Aromatherapy Massage

That's the response you may get about aromatherapy massage as a body treatment. The "smelly oils", herbal teas, candles and pan flute music will be dismissed in favour of a good through pounding. 

Unfortunately, rejecting aromatherapy as frilly pampering says more about how little respect we have for one of our five senses. And yet, we are often comforted by the smell of spicy soup simmering on the stove, cinnamon apple pie in the oven, eucalyptus oil in the vaporizer or mint in our mouthwash.

It's all about what your nose tells your brain and aromatherapy is an ancient art that uses our sense of smell to aid our sense of wellbeing.

The value added with the aromatherapy massage is using aromatic essential plant oils combined with lymphatic drainage. The body's lymph system handles its cellular waste material. Lacking its own pump, lymphatic movement must be stimulated externally. A vigorous arm-swinging walk, stretching excercises, dry-brushing the skin, or rebounding on a mini-trampoline are all good ways to move lymphatic congestion.

Lymphatic drainage massage stimulates key places where congestion accumulates: under the jaw, under the collar bone and upper arms, in the intestines, at the hips, knees and ankles. It's the accumulated toxins in these areas that contribute to headaches, sinus problems, PMS and menopause discomforts, indigestion, cellulite, joint stiffness and muscle aches.

Stimulating delicate body systems does require caution, however. A full body massage or even certain oils will not be appropriate for babies or the elderly, during pregnancy or with serious illness.

For relaxation and an uplift of the spirits you will be well served by a calming aromatherapy massage. Your individual essential oil blend is combined with a carrier oil such as easily absorbed almond or grapeseed. While the aromas send their message to your brain, the molecular content of the essential oils is absorbed into your skin, as the massage does its work on your stressed out body. What could be more scentsible?

Gertrude King is an Aromatherapist and Reflexologist in private practice in south western Ontario.