Aromatherapy is a holistic approach to healing and relaxation that uses the scent of essential oils as a primary means for stress reduction, pain management, and general wellness.
Similar to how we might use smells to trigger happy memories when we’re feeling sad, aromatherapy makes use of certain scents as a means of altering our mood and state of mind. When combined with massage therapy, the power of aromatherapy becomes even more beneficial.
In this article, you will learn what is aromatherapy massage, its benefits, different techniques, some helpful tips on using essential oils as part of your self-care routine, as well as resources so that you can take your knowledge of this practise to the next level.
What is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the practise of using the scent of essential oils for healing and wellness. Since the sense of smell can trigger different emotions and memories, aromatherapy is often used as a complementary therapy with the goal of reducing stress and anxiety, improving sleep, and relieving joint pain. Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts that are extracted from a variety of aromatic herbs, flowers, shrubs, and trees. They are often used in aromatherapy as a way to promote relaxation, improve mood, and reduce anxiety and stress.
How Does it Work?
An aromatherapy massage is a type of massage therapy that uses essential oils to promote relaxation and well-being. The essential oils are diluted with a carrier oil and then applied to the skin. This massage is thought to have numerous benefits, including reducing stress, relieving pain, and improving circulation.
Essential oils can enter the body in three ways: through the skin, inhaled through the nose, or ingested.
Topically: When applied to the skin, essential oils are absorbed into the bloodstream where they can then travel throughout the body and provide a wide variety of benefits.
Inhalation: Inhaling essential oils allows them to enter the bloodstream through the lungs, where they can then travel to different parts of the body.
Ingestion: Although not recommended, some people may choose to ingest essential oils. Doing so can allow the oils to enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body.
Health Benefits of Aromatherapy Massage
The following are some of the health benefits of this massage therapy:
It can relieve pain.
Essential oils have long been used as a natural way to relieve pain. Although there is limited research on this topic, several studies have shown that certain essential oils can reduce pain. One study found that lavender oil was capable of relieving knee pain in sedentary men with osteoarthritis and knee pain. Other studies have found that rosemary and peppermint essential oils can help reduce pain after an intense workout and reduce muscle soreness after exercise.
Aromatherapy massage has been used for years to treat chronic pain conditions like arthritis, fibromyalgia, and back pain. Studies show that it is effective for treating these conditions because it works by stimulating the production of endorphins, which are natural chemicals in your brain that are responsible for reducing stress and promoting relaxation. By increasing the number of endorphins in the body, aromatherapy massage helps your body relax, which reduces chronic pain symptoms by making you feel less stressed and anxious.
It can reduce anxiety and nervousness.
When you feel stressed out, anxious, or nervous, your body releases the hormone cortisol to help combat those feelings. But when your body is constantly releasing cortisol, it becomes less effective at reducing stress and promoting relaxation.
Repeatedly feeling stressed out can even lead to a condition called burnout, which is characterised by symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, headaches, and irritability. Aromatherapy massage can help reduce anxiety and nervousness by increasing the level of endorphins in the body.
It can reduce depression symptoms.
Aromatherapy massage can also help improve your mood and reduce depression symptoms. According to the American Psychological Association, aromatherapy massage can be used to treat mild to moderate depression.
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that aromatherapy massage reduced depression levels in women with major depressive disorder (MDD). While this study only looked at women, it’s possible that aromatherapy massage could reduce depression symptoms in men as well.
It can improve your sleep quality.
If you’re having trouble sleeping, aromatherapy massage can help. It can improve your sleep quality by reducing stress and anxiety levels, which are two of the main causes of insomnia.
A study published in the Journal of Nursing Research found that lavender essential oil improved sleep quality in postpartum women. The women who received the lavender essential oil massage reported falling asleep more easily and spending less time awake during the night than the women who did not receive the massage.
It can improve your skin and hair health.
Aromatherapy massage can also improve your skin and hair health. Essential oils are known to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which can help reduce acne breakouts, dryness, and dandruff.
One study found that a blend of rosemary, thyme, lavender, and cedarwood essential oils was effective at reducing dandruff symptoms. Another study found that a mixture of Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) oil and Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil improved acne symptoms better than benzoyl peroxide, a common acne treatment.
It can help alleviate dandruff issues.
Aromatherapy scalp massages with essential oils containing tea tree or rosemary have been shown to reduce dandruff symptoms. Tea tree oil is also great for treating acne and other common skin conditions, which makes it perfect for those with oily or blemish-prone skin types.
Lastly, if you have dry hair or your hair tends to look frizzy or dull after you wash it, adding an essential oil blend with lavender to your shampoo can provide natural nourishment that helps restore moisture levels in your hair and make it look shiny and healthy.
Risks of Aromatherapy Massage
This is generally safe when performed by a trained and certified aroma massage therapist. Although essential oils are helpful for many health and wellness purposes, they do have some side effects that you should be aware of before using them. Some of the risks associated with aromatherapy include:
- skin irritation
- allergies
- gastrointestinal discomfort
- toxicity
Given the risks of skin irritation and allergies, it is recommended that you do a patch test before using a specific essential oil to make sure it is not harmful to your skin. When using essential oils internally, it is important to be careful as they can be toxic if taken in large quantities.
If you’re pregnant, it’s important to consult with your doctor before receiving this massage. Some essential oils can cause contractions or stimulate the uterus, which can be dangerous for pregnant women.