WHAT IS AROMATHERAPY AND WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
BY: CHRISTIE W. NAEHER, LCMT
INDIGO BLUE MASSAGE & WELLNESS
AROMATHERAPY is the art and science of using essential oils to enhance the well-being of body, mind and spirit. The essential oil of each plant is its life force containing both medicinal and aromatic characteristics. It can help with sleep disorders, depression and can stimulate a production of seritonin.
AROMATHERAPY draws on the healing powers of the plant world. Essential oils are chemically complex and impart their own unique therapeutic qualities. They are used to relieve common ailments, stress related conditions and to promote good health and emotional well being.
AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE is primarily a softer tissue massage. We can still incorporate some deep tissue work if needed, but only on specific areas. The primary reason for aromatherapy is the relaxation and stimulation of the central nervous system which deep tissue can disrupt. The softer tissue massage technique helps muscles melt into deep relaxation, relieves water retention, de-stresses the body, mind and spirit, stimulates the lymphatic system, improves the immune response, and assists the body to naturally release toxins. Since the skin is the largest organ of the body, we use a carrier oil such as organic jojoba oil with the essential oil to be absorbed into the skin and promote good health and emotional well being. Most essential oils are too strong to be used on the skin directly. At Indigo Blue Massage & Wellness, we first coat our hands with the chosen essential oil, tent the face and ask the client to take a few deep cleansing breathes. This allows the central nervous system to begin the relaxation by relaxing the brain with the sense of smell. We then do a full body massage with the essential oil in an organic jojoba carrier oil and finish with a warm facial compress that is also scented with the essential oil.
MASSAGE is a wonderful healing tool for the human body. It is not only a powerful therapeutic tool for the release from tension/stress, fatigue and injury, it is also a powerful therapeutic tool to nurture and heal the body. Massage is a preventative therapy and is a valuable tool used in keeping people physically health and emotionally healthy. The therapeutic power of touch combined with the healing and balancing properties of essential oils is by far the most effective method in the bodies healing experience. The therapeutic use of essential oils and massage can affect all the systems of the body - in particular the muscular, circulatory, lymphatic (immune) and nervous systems.
AROMATHERAPY FULL BODY MASSAGE BENEFITS:
* Relaxes, balances and harmonizes the body.
* Reduces stress.
* Strengthens the entire body and supports the body in its own healing process.
* Encourages a healthy immune system to fight infection.
* Helps you to maintain a good general health by relieving the body of toxins.
* Rejuvenates and relaxes the body, mind and spirit.
**Before receiving any aromatherapy treatments, an allergy test should be conducted to avoid any allergic reactions to the essential oils. Please inform your therapist if you have any allergies or skin conditions that could be affected by the oils.**
