Aromatherapy Massage
Essential oils are highly volatile and easily evaporate in
the air. So one of the first effects of essential oils is through our
sense of smell. The molecules are inhaled, stimulating smell receptors in the
Olfactory bulb, (our smell centre) that elicits a response in the Limbic System
of the brain. The Limbic System is the centre of memory and learning and
stimulates the motivation for hunger, thirst, memory, “fight or
flight” response and sexual feeling. So, simply by inhaling them, essential
oils have the power to change our mood and emotions in a positive way. Highly
valuable for treating stress.
What are essential oils?
They are potent and complex chemical compounds found in
plants, flowers, fruits, trees and seeds. Each essential oil contains
therapeutic properties that can be anti-viral, antiseptic, anti-infectious,
antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, cicatrisant (repairing of the
skin), to name a few. They are extracted from plant material through a process
of distillation, enfleurage or expression. Essential oils are nature's natural
medicine chest!
The other important way to gain the therapeutic benefits
from essential oils is through dermal absorption. Pure essential oils need to be diluted in a base oil first before applying to the skin. Our skin is semi-permeable and absorbs the
blended oil, which is then taken up by the blood stream, where it has a therapeutic effect on
the targeted system or organ of the body.
What happens in a treatment?
A brief consultation is taken to assess your needs and to
establish any contra-indications to a particular oil so that the right blend
can be made. (The information given is strictly private and confidential). I
feel it is important to consider the aspects of mind, body, emotions and
spirit, when choosing the blend of essential oils, so that your needs on that
particular day are met. This means that each treatment is individual and
unique.
The pressure applied is adapted to suit your needs and
preferences, and I also tune in and listen to what your body "tells"
me. A variety of techniques in the massage are used, such as Swedish, pressure
point, deep tissue and healing work.
The aim of the massage is to provide the
release of any pain in the body, to relieve stiffness and tension in the
muscles and to improve articulation of the joints of the body.
It tends to follow that the release of tension from the body
will relieve tension in the mind. Many clients experience a feeling of
lightness of being, greater fluidity and flexibility of movement and feel
integrated in mind, body, spirit and emotions.
What happens after?
It is important to drink water afterwards in order to
rehydrate, as the blood and lymphatic circulatory systems will be working hard
to expel toxins that have been released from the muscle tissue. Whilst
immediate relief is often experienced, the continuing release of tension is
progressive, so sometimes it isn't until the next day or day after that the deeper
benefits are felt.
The accumulation of stress and tension may mean that it is
beneficial to have a series of treatments, as it is not always possible to get
rid of all the knots and tension in one session! Regular massage means that deeply stored tension
can be addressed.
