Aromatherapy Massage

Aromatherapy has been since the beginning of time. Not only is it relaxing, but also research has found that this type of therapy can help alleviate pain, affect the person’s mood, relieve stress, increase our energy level and speed up healing. The essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts from flowers, leaves, seeds, bark, resin and even the roots. The essential oils are 100 percent natural, with no added chemicals. They extract the oils by steam distillation, alcohol extraction, fixed oil, and cold expression.

Essential oils blended with other essential oils make them more potent. This is called synergy. The essential oils are diluted with carrier oils such as sweet almond, sunflower, or grapeseed oil. These oils when massaged into the skin are absorbed into the bloodstream. Every aromatherapy massage begins with a consultation. This will last about 30 minutes and will be a series of health questions so the therapist can find just the right oils for the body’s needs. The oils are mixed and then added to carrier oils. The client comfortably lays face down. The therapist begins with long strokes from the bottom of the back up to the shoulders and back down. Keeping both hands on the body and stroking on each side so that the therapist never loses contact. After a while, the therapist works on the shoulder area in a kneading motion. This loosens and relaxes the muscles. The therapist moves down the back to massage in a gentle fashion and includes the arms and legs. The movements are light and gentle, without any karate chopping.

Each essential oil used in aromatherapy massage has a wonderful healing quality and many do double duty. There several oils that trigger physiological and pshchological responses. They can lift a person's mood, help fight against depression, calm aggressive behavior and heal trauma that a person has suffered. They can lower anxiety, increase memory and alertness and affect person’s dreams. These special oils are lemon, lavender, orange, rose, jasmine and bergamot. To protect and stimulate the immune system, certain essential oils mimic human immunoglobulin. These oils are chamomile, clove, lemon, ravensara, and mountain savory. Some essential oils fight against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. These oils include lemongrass, (which is also very effective against MRSA), geranium, melissa, rosemary, clove, eucalyptus and thyme. If a person has trouble sleeping, these oils, Roman chamomile, clary sage, valerian, lavender cistus, marjoram, and frankincense can help. Oils to fight against pain are Palo Santo, peppermint, Idaho balsam fir, ginger, wintergreen and black pepper. The anti-inflammatory oils are thyme, Idaho balsam fir, wintergreen, spearmint, fennel, clove, helichrysum, juniper, chamomile, peppermint and mountain savory. To help reduce stress and anxiety the oils are clary sage, Roman chamomile, lemon, lavender, and frankincense. Every winter comes the threat of colds and influenza. The oils to help protect against these ailments are peppermint, ravensara, lemon, eucalyptus, rosemary, and frankincense. Oils that help rejuvenate, and improve the skin are Roman chamomile, cypress, geranium, valerian, sandalwood, lavender and frankincense.

There are certain times when aromatherapy massage is not recommended. Here are a few instances. If they have infectious skin disease, rash or open wounds. If the person has bruises, inflamed skin tumors, or an abdominal hernia, if the person has just had surgery, chemotherapy or radiation they should avoid having a massage. People with have heart disease and are prone to blood clots. Women, who are pregnant, need to have a doctor’s clearance. Choose a therapist who is certified in pregnancy massage. A massage should be avoided over certain areas such as over bruises, unhealed wounds, an abdominal hernia, inflamed skin, tumors or a recent fracture.