What Is Aromatherapy Massage?

Article by Karina Jacobsen

Thinking about getting a massage? Whether you've got sore, tense muscles or just need to relax, an aromatherapy massage is definitely worth a try. Different from conventional massages, this technique utilizes many types of essential oils, wherein they are massaged into the skin.

While it's possible to massage many areas of your own body like your head/temples or your feet, it's still better to let someone else do it for you to get the most out of your massage. Massages are for relaxation and how much can you relax if you doing all the work? Significant others are always great at spur of the moment massages, however, for the best massage, consider finding a professional.

A good professional or masseuse knows that the atmosphere where you get a massage is as important as the massage itself. Sounds of nature and low lighting are essential in helping you focus and relaxing throughout your massage. While it's not realistic to expect a massage in the middle of a rushing stream or waterfall, sounds of nature CDs can be substituted for the real thing and work just as well.

A proper massage, one that is most beneficial to the body as well as the mind, would include a firm, comfortable surface to lie on. Your body temperature should be consistent, not hot or cold but warm. To achieve this, there should be climate control and you should be provided a large, soft towel to cover yourself. Using the towel is totally at your discretion, many people prefer to be completely uncovered.

You may be wondering; what exactly are essential oils? They are highly concentrate oils extracted from plants then mixed for dilution with carrier oils or hydrosols. They are too strong to be applied directly to the skin without first diluting them, for most people. And too, essential oils are costly, making it more cost-effective to dilute them.

There are essential oils for every need; you choose which oil depending on what your need is. If it is your goal to relax, lavender is a wonderful choice. If ho! wever, y ou have sore, aching muscles, you might choose peppermint to soothe them. Apricot Kernel, grapeseed and sweet almond are all popular carrier oils for mixing.

When mixing carrier oils and essential oils, use 1-2 ounces of the carrier oil for the entire body. Mineral oil is also considered carrier oil; however, it is not generally used for mixing and never recommended. Here are some guidelines to follow when mixing: Lavender oil should be mixed at a ratio of four drops to one tablespoon of carrier oil, while Petigrain and Frankincense oils should be mixed at a ratio of one drop to one tablespoon of carrier oil.

If you plan to be the one on the other side of the table, giving the massage, there are a few things you should know before you begin. For maximum effectiveness, use a small amount of oil, pouring it directly into the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together, causing friction to warm the oil before you apply it to the body. When rubbing the oil into the skin, use a combination of large and small circular motions and long strokes, varying your motion and speed. Don't be afraid to add more oil if you hands begin to skip or drag.

About the Author

Karina Jacobsen is a staff writer at Alternative Health Advisor and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including Wellness Digest.

Use and distribution of this article is subject to our Publisher Guidelines whereby the original author's information and copyright must be included.



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