Massage Therapy and Aromatherapy Working Together

Aromatherapy began life as a combination of massage and essential oils, however the essential oils broke away from massage therapy and now the oils are acting as standalones to heal the body and mind? About 6000 year’s ago, Ancient Egyptian doctors recommended aromatherapy through massage. The practices helped to relieve aches, pains, and reduce stress. Later, massage and aromatherapy was also recommended as good solution to deliver a healthier mind and body. The question then, is how can essential oils assist you in fighting diseases and healing the body?

Essential oils are any members of the volatile oils, typically extracted from plants, such as oils which are used as flavourings and perfumes. Essential oils differ from fixed oils, in that fixed oils are non-fatty and non-volatile.

How can you tell if essential oils will work in their own right, outside of being used in conjunction with massage therapy? Can aromatherapy oils deliver health benefiting properties without being applied via massage therapy?

Massage:
Massage therapy incorporates reflexology and manipulation while pressing down and rubbing the body. The process is usually a kneading action, although different massage techniques do employ different methods of application. Typically, the masseuse will focus on pressure points within the body, to help alleviate specific conditions. For example, if you hit the right pressure points you can release tension in the stomach area, around the lower back, shoulders, etc. If you combine essential oils you will set an atmosphere, which will promote relaxation. The natural scents of the aromatherapy oils help set the mood for full relaxation.

Stand-alone essential oils:
Because essential oils are naturally extracted and are made from plants or derived from plant materials, the plants fundamental properties are preserved, such as the flavours and fragrance. Since the plants and its materials come from natural sources it stands to reason that they will help the body and mind to relax? So what do aromatherapy essential oils claim to do?

Fir needle is one of the essential oils available. The oils come from an evergreen tree, which grows leaves shaped like needles. Now, according to information readily available this oil can assist in healing bronchitis symptoms, colds, flu, coughing, sinusitis, arthritis, rheumatism, and muscle aches and pains. According to reports the oils natural ingredients were preserved, such as antiseptics. Antiseptics we know have antibacterial properties, which deliver uncontaminated, clean, and pure solutions. Now imagine breathing antiseptics from aromatherapy scents? A pure source should realistically give you a very beneficial result, especially if the oil in question has antiseptic properties.

Frankincense is another of aromatherapy’s essential oils. The oil derives from an aromatic resin. The gum and/or resin are commonly burned as incense. In addition to this it is commonly distilled, preserved and added to perfume. In fact, many religious ceremonies use this incense as well. This particular scent is an aromatherapy solution too, its properties also include antiseptics. Again, we can breathe this preserved property in the air, which helps to resolve diuretic issues, astringent problems etc. In fact, because its very nature is as a relaxant, it could be considered to be a sedative.

There is no doubt that aromatherapy essential oils used in conjunction with massage therapy fulfil a health benefiting purpose.Equally, it appears that essential oils can be used stand alone, and still deliver great benefit to the user.