Aromatherapy Massages: What Are They & How Can You Benefit From Them?

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Are you stressed? Do you have sore muscles? Massage is a great way to lower stress and relax muscles, but adding aromatherapy to your massage can take it to the next level. 

Once you try a massage with aromatherapy, you won’t want to receive one without!

In this article, you will learn: 

  • What is aromatherapy massage

  • When you should get an aromatherapy massage

  • Benefits of aromatherapy massage

  • And much more

 

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Table of Contents

What Is Aromatherapy Massage?

In aromatherapy massage, massage is combined with essential oils to create powerful results. 

Depending on the treatment plan you and your massage therapist discuss before your massage, your therapist may alternate between gentle or more firm pressure. 

Using an essential oil, or a blend of essential oils, during massage can promote healing and provide stress relief by stimulating the: 

  • Lymphatic

  • Circulatory

  • Nervous; and

  • Musculoskeletal systems

There are many physical and emotional benefits to using essential oils — these oils have been scientifically proven to support the …

  • Mental

  • Physical

  • Emotional; and 

  • Spiritual well-being

… of your body. 

Each essential oil blend addresses a specific physical or emotional need. You can ask your massage therapist which is best for you based on your needs, or, you and your therapist can work together to find the best choice for you. For maximum benefit, each blend will be diluted for safety and applied to the area or areas of your body.

Oils are distributed throughout your body upon inhalation or absorption through the skin, addressing the specific imbalances they are designed to address.

How Often Should You Have an Aromatherapy Massage?

Ultimately, there is no “one-size-fits-all” answer. However, it is essential to pay attention to your body and follow the advice of your massage therapist. 

Some people get a massage every week; others prefer getting a massage once or twice a week — generally, the frequency shouldn’t be affected by the use of aromatherapy. 

Massage frequency depends on your goals and how your body responds.

What To Expect From an Aromatherapy Massage

If you've never had a massage before, you might not know what to expect. Some people may feel nervous; however, massages should be about de-stressing. 

Those expectations are very similar for aromatherapy massages — there’s just an addition of therapeutic essential oils. To determine which essential oil is best for you, your therapist will conduct a medical history and select an oil based on your expectations and needs. 

At Sevati, you will be asked what scents appeal to you or if you have any goals (i.e., relaxation, hormone balance, etc.). Then, your licensed massage therapist will select three scents that fit these goals, and you will choose the one you like best — your body is telling you this is what you need. 

Sevati's Licensed Massage Therapists provide heart-centered care to all bodies. Our talented therapists have decades of experience in massage therapy. 

By observing what each client's body needs that day, we take an intuitive and holistic approach to massage. Are you interested in learning more? Contact us today. 

 

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What Are the Benefits of Aromatherapy Massage? 5 Things Aromatherapy Massage May Help With

Not only do essential oils smell good, but they have real, measurable benefits for your body. 

Aromatherapy massage not only has the client leaving with a full body massage, but it also provides emotional healing and relaxation.

Aromatherapy has many benefits. Below, we will explore a few of these benefits in greater detail.

#1: Relaxation 

Aromatherapy massages help to relax your body and mind by using the natural properties of essential oils. The combination of massage and aromatherapy creates a totally "zen-like" experience.

When you are stressed, your body releases a hormone known as cortisol. Cortisol can cause changes in the way your body responds to pain, causing it to feel more intense. 

When there’s an increase in cortisol, you may experience: 

  • Muscle tension

  • Headaches; and

  • Digestive problems.

By reducing the release of stress hormones into the bloodstream, aromatherapy massage can help improve relaxation. 

#2: Mental Clarity 

Are you studying for finals or have a busy day at work? Concentration spans tend to be short, so staying focused for long periods is hard. Aromatherapy is a great way to enhance your concentration. 

Aromatherapy benefits mental clarity because your limbic system loves pure scents, not synthetic fragrances. 

Aromatherapy massages involve inhaling or absorbing essential oil molecules through the skin. By affecting the limbic system, a brain region associated with emotion, they promote positive changes in your mind and body.

#3: Pain Relief

Massage with aromatherapy is a safe and natural way to relieve pain.

Pain, whether from an occasional headache or chronic health condition, can be: 

  • Stressful

  • Overwhelming; and

  • Exhausting

Combining specific massage techniques with essential oils helps reduce pain and supports the body's ability to heal. By stimulating the tissues, you ease your aching muscles as circulation increases. 

Several studies have shown that aromatherapy massage effectively controls pain symptoms in various health conditions.

An aromatherapy massage is a safe, natural approach for effectively managing pain. 

#4: Better Sleep 

Nothing is more frustrating than tossing and turning for hours without being able to fall asleep. With every passing minute, the thought of the alarm clock going off causes more restlessness. 

When it's time to hit the hay, essential oils may be able to help those with mild sleep disorders. 

Generally, massage promotes better sleep, but aromatherapy oils can make the process even more effective. By interacting with neurotransmitters in the brain, such as GABA and serotonin, you can help put the body in a more conducive sleeping state.

#5: Healing Effects

Although getting a massage may seem like a luxury, its benefits are far-reaching.

Touch improves not only our emotional well-being but also our physical health, for example: 

  • Relieving pain

  • Making us sleep better; and

  • Boosting our immunity 

The reason for this is that the brain reacts instantly to the touch of a therapist. For example, on applying pressure to your skin, the brain releases those feel-good “happy” hormones …

  • Serotonin

  • Dopamine; and

  • Endorphins

…  which immediately boosts your mood, giving you a natural euphoric high. 

In addition to feeling less pain, we also experience fewer side effects of stress when our endorphin levels are higher.

When people snuggle up or bond socially, oxytocin, the 'love' hormone, is released, stimulating the production of massage. Furthermore, a 15-minute rubdown can clear your mind and make you more alert —  a bit like a runner's high.

 

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What Are the Most Common Oils Used in Aromatherapy Massage?

 

You can use essential oils alone or in combination with other oils to benefit you during your massage in any way you need. 

Choosing the right essential oil for your massage will depend on your goals during aromatherapy massage (i.e., relaxation, circulation, respiratory issues, etc.).   

Below are a few examples of how aromatherapy oils are beneficial when added to a massage treatment. 

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Lavender

The fresh and sweet aroma of lavender makes it one of the most popular essential oils.  

For centuries, many cultures have used lavender oil to relieve tension and soothe nerves. As a result, it is commonly used in spa and beauty treatments today.

The oil, distilled from the plant Lavandula Angustifolia, promotes relaxation and is believed to help treat:

  • Anxiety

  • Fungal infections

  • Allergies

  • Depression

  • Insomnia

  • Eczema

  • Nausea; and

  • Menstrual cramps

When used in conjunction with aromatherapy massage, lavender oil can help to ease: 

  • Sore muscles

  • Joint pain

  • Pains from sprains; and

  • Backache

Peppermint

Peppermint oil is extracted from peppermint plants — a hybrid of spearmint and water mint. Peppermint essential oil can be extracted from the plant in various ways, but distillation is the most common.

Many illnesses, including … 

  • Digestive problems

  • Colds; and 

  • Headaches

… are treated with peppermint oil. 

An aromatherapy massage with peppermint essential oil relieves: 

  • Fatigue

  • Muscle spasms

  • Muscle tension

  • Flatulence; and 

  • Fever

Additionally, peppermint oil is known to disinfect and soothe inflamed skin.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus oil, derived from eucalyptus leaves. The leaves are to extract the essential oil and are:

  • Dried

  • Crushed; and 

  • Distilled

When used during an aromatherapy massage, eucalyptus essential oil: 

  • Revitalizes tired skin

  • Enhances feelings of relaxation

  • Facilitates easy breathing

  • Creates a refreshing feeling; and

  • Soothes nervous tension

Furthermore, eucalyptus essential oil: 

  • Purifies

  • Cleanses

  • Clarifies; and

  • Boosts immunity

Additionally, known to stimulate circulation and relieve mental fatigue, eucalyptus essential oil is used in aromatherapy to relieve mental exhaustion. 

CBD Oil

CBD's popularity has exploded in recent years with an overwhelming array of CBD-related products.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of many cannabinoids found in cannabis Sativa L or hemp plants. In contrast to marijuana, it does not contain the psychoactive ingredient known as THC — when you use CBD products, you won't experience a "high."

The aromatherapy massage with CBD oil is an excellent option if you suffer from …

  • Chronic back pain

  • Arthritis; or 

  • Other physical pain

… as CBD can be used for pain management.

It can start to impact you within minutes, and the effects can last for hours.

In addition, CBD is an excellent skin moisturizer. CBD-infused massage oil or cream contains hemp, which makes the skin soft and supple during and after the massage. 

After the massage, your skin feels better and relaxes, and it also helps with a range of skin issues, such as psoriasis or eczema. 

At Sevati Holistic Health and Wellness, we blend our own CBD oils. We also have licensed therapists with years of experience in all types of massage. Contact us today to schedule your personalized aromatherapy massage. 

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Aromatherapy Massage: Be Sure You’re Practicing Safety and Consult With Your Therapist BEFORE Your Massage

Aromatherapy massage can carry a few minimal risks depending on the person. 

For example, if you do have sensitive skin, do consider possible sensitivity to essential oils used during your session. To help combat this sensitivity, before applying oil to the skin, your massage therapist should always dilute it with massage lotion or carrier oil.

If you are pregnant and concerned about aromatherapy massage, a prenatal massage is generally considered safe; however, you should not get a massage if you suffer from calf pain or have blood clots. 

If you plan to get an aromatherapy massage with sensitive skin or while pregnant, consult your doctor about the safest oils. 

Sevati Massage: Offering Aromatherapy Massages To Help You Heal, Rejuvenate, and Renew

Sevati Holistic Health and Wellness has licensed therapists with years of experience in all types of massage. We believe in the body’s innate ability to heal, and our goal is to help facilitate that process. 

So whether you’re looking for a massage to help with …  

  • Total relaxation

  • Chronic pain; or

  • Injury 

… we will personalize your experience and make it all about you. 

We offer sessions ranging from 30 to 90 minutes that incorporate various techniques based on your needs. 

We can’t wait to help you take charge of your health and wellness.

 

  

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