Aromatherapy Massage

The benefits of aromatherapy massage have long been known. Far back in history, people discovered the potency of herbs and how they can aid in healing and in preserving a healthy body and mind. Massage therapy is beneficial on its own; however when it is combined with essential oils, these two therapies can be more beneficial than when they are used alone.

Due to the high levels of stress and the hectic way of life many people lead, they are looking for ways to relieve stress and tension. Aromatherapy massage is particularly suited to conditions involving stress or improving emotionally-related conditions, such as:

• Insomnia and other sleep disorders caused by stress
• Headaches
• Digestive disorders
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Back pain

How does aromatherapy massage work?

Aromatherapy massage is a massage with highly concentrated plant oils, called essential oils, added to the massage oil or lotion.

The essential oils used are determined by the massage therapist. They are chosen to treat problems you may have through the sense of smell.

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 that affect heart rate, stress level, blood pressure, breathing, memory, digestion, and the immune system.

Essential oils are also believed to be absorbed through the skin.

Oftentimes the oils chosen for aromatherapy massage are meant to tap into your memory. These can be smells that remind you of a time when you felt happy, safe, relaxed, peaceful or energized. The combination of the senses - touch and smell - is how aromatherapy massage works. This combination can also provide stress relief, help with pain, sleeping disorders or just energize you.

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.

Essentials oils can be mixed with a lotion for a therapeutic massage. They can also be used in an aroma oil diffuser for inhaling. Here are some examples of some popular ones:

* Chamomile essential oil
* Geranium essential oil
* Eucalyptus essential oil
* Rosemary essential oil
* Thyme essential oil

There is a large variety of these aromatherapy massage oils.

Each essential oil has different healing properties. For example, some calm while others energize. Here is a brief list of the most used oils and their properties:

* calming – chamomile, lavender, geranium
* uplifting – ylang ylang, clary sage, rose, neroli
* energizing – rosemary
* cleansing – rosemary
* decongesting – eucalyptus, pine, tea tree

For quality massage oils made with aromatherapy grade essential oils try: Naked Herbs Aromatherapy Massage

The deep tissue massage is a wonderful relaxing experience more people have been using this massage therapy on a regular basis and have noticed an improvement in the way they feel.