What is Aromatherapy Massage?

The concept of massage is well known. Therapeutic and remedial massage techniques stimulate oxygen uptake and blood circulation throughout the body, help eliminate toxins and waste compounds via the lymphatic system and release muscle tension by relaxing muscle fibres.

Aromatherapy Massage works in a more gentle and holistic way through a number channels, all combining together with the aim of achieving stimulation of the body systems and relaxation of the body which allow the essential oils used in the massage to penetrate and target particular areas and organs in the body.

Aromatherapy Massage is a combination of relaxation or Swedish massage techniques, acupressure, lymphatic drainage, polarity therapy and reflexology, developed in Europe in the 1940’s and 50’s by Michline Arcier in conjunction with Madame Marguerite Maury, a French biochemist and one of the pioneers of the use of essential oils to treat specific ailments.

The massage sequence itself involves slow rhythmic movements and soft tissue manipulation to heal and provide relief from muscular aches and pains, stress and tension as well as improving blood and lymphatic circulation and energy flow of Qi (Chi) in addition to balancing the electromagnetic field of the body.

The sequence generally used is as follows starting with the subject face down in the prone position.

1. Attunement; this relaxes the subject and establishes contact and energy flow and is a simple laying on of hands along the back and lumbar areas.
2. Massage of base of the cranium; alleviates muscle contractions and fluid infiltration.
3. Sweeping fingers up to the top the cranium and through the hair; stimulates cranial nerves, releases energy flow and negative electrical charges.
4. Application of the oil blend to the back and shoulders using light effleurage massage strokes to distribute the oil.
5. Stimulating the spinal nerve ganglia and the sympathetic nervous system which is responsible of the body’s fight or flight responses which in turn create stress in the body.
6. Decongesting the tissue in the back; this promotes blood and lymphatic flow to help remove toxins.
7. Spinal Column Release; this liberates the nerve impulses along the spine.
8. Hip, kidney and lumbar massage; this relieves areas around the lumbar and kidney region including the bladder and helps release tension in the lower hip and increase circulation of energy.
9. Acupressure points on shoulders, arms and palms; these affect lymph circulation, metabolism, heart and lung functions.
10. Soles of feet and backs of legs; this uses polarity therapy to charge 2 poles with the same charge in the persons magnetic field and also stimulates lymphatic flow from the feet and ankles through to the lymph nodes in the groin. After this the subject is turned to the supine or face up position.
11. Scalp and facial pressure point massage; stimulates the endocrine system in particular the pituitary gland, stimulates blood flow and nerve impulses around the scalp as well as releases magnetic charges from the head.
12. Facial Massage; revives the muscles particularly around the eyes, relieves sinus congestion and stimulates blood and lymph flow in the facial muscles and skin.
13. Upper Chest and shoulder massage; this stimulates the lymph nodes, lymph vessels and nerves that affect the heart, liver, thyroid and lungs. It also relieves muscle tension and improves circulation.
14. Clavicle and diaphragm massage; stimulates the lung acupressure and neurolymphatic reflex points and helps loosen breathing.
15. Foot and leg massage ; this stimulates acupressure points in the feet which affect a number of other body systems including digestion, kidney, lung and other functions as well as movement of lymph to carry toxins up towards the nodes in the groin. Final placing the palms of the hands flat against the soles of the feet to rebalance the energy a Qi (Chi) is the completion of the massage.

The techniques above, when combined with the therapeutic qualities of specifically selected essential oils, give not only an uplifting and energising experience but also impart many healing benefits to the body through stimulation of the body systems.

References: The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy by Salvatore Battaglia