An essential oil massage or aromatherapy massage basically combines 'aroma,' using healing scents and natural fragrance, with 'therapy,' the actual therapeutic massage technique.
In an aromatherapy massage, essential oils are added to the massage oil and applied topically, and/or diffused in the air. During the massage, the potent, healing essential oil molecules pass right through the blood/brain barrier, having profound effects on the mind and body.
A study in Germany's Ruhr University concluded that, "aromatherapy proponents suggest that essential oils may affect a number of biological factors, including heart rate, stress levels, blood pressure, breathing, and immune function."
Directly affecting the brain's limbic system, essential oils can transform how the mind and body respond to emotions, pain, mood, pleasure and more, making them incredibly powerful in complementing the massage therapy to relieve stress, alleviate pain and bring relaxation.
There are incredible benefits in receiving an essential oil massage, and it doesn't necessarily mean you need to head to your local spa. You can benefit from creating and using your own aromatherapy massage oils right from home!
Whether it's using self-massage techniques or getting your partner involved, there's no excuse not to experience the amazing benefits of combining essential oils with massage therapy.
Most people think that aromatherapy massage is simply for relaxation, but that's just the tip of the iceberg!
Here are some lesser known benefits of essential oil massage:
There are many different techniques for receiving the full benefits of essential oils in massage. Depending on what you are trying to achieve you can use essential oils in one or more ways below:
Full-body massage: This involves mixing and creating a blend of one or more essential oils to carrier oils. For example, a blend with peppermint oil might be created to relieve pain in deep tissue massage, or adding lavender essential oil to a carrier oil can provide immense relaxation.
Head and scalp massage: A scalp massage is excellent for rejuvenating blood circulation in the scalp and relieving tension. The medicinal properties of both carrier oils and essential oils will also help scalp conditions such as dryness, dandruff, itching and more.
Face massage: Rubbing a little carrier oil infused with an essential oil into the palms of your hands and cupping the face will provide an instant, soothing effect. Carrier oils such as organic argan oil and jojoba oil are also amazing for the face and skin!
Foot massage: A foot massage or rub is a great way to unwind and relax. Since feet have larger pores they absorb essential oils fairly quickly and it gets into the bloodstream a lot faster.
Ear massage: Did you know there are over 200 acupuncture points on the ear? Stimulating these points can activate the respective organs restoring balance in the body. With a little essential oil blend, using both the thumb and index finger gently massage the earlobe using a small circular action.
There's probably at least one aroma that you can relate to that truly transports you to another world and puts you at ease. Although everyone has their own personal favorites, there are some popular scents that literally exude relaxation!
In an experiment with 40 healthy participants, a lavender and bergamot essential oil blend caused "significant decreases of pulse rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure," with participants rating "themselves as 'more calm' and 'more relaxed' than subjects in the control group."
There is quite a bit of evidence to prove that essential oils get absorbed quickly into the bloodstream after topical application with visible effects.
Blending essential oils with carrier oils during massage is a great way to alleviate joint and arthritic pain and relax sore, cramped and strained muscles. The healing effects of the oils can continue long after the massage as well.
Essential oils are excellent for reducing stress, improving focus and mental clarity, calming irritability and improving insomnia. When combined with massage, either through being inhaled via aromatherapy or applied topically, essential oils can be extremely effective when used in massage to relieve stress and anxiety.
Did you know your feet have 72,000 nerve endings? No wonder a good foot rub can be incredibly relaxing. The feet are full of pressure points that are connected to each of the body's internal organs and systems.
Since the feet have large pores and no sebaceous glands, by adding essential oils to carrier oils during foot massage can provide immediate benefit as the oils absorb quickly through the feet and enter the bloodstream.
The skin is the body's largest sensory organ! A massage is a great way to nourish and provide healing goodness to the skin. A full-body massage using nurturing essential oils can be incredibly beneficial to the skin and also help to alleviate skin conditions such as dry skin, eczema, fungal infections, psoriasis and more.
Being run down with a cold and congestion is usually accompanied by body aches and pains, a chesty cough, fatigue and tiredness.
A full-body massage might not be the best idea when you're under the weather, simply because your body needs rest, not added exertion. Also lying face down (with all that congestion) and a stuffy head, can be incredibly uncomfortable.
However, there are some areas that can gain benefit from massage when you have a cold, especially if you use the right essential oil blends, which can provide much needed relief for cold symptoms.
Inhaling certain essential oils have been proven to aid in weight loss by helping to reduce cravings and curb binge eating.
A 2005 study concluded that rats that inhaled "the scent of grapefruit oil" for 15 minutes, thrice a week demonstrated reduction in "appetite and body weight."
Another 2013 study documented that when blended with grapefruit oil, lemon oil supports the body to break down fats in a process termed as lipolysis. This creates a "suppression in body weight gain."
Aromatherapy massage can provide a two-fold benefit by combining the inhalation of essential oils with body massage which helps in increasing blood circulation, toning muscles and cellulite reduction.
If you're exercising as part of your weight-loss plan, a good full body massage can help to relax and rejuvenate strained muscles, enhancing your workout routine. A relaxing essential oil massage ever so often can also help reduce stress, which is often linked to impulsive snacking or overeating.
Suffering from uncomfortable PMS symptoms? An aromatherapy massage can help.
In a recent study, participants suffering from primary dysmenorrhoea (lower abdominal cramping and pain, either before or during menstruation) were divided into three groups. Each group was either asked to perform self-massage with rose oil, almond oil or no oil.
The study documented that, "massage with aromatherapy reduces the severity of primary dysmenorrhoea, in comparison with massage therapy alone."
Another study discovered that, massage therapy could be 'an effective adjunct therapy for treating severe premenstrual symptoms.'
Aromatherapy massage is also potentially beneficial for treating menopausal symptoms. As per a 2012 study, a half-hour "aromatherapy massage was more effective than only massage," in alleviating menopausal symptoms, twice a week over a period of two months.
