught how to do Swedish with the patient sidelying as well as prone and supine, just in case they needed to lie on their side and it's also great for pregnant Mums.

Massage is a dance around the table.. you will all learn to do what feels right for you and probably drop some of the stuf you have learned parrot fashion in preference of stuff you have had done to you or seen other massage therapists do.

Just because you were taught a set routine doesn't mean thats the way it has to be, mix it up a little, set routines work in that they fit the time slot and means you dont miss stuff out but they can get boring after the 7th massage in the day. Make a trademark out of your massage... be different to the next person.

see you

 

[Loving My Baby Monkey!]

I totally agree with Ruth, massage should be individual to you and also to your clients. As a massage teacher, I see so many students, having completed massage courses, who still do the same routine that they were taught. This must not only be boring for them, but also for their clients.

Let your massage be intuitive

 

[lunajanett]

I also trained in Swedish massage (VTCT) and was taught to finish with the back, face and head were not included.

The way I massage in my practice bears little similarity to the rigid routine I was taught, although I observe the basic principles of massage. I find starting with the back is more relaxing to a first time client, they feel less inclined to need to talk when they are not facing you. Also I find starting with the leg of a client is sometimes slightly intimidating, especially if that person is experiencing their first massage. Leaving out the face and head to me would feel odd, like leaving important parts out!

 

[Stella Blue]

From what Ive heard it seems that ITEC courses differ hugely in content and style even in my local area. My college swedish routine started with face then arms, stomach, legs then back of leg and back neck and shoulders. It is quite a good routine, but Im told is much longer than most itec routines, being over an hour long. Anyway from my exam experience it doesnt matter much what you do in the massage practical as long as you look the part - ie hairsprayed hair and too much make-up. The only people from my course who were commented on from the exam were the ones who did not dolly themselves up... even thought they gave the best massages in my opinion.
I have heard negative and positive feedback from VTCT practitioners also...It think so much depends on the particular college and how many in a class!

 

[Hayley Hall]

Well said Suebee



Agreed