Whether you decide to visit a spa or try aromatherapy massage at home, the therapeutic essential oils are guaranteed to leave you feeling relaxed, refreshed and totally reinvigorated.
What is 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.
What can aromatherapy massage help with?
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.
What types of massage can be combined with aromatherapy?
Almost any type of massage can be combined with aromatherapy, with different types of massage suited to different conditions. Some of the most well-known types of massage used alongside essential oils are Swedish massage, deep tissue massage and hot stone massage.
The essential oils may be mixed with a carrier oil and used as part of the massage, or they might be added to a diffuser for inhalation during the massage.
Swedish massage with aromatherapy
Swedish massage, also known as classical massage, is a type of full body massage. Therapists use varying pressures and techniques to release tension in the body and eliminate knots in the muscles. Swedish massage is a comfortable massage technique which is often used for relaxation and stress relief. This type of massage is ideal for people who are new to massage.
Essential oils commonly used during a Swedish massage include geranium, lavender, sweet orange, patchouli and cedarwood.
Deep tissue massage with aromatherapy
Deep tissue massage is a technique mainly used for high levels of muscle tension or musculoskeletal problems including injuries or strains such as tennis elbow or carpal tunnel syndrome. This massage technique puts emphasis on areas of the body where you might be suffering from high muscle tension or pain.
Essential oils commonly used during a deep tissue massage to reduce pain, inflammation or swelling include eucalyptus, chamomile, rosemary, peppermint and marjoram.
Hot stone massage with aromatherapy
Hot stone massage is designed for ultimate relaxation. This massage technique uses hot lava stones strategically placed on the body to increase blood circulation. The stones should be hot enough to stimulate blood flow but not so hot as to burn. This type of massage helps to relieve aches and muscle spasms whilst supporting wellness.
Ylang ylang, palmarosa and chamomile essential oils are often used during hot stone massages to foster relaxation and to promote sleep.
Aromatherapy scalp massage
Scalp massages are great for relaxation. In fact, a 2016 study found that scalp massages can also help lower blood pressure and reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
But add in aromatherapy, and they can also encourage hair growth and help ease tension headaches and migraines. Some of the most popular essential oils for aromatherapy scalp massage which offer these benefits include lavender, peppermint and rosemary.
Bergamot is also a popular essential oil for aromatherapy scalp massages. This essential oil helps to soften and tame curly hair, leaving it silky and smooth. If you want to feel like you’ve just left a spa, bergamot oil is a great option.
What are the benefits of aromatherapy massage?
Aromatherapy massage brings together the therapeutic benefits of both essential oils and massage therapy. In addition to being calming and healing, aromatherapy massage impacts all of your body’s systems, from your circulatory and nervous systems to the lymphatic and musculoskeletal systems.
Aromatherapy massage for relaxation and emotional wellbeing
Your sense of smell is closely linked to your brain’s limbic system which is responsible for controlling your emotions. This close connection allows aromatherapy to easily tap into your emotions and influence your mental wellbeing.
Inhaling essential oils such as lavender or bergamot during an aromatherapy massage can help to calm your mind and your emotions, encouraging relaxation and helping you to de-stress.
Adding essential oils such as grapefruit or orange to a carrier oil or diffuser during an aromatherapy massage can be both calming and uplifting, enhancing your overall sense of wellbeing and promoting positive emotional health.
Read more about how aromatherapy can enhance your emotional wellbeing here
Aromatherapy massage for pain relief
When mixed with a carrier oil, many essential oils can help to ease pain and inflammation when they’re applied topically to the skin. These massage oils can help to relax and soothe muscles whilst increasing circulation to promote recovery.
Peppermint oil is particularly useful for reducing pain and inflammation as it has invigorating and cooling properties which help to soothe discomfort.
Aromatherapy massage for healing
Aromatherapy massage can promote the healing of both your body and your mind. During a massage, the soft tissues within your body will be stimulated with massage techniques to promote healing by relieving pain, reducing inflammation, releasing tension and improving circulation. Adding in essential oils enhances each of these effects.
A particularly effective essential oil for promoting healing in both your body and your mind is sweet marjoram. It acts as an antispasmodic to soothe your muscles as well as being great for relaxation.
Aromatherapy massage to help with sleep
Aromatherapy massage can be beneficial to those struggling with sleep problems. Essential oils such as lavender can promote relaxation and encourage sleep.
A 2017 study measured the impact of aromatherapy massage on nurses who worked shifts. The group who received aromatherapy massage reported improved sleep quality and reduced sleep disturbance.
Five of the best essential oils for aromatherapy massage
The essential oils you’ll choose will depend on the aim of the massage, with different oils better suited for different conditions. For example, a citrus-based essential oil is great for enhancing your mood while lavender is ideal for relaxation, and eucalyptus has pain relieving properties.
We’ve hand-picked five of our favourite essential oils for aromatherapy massage.
Lavender: For ultimate relaxation
Lavender is renowned for its calming effect and its ability to aid both relaxation and sleep. Many studies have proven lavender oil to be helpful in conditions such as depression, anxiety and insomnia.
Pair lavender oil with a full body aromatherapy massage such as a Swedish massage or a deep tissue massage to find your inner zen. You can also try diffusing lavender during a hot stone massage to allow your body to sink into an even deeper state of relaxation.
Bergamot: Boost your mood and de-stress
Known for its soothing aroma, this citrus-scented oil is perfect for reducing stress levels and boosting your mood. However, the benefits of bergamot essential oil don’t end there.
Bergamot oil is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities, making it a healing oil with pain-relieving properties. For this reason, bergamot oil is often used in deep tissue massages.
This oil is also renowned for its ability to soften and tame curly hair. This makes bergamot oil ideal for use in aromatherapy scalp massages, leaving hair silky and smooth.
Eucalyptus: Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory
With antibacterial properties, eucalyptus oil is featured in many cough and cold treatments including inhalants and throat lozenges. As well as helping to fight against infection, eucalyptus oil acts as a decongestant, loosening phlegm and easing congestion.
Eucalyptus has also been used for many centuries to treat aches and pains. In fact, many over-the-counter creams used to soothe pain associated with conditions such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis contain eucalyptus oil thanks to its ability to reduce both swelling and pain.
Eucalyptus essential oil is perfect for use during a deep tissue massage, giving a sense of opening up the lungs and helping to ease aches and pains whilst reducing swelling.
Peppermint: For clarity and concentration
The benefits of peppermint essential oil are endless. From easing headaches to improving concentration and everything in between, peppermint oil is highly beneficial when used in aromatherapy massage.
Peppermint oil can promote hair growth and help ease pain associated with headaches and migraines, making it ideal for use during an aromatherapy scalp massage.
Grapefruit: Energising and invigorating
Grapefruit essential oil can help boost your mood, leaving you feeling energised and invigorated. This oil is great for reducing stress and increasing energy levels, and it is also claimed to stimulate circulation and improve digestion.
Grapefruit oil is perfect for use during a Swedish massage, either added to a diffuser or combined with a carrier oil and used on the skin.
