Aromatherapy Massage: Types and Benefits

Even in ancient times, the healing power of massage movements was combined with the aromas and natural properties of oils. This type has not lost its popularity even after several millennia. The beneficial substances from essential oils during massage penetrate through the respiratory tract and skin pores, accelerating blood circulation and the distribution of vitamins throughout the body. The selection of massage oils is done individually for each patient and depends on the desired effect.

Aromatic massage soothes, alleviates chronic fatigue and pain, lifts the mood, and affects not only the physiological state of the body but also the psyche of a person. This is a unique combination of individually selected essential oils and a specific sequence of massage movements. In the salons of massage Dubai Spa, for example, they are very well aware of this and know how to apply it in practice.

Aromatic massage soothes, alleviates chronic fatigue and pain, lifts the mood, and affects not only the physiological state of the body but also the psyche of a person. This is a unique combination of individually selected essential oils and a specific sequence of massage movements. In the salons of massage Dubai Spa , for example, they are very well aware of this and know how to apply it in practice.

The main goal pursued during the procedure is relaxation, as the influence of certain scents allows a person to calm down. Thanks to aromatic massage, the skin becomes well-groomed and firm, and the body achieves the desired slimness.

Varieties of aromatic body massage

There is general training that works the entire body and local or targeted training that focuses on a specific area or part of the body.

Depending on its purpose, massage is divided into therapeutic, hygienic, sports, preventive, or cosmetic. Considering the specific task, massage can be anti-cellulite, rejuvenating, etc. Considering the degree of the oils' impact on the nervous system, massage is divided into relaxing or toning. To this, erotic massage is also included.

Depending on the type of execution, aromatherapy massage can be either machine-based or manual. Aromatherapy massage is also divided into: classic, acupressure (including Japanese acupressure massage Shiatsu), stone therapy, and other types.

The novelty is an aromatic massage, during which precious or semi-precious stones are used, possessing energy to enhance the effect of the massage manipulations. There are two ways to prepare the oil. In the first case, the crushed stones are ground into a powder and added to the oil. In the second case, the minerals are immersed in oil for a while to transfer energy.

Main types of aromatic massage

1. A general aromatic massage involves gentle stroking and rubbing movements to warm the skin and apply essential oils mixed with neutral massage oils to avoid overdosing; essential oils are added in 1-3 drops.

2. Therapeutic aromatic massage with a composition of 3-5 oils that complement each other depending on the specific condition is performed in a course of 5-15 sessions, with a change of oil mixtures every 3-5 procedures to avoid habituation.

For aromatic massage, base and essential oils are used. Base oils, referred to as carrier or base oils, must be natural.

• Peach and apricot kernel oil is considered universal due to its mild toning effect; it is used for aging or sagging skin to combat cellulite.

• Avocado oil, which has an anti-cellulite effect, softens rough areas of the skin.

• Mustard oil with warming properties is used for problematic skin, as well as for restorative or relaxing massage.

• Sesame oil fights premature aging, actively moisturizes, nourishes, and softens the skin, making it firm and elastic. It helps in the regeneration of the skin, possesses bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties, and is therefore suitable for problem skin.

• Olive oil is the oldest cosmetic product constituting a remedy. It does not cover the skin with a film, does not cause allergies, and has a pain-relieving effect. Essential oils dissolve excellently in it. Thanks to the lifting effect, it is beneficial for aging skin, as well as for cellulite and stretch marks (striae).

Essential oils

Essential oils or compositions of two to three scents are added to the base oil. For a classic full-body massage, 30 drops of aromatic oil per 50 ml of base oil is sufficient; for a targeted massage, a more concentrated mixture is required—30 drops of essential oil per 5 ml of carrier oil.

Choose essential oils based on the purpose of the aromatherapy massage, aimed at:

• Pain relief (lemon balm, mint, rosemary, nutmeg, bergamot, and ginger).

• Acceleration of metabolic processes (oregano, mandarin, jasmine, vanilla, basil, orange, and anise).

• Lymphatic drainage effect (fennel, pine, juniper, fir, cedar, and spruce).

• Anti-cellulite effect due to the breakdown of fat tissue (lemon, grapefruit, orange, neroli, juniper, and geranium)

• Rejuvenating effect (sage, rosewood, patchouli, lotus, jasmine, and geranium, carrot).

• Anti-inflammatory effect (eucalyptus, tea tree, thyme, chamomile, and frankincense).

• Relaxation of the body thanks to marjoram, frankincense, lotus, lavender, and ylang-ylang, for normalizing sleep and achieving emotional balance.

• Giving vigor and obtaining an additional boost of energy (sage, thyme, rosemary, lemon, bergamot, and orange).

• To stimulate passion, the following aphrodisiacs are used: sage, rose, patchouli, nutmeg, mimosa, ylang-ylang, jasmine, grapefruit, geranium, clove, and bergamot.

The benefits of body aromatherapy massage for beauty and weight loss

Beautiful skin should be firm, tender, and soft without stretch marks (striae) and problematic manifestations such as acne, allergic reactions, etc. To achieve such a result, in addition to aromatic massage, a whole range of measures is required: proper nutrition, hygiene, care, physical exercise, and cosmetic procedures.

For an aromatic massage, gentle techniques such as stroking, rotating, gliding, light pinching, and tender kneading are used to ensure that the oily mixture is evenly distributed and fully penetrates through the pores into the lymph and blood, continuing to work for several hours.

Thanks to massage with the use of natural oils, blood circulation is stimulated, muscle tension is relieved, joint elasticity is increased, metabolic processes are activated, pores are cleansed of bacteria and impurities, skin tone is improved, and the regeneration process is accelerated, providing a rejuvenating and overall strengthening effect on the body.

Fragrances positively affect the nervous system, improving the emotional background, restoring lost mental balance for achieving inner harmony. Anti-cellulite and lymphatic drainage types of aromatic massage contribute to weight loss.