Discuss at least five pretreatment questions to ask a client in order to design the best treatment for him or her

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

? Do you have any medical conditions? This can include chronic and acute conditions. Heart conditions, uncontrolled high blood pressure, varicose veins, and diabetes mellitus, for example, are contraindications for local and systemic heat therapies and contrast therapies (therapies that alternate between heat and cold applications). Pregnancy is a contraindication for certain therapies and the use of certain essential oils.
Be sure to ask about any medications the client may be taking. For example, if a client is taking an analgesic (pain reliever), this could interfere with the ability to give accurate feedback about temperature and pressure; heat and contrast therapies would therefore be contraindicated. Also certain essential oils inhibit the actions of certain medications.
? Do you have any allergies? Clients can be allergic to any and all spa and hydrotherapy treatment substances including muds, peat, clays, ginger, essential oils, and sea products, including seawater. It is best if the client notes any allergies on an intake form so there is written documentation. People can develop allergies throughout their lives so every time a client arrives for a treatment, the practitioner should check for any updates. Clients may not be aware of allergies they have, so before any treatment is performed, the substance should be applied to a small area on the client's skin, usually the forearm, to see if there is an allergic reaction.
? Do you have any areas of inflammation, rashes, or other skin conditions? Inflamed areas are contraindicated for heat treatments. Inflammation, rashes, or other skin disorders may cause certain other treatments to be contraindicated, such as exfoliations (especially salt glows), ginger fomentation, and seaweed. On the other hand, there are treatments that can be soothing for some skin conditions, such as a mud poultice or wrap.
? Have you had a spa or hydrotherapy treatment before? If there is no prior experience, then the client may need explanations of all treatments. It is important that practitioners answer all client questions as completely as possible. For example, the client may really want a wrap until the practitioner explains that minimal draping is involved, and so the client may opt for a facial mask instead.
If the client has had spa and hydrotherapy treatments before, practitioners should ask the client what the results were and whether the client liked it. Perhaps the client is looking to repeat a great experience or to try something new. If the client did not have good results or did not like the treatments, a different treatment should be suggested.
Practitioners should also let clients know that some spa and hydrotherapy treatment products have odors to them, so the client is prepared. Muds, peat, and clay have an earthy aroma; seaweed smells like the ocean. Practitioners can let the client smell the substances and, if the odor is displeasing, the client may choose another treatment.
? How often do you get sick? How fast do you recover? If the client is robust and not prone to illness, and provided there are no other contraindicated conditions, the client can receive just about any treatment. If, however, the client is in fragile health, then heat and cold treatments would need to use less extreme temperatures or are contraindicated all together. Sedating treatments may be more beneficial; invigorating treatments could possibly deplete the client further.
? What are your desired goals for the treatment? Does the client want softer, smoother skin? An exfoliation treatment followed by a seaweed wrap could be suggested. Does the client have a specific area of discomfort, such as wanting some muscle tension relief in the back? A paraffin treatment followed by massage on the area might be the best treatment. If the client has some sinus congestion, an inhalation treatment with eucalyptus essential oil could be performed.
? What are you doing after the treatment session? Is it okay for the client to feel sedated afterwards, or does the client need to be energized? This can determine what treatments to suggest. For example, if the client is making a high-powered presentation later in the day, a mud wrap that makes the client feel sleepy is not the best choice; a salt glow with peppermint essential oil may be better.
? What is your temperature tolerance? Clients who have a low tolerance to hot temperatures may not be the best candidates for heat treatments or would need the temperatures lowered. Likewise, clients who have low tolerance to cold temperatures may not be the best candidates for cold treatments or would need the temperatures raised. Contrast applications may not be chosen either, unless the temperatures were modified.