Benefits of Essential Oils in Massage Therapy

Nothing is quite relaxing as receiving a great massage. In addition to a good massage table, dim lighting, soothing background music, and the perfect touch from a skilled massage therapist, the right essential oils can elevate your message to a truly rejuvenating experience.

Benefits of Massage

Many people get massage therapy for relaxation, but there are many other benefits:

• Lessen or heal low-back pain. Massage can alleviate pressure and reduce spasms that cause low back pain.
• Increase and improve range of motion. Massage can loosen joints and increase flexibility.
• Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles. Massage helps relax the muscles and surrounding tissue to help stimulate growth and increase strength.
• Prepare for and recover from strenuous exercise. Athletes of any level warm-up with massage, and they also use it to reduce soreness after a workout. Massage can soften injured, tired and overused muscles, as well as reduce cramping.
• Improve circulation. Through massage, people who sit or stand for long periods at a time can restore circulation in their legs or back.
• Release endorphins. This is one of the main reasons that massage feels so good, and endorphins can also lessen depression and anxiety.

Benefits of Essential Oils in Massage

Several companies offer essential oils and provide information on the many ways to use them. Essential oils are an excellent, natural way to relieve stress. There are additional benefits to using essential oils in massage therapy:

• Improve overall skin condition. Essential oils moisturize the skin and keep it healthy. Tea tree oil has a mild, pleasant scent and can actually reduce oily skin and acne.
• Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue, and stretch marks. The skin can easily absorb essential oils. The extracts from lavender, frankincense, and copaiba can help scars heal from harsh skin conditions.
• Enhance relaxation. The skin retains the aroma of absorbed essential oils. When these natural, lovely aromas are inhaled during a massage, people stay relaxed for longer periods of time.

Where Essential Oils Can be Applied

A full-body massage used with essential oils is an excellent way to rejuvenate your entire body and mind. But, if your massage therapist feels that more attention needs to be directed to a few specific areas, you can experience the combined benefits of aromatherapy and massage oils.

• With a head massage, your massage therapist will rub aromatherapy massage oils into the base of the skull, the crown of your head and temples.
• During a face massage, the massage therapist will cup your face in their hands. The aroma of essential oils takes an immediate, relaxing effect.
• At the soft spot below the earlobe, your massage therapist can rub 1–2 drops of oil to reduce tension in the jaw.
• While working on your torso, the massage therapist can rub essential oils into the area above the kidneys to help boost energy levels.
• Many pressure points in the feet correspond to other body systems. Massaging essential oils into the soles of the feet is a wonderful way to reduce tension.

When people get on a massage table and close their eyes, they sense the soft music, smell the essential oils, and relax at the massage therapist’s touch. When the session is over, they can’t help but feel rejuvenated and happy.

Along with diet and exercise, many people have committed to the wellness lifestyle by using essential oils. There are many to choose from that offer a variety of benefits and can meet individual needs.

Improve the overall quality of life by taking care of your body and reducing stress, and treat yourself from time to time by experiencing the full benefits of combining massage therapy with essential oils.