Aromatherapy Massage

Written By Jean Mallard
Dated: May 4, 2009

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Aromatherapy Massage

Aromatherapy is the use of oils extracted from plants, in massage they are added in very small amounts to a base or carrier oil. The carrier oil, which is usually almond, wheatgerm, grapeseed or sesame, provides a lubricant for massage and also dilutes the essential oil.

The use of aromatic oils dates back as far as ancient Egypt, when oils were used for mummification and purifying the air. The Greeks also practiced Aromatherapy and believed the way to good health was to have an aromatic bath and massage every day.

Modern Aromatherapy now combines the use of essential oils with a deeply relaxing massage. There are around three hundred essential oils used today and are obtained from many parts of plants such as flowers, roots, fruit, seeds, bark, twigs and leaves.

The use of the oils enhances the overall effectiveness of the treatment. The addition of essential oils into a base or carrier oil assists the absorption into the bloodstream and tissues via the skin. Olfactory nerve endings in the nose pick up neuro-chemical messages which are passed to the brain, chemical changes in the body can include the release of encephalins and endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers, which in turn affects our moods and emotions.

Whilst receiving a back massage, the recipient is encouraged to let go of muscle tension, which in turn lets go of stresses which may have built up in the muscles and tissues. With the addition of Aromatherapy oils, each of which has their own healing properties, tension and stress can be released a lot more quickly. Unless these tensions are released from muscles, the result is often pain and then the remedy for controlling pain is often analgesic drugs, therefore it is advisable for general health and well being to treat your body to an Aromatherapy massage regularly, to help keep tension and stress under control. It is well known by chemists today that essential oils have anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, they can also be antiseptic, analgesic, expectorant, diuretic, antidepressant and can aid digestion and circulation.


The use of Aromatherapy oils during pregnancy and childbirth can have great benefits, helping you to relax, cope better with labour and to bond with your baby, however there are a variety of oils that are not appropriate to use and professional advice really should be taken beforehand.

Before receiving an Aromatherapy massage, it is always advisable to talk to the Therapist about how you are feeling physically and emotionally, the Therapist can then help you choose the combination of oils to help you get the most benefit from your treatment. You can also easily massage yourself, to help ease away tension by massaging hands or feet or gently massage the back of the neck and shoulder area, just be careful to make sure the essential oils are diluted in a base or carrier oil and check if it is nut or wheat based in case of allergic reaction, if in doubt always seek advice first.