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 | Sep 12, 2020 | Exercise Science, Massage
Functional Fitness Helps You Do the Things You Do Every Day, but Better
by GSkinner | Nov 19, 2018 | Holistic Healing, Massage, Supplements
P A I N 
It hurts! It can be incapacitating. We become irritable. We can’t sleep. It stops us from doing things we want to do.
How can we manage pain? Where does it come from?
Inflammation is caused by many things. Foods, such as sugar, nightshade vegetables and toxins can cause inflammation. Injuries, tight muscles, sitting for too long, lack of circulation and many other disfunctions can occur to cause pain. It is important to learn your body by paying attention to what may cause problems. You will then be able to take more control of managing your pain without medications.
Pain that is caused by muscular degeneration or muscle strain can be addressed topically as well as internally. Topically, I use Carpagel with amazing results. Quelling pain with natural products is beneficial in more ways than one because herbs contain natural substances that do not harm the body and in fact, will help the body to actually heal. Buy Carpagel here. Use promo code: GRACESK10 for you get 10% off the prices on web site.
Internally, I use boswellia/curcumin/ginger combination for anti-inflammatory purposes. These powerful herbs cleanse and restore the body and fight inflammation very, very well with no side effects.
Wild crafted and certified organic, Inflamedix is a proprietary blend of botanical extracts formulated for a healthy response to acute and chronic inflammation without the unwanted side effects of commonly prescribed medications.
Buy it here ~ www.Nutragen.com
When checking out and asked for your Provider’s name, it will be Grace Skinner.
Thank you for putting your trust in me.
by GSkinner | Nov 7, 2018 | Holistic Healing, Massage, Supplements
6 Ways Inflammation Can Affect Your Body
Chronic inflammation is your body’s natural response to prolonged stress that primarily comes from your diet, lifestyle or other environmental factors. Caused by diet, stress, viruses or bacteria, autoimmune disorders, inflammation can come from various sources and lead to further symptoms that can worsen, or become fatal, overtime.
A little inflammation, however, can be a good thing. It’s a sign of your body’s natural defense mechanism kicking in and fighting off bacteria or viruses. But like all “good things,” with excess comes problems.
Left to its own devices and unchecked over time, inflammation can grow to be a bigger issue than you may have had initially in the first place to trigger it. Diseases and chronic pain brought on by inflammation can seemingly sneak up on you overnight if left ignored. The trick is to address inflammation daily, with diet and lifestyle changes, before it causes further damage to your body. There are many signs, some more easily recognized than others, that inflammation could be affecting your body.
Here are six BIG ways inflammation can negatively impact you:
1. It ages and affects your skin.
Many people know that inflammation is bad for the body, but they completely ignore the potential effects it can have on your skin. Dr. Perricone, who is referred to as the “Father of the Inflammation Theory” and built his skincare company around his studies, maintains that inflammation is the number one aggressor in and outside the body, causing faster aging and other various skin issues. “Every disease I studied had a common theme: Whether it was cancer or aging, inflammation was present.” – Dr. Perricone
Many skincare brands were built on this very concept: Treat inflammation, and you can effectively treat your skin. Signs of inflammation in the skin are as variant as its effects inside the body. Symptoms can include but aren’t limited to, acne issues, redness or discomfort, and advanced aging. When treated over time with adjustments in diet, supplements and overall wellness, the slowing of inflammation can also slow the aging of your skin. While they can be effective topically, skin care products address the signs of inflammation more so than the root cause, so it’s important to find a long term solution as well.
2. It can be fatal to your heart. ~ Chronic illness like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, celiac disease and poor diet can severely increase inflammation linked to heart disease. Although it is not proven that inflammation causes cardiovascular disease, inflammation is common for heart disease and stroke patients and is thought to be a sign or atherogenic response.”
Chronic inflammation contributes to heart muscle wasting, which weakens you and can lead to congestive heart failure.
3. It’s bad for your gut. ~ The majority of inflammatory diseases start in the gut with an autoimmune reaction which progresses into systemic inflammation. “The immune cells can attack the digestive tract itself, an autoimmune condition known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.” Symptoms can include diarrhea, cramps, ulcers, and may even require surgical removal of the intestines. Doctors haven’t concluded why some people get IBD, but genetics, environment, antibiotics, diet, and stress management all play a role.
4. It can make weight loss even more difficult. ~ Inflammation in the body can slow down your metabolism and increase your hunger, making you consume more and burn less. This is the exact opposite of what any person trying to maintain a healthy weight would want. Weight loss is difficult enough as it is, and growing inflammation only makes matters worse. If you’re having a difficult time losing weight and think you may be experiencing signs of inflammation, you should address it right away starting with your diet and supplements.
5. It’s linked to your mental health. ~ You probably already know that depression and anxiety are huge problems among American adults, and around the globe. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 13 globally suffers from anxiety. What you probably don’t know is that depression can be caused or worsened by inflammation. “Increased inflammation not only occurs in depression but also in multiple other psychiatric diseases including bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, and schizophrenia.”Mental health awareness is increasing, but we are far from connecting all of the dots. Addressing inflammation is something we can do, right now, that could have a small or large effect on our mental, as well as our physical, health.
6. It can negatively impact your sleep. ~ Inflammation is not something that can be avoided, even during your sleep. It can affect your restful nights in a few ways, primarily with a loss of overall sleep quality. People who are already suffering from sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome or insomnia, are prone to increased or unbalanced inflammation. Likewise, those experiencing chronic inflammation or disease related to inflammation are often challenged with lower sleep quality as well.
Being aware of these six signs is a big step forward in your journey towards a healthier, inflammation-balanced life; and as a wise woman once said “Once you know better, you do better” (Maya Angelou).
Incorporating an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle into your daily routine is extremely beneficial for your overall health, and aids in disease prevention. You can do this by consuming foods like wild salmon, blueberries and leafy greens (watercress is particularly high in anti-inflammatory properties) which are like gold for your gut, and the rest of your body. You can also incorporate a supplement regimen including Omegas which will combat inflammation internally while aiding in your dietary efforts. It’s best to find an Omega product that is organic and has added anti-inflammatory ingredients like Organic Turmeric Root Extract and Astaxanthin. ~ by Dr. Bruce Howe
There are ample resources here and throughout the web to help you plan your diet and supplement regimen. Feel free to ask any questions.
For today, just remember this: Small daily improvements are the key to staggering long-term results, and when you balance your inflammation, you balance your body and your life.
Yours In Good Health!
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 7, 2018 | Holistic Healing, Massage, Skin Care
Elimination is probably one of the most important of our daily functions. Many people have issues and there is a positive way to deal with keeping your body “clean”. Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is very important for the roughage it provides. Imagine a broom sweeping through your intestinal tract and removing debris. Drinking water is more important than most people realize. Not only will your skin externally look more plump and clear, but your insides will be moisturized as well. In the case of constipation, self massage is extremely effective at moving waste material through your body. Here’s what to do:
Lie on your back with your knees up, feet planted flat on the floor or bed. I normally do this at night when I lay down to sleep so that I know my morning routine will be routine. With your fingertips, start on the right side of your body, lower toward your coochie or package. (genitals) Massage in a circular motion, moving up towards your hip bone and belly button. You are still massaging on the right side of your body. Just below your belly button, go across your body, still massaging in a small circular motion, to the left side. Then move the hands, massaging back down toward your genitals. Visualize an upside down U under your belly button. That is your colon. It needs to be clean!! If you are dehydrated, your muscles will be dry, so they will be hard and you will be sore. If you are dehydrated, you will not be able to move waste through your body. WATER, WATER, WATER
Speaking of water. Please don’t drink tapwater. With all the women on unnatural hormone replacement, men on viagra, and old folks on tons of medications (America is a very drug overdosed society) your municipal water treatment plants do not have a way to remove all the residue from these drugs. Every time someone flushes a toilet, you can be sure those impurities are going into your tapwater. Read “The Shocking Truth About Water” by Paul Bragg. You can get it here at a huge discount www.thriftbooks.com
I have been distilling my tapwater for over 10 years. You may purchase a Made In America water distiller, that will probably last your lifetime and more than pay for itself at www.myaquanui.com/graceskinner Send me an email if you have questions. I will give you a discount code for your purchase.
