Adding scent to your massage can enhance the healing effects. Aromatherapy involves using fragrant essential oils along with a carrier oil like jojoba, sweet almond or grapeseed. Essential oils are extracted from herbs, flowers and trees and each has a unique therapeutic property. They are absorbed through the skin and can have an effect on both your mind and body. Aromatherapy is used during a massage to help reduce stress, alleviate pain and promote relaxation. When choosing an aromatherapy massage, let your therapist know your specific needs so she can select the right oils for you.
During aromatherapy massage, the massage therapist may use different types of effleurage strokes such as long flat palm movements or kneading to warm the tissue and help the oil penetrate. She might also use petrissage, a technique that involves a circular motion of the hand that compresses and releases muscle tissue. The therapist may also include other massage techniques to focus on tight areas of the muscle.
Aromatherapy during a premium massage Spa can help you relax by stimulating certain brain functions. The olfactory nerves in your nose directly connect to the brain, and smell can influence emotional responses. Some scents can actually change which neurotransmitters and hormones the body produces, including serotonin and dopamine, both of which have calming effects. The massage itself will stimulate the production of oxytocin, the ‘love’ hormone, which is released when you cuddle or bond socially.
You might choose an aromatherapy massage if you have a chronic pain problem such as lower back or neck pain, arthritis, sports injuries or tension headaches. The massage will improve circulation which can relieve the pain and prevent further damage by breaking up adhesions or scar tissue that forms when muscles tense up. It will also release toxins from the cells to decrease inflammation and swelling and stimulate lymphatic flow which can speed up healing.
An aromatherapy massage can help you sleep better, improve concentration and lift your mood. Essential oils such as lavender and chamomile can promote relaxation, whereas sweet marjoram acts as an antispasmodic to soothe muscles. If you are experiencing anxiety or stress, a blend with peppermint, helichrysum and ylang ylang can help reduce these feelings of negativity.
It is important to note that scent has one of the strongest ties to memory. For this reason, you should always try a sample of any aromatherapy oils that you are unfamiliar with on your skin before the actual massage begins. This way, you can avoid any potential unintended psychological impacts of a particular scent. It is also a good idea to tell your massage therapist of any allergies you have so she can avoid any potential sensitivities.