Aromatherapy and its benefits
Aromatherapy and its benefits
Aromatherapy Massage is a type of Swedish Massage Therapy in which an Essential Oil (a highly concentrated plant oil) is added to the massage oil or lotions used in treatment.
During an Aromatherapy Massage, a person inhales the essential oil molecules or absorbs them through their skin. Essential oils promote helpful changes in your mind and body by inducing the limbic system, a region of the brain known to affect the nervous system.
Why Aromatherapy Massage?
Each and every essential oil used in aromatherapy has different properties and benefits. For example, some essential oils calm and make person feel relaxed while others energize.
Below are the names of some essential oils:
Uplifting: Ylang-Ylang, Clary Sage, Rose, and Neroli Oil
Decongesting: Eucalyptus, Pine, and Tea Tree Oil
Calming: Chamomile, Lavender, and Geranium Oil
Energizing: Rosemary Oil
Aromatherapy Massage techniques are almost same as used during a Swedish massage (the most common type of massage).
Use Essential Oils in a therapeutic massage for below conditions:
Dementia symptoms
Insomnia
Depression
Anxiety
Menstrual pain
Support care for people with conditions such as cancer
Benefits of Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy massage helps in reducing the pain and discomfort of menstrual cramps, as mentioned in a 2015 study from the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Participants of study did a self-massage with rose essential oil, others with unscented almond oil and some with no oil on the first day of menstruation for two menstrual cycles. By the second cycle, Aromatherapy Massage minimized the harshness of pain compared to massage therapy with unscented almond oil or no oil.
Massage with aromatherapy can ease menopausal symptoms. In a study, researchers compared a 30-minute aromatherapy massage (twice a week for four weeks) to a massage which had plain oil or no treatment. They found that both massage and aromatherapy massage were effective in reducing menopausal symptoms but the massage with essential oils was more effective.
What to Expect During Aromatherapy Massage?
A person can find aromatherapy massage at almost every massage clinic or spa, what makes difference is that the style of treatment, degree of customization, and the quality of essential oils varies widely.
Generally, massage therapists have one or more premixed blends of essential oils and will select the blend based on your health concerns. A relaxation massage and stress relief may include lavender essential oil. While for an uplifting massage it may include rosemary essential oil. Your therapist may involve you in the selection process by asking you to smell various blends.
The quality of the essential oils differs widely. Essential oils are different when compared to oils made with synthetic scents which don’t have therapeutic effects. Massage therapists who are highly experienced in aromatherapy tend to use good quality essential oils in their massage treatments.
When the massage therapist begins the massage, you may smell the subtle aroma of essential oil.Once the massage is completed, the therapist may suggest a blend which you can use at home in between massage treatments.