Aromatherapy Massage is a massage session that uses essential oils that are added to the massage oil or lotion used. This type of massage uses primarily slow, gentle, rhythmic movements - effleurage. It is not only a powerful therapy for recovery from tension, fatigue or injury, it is also a powerful therapeutic tool to nurture and heal the body. It is preventative therapy, valuable in keeping people healthy.
The therapeutic power of touch combined with the healing and balancing properties of essential oils is by far the most effective method to use essential oils. The therapeutic use of essential oils and massage can affect all the systems of the body - in particular the muscular, circulatory, lymphatic (immune) and nervous systems.
What is aromatherapy? Aromatherapy uses essential oils from plants to heal, alleviate pain and regulate mood. Essential oils are a volatile, highly concentrated plant extracts, derived from leaves, bark, roots, seeds resins and flowers. It is the art and science of using essential oils to enhance the well-being of body, mind and spirit. The essential oil of each plant is its life force containing both medicinal and aromatic characteristics.
Aromatherapy draws on the healing powers of the plant world. Essential oils are chemically complex and impart their own unique therapeutic qualities. They are used to relieve common ailments, stress related conditions and to promote good health and emotional well-being.
What is aromatherapy massage? Aromatherapy Massage is a massage session that uses essential oils that are added to the massage oil or lotion used. In aromatherapy massage, essential oils are usually mixed with a carrier oil like sweet almond, apricot kernel, or grape seed oil. The therapist use a mixture of essential oils that are based on what you need. A relaxing aromatherapy massage, for instance, might have lavender or bergamot, while a massage for sore muscles might include peppermint and eucalyptus.
This type of massage uses primarily slow, gentle, rhythmic movements - effleurage. The massage technique helps muscles melt into deep relaxation, relieves water retention, de-stresses the body, mind and spirit, stimulates the lymphatic system, improves the immune response, and assists the body to naturally release toxins.
It is not only a powerful therapy for recovery from tension, fatigue or injury, it is also a powerful therapeutic tool to nurture and heal the body. It is preventative therapy, valuable in keeping people healthy. The therapeutic power of touch combined with the healing and balancing properties of essential oils is by far the most effective method to use essential oils. The therapeutic use of essential oils and massage can affect all the systems of the body - in particular the muscular, circulatory, lymphatic (immune) and nervous systems.
How does aromatherapy massage work? Through our nostrils that are attach to part of the brain called the limbic system. This system controls our emotions and influences also the nervous system and hormones.
By inhaling in the essential oils, it sends messages to the limbic system that affect our heart rate, stress level, blood pressure, breathing, memory, digestion and the immune system.
The essential oils are also absorbed through the skin to do the same affect as the nostrils. The therapeutic power of touch combined with the healing and balancing properties of essential oils is by far the most effective method to use essential oils. The therapeutic use of essential oils and massage can affect all the systems of the body - in particular the muscular, circulatory, lymphatic (immune) and nervous systems.
Benefits of aromatherapy massage and is suitable for
Aromatherapy massage is beneficial to conditions involving stress and or improving emotionally related conditions.
Acute and chronic conditions
Physical and sports injuries
Preventative and maintenance therapy
Skin conditions
Sleep disorders
Sluggish metabolism
Stress and stress related conditions such as insomnia
Headaches
Digestive disorders
PMS
Back pain
Relaxes, balances and harmonizes the body.
Reduces stress.
Strengthens the entire body and supports the body in its own healing process.
Encourages a healthy immune system to fight infection.
Helps you to maintain a good general health by relieving the body of toxins. Rejuvenates and relaxes the body, mind and spirit.
Healing properties of essential oils - just to name a few of the many that are available.
calming – chamomile, lavender, geranium
uplifting – ylang ylang, clary sage, rose, neroli
energizing – rosemary
cleansing – rosemary
decongesting – eucalyptus, pine, tea tree
What to expect during the first session? First you will be consulted with a questionnaire on what you are experiencing. Then one or more essential oils are selected based on what you need and what will be mixed in the massage oil or lotion.
Benefits from the session:
Relaxes, balances and harmonizes the body.
Reduces stress.
Strengthens the entire body and supports the body in its own healing process.
Encourages a healthy immune system to fight infection.
Helps you to maintain a good general health by relieving the body of toxins.
Rejuvenates and relaxes the body, mind and spirit.
Aromatherapy massage can have short-term benefits on psychological well-being and a positive effect in reducing anxiety. Evidence is mixed as to whether aromatherapy enhances the effects of massage.
Precautions
Massage is not recommended for certain people:
infectious skin disease, rash, or open wounds
immediately after surgery
immediately after chemotherapy or radiation, unless recommended by your doctor
prone to blood clots. There is a risk of blood clots being dislodged.
If you have heart disease, check with your doctor before having a massage epilepsy high blood pressure hypoglycemia
kidney problems
suffered from deep vein thrombosis
Certain medications might also be affected by essential oils, including antibiotics, antihistamines, sedatives and anti-epileptic drugs. Check with your therapist before booking your treatment.
Some oils, particularly citrus ones (such as orange, lemon and bergamot), react with ultraviolet light and can cause your skin to burn more easily.
Ask your therapist for advice before exposing yourself to the sun. Watch what you eat and drink beforehand some essential oils, such as clary sage, don't go well with alcohol and could make you feel sick. Have a glass of wine after your treatment, not before!
Pregnant women should check with their doctor first if they are considering getting a massage.
Massage should not be done directly over bruises, inflamed skin, unhealed wounds, tumors, abdominal hernia, or areas of recent fractures.
