AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE from £50 “The one with the nice oils”
Using high grade, pure essential and carrier oils to promote healing and a sense of well being on a physical, emotional and spiritual level. This is traditionally a full body massage* that works different oils that have been specifically chosen for you, into your skin and can be extremely beneficial for a vast number of issues. It can work wonders for insomnia, pms, menopausal symptoms, muscular and joint pain, inflammation, arthritis, boosting the immune system and stress reduction.
We will have quite an in depth consultation before this treatment. I often email you a consultation form prior to your appointment so on the day we have as much time as possible for the massage itself. Depending on the information you give me, I will select the most appropriate essential and carrier oils for your presenting symptoms and/or condition/s. There will be a few options for you to chose from, as the general rule with aromatherapy is; if you love the smell of the oils, then they are ones for you. The oils will be selected to create a well balanced and synergistic blend, meaning that the oils combine and work together to become even more powerful, and, you might even end up with a little bit to take home.
How does it work?
There are two main ways for essential oils to enter and effect our bodies. The first one being inhalation, through the nose, (think the scent of roses in the garden or the smell of freshly cut grass) and the second one being absorption, via the skin.
When we inhale the aroma of an essential oil (or any scent for that matter), it is the aromatic molecules that are making their way up through your nose and sending messages straight to the brain and nervous system which react accordingly. They also pass directly into the blood stream via the lungs and respiratory system.
This is your olfactory system and the reason aromatherapy oils can have such a powerful effect. At the top of your nose you have two membranes. These are your olfactory membranes, and they are essentially your smell sensing cells. They are connected to the olfactory plexus which is predominantly made up of nerves and once these are triggered they rapidly send messages straight up to your brain, to the limbic system which is the area that is deeply connected to your memories, emotions, basic instincts and mechanical functions.
It is here that the aromas are recognised and interpreted, for example is it a new smell, is it a nice smell, does it come with positive or negative associations for you? It is this interpretation which sends messages to the rest of your body to elicit a response. For example if you strongly dislike the smell of the oil you will most likely pull away from it, maybe grimace and take yourself away from the bottle, but, if you like it and it reminds you of a good time somewhere, you might pause and remember that time and a smile might form on your face.
Your brain also reacts to the chemical elements of the oils, for example an oil with sedative properties like Vetiver, Vetiveria Zizanoids, which has quite a strong earthy smell, may cause the brain to send out signals of relaxation to the body. Whereas a more stimulating oil like Rosemary, Rosmarinus Oficinallis, may increase your blood pressure and stimulate your mind so you feel more awake.
During an aromatherapy massage you also benefit from the essential oils as they are absorbed through your skin. Your skin is your largest organ, it covers your entire body and the molecules of the essential oils are able travel through your epidermis (the top layer of skin), as well as penetrating through the sweat glands and hair follicles, they then enter the capillaries in your skins second layer (the dermis), where it is now in your blood stream and able to circle your whole body.
What are some the effects essential and carrier oils can have on the body?
Improved circulation when applied with massage, this brings fresh nutrients to your body's tissues and also encourages the removal of toxins.
Improved elasticity of your skin, this encourages the healing of scar tissue (I actually used lavender oil on a scar after a nasty surfing accident and its not even noticeable now), the reduction of stretch marks, increased skin softness and suppleness.
Desquamation, this means getting rid of old or dead skin cells which encourages the formation of new ones in the basel layer of the skin. It also gives you that healthy, clear skin glow.
Some oils can help to lower a high blood pressure (hypertension) with their hypotensive properties for example, lavender, lemon, ylang ylang and marjoram.
Some oils are hypertensive and can help to increase a low blood pressure by stimulating and invigorating the circulatory system some examples of these oils are rosemary, black pepper and ginger.
Tonics have a cooling effect and can constrict capillaries reducing inflammation some of these include cypress, clary sage and lemon.
Some oils have a warming effect which is known as rubefacient, these encourage the blood vessels to dilate and promote more efficient circulation. Oxygen and nutrients are delivered with more speed and the removal of waste products such as lactic acid is increased so over all healing can happen at a faster rate.
Detoxifying/depurative oils such as juniper, fennel & lemon can actually help to remove the uric acid build up that causes gout, as well as helping to relieve the symptoms of arthritis by reducing inflammation and swelling.
Essential oils can help conditions caused by a sluggish or inactive lymphatic system such as cellulite, water retention and bloating some of these oils include; geranium, grapefruit, juniper, cedarwood, juniper, fennel, lemon and sweet orange. Your lymphatic system is extremely important for your body's immune system as antibodies and bacteria eating cells are produced within the lymphatic tissue and also your lymph system collects any excess tissue fluid that your capillaries cannot process, filters it and then returns it to the blood. So by keeping this in good working order we can help to keep your immune system strong and also your body's own detox process efficient.
*What is a full body massage?
*What is a full body massage? This means that I will work on all areas of your body. You will be covered with 2 large towels so your modesty is maintained at all times and only the area that I am working on will be exposed at any one time. I usually start with you lying face down, where I begin work on your back and arms before moving on to the backs of your legs one at a time. I will then remove supports that have been keeping you comfortable and whilst holding the towels down, ask you to roll over so you are now face up. The bolster will be replaced under your knees, a pillow if you wish under your head, so you can drift away into total relaxation. I will then massage the front of each leg one at a time. Then your feet. Before doing some work on your abdomen (I will inform you of the benefits of this during the consultation, but is optional for your massage), maybe a little bit more work on your arms and hands before finishing with a deeply restorative head, neck and face massage.