Aromatherapy massage
What is aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is the practice of using volatile plant oils including a borad variety of essential oils for psychological and physical well-being.
Essential oils
An essential oil is liquid generally distilled (most commonly with steam or water) from the barks, flowers, fruit, leaves, roots, seeds, stems, or other tissue of a plant. Essential oils contrary to the use of "oil" are not "oil" at all, but are hydrophobic organic compounds. Most of essential oils are clear to yellow in colour, but some of them like patchouli and chamomile are amber or blue in colour. The chemical composition and aroma of essential oils can provide valuable psychological and physical therapeutic benefits through the methods including inhalation and application of the diluted oil to the skin eg. aromatherapy massage.
For detailed profiles on over 100 essential oils, please go to the Essential Oil Profiles on AromaWeb.
In my massage studio, synergestic essential oil blends, of which each is composed of several pure essential oils to magnify specific thearpeutic effects, are applied in my aromatherapy massage. All of the essential oil products are purchased from the distributor of Australian Botanical Products Pty. Ltd. (ABP), Lorien Vana Biotech Inc. Taiwan.
Carrier oils
Eessential oils are often used by diluting them with a carrier oil prior to applying this blend on the skin for absorption. In JM massaeg studio 9, high quality unrefined sunflower oil is used during the aromatherapy massage. Sunflower oil contains plenty of vitamin A, B, D and E and is rich in linoleic acid (an omega-6 essential fatty acid), which are very good nutrition for the skin. In some special occasions including infected wounds, bug bites and varicose on the skin and some mental disorders like depression and anxiety, infused oils such as calendula oil (Calendula officinalis) and St. John's wort oil (Hypericum perforatum) are blended with a carrier oil and essential oils for use.
Aromatherapy massage
In JM massage Studio 9, essential oils are in combination with a massage technique -- called " Swedish manual lymph drainage massage" or so called "Swedish massage". This is a gentle, non-invasive manual technique that has a powerful effect on the body. The skin is stretched and torqued in a specific manner, based on scientific, physiological principles that have proven to encourage lymph flow and enhance recovery and facilitate drainage. Therefore, aromatherapy massage is a very effective and powerful technique to not only help the body relaxed but also enhance body detoxification and recovery with the combination effects of essential oils and Swedish massage.
In my studio, it is recommended to start with a warm shower (optional) for self-refreshment before aromatherapy massage. Next, a short interview is carried out by the masseur to obtain the information of client's condition, and the masseur would suggest which essential oil blend is applied for the session. Then, the session lasts 1 or 2 hr (to check the details, please go to Tariff).