The Healing Power of Aroma: What Is Aromatherapy Massage?

Aromatherapy is a holistic approach to healing and relaxation that uses the scent of essential oils as a primary means for stress reduction, pain management, and general wellness.

Similar to how we might use smells to trigger happy memories when we’re feeling sad, aromatherapy makes use of certain scents as a means of altering our mood and state of mind. When combined with massage therapy, the power of aromatherapy becomes even more beneficial.

In this article, you will learn what is aromatherapy massage, its benefits, different techniques, some helpful tips on using essential oils as part of your self-care routine, as well as resources so that you can take your knowledge of this practise to the next level.

Aromatherapy is the practise of using the scent of essential oils for healing and wellness. Since the sense of smell can trigger different emotions and memories, aromatherapy is often used as a complementary therapy with the goal of reducing stress and anxiety, improving sleep, and relieving joint pain. Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts that are extracted from a variety of aromatic herbs, flowers, shrubs, and trees. They are often used in aromatherapy as a way to promote relaxation, improve mood, and reduce anxiety and stress. 

The following are some of the health benefits of this massage therapy:

Essential oils have long been used as a natural way to relieve pain. Although there is limited research on this topic, several studies have shown that certain essential oils can reduce pain. One study found that lavender oil was capable of relieving knee pain in sedentary men with osteoarthritis and knee pain. Other studies have found that rosemary and peppermint essential oils can help reduce pain after an intense workout and reduce muscle soreness after exercise.

Aromatherapy massage has been used for years to treat chronic pain conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, and back pain. Studies show that it is effective for treating these conditions because it works by stimulating the production of endorphins, which are natural chemicals in your brain that are responsible for reducing stress and promoting relaxation. By increasing the number of endorphins in the body, aromatherapy massage helps your body relax, which reduces chronic pain symptoms by making you feel less stressed and anxious.

When you feel stressed out, anxious, or nervous, your body releases the hormone cortisol to help combat those feelings. But when your body is constantly releasing cortisol, it becomes less effective at reducing stress and promoting relaxation.

Repeatedly feeling stressed out can even lead to a condition called burnout, which is characterised by symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, headaches, and irritability. Aromatherapy massage can help reduce anxiety and nervousness by increasing the level of endorphins in the body.

Aromatherapy massage can also help improve your mood and reduce depression symptoms. According to the American Psychological Association, aromatherapy massage can be used to treat mild to moderate depression.

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that aromatherapy massage reduced depression levels in women with major depressive disorder (MDD). While this study only looked at women, it’s possible that aromatherapy massage could reduce depression symptoms in men as well.

If you’re having trouble sleeping, aromatherapy massage can help. It can improve your sleep quality by reducing stress and anxiety levels, which are two of the main causes of insomnia.

A study published in the Journal of Nursing Research found that lavender essential oil improved sleep quality in postpartum women. The women who received the lavender essential oil massage reported falling asleep more easily and spending less time awake during the night than the women who did not receive the massage.

Aromatherapy scalp massages with essential oils containing tea tree or rosemary have been shown to reduce dandruff symptoms. Tea tree oil is also great for treating acne and other common skin conditions, which makes it perfect for those with oily or blemish-prone skin types.

Lastly, if you have dry hair or your hair tends to look frizzy or dull after you wash it, adding an essential oil blend with lavender to your shampoo can provide natural nourishment that helps restore moisture levels in your hair and make it look shiny and healthy.

This is generally safe when performed by a trained and certified aroma massage therapist. Although essential oils are helpful for many health and wellness purposes, they do have some side effects that you should be aware of before using them. Some of the risks associated with aromatherapy include:

Given the risks of skin irritation and allergies, it is recommended that you do a patch test before using a specific essential oil to make sure it is not harmful to your skin. When using essential oils internally, it is important to be careful as they can be toxic if taken in large quantities.

If you’re pregnant, it’s important to consult with your doctor before receiving this massage. Some essential oils can cause contractions or stimulate the uterus, which can be dangerous for pregnant women.

Many essential oils are safe to use during pregnancy, but it is always best to consult with your doctor before using any essential oils.

Aromatherapy can be combined with many different types of massage, including:

Swedish massage is the most common type of massage therapy, and it uses long, flowing strokes to promote relaxation. A few essential oils used during Swedish massage are lavender, chamomile, and rosemary.

Deep tissue massage is a type of massage that uses firm pressure and slow strokes to reach the deeper layers of muscle tissue. The most common essential oils used during deep tissue massage are peppermint, eucalyptus, and ginger.

The hot stone massage is a type of aromatherapy massage that uses heated stones to relax the muscles and promote circulation. The most common essential oils used during hot stone massage are lavender, chamomile, and eucalyptus.

10 Essential Oils for Aroma Massage and Their Benefits

There are many different essential oils that can be used during an aromatherapy massage. Here are some of the popular essential oils and their benefits:

Safety Tips Before Having Aromatherapy Massage

Consider these tips before going to any type of massage session:

• Do not drink alcohol before or after the massage.
• Do not eat a heavy meal before the massage.
• Drink plenty of water before and after the massage to stay hydrated.
• Avoid caffeine before the massage.
• Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, have a medical condition, or are taking any medications.

Aromatherapy massage is a safe and relaxing way to reduce stress and promote relaxation. However, there are a few safety considerations that should be made before having this massage therapy.

Be sure to drink plenty of water before and after the massage, avoid caffeine beforehand, and talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or have any medical conditions.

Massage therapist typically uses unscented oil or lotion during aromatherapy massage. The massage therapist will then add a few drops of essential oil to the oil or lotion. The essential oils are diluted in the carrier oil or lotion so they are not too potent.

The massage therapist will then use long, flowing strokes to massage the oil into your skin. Aromatherapy massage is usually a full-body massage, but you can also request a focused neck and shoulder massage if you prefer.

Aromatherapy massage is a relaxing and therapeutic way to reduce stress and promote relaxation. If you are looking for an alternative to traditional massage, consider this massage therapy.

Takeaway

Aromatherapy is a powerful practise that can help to relieve stress, improve sleep, and promote a healthier immune system. The scent of essential oil can promote relaxation, improve mood, and reduce anxiety and stress. As a complementary therapy, aromatherapy can be used in a variety of ways - from adding essential oil to a bath to having a massage with essential oil-infused massage oil.

When used consistently, aromatherapy can be an effective way to reduce stress, improve sleep, and promote a healthier immune system. The information in this article can help you to understand the basics of aromatherapy, the benefits of using an essential oil, and some of the most popular essential oils and their uses. With this knowledge, you can incorporate aromatherapy into your daily life and enjoy its benefits on a regular basis.

Relax your mind, soothe your body, refresh you...

Here at OnSon, we offer a variety of services that can help you relax, rejuvenate, and heal. One of our most popular services is aromatherapy massage. Schedule an appointment with OnSon today and let us help you relax, refresh, and rejuvenate!

OnSon offers a variety of services, including Aromatherapy Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Remedial Massage, Swedish Massage, and more!