Everything you need to know about aromatherapy massage

One of the most popular treatments on a spa’s menu, aromatherapy massage combines the power of essential oils with massage therapy, benefitting both the mind and the body.

During an aromatherapy massage, fragrant essential oils are applied to the skin using a carrier oil such as jojoba, sweet almond or grapeseed. Essential oils are plant-based oils which are extracted from herbs, trees and flowers, and each oil has its own unique properties which provide therapeutic benefits.

Essential oils penetrate your body as they are absorbed through your skin. These essential oils impart benefits to both your mind and your body, including improving your mood, alleviating pain and detoxifying your body, depending on the oils used.

It is also common practice to diffuse essential oils during an aromatherapy massage. When you inhale the aroma of essential oils, it is detected by sensors in your nose that connect directly to your brain’s limbic system which controls emotions. This means that the aromas you breathe in can directly influence your emotions.

As well as being great for soothing sore muscles along with any other aches and pains, aromatherapy massage can help to ease the symptoms of many medical conditions.

When combined with relaxing essential oils such as lavender or bergamot, aromatherapy massage can be beneficial for conditions such as anxiety, depression and insomnia. As your sense of smell and your emotions are so closely linked, aromatherapy is able to tap into your emotions, directly impacting your mental wellbeing and promoting restorative sleep.

Studies have also shown that aromatherapy massage can be beneficial for patients being treated for cancer. When cancer patients were treated with two aromatherapy massages per week, their levels of stress and anxiety were reduced whilst the function of their immune system improved.

Aromatherapy massage has also been proven to reduce menstrual cramping. A 2015 study found that the severity of pain reported was significantly lower in women who massaged themselves with rose oil on the first day of their cycle.