What Is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy massage is massage therapy but with highly concentrated plant oils, called essential oils, added to the massage oil or lotion.
How Does Aromatherapy Massage Work?
The nostrils are attached to a part of the brain called the limbic system. The limbic system controls emotions and influences the nervous system and hormones.
When you inhale essential oil molecules, messages are transmitted to the limbic system and affect heart rate, stress level, blood pressure, breathing, memory, digestion, and the immune system. Essential oils are also absorbed through the skin.
Each essential oil has different healing properties. For example, some calm while others energize. Here are some widely used essential oils and their properties:
- calming chamomile, lavender, geranium
- uplifting ylang ylang, clary sage, rose, neroli
- energizing rosemary
- cleansing rosemary
- decongesting eucalyptus, pine, tea tree
Why Do People Get Aromatherapy Massage?
Aromatherapy massage is particularly suited to conditions involving stress or improving emotionally-related conditions.
- Stress and stress-related conditions such as insomnia
- Headache
- Digestive disorders
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Back pain
What Can I Expect During An Aromatherapy Massage?
After the consultation, one or more essential oils are selected based on what you need and are mixed in with the massage oil or lotion.
The subtle aroma of the essential oils fill the air around you during the massage.
After the massage, the massage therapist may suggest a blend that you can use at home in between massage treatments.
Precautions
Do not eat a heavy meal before the massage.
Massage is not recommended:
- if you have an infectious skin disease, rash, or open wound
- immediately after surgery
- immediately after chemotherapy or radiation, unless recommended by your doctor
Always check with your doctor before getting a massage:
- if you have osteoporosis
- if you are prone to blood clots
- If you have heart disease
- if you are pregnant
Based on your pre-session interview, the massage therapist may conclude that it would be prudent to refer you to a physician and reschedule your session. Massage therapists are neither trained nor legally permitted to diagnose. However, they are trained to be observant and to be aware of signs that may contraindicate massage. In keeping with the massage therapist's code of ethics, it is always better to err on the side of caution for your well being. It is strongly recommended that you follow your therapist's advice if you are referred for consultation. You should not be charged for the session.
