Two treatments are combined in aromatherapy massage to provide outstanding outcomes. An age-old practice, aromatherapy has many physical and psychological advantages. The senses are uniquely affected by essential oils like mint, neroli, and lavender. Massage stimulates the lymphatic, circulatory, neurological, and musculoskeletal systems while using pressure and touch to promote healing and reduce stress. In this post, we‘ll discuss some additional benefits of aromatherapy massage for the body and mind. Join us to learn more!
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What is essential oils?
Simple oil extracts of herbs, plants, and flowers are what essential oils are. They all include the same natural substances, including fragrance, fatty acids, esters, and other difficult-to-understand terminology. To save you the difficulty, just visualize everything that gives herbs, plants, and flowers their “essence”; this is what gives essential oils their therapeutic properties.
People’s awareness of the enormous advantages these natural-based oils have for mental and emotional wellness has resulted in an increase in demand for them over the past ten years. Anyone else remember when they initially came on the scene and how we stocked up on flavors? While there is still a long way to go until essential oils have ample scientific evidence to support their healing abilities, a number of studies have already been carried out, and they confirm what we previously knew – and more!
The relationship between essential oils and the neurotransmitters in our brains was the largest finding. In layman’s terms: Scent from essential oils stimulates our olfactory nerves, which cause neurotransmitters to cause to send good impulses to various sections of our bodies. Due to these advancements, essential oils are now frequently used in homes, spas, hospitals, therapy clinics, and even natural food stores!
They are typically diluted into common goods like room mists, humidifiers, candles, and cosmetics products among other things because they are very concentrated. For those who want direct applications, a small amount is rubbed on certain body regions. It’s also a fantastic method to benefit from its therapeutic properties!
What is aromatherapy massage?
When fragrant essential oils are used in a massage, the therapy is known as aromatherapy. The massage uses a combination of particular essential oils and alternates between softer and firmer pressure. Prior to use, essential oils are diluted, then applied with lotion while receiving a massage. Essential oils are believed to have particular therapeutic powers when inhaled following exposure, in addition to the benefits they provide to the client’s body while in direct touch with them.
The aromatherapy response: Just like massage, using 100% pure essential oils that are breathed or absorbed via the skin improves both your mind and body. Your emotions and sentiments are impacted by these oils because they stimulate the limbic system in your brain. Serotonin and other feel-good brain chemicals are released as a result of their impacts. Essential oils are known to assist balance hormone production as well as the nervous system and even to ease discomfort, such as headaches and achy joints.
For instance, because it not only lessens the effects of the stress hormone cortisol but also generates feel-good endorphins, lavender essential oil is referred to as the queen of calm (and sleep). Sage can raise cortisol levels and improve happiness in everyone who smells it. While marjoram oil can increase serotonin levels, causing you to feel peaceful and pleased, grapefruit oil promotes the development of neurotransmitters called enkephalins, which have a natural pain-relieving effect.
Eucalyptus oil also has a number of components that have been proved to lessen pain, inflammation, and swelling, making it a great remedy for headaches as well as muscular and joint discomfort. It is clear how well massage and aromatherapy work together. Massage itself is a very relaxing and pleasant treatment, but when you combine them with aromatherapy, it can help improve the effect even more.
Amazing benefits of aromatherapy massage
What can a massage with essential oils accomplish for you then? It turns out that it can benefit pretty much everything that is connected to your body, mind, and spirit. Want to live a life with less stress? How about constantly feeling confident in yourself? with less health concerns? Also, a sharper mind? Here’s how it can significantly impact your life if you nod yes to all (or even any) of these:
Helps to relax and have a deep sleep
By combining aromatherapy and massage, you may effectively calm your senses and reduce any stress or worry you might be feeling. Endorphins are released during massage. These hormones are referred to as “feel-good chemicals” since they naturally reduce tension and pain.
An aromatherapy massage is exactly what you need if you struggle to unwind after a stressful day and obtain a decent night’s sleep. Because it is so soothing, some people even doze off during massages.
The “relaxation response,” which is aided by massage, slows breathing and heart rate, decreases blood pressure, and blocks up to 53% of cortisol, the stress hormone, from being produced. Your body will no longer be in “fight or flight mode,” which keeps it alert. Many studies have revealed that massage also improves delta brain waves that are important in generating the deep sleep we all need to feel entirely refreshed the next morning.
Create positive and healthy emotions
Not only can an essential oil massage improve your quality of sleep, but it will also reduce stress and anxiety. Even when you are frustrated and depressed, it is beneficial. You may maintain your composure in stressful situations by using massage to soothe your body. Your heart rate slows down, your blood pressure falls, and you’ll start to feel all of your anxieties start to fade as your cortisol levels fall.
Additionally, massage raises the amounts of the mood-improving neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine in your brain, which lessens depression. Additionally, massage can uplift your spirits when you’re feeling sad due to the fact that many of us find comfort in human touch and connection. The total feeling of wellbeing will be increased by combining massage with essential oils that have a calming and soothing influence on the soul. It’s time to be proud of who you are.
In addition to promoting better blood flow throughout the body, aromatherapy and massage therapy also stimulate the mind. This occurs as a result of the circulatory effect that oil massage has on the brain’s olfactory nerves. The subsequent stimulation of serotonin synthesis results in improved neurological and alertness function. You can increase the mood-enhancing effects of orange and other citrus oils by using them.
In addition to promoting better blood flow throughout the body, aromatherapy and massage therapy also stimulate the mind. This occurs as a result of the circulatory effect that oil massage has on the brain’s olfactory nerves. The subsequent stimulation of serotonin synthesis results in improved neurological and alertness function. You can increase the mood-enhancing effects of orange and other citrus oils by using them.
Helps reduce pain and arthritis
Relieves a variety of pains, including neck pain, back pain, muscle aches, tension headaches, osteoarthritis, and more. Name your discomfort, and aromatherapy can help. According to studies, massage can even provide chronic pain sufferers with the long-term respite they so urgently need. Athletes have traditionally utilized massage to ease stress and soreness after a strenuous workout. In fact, even a short 10-minute massage can help the body heal more quickly and reduce inflammation. It has been discovered to truly aid muscles in recovering their strength by as much as 60%.
Additionally, massage increases circulation, which in turn helps the body heal by distributing more oxygen and nutrient-rich blood. Additionally, it causes the brain’s endorphins, which naturally lessen pain, to be released, lessening how uncomfortable you feel. And according to research, massage treatment can effectively treat headaches up to 80% of the time. Using aromatherapy in conjunction with massage can greatly boost pain relief, reduce swelling, and hasten the healing of wounds since essential oils have therapeutic characteristics that are readily absorbed into the skin.
Strengthen the body’s immune system
Another benefits of aromatherapy massage for your body is strengthen thebody’s immune system. This is probably what’s happening if you notice that you become sick more frequently than you think. Through the immune system, our bodies all have the intrinsic capacity to repair themselves. But because of how it functions, it can occasionally be slow and backed up, weakening your defenses. Then renegade bacteria, viruses, and toxins start to attack you specifically.
According to studies, massage improves blood and lymph circulation throughout the body, which strengthens our immune system and helps the body rid itself of impurities. Lymph plays a crucial immune-boosting role by assisting in the removal of undesirable waste, debris, and poisons as well as the destruction of infections. Additionally, improved blood circulation results in more effective delivery of white blood cells that fight disease.
By removing toxins, assisting in the fight against illnesses like the flu and the common cold, and preventing infections with the use of essential oils to your aromatherapy massage, you may increase your immunity even more. stop the emergence of new illnesses. Let your body recover on its own
Improve your mood
You’ve undoubtedly already understood how significantly massage treatment may elevate your mood. It’s understandable that you feel happier when you have less tension and worry, more oxygen flowing through your veins, and all the “happy hormones” starting to function in your body. emotionally.
Scent, emotion, and memory are processed in the same regions of the brain. Since ancient times, people have utilized essential oils to soothe, encourage, replenish, and enliven their spirits. Some smells might also bring back fond memories and feelings, adding to a cozy sensation. Because of this, adding aromatherapy to massage just makes you feel better emotionally.
Reduce pain during menstruation period
According to a 2015 study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, an aromatherapy massage may lessen the pain and discomfort brought on by menstrual cramps. For two menstrual cycles, participants self-massaged on the first day of menstruation with rosehip oil, unscented almond oil, or no oil at all. By the second cycle, aromatherapy had lessened pain than massage therapy with almond oil or no oil.
Menopausal symptoms can also be alleviated by aromatherapy massage. Researchers compared a 30-minute aromatherapy massage with a normal oil massage or no treatment in a study that was published in Menopause, and they discovered that both massage and massage Both aromatherapy massages and menopause symptoms can be reduced with them (with aromatherapy massage being more effective than massage alone).
According to a different study, aromatherapy massage may not help cancer patients with their symptoms. For instance, researchers examined previously published studies for a report that was published in the Burrane Database of Reviews in 2016 and came to the conclusion that “this review shows no There was no difference in the effects of massage on depression, mood disturbances, psychological distress, nausea, fatigue, physical distress, or quality of life when compared with no massage.”
Improve digestion
Some essential oils, including those from cinnamon, ginger, and citrus, have been shown to increase metabolism, ease constipation, ease gastrointestinal pain, battle indigestion and flatulence, avoid stomach cramps, and lessen nausea. Additionally, essential oils have the ability to stimulate the activity of digestive enzymes, which improves the absorption of nutrients including protein, fat, and vitamins. Irritable bowel syndrome can be effectively treated with peppermint essential oil. Digestion is improved by using marjoram and lemongrass essential oils.
Skincare benefit
Even though the main benefits of aromatherapy are for the body, mind, and spirit, many people overlook its advantages for the skin. Our body can be organically exfoliated and hydrated all at once by using oils and claws. Dead skin cells are removed by friction, which unclogs our pores and improves oil absorption. Depending on the blend you choose, you can enjoy a variety of aesthetic advantages like smoother skin texture, less dryness and itching, diminished scarring, and fewer aging symptoms! What could be better than a massage that improves both your physical and external appearance? It’s the last benefits of aromatherapy massage for your body.
Some of the most popular essential oils
- Lavender essential oil: This is thought to be the most widely used essential oil for stress release, antimicrobial, pain relief, and inflammation relief. It combines fresh floral scents with sweet herbal scents. For yoga practice, lavender essential oil is a great choice.
- Menthol essential oil: Inhaling menthol, which has a very stimulating yet calming aroma, can help you stay awake, and applying it to your temples to relieve headaches. Additionally, you can massage aching muscles with a mixture of menthol and other essential oils.
- Eucalyptus essential oil: It is an aromatic essential oil that aids in clearing the respiratory system and has a light scent. The respiratory conditions eucalyptus essential oil is frequently used to treat include colds, coughs, asthma, hematomas in wounds, muscle pain, weariness, and oral care as well as skin treatment.
- Lemon essential oil: Lemon essential oil, which has a pleasant aroma, helps to reduce tension and improves focus and alertness. Additionally, lemon essential oil has excellent antifungal and disinfectant properties.
- Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil works well to stop the skin’s sebum production.
Notes when choosing aromatherapy massage
Skin allergies are a potential side effect of essential oils. It’s crucial to avoid overusing fragrance oils and to only use essential oils that have been diluted by a carrier oil because essential oils are extremely strong and can be absorbed through the skin. Aromatherapy may not be suitable for you if you are sensitive to smells. Consult your doctor to determine whether receiving this form of massage is safe for you if you are expecting or nursing. If so, your doctor might also suggest a trained prenatal massage specialist who is a qualified massage therapist.
Direct use of massage should be avoided on bruises, skin rashes, weak or inflammatory skin, non-healing wounds, tumors, abdominal hernias, or fractures. Inform your massage therapist as soon as possible if the massage is painful. Before getting an aromatherapy massage, you should talk to your doctor if you have a medical issue. Essential oils and/or massage may need to be avoided altogether or at specific periods during treatment for people with certain diseases, such as cancer.
In conclusion, we have already mentioned the benefits of aromatherapy massage for the human body and mind. In addition, the article also outlines some basic essential oils and notes to know when using this method. Beyond the well-known benefits of relaxation, aromatherapy massage also promotes better sleep, stress relief, and pain relief. It also significantly improves your overall health and mental clarity by enhancing your immune system and “happy hormone.”
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