Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy massage is a real treat for your mind and body. You’ll feel instantly relaxed as a therapist massages warmed, scented oils into your body to help you relax and unwind. The science behind aromatherapy is that the compounds in the essential oils affect your brain’s limbic system, the same area of the brain that controls your emotions, and so the aromas soothe, comfort or invigorate, depending on which type of oil you choose. More information on essential oils can be found on the AromaWeb site.
Many health professionals are advocates of the effectiveness of an aromatherapy massage, and you’ll even find it on offer in hospices and hospitals around the UK.
It can be for anyone who is kept awake by insomnia, or suffering from any number of aches and pains. If you suffer from a chronic condition like back pain, regular massage can help to make your symptoms more bearable, and the aromatherapy part of the treatment will help if you have an emotional issue such as stress, anxiety or depression.
What to expect
Before you get started, your therapist will have a chat with you about what you want from the treatment; are you looking for relaxation or invigoration, do you prefer a hard or light touch? These are the sort of things you should think about before you come along, and also, please tell us when you book about any medical conditions so that we can adapt the massage.
You’ll have to take your clothes off if you opt for an aromatherapy massage, because the oils need to be able to penetrate your skin to work properly. If you’re a little shy, don’t worry because the therapist will leave the room while you undress, and won’t come back into the room until you let her know you’re ready. There are also plenty of towels on hand to protect your modesty.
Your therapist will begin to massage you using smooth, flowing strokes which will make you feel calm and very relaxed, the pressure, strokes, areas focused on and essential oil mix will all be tailored to your needs.
Aromatherapy Oils
If you’re pregnant or breast feeding, please let us know before your session because some essential oils are not recommended for use in pregnancy (although the vast majority are perfectly safe to use throughout).
Please also mention if you have any of the following health conditions:
- high blood pressure
- epilepsy
- hypoglycaemia
- kidney problems
- deep vein thrombosis
