Essential oils are used in the practice of aromatherapy massage to enhance relaxation, healing and a feeling of well-being. The oils are absorbed through the skin during massage and enter the bloodstream, taking their healing properties through the body, helping to eliminate toxins and relieve stress. There are several ways in which an aromatherapy massage can be enjoyed, but two of the most popular are full body massage and facial massage.
Full Body Massage
A full body massage is performed over the whole body, excluding the private parts, and is best experienced naked. The aromatherapist massages the back, shoulders and buttocks; front and back of the legs; the arms; and the face and neck. The massage is completed by a very gentle massage over the stomach area. Before the massage takes place, the therapist discusses with you any current medical conditions you may have and adjusts the treatment accordingly. A blend of oils is especially created for you and applied to the skin with firm yet gentle pressure. An aromatherapy massage is always soothing and relaxing, but the effect of the oils on the system is more important. According to the website Esoteric Oils, "Massage is beneficial in more ways than simply being relaxing."
Facial Massage for Beauty and Skin Conditions
As a beauty treatment, a facial massage helps to cleanse and tone the skin, and is gentle enough to be performed on mature and very dry skin. For mature skin, a rich carrier oil such as wheat germ is used and blended with frankincense and rose or neroli essential oils. These oils stimulate new cell growth and help to prevent wrinkles. Astringent oils such as tea tree or geranium might be used for oily skin, or for use with skin conditions such as eczema and pimples. The oils are massaged deep into the skin using gentle sweeping or circular movements, and always in an upward movement, to avoid dragging the skin toward the neck.
Therapeutic Facial Massage
The technique of a therapeutic facial massage does not differ greatly from the beauty massage, but the choice of oils is very different. A facial massage is often very beneficial in the case of blocked sinuses and headache, and for tension headaches. For sinus problems, a mix that includes tea tree or eucalyptus oil is advisable, and the therapist will concentrate the massage around the cheekbones and the forehead. Ali Headeach, an aromatherapist from Margate, U.K., says, "The oils help to clear that blocked up feeling, whilst the massage itself helps to drain fluid away from blocked sinuses."
For a headache, the therapist might use lavender oil, known as the cure-all in the aromatherapy world, mixed with balancing bergamot oil, and concentrate the massage around the scalp and neck as well as the face, to help reduce the feeling of tightness in a headache, and relax the muscles at the neck, which often lead to headache when they are tense.
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