What Is Aromatherapy Massage?

What exactly is aromatherapy massage? The definition of aromatherapy massage from the International Aromatherapy and Aromatic Medicine Association (IAAMA) defines it as the use of pure essential oils extracted from plants in a specific way to relieve tension, enhance mood, and ease muscle aches and pains. This article will tell you all about the top five benefits of aromatherapy massage including what it can do to improve your circulation, relieve your stress and anxiety, reduce depression, and increase your relaxation.

How Does Aromatherapy Work?

Aromatherapy has been used for centuries to treat mental and physical health conditions. According to a 2008 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Many chemical substances can be extracted from plants such as essential oils, which have been shown to possess antidepressive and anxiolytic effects. Aromatherapy uses natural essential oils derived from plants to balance moods, reduce anxiety and depression, improve circulation, increase relaxation—and much more. The key is using specific essential oils based on their benefits. After all, you wouldn’t use peppermint oil on your feet or tea tree oil on your back!

How does aromatherapy work? Inhaling certain scents triggers emotional responses that impact our physiology and overall well-being. There are three ways that aromatherapy works: direct contact, inhalation, and ingestion.

Direct contact refers to applying essential oils directly onto your skin (topical application). For example, if you’re looking for relief from muscle aches and pains after exercise, then massage some lavender oil into your tired muscles.

Inhalation is another way that aromatherapy works. Essential oils are inhaled by either putting them on a tissue or cotton ball and inhaling through your nose, by placing them in boiling water to create steam, or by diffusing them in water vaporizers.

Ingestion involves taking therapeutic doses of essential oils internally. While ingesting essential oils isn’t common practice, it is possible with proper training. When properly diluted and administered by a professional aromatherapist or medical practitioner, essential oils can help with digestion issues, immune function problems, hormonal imbalances, and other medical conditions.

Benefits of Aromatherapy Massage

1) Improved Circulation

The essential oils in aromatherapy massage can also increase blood circulation and thus better transportation of oxygen to body cells. As well, essential oils help reduce inflammation and promote healthy blood flow in muscles and joints. Improved circulation results in a healthier body overall, so it’s essential to use a massage that includes aromatherapy oils regularly. Although massage is not considered exercise, it does provide improved blood flow to tissues and gives you more energy, and makes you feel better. Here are some essential oils to look for in aromatherapy massage:

• Black pepper oil is known to dilate blood vessels, increase blood flow locally and reduce swelling.
• Cypress oil is highly anti-inflammatory, helping to stimulate circulation and lymphatic drainage.
• Ginger essential oil is effective at reducing swelling and aiding the body’s detoxification processes.
• Wintergreen essential oil may help thin the blood, like aspirin, and reduce blood clots.

2) Aromatherapy Massage Reduces Stress

Stress is one of the main contributors to feelings of anxiety and depression. Oils with a strong aroma can help combat stress, which in turn helps reduce depression and anxiety. There are several oils that offer stress relief: reduce depression, lavender, mandarin orange, sandalwood, and ylang-ylang.

Many people recommend using bergamot or lavender as a bath additive before going to bed to help calm your mind while you fall asleep. Inhaling these oils through massage can also have an effect on your mood by stimulating serotonin production; low levels of serotonin can make you more susceptible to stress and other mental health problems.

Bergamot essential oil is one of the most popular essential oils for relaxation and aromatherapy. It has a fresh citrus scent that has been shown to increase feelings of happiness, joy, and well-being when inhaled directly from its bottle or used during massage therapy sessions. Studies show that when inhaled directly from its bottle, it helps relieve symptoms associated with high blood pressure such as hypertension and nervous tension.

And speaking of sleep, research shows that massages not only soothe our muscles but also improve our sleep quality by decreasing cortisol levels. High cortisol levels at night time inhibit growth hormone release, leading to decreased fat burning and increased abdominal fat storage. While there’s no definitive evidence that aromatherapy alone will help you lose weight (unless combined with exercise), it may help decrease abdominal fat if cortisol levels are reduced at night.

3) Aromatherapy Massage Helps Combat Depression

According to a study by Duke University, mood disorders are often linked to an imbalance in neurochemicals. However, many people with depression respond positively to regular aromatherapy massage sessions. Not only does it reduce stress and alleviate depression symptoms, but aromatherapy also helps stimulate healthy neurochemical production. For these reasons and more, aromatherapy massage is an effective treatment for depression—and one that will also help improve your outlook on life as well! To find out how you can get started with aromatherapy massage for a happier lifestyle (and lower your chances of experiencing depression), check out some online resources like The Effectiveness of Aromatherapy for Depressive Symptoms or Essential Oils for Depression Symptoms.

4) Aromatherapy Relaxes The Mind And Body

Studies show that aromatherapy massage with essential oils can improve mental and physical health, including symptoms of anxiety and depression. The relaxing benefits come from a variety of different oils. Some have sedative effects and others have stimulating effects.

• Lavender is perhaps best known for its calming effect, but it’s also used to relieve pain.
• Eucalyptus improves circulation, leaving you more alert and focused, while peppermint is great for relieving headaches.
• During your massage, essential oils will be rubbed into muscles and joints to ease tension and help relax your body as well as your mind. Your blood pressure may drop during an aromatherapy massage, which helps you feel calm and relaxed throughout your entire body.

5) Reduced Pain and Inflammation

You may already be familiar with aromatherapy for pain relief, but did you know that it can also reduce inflammation and improve muscle relaxation? The calming effect that essential oils have on our brain, combined with their pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, makes them ideal for healing painful muscle injuries such as sprains or strains. However, aromatherapy for pain relief also works in a variety of other situations. For example, studies show that inhaling lavender can help reduce migraines and headaches; peppermint helps with nausea; ginger soothes sore muscles; chamomile is great for sleep issues, and citrus oils help boost energy levels throughout your day. When used together, these oils make an effective tool to treat a number of common musculoskeletal and joint pains.

Conclusion

Aromatherapy is used in a variety of therapeutic treatments and is one of nature’s most effective ways to restore balance, relieve stress, and promote wellness. While some people use it for pain relief or as an adjunct treatment for illnesses like cancer, there are many other benefits that come with aromatherapy. In addition to calming muscle spasms and improving circulation, aroma therapy also eases depression and anxiety—particularly when practiced in conjunction with massage. To benefit from aromatherapy massage at home, all you need are a few drops of high-quality essential oils such as lavender oil or tea tree oil. Mix them with your preferred carrier oil (such as grapeseed) and apply to pressure points on your feet or upper back. If you have time, consider adding a couple more essential oils for muscle relaxation before getting started. These include peppermint oil, rosemary oil, clary sage oil, or ylang ylang. When using essential oils around children or pets always remember to dilute properly and never ingest directly! Enjoy!