Physical touch has always been important and we as humans need to be touched. It is common to "rub away the pain" when a child gets hurt. Because of its intrinsic touching nature, massage therapy has probably been around as long as humans have existed. In ancient times, the Chinese, Hindus, Greeks and Romans regularly used massage to treat illnesses, invigorate the body and ease pain. In more recent history, the Swedish and English have also used massage. Queen Victoria used massage therapy for the treatment of rheumatic pains and during WWI, massage was used in English hospitals to aid the recovery of injured soldiers.
In the past, a masseuse was a trained healer. When massage became extremely popular, more and more of the untrained began to perform massages and it was taken in many different directions, including the unsavory. Now we are seeing people trying to return to a less synthesized and more natural state in their lives and massage therapy, in its true form, has a renewed popularity.
Massage is a form of healing in that it enables the body to help itself and the benefits are many. It improves the circulation. The heart pumps the blood through the body but the further the blood gets from the heart, the less pressure there is to keep it moving and so it needs the compressing action of working muscles to speed the blood along to the extremities. Those with poor circulation can benefit greatly from massage because it helps the blood move through the congested areas.
Massage therapy helps to refresh the mind and improve our ability to relax. The stress we face every day in our world is nearly overwhelming. Many of us are so caught up in the lives we lead that we have lost the ability to relax. Yet our bodies and our minds desperately need a slowdown time to relax and re-energize themselves. None of us is the energizer bunny! The nature of massage therapy is such that it not only relaxes the muscles but the mind has a chance to relax by letting all of the thoughts, worries and stresses of the moment go and just feeling the massage.
Massage therapy also awakens the senses. Because of the immense amount of stress we put ourselves under, we tend to wait to deal with something until it reaches emergency status. Because of that, we ignore many of the warning signs our bodies send out until we have completely cut ourselves off from our own selves and have lost the ability to feel. Massage therapy renews our connection to our senses and allows us to feel again. It gives us a feeling of peace and allows us to own ourselves again.
Aromatherapy massage oils are used to not only to facilitate easy movement of the hands over the body and avoid friction but pure essential oils are added to the massage oil, or carrier oil, in response to specific physical complaints experienced by the person. Some aromatherapy massage oils used in massage are Chamomile, Jasmine, Lavender, Rose, Geranium, Clary Sage, Marjoram, Peppermint, Rosemary, Frankincense, Myrrh, Tea Tree and Citrus oils. Use 3 parts essential oil with 100 parts carrier oil
Choose your essential oils by these criteria:
- Like the scent
- Achieve a certain benefit
- Do not feel sick
- Can breathe comfortably
- Feel good all over
- Do not get a headache
Health conditions that can benefit from massage therapy are lymphatic congestion, reduced peripheral circulation, muscle spasms, tension and anxiety, flaccid musculature and backache. More serious conditions require professional help.
Do not use massage therapy on anyone with cancer, high temperature, skin infection, thrombosis, migraine, varicose veins, epilepsy and inflammation of any bone tissue or organ.
(This information is provided for informational purposes only. It is not approved by the FDA nor is it provided in order to diagnose, prescribe or treat any disease, illness or injured condition of the body. Rocky Mountain Oils assumes no responsibility for such use. Anyone suffering from any disease, illness or injury should consult with a physician or health care provider.)
Massage Therapy and Aromatherapy Massage Oils 