Aromatherapy Massage has long been used outside of traditional massage practices, and has recently become popular among consumers as a way to relax and rejuventate without the added benefit of massage. Aromatherapy essential oils are often used to fragrance baths and even rooms in the home. Using an aromatherapy diffuser, also known commercially as a fragrance diffuser, the oil is heated above a small flame, often from a tealight, to help disperse the fragrance into the surrounding air. Because more and more retailers are jumping on the home fragrance and at home relaxation bandwagon, aromatherapy gifts are very popular to give among friends and family.
Aromatherapy Massage Defined
Aromatherapy Massage uses essential oils that are thought to have healing properties. These oils are the concentrated essences taken from the flowers, fruit, seeds, leaves and bark of certain plants. There are about 400 essential oils, but only about 40 are commonly used in aromatherapy. Aromatherapists believe aromatherapy can boost well being, relieve stress and help to refresh your body.. Aromatherapy massage uses essential oils derived from plants to achieve therapeutic benefits. In aromatherapy massage, essential oils are usually mixed with a carrier oil like sweet almond, apricot kernel, or grapeseed oil. A relaxing aromatherapy massage, for instance, might have lavender or bergamot, while a massage for sore muscles might include peppermint and eucalyptus. Before your first aromatherapy massage session, your massage therapist will conduct an initial consultation with you to learn about your desired outcome. They might ask about the current state of your work life, home life, physical health and mental state to learn about what you need.
Aromatherapy Massage Benefits
Aromatherapy Massage therapy is beneficial on its own; however when its used in conjunction with essential oils, these two therapies can be synergistically more beneficial than when they’re performed separately.Aromatherapy massage involves a massage treatment using essential oils.
The essential oils which refers to oils that come from the essence of plants – are a little oily, very fragrant, and usually too concentrated to be used undiluted. For this reason, essential oils are typically blended with a carrier oil – such as jojoba or grapeseed oil – in order to dilute them so they dont harm the clients skin.
The essential oils used are determined by the massage therapist. They are chosen to therapeutically treat the emotional disorders of the client through the olfactory glands (through smell). Aromatherapy massage works when essential oils are inhaled by the client. When the fragrant oils are inhaled, a chemical message is sent to the brain which triggers a certain emotional response.
Oftentimes, the oils chosen for aromatherapy massage are meant to tap into the clients memory. These can be smells that remind the client of a time when they felt happy, safe, relaxed, peaceful or energized. The combination of the senses – the emotion elicited by the scent of the essential oil and the sensation of touch – is how aromatherapy massage makes a client feel relaxed, stimulated, peaceful or euphoric, depending on their desired emotional response. This combination can also provide stress relief and pain relief, help aid a sleeping disorder or physical condition, or energize the mind and body.
Direct Aromatherapy Massage Benefits
- 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.
How Does Aromatherapy Massage Therapy Work?
There are a couple of theories to explain how aromatherapy massage therapy might work. The first is that you directly absorb the oils through the skin into your bloodstream. The oil can then travel through your body and have an effect on a specific organ or function in your body.
Aromatherapy massage is the alternative therapeutic technique which combines the natural therapeutic properties of the essential oils and the healing power of massage therapy. Aromatherapy massage is performed on nude clients; however the therapist will leave the room so that you can undress in privacy. Aromatherapy massage not only has powerful physical, emotional and mental effects but it is also described as a great relaxing and rejuvenating experience. The benefits of aromatherapy massage affect a wide range of health conditions of nervous, circulatory, lymphatic, immune and muscular systems. Aromatherapy massage is a pleasant method for mental clarity, relaxation, stress and headaches alleviation.
Before your first aromatherapy massage session, your massage therapist will conduct an initial consultation with you to learn about your desired outcome. They might ask about the current state of your work life, home life, physical health and mental state to learn about what you need. Following the consultation, the massage therapist will select several essential oils specific to your mental and physical conditions, and blend them into a massage oil to be used during your first massage. Many massage therapists will also give you a small blend of the essential oil to use at home between sessions.