by GSkinner | Feb 3, 2021 | Essential Oils, Massage, Uncategorized
By Stephanie Bouchard
What is Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the use of concentrated aromatic plant extracts (essential oils) in a carrier oil (common carrier oils include jojoba and coconut oils, for example) for the purpose of supporting healing. The essential oils are most often used in room diffusers for inhalation or applied directly to the body in a carrier oil or lotion.
Ancient civilizations, and practitioners today, used fragrant oils to heal wounds, skin irritations, and infections, to relieve aches and pains, stress, anxiety, digestive upsets, and respiratory issues, and to boost immunity and alertness.
Massage therapists use both room diffusers and application to the body when they practice aromatherapy in combination with massage, said Brooke Riley, a licensed massage therapist who is an operations specialist for Massage Heights, a family-owned therapeutic massage and facial services franchise company based in San Antonio, Texas.
“Aromatherapy in a massage can be customized to fit the needs of the client,” she said.
Aromatherapy Massage Benefits
Essential oils are generally considered safe although there aren’t any well-defined studies on the subject, according to the authors of a study published in 2015 that reviewed the scientific literature on aromatherapy.
Typically, adverse effects have been found to be minimal: allergic reactions, such as skin, eye, and mucous membrane irritation. The FDA doesn’t regulate essential oils; however, it may regulate some of the product types, such as cosmetics and lotions, they are used in.
Even though an adverse reaction is unlikely, it is important for massage therapists to consult with their clients before using aromatherapy, said Riley. She suggests massage therapists complete an intake form and medical history during the pre-session consultation to determine if there’s a possibility of allergic reaction.
She also said massage therapists can test a small amount of the essential oil on a client’s forearm (if the oil is being used on the body rather than inhaled) to check for a reaction on a small-scale level.
If the client has a reaction, Riley said to immediately wash the area with cold water or a cool wet towel. That should clear things up, but if the client has a severe reaction, he or she may have to see a doctor. Make sure to clearly communicate about potential reactions with your client. It may also be a good idea to have them sign a consent form, she said.
Many manufacturers offer essential oils for massage work, and some massage therapists even make their own. Riley cautions massage therapists to do their homework before they start using essential oils with clients.
“There are some very reputable companies to buy oils from, but there are also a lot of companies that use synthetic fragrances in their oils. My biggest advice is do your research on the companies you are buying from, look at ingredient lists and ask questions,” she said. “If a company cannot give you answers as to how they make a product, that should be a red flag. Remember you will be putting this product on a client’s body, meaning it has to be the best quality.”
Sometimes clients want to use essential oils they bring to the massage session. Riley does not recommend using products your clients bring to the session.
“If a client brings in a product you have not had the time to make sure the product is of good quality,” she said. Also, maybe your client loves it and hasn’t had a reaction to it, but you might have one. You don’t want to find that out in the middle of a session.
Getting Started with Aromatherapy Massage
Massage therapists do not need to get specific massage technique training to use aromatherapy in their massage practice, Riley said. “That is what makes aromatherapy so appealing (to) therapists,” she said. “(Therapists) may have the cost of the oils for the service, but they do not need to change what they are doing to add it to a service.”
While no specific massage technique training is required to offer aromatherapy massage, it will only benefit you and your clients to take some classes on aromatherapy so you have a good understanding of how essential oils work on the body, how to use them safely, and for what purposes specific essential oils are used.
Popular Aromatherapy Essential Oils
There are many essential oils that offer a variety of benefits, but these are the most common ones used in aromatherapy massage:
• Eucalyptus: used to treat severe pain due to damaged nerves (neuralgia), headache, rheumatoid arthritis, and muscle and joint pain and aches, and to boost the immune system.
• Lavender: helps with sleep and anxiety.
• Peppermint: is a pain and ache reliever, digestive calming agent and decongestant.
• Lemon grass: is used to boost the immune system, calm nausea and vomiting and elevate mood.
• Orange blossom: is used to induce peace and calm.
• Clary sage: relieves menstrual cramps and anxiety and stress, and helps manage pain during childbirth.
Stephanie Bouchard is a freelance writer and editor based on the coast of Maine. She frequently reports news and features for MASSAGE Magazine.
by GSkinner | Nov 7, 2018 | Essential Oils, Holistic Healing, Massage, Supplements
There are many tools to combat the effects of inflammation on the body, and even more to help you balance your body’s response to it, which is really the key.
It’s all about balance.
Here are three areas of focus to help you support your body’s response to inflammation:
EXTERNAL ~ Sometimes the most noticeable form of inflammation is on the surface level of the body. Inflammation can affect the skin in the form of redness, swelling, soreness, acne, etc.. Initially, your body may be responding to a substance it doesn’t like by causing acute inflammation while it tries to rid itself of that substance. For example, when you expose your skin to murky conditions (think a hot, greasy kitchen while cooking) your skin may absorb some of those damaging free radicals and cause inflammation while it heals itself. Likewise, if you cut open your knee, the area could become initially inflamed, followed by the possibility of prolonged discomfort if left untreated.
You can aid in your body’s natural response to this by supplementing with a topical treatment like Pure Inflamedix™, a Natural Pain Relief Cream.
This treatment is a combination of unique, natural, and certified organic ingredients that have been used for centuries to provide an effective remedy for pain relief, providing a safe, natural form of relief from acute and chronic pain resulting from inflammation. Supplemental products like this help you stop the painful inflammation in its tracks, and proceed with your life.
INTERNAL ~ To create a healthy, balanced life free from chronic pain and inflammation, you need to ensure you have the right substances going into your body. We can’t say it enough but it’s all about diet, diet, diet- and supplements. What you put in your body matters, beginning with diet, following with supplements and medications.
The best way to start consuming an anti-inflammatory diet is to go to load up on as many greens as possible. Watercress, for example, is one the highest anti-inflammatory greens- it tastes great and can be used in any salad.
Want a “safety net” solution? Pick up one of our LifeStyle Care Packs for daily whole body support. Each pack includes InflaMedix, Digestion Plus, Pure Greens, Omega Plus and Pure Plant Protein.
Mental ~ Did you know you can trick your body into a healthier state through an improved mental state? Mental health is just as important as physical health, if not more. Without mental health, our bodies suffer.
Stress, a primary indicator of poor mental health, is the ultimate kiss of death- we know this all too well. Stress is also the primary driver of chronic inflammation and can quickly take your condition from bad to worse. Practicing healthy activities like meditation, yoga, and other forms of exercise that give you a mental break can completely transform your body, and your life. Treat your mind, and you’ll end up treating your body. Treat your body, and you’ll end up treating your life.
If you can somehow incorporate a revived focus on these three areas of your body, you can begin to shift towards a healthier, pain-free life with a balanced response to inflammation.
Tell me how I can help you! Wishing you the very best and good health!
by admin | Sep 28, 2018 | Essential Oils
Essential Oils and their Uses ~
Over the centuries, people have regularly turned to nature for cures, comforts, and cosmetics. Let us never forget that nature is resplendent with life-giving gifts! Trees give us clean air to breathe as well as fruits to eat and even maple syrup! Shrubs, flowers and herbs give us spices and flavorings. Essential oils are the “blood” of the plant and are very powerful. Here are the wonderful properties of what you are using today!
Bergomot ~ The aroma is sweet, fruity, fresh citrus with spicy floral undertones. It’s most valuable uses are stress, tension, fear, infection (all types, including skin) psoriasis. It is antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-spasmodic and calmative.
Blends well with all essential oils, especially lavendar, orange, rosemary, jasmine, sandlewood, ylang ylang.
Not to be applied to the skin before exposure to the sun. Do not use full strength on the skin.
Eucalyptus ~ The aroma is strong, woody, camphory. It’s most valuable uses are bronchitis, colds, flu, fever, sinusitis, muscular aches and pains, headache, rheumatism, asthma, insect bite, skin ulcers, sore throat.
It is antiseptic, expectoran, antibiotic, anti-fungal, anti-infectious, anti-parasitic, anti-neuralgic.
Blends well with lavendar, rosemary, peppermint, lemon, grapefruit, juniper, pine.
Lavendar ~ The aroma is fresh and floral. It’s most valuable uses are cuts, burns, rheumatism, eczema, sunburn, insect bites, headaches, migraine, sleeplessness, infections, arthritis, tension, fatigue, rashes, nervous conditions. Can be safely used on children. Theraputic properties are antiseptic, analgesic, anti-spasmodic, tonic, anti-inflammatory, anti-venomous, anti-parasitic, diuretic, restorative, decongestant, calmative, sedative, antibiotic, anti-infectious.
Blends well with lemon, eucalyptus, rosemary, tea tree, peppermint, grapefruit, juniper, pines bergamot, lemongrass.
Peppermint ~ The aroma is camphorous and minty fresh. It’s most valuable uses are headaches, nausea, fatigue, coughs, digestive problems, bowel disorders/flatuence, muscular pain, sinus congestion, faintness, travel sickness, mouth or gum infections, mental tiredness, poor circulation. It is antiseptic, antibiotic, anti-infectious,
carminative, stomachic, anti-spasmodic, stimulant, anti-parasitic, expectorant, digestive, decongestant.
Blends well with tea tree, lavendar, eucalyptus, rosemary, grapefruit, basil, pine, lemon, juniper, cypress.
Rose ~ The aroma is flowery, rosy, lemony and fresh. It’s most valuable uses are scarring, poor cirulations, nervous tension, calming, skin problems, skin care. It is anti-infectious, tonic, astringent, sedative, calmative, emollient, antiseptic.
Blends well with lavendar, bergamot, jasmine, clary sage, sandalwood, lemon, ylang ylang.
Rosemary ~ The aroma is camphor-like, woody, herbaceous and powerful. It’s most valuable uses are muscular pain, rheumatism, arthritis, muscular weakness, constipation, coughs, colds, bronchitis, helps eliminate toxins, cellulite, memory enhancement, overwork, infections, acne, exhaustion, poor circulation, skin care, hair care, migraine, headaches, sinus problems, general tonic. It is antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, stimulant, diuretic, decongestant, anti-toxic.
Blends well with lavendar, peppermint, tea tree, bergamot, eucalyptus, basil, pine, grapefruit, lemon, juniper.
Sweet Orange ~ The aroma is fruity, sweet and fresh. It’s most valuable uses are skin care, antiseptic, disinfectant, constipation, diuretic, helps eliminate toxins, nervous anxiety, general body tonic. It is antibiotic, anticoagulant, calmative, stomachic, sedative.
Blends well with bergamot, eucalyptus, rose, cinnamon, grapefruit, lemon, juniper, jasmine, ylang ylang.
Tea Tree ~ The aroma is sharp, spicy and warm. It’s most valuable uses are rashes, insect bites, nail fungus, dermatitis, ringworm, thrush, head lice, sore throat, boils, bronchial congestion, wounds, arthritis, acne, fatigue and all infections. It is anti-infectious, antibiotic, anti-fungal , anti-viral, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, decongestant, antiseptic.
Blends well with bergamot, lavendar, rosemary, eucalyptus, peppermint, juniper, cypress, pine, lemon, chamomile.
Vanilla ~ The aroma is rich, chocolaty and sweet. It’s most valuable uses are antioxidant, sedative, calmative, nervous anxiety, nausea, sleeplessness, reduce fever. It is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-fungal.
Blends well with lavendar, sweet orange, lemon, chamomile, sandlewood.
