Aromatherapy Massage

Aromatherapy massage is an holistic treatment using essential oils to support physical and emotional health, relaxation, pain management and improving  mood.

The essential oils work not only by penetrating the skin during massage but the smell of the oils triggers the limbic system: part of the brain linked with emotion. Scents can change the way we feel and aid relaxation.

The essential oils used in aromatherapy are taken from raw plant material, including flowers, berries, bark, wood, roots, leaves, resin, peel or seeds. Only a small amount of essential oil is needed and blended with a larger amount of “carrier” oil, such as jojoba, sweet almond or grapeseed. Commonly used essential oils include flowers oils such as camomile, lavender, rose, geranium and jasmine and oils extracted from trees such as eucalyptus, peppermint and sandalwood.

The first treatment includes a consultation to build an accurate picture of your health and wellbeing so I can make sure I use the most relevant oils for the treatment.

There are many benefits to aromatherapy and this can largely depend on the essential oils used. However, no matter what oils are used, using aromatherapy enhances the massage experience by helping to rebalance mind and body. In addition to the benefits of Swedish massage, other benefits that can be experienced from using aromatherapy include:

  • reducing pain and discomfort
  • Relieving stress and anxiety allowing relaxation and calm
  • Energising the body and relieving tiredness
  • Improving circulation
  • Improving sleep disorders
  • Lymph drainage
  • Enhancing concentration
  • Reducing muscle tension
  • Reducing symptoms of depression

It can also support the relief of pain discomfort from various conditions, including:

  • Fibromyalgia
  • Chronic lower back pain
  • Myofascial pain syndrome
  • Arthritis
  • Temporomandibular joint dysfunction
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Polymyalgia rheumatica
  • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
  • Premenstrual syndrome
  • Rheumatoid arthritis

Where did aromatherapy massage come from?

The application of essential oils to the human body goes back to at least 2000 BC.  “Aromatherapy” first originated in 1937 when French chemist Rene-Maurice Gattefosse invented the word after a burn incident led to his curiosity about the healing power of essential oils. Shortly after his “discovery” that lavender oil helped to cure his burn, a French Surgeon Jean Valnet, started to use essential oils to help heal soldiers’ wounds in World War II and demonstrating the medical benefits of aromatherapy.

It was introduced to Britain in the late 1950’s by French aromatherapist Marguerite Maury who developed Gattefosse’s work by combining the use of essential oils with massage.  She developed specialised massage techniques and championed ‘individual prescription’ for a more holistic approach in which essences are chosen and blended according to the physical and emotional needs of the client in that moment.