THERAPIES

PRACTITIONERS

Aromatherapy Massage

History of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the practice of using the volatile oils extracted from plant material to affect emotional and physical health. It is an ancient practice evidenced by pictorial and written records from several ancient civilisations across the world. The practice as we know it today owes much to the work of René-Maurice Gattefossé during the 1920’s. He successfully used Lavender essential oil to treat his hand which had developed gangrene after being badly burned in a laboratory explosion. Jean Valnet pioneered the use of oils medicinally during the Second World War.

Aromatherapy Today

Aromatherapy in Britain is now well established as a holistic therapy. A well trained therapist will take account of the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of care with all patients and will advise on lifestyle and dietary issues where relevant. Essential oils are used to balance the individual and can be calming or stimulating; relaxing or uplifting as required.

Essential Oils – more than just massage

In therapeutic terms the oils can be used in many different ways. The can be burned as incense or in an oil burner to fragrance the environment and subtly alter mood. Most people will associate the use of essential oils with massage, while a tailored blend of oils for use in the bath can be used to continue treatment at home. Because essential oils are readily absorbed by the skin they can be used in a variety of mediums such as creams, lotions or aromatic waters. Specific complaints may be treated with hot or cold compresses.

Essential Oils - more than just relaxation

The use of oils in aromatherapy is an extension of the more generic use of plants for medicinal purposes. While many will use aromatherapy for relaxation of the mind and body, it can also be used to ease the discomfort of common ailments e.g. Eucalyptus oil inhaled can ease the discomfort of a blocked nose or stuffy head; abdominal massage with an appropriate oil blend can help to relieve the discomfort of bloating or cramps experienced with the female menstrual cycle.

Facial Massage

Gentle massage to face and neck tissues can:

You remain fully clothed but will need to loosen clothing around neck and shoulders to allow access for massage. If you wear contact lenses you may wish to remove them beforehand but this is not necessary.

Your face is gently cleansed using organic cotton wipes. There is a choice of oils to suit you as an individual. Combinations of techniques are used on the face to ensure that tissues are gently mobilised; these include effleurage, rolling and acupressure points.

Safety considerations

Properly used the essential oils can be both safe and balancing. They are always used in carrier oils to an appropriate dilution. Exceptions to this are Ti Tree and Lavender essential oils which can be used neat in small quantities for first aid purposes.

A well trained aromatherapist will always put the safety of their patients first. This is why essential oils are not advised at all in the first months of pregnancy and only certain oils with caution are used later in the pregnancy.

The same cautions are applied to babies and small children and anyone deemed to have a frail constitution. If you have any doubts about your suitability for aromatherapy please ask for help and we will advise you.