What is aromatherapy?

*Aromatherapy, also known as essential oil therapy, uses a variety of essential and aromatic oils with the goal of improving the health or mood of individuals; these oils can also be used topically and/or via inhalation. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, says that aromatherapy is, “incorporating the use of essential oils, hydrosols, and carrier oils for holistic healing. Aromatic oils and water are used for their therapeutic properties to heal the mind, body and spirit, returning the body to a state of equilibrium”.

Aromatherapy is a natural non-invasive therapy that sits under the umbrella of holistic medicine. Aromatherapy utilizes natural extracts of plants with healing properties to promote well-being and good health. When combining essential oils with massage techniques, you are able to experience a tactile therapy with the deep healing properties of the oils, which improves overall physical and emotional health. 

Why should you get an aromatherapy massage?

By combining massage therapy with aromatherapy, we as massage therapists are able to enhance your experience and we do this by helping you choose a specific essential oil that fits your objectives, be it stress management, or dealing with insomnia, immune support, improving circulation or just to simply relax. Whatever the reasons, aromatherapy enhances your massage experience by helping to align and balance your mind and body. By placing the essential oils on specific spots of your body, while you deeply inhale the aromas, you will feel the immediate results and will also experience long-term results from aromatherapy massage as well.

What are the benefits of aromatherapy massage?

There are multiple benefits to having an aromatherapy massage, and these do depend on the essential oil you choose. No matter what oil you choose, Aromatherapy can help relieve stress and anxiety, reduce pain and discomfort and at the same time energize the body and it’s the perfect way to experience the healing properties found within essential oils.

But how does Aromatherapy work?

Smell, smell, smell and smell, one of the most powerful senses, the essential oils used in Aromatherapy stimulate receptors in the nose (these are responsible for smell) and they send messages by olfactory cells to the part of the brain called the limbic system (the controller, the drive for survival, emotions, and instinct).

These olfactory cells recognize odours as specific aromatic molecules that fit perfectly into receptors on these cells. Scientists think that these nerve signals’ action cause obvious and instant mood changes in response to particular smells, however this isn't fully understood. 

10 reasons to have an aromatherapy massage.

1. Helps alleviate pains and aches of the muscles and joints, headache and fibromyalgia.
2. Helps with emotional problems, panic attacks, insomnia and anxiety.
3. Aids in detoxing by eliminating waste by assisting the lymphatic drainage.
4. Aids the digestive system with constipation, nausea and heartburn.
5. Reduce nervous tension and stress related conditions.
6. Helps reduce inflammation around the joints.
7. Helps alleviates PMS and associated menstrual symptoms.
8. Boosts the immune system and helps prevents flu's, colds and infection.
9. Improves blood circulation.
10. Or you just need to recharge after a long week and need to relax the mind and the body (it’s the glass of wine version of a massage).

The ultimate goal of an aromatherapy massage is to relax the body and mind by experiencing touch and the healing properties of essential oils.

So if you want to relax, de-stress or need to sleep or you are in pain, have headaches and migraines, or just want to experience the properties of the oils and a soothing aromatherapy massage, pop in to, or call, VaVa Complementary Health and Wellbeing, and let us take care of you.

Namaste, Ashlí

*Aromatherapy massage is a massage therapy incorporating essential oils into the massage. The oils used are specifically chosen for their beneficial properties and individually suited to each clients ailment. Clients benefit from touch therapy, the healing properties of the oils being absorbed into the skin and the aroma of the oils being inhaled. During an aromatherapy massage the skin is warmed, increasing circulation and toxins are released from the body. This creates a cascade in the body that boosts the immune system thus speeding up recovery of illness or injury.

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