What is Aromatherapy Massage?
Aromatherapy massage is a massage technique that combines gentle massage movements with essential oils. It’s a natural way to relax, reduce stress, and ease pain. The massage has also been known to help individuals sleep better. The main aim of this massage is to blend the power of touch and scent to help boost both the body and mind.
According to the National Library of Medicine, a review of 27 studies showed that aromatherapy could reduce anxiety to a great extent and promote relaxation efficiently. Here is a look at some of the main benefits of aromatherapy massage.
Benefits of Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy massage offers several benefits for those who choose to experience it. Here is a look at some of them.
Stress and Anxiety Relief
Aromatherapy massage is known to calm the mind and body. It helps reduce stress through the use of soothing touch and relaxing scents. The right essential oils can support emotional balance and promote peace.
Some do the benefits that aromatherapy massage holds for stress and anxiety relief include:
- Lowering of the cortisol levels, which is the stress hormone of the body.
- Specific oils like lavender and bergamot help reduce anxiety as they provide a relaxing experience.
- As the massage helps the body relax, it promotes healthy breathing.
- When the stress levels go down, the mind is also able to clear racing thoughts and tension faster.
Improved Sleep Quality
The soothing touch and the aroma oils used during an Aromatherapy massage can help you sleep better. The massage helps calm the body down and relax your body and mind.
Here is how the massage helps improve sleep quality.
- The use of oils like lavender and chamomile helps calm the nervous system, improving sleep quality according to information provided by the NIH or the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
- A gentle, flowing massage can help ease tension and which might usually keep an individual awake, resulting in better sleep.
- The oils used in an aromatherapy massage can also support the body’s natural sleep-wake cycles.
- With the deep relaxation that accompanies an aromatherapy massage, the sleep patterns of an individual can improve to a great extent.
Pain and Muscle Tension Management
Aromatherapy massage can help ease body pain and relax tight muscles. The mix of soothing touch and essential oils works well for both short-term and chronic discomfort.
Some of the ways aromatherapy massage helps reduce and maintain muscle pain and tension are done through:
- Reduction is muscle stiffness is achieved thanks to oils like lavender or peppermint that help loosen tight areas.
- Alleviation of joint pain as the massage increases blood flow, which can ease joint aches to a great extent.
- The massage also supports relief from chronic pain, like in conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia.
- Since the oils used in aromatherapy massage, like eucalyptus, can calm the nervous systemtheyit can also help reduce stress headaches.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, essential oils may reduce muscle pain and tension.
Enhanced Mood and Emotional Wellbeing
Aromatherapy massage can help lift your mood and calm your mind. The combination of the soothing scents and gentle touch helps to ease emotional stress and help an individual feel naturally balanced and positive.
The aromatherapy massage helps enhance mood and emotional well-being by:
- Reducing feelings of anxiety and depression
- Boosting overall emotional balance
- Promoting relaxation and mental clarity
- Increasing feel-good hormones like serotonin
A report by the National Library of Medicine also states that aromatherapy may help with emotional well-being by affecting overall well-being.
Improved Circulation and Detoxification
Aromatherapy massage can help your body move blood and lymph more effectively. This helps boost circulation and supports the natural detox process of the body. With better circulation comes more oxygen and nutrients to your cells, supporting a quicker waste removal process
In this aspect, the massage helps.
- Boosts blood flow with the help of essential oils like rosemary or ginge,r which can potentially stimulate circulation.
- Supports lymphatic drainage through its gentle strokes, which help move lymph, helping clear toxins from the body.
- Reduces fluid retention, which helps individuals who suffer from swelling or bloating.
- With improved blood flow comes reduced fatigue and more vitality.
Boosted Immune System Function
Aromatherapy massage can also help your body fight off illness. It supports the immune system in gentle, natural ways. Here’s how it can help:
- With reduced stress comes a stronger immune response.
- When there is better blood circulation, immune cells travel through the body more efficiently.
- Oils like tea tree and eucalyptus are antimicrobial and may help the body fight bacteria and viruses.
- Since aroma helps improve sleep patterns, it helps support immune health.
Skin Benefits
Apart from being a relaxing massage, aromatherapy massage has also proven to be great for your skin. The essential oils that are used in the massage can nourish, heal, and protect your skin naturally.
Here are some quick skin benefits:
- Oils like lavender or rose help keep skin soft and moisturized, and give a boost of hydration to it.
- Massage increases blood flow, giving your skin a healthy glow.
- Oils like frankincense may reduce fine lines and wrinkles on the skin.
- Tea tree oil has natural antibacterial properties that may help with breakouts.
- Oils like chamomile and calendula oils are known for their calming effect, which helps address issues like inflamed or sensitive skin.
Respiratory Benefits
Aromatherapy massage can also help you breathe easier. Essential oils like eucalyptus or peppermint can help open airways and reduce congestion efficiently. When this is combined with massage, the two aspects together can support better lung function and ease breathing discomfort.
Some of the major benefits of aromatherapy massage for respiratory health include:
- Oils like eucalyptus can help clear sinuses and ease stuffiness.
- Peppermint oil has menthol, which may soothe the throat and reduce coughing.
- Aromatherapy massage also helps relax tight muscles, making it easier for individuals to breathe.
Reduction in Chemotherapy Side Effects
Another benefit of aromatherapy massage is that it may help people going through chemotherapy feel better. It is in no way a cancer treatment, but it can help ease some side effects.
Here’s a look at how aromatherapy massage can help with chemotherapy side effects.
- Reduces nausea: Individuals going through chemotherapy experience nausea. Certain essential oils like peppermint or ginger may help calm the stomach and reduce the nausea they experience.
- Eases anxiety and stress: Anyone dealing with a disease like cancer will be stressed and anxious. Aromatherapy massage helps soothe the mind and promote relaxation.
- Improves sleep: Chemotherapy patients need all the rest they can get. Since aromatherapy massage helps promote a better sleep cycle, it can help these patients heal and cope better.
- Relieves pain and fatigue: Aromatherapy massage is a gentle massage technique that helps reduce pain and boost energy levels.
Support for Specific Conditions
Aromatherapy massage may help with certain other health conditions as well. Some of these conditions include:
- Anxiety and Depression: Oils like lavender and bergamot, which are often used as part of an aromatherapy massage, may help reduce stress and lift mood.
- Chronic Pain: Eucalyptus and peppermint oil are known to relieve muscle and joint pain, especially when used in combination with a gentle, soothing massage.
- Insomnia: Aromatherapy massage with calming oils like lavender can improve sleep quality and provide relief to individuals suffering from insomnia.
- Menstrual Discomfort: Certain studies also show that massage using essential oils can ease cramps.
How Often Should You Have an Aromatherapy Massage?
Though it differs from one individual to another, a weekly or fortnightly session should work well for your aromatherapy massage experience. You can also book a meeting online with an Aromatherapy massage expert to consult with them regarding what would be best for you.
Find the Right Aromatherapy Massage Therapist with Blys
At Blys, we have aromatherapy massage experts who can help you feel relaxed, happier, and improve to a better sleeping experience. With years of experience under our belt, we at Blys ensure that you get the best aromatherapy massage therapist at the comfort of your home with just a phone call.
