With a heightened focus on health and well-being, it’s no surprise that treatments such as aromatherapy massage are becoming so popular. Year-on-year, the essential oils global market grew by more than 8% between 2018 and 2019. And, this growth is predicted to continue as our lives become busier and continuously more stressful. In 2018, the Mental Health Foundation found that 74% of people felt so stressed. Moreover, they have been overwhelmed and unable to cope. Here at Heavenly Touch, we believe in implementing strategies and activities in our everyday lives to minimize this stress. In today’s blog, we’re taking a look at 11 important benefits of aromatherapy massage. As well as why you should prioritize it in your self-care.
Stress-Reducing
As we mentioned above, stress is a significant issue that many of us face in today’s modern world. And, one of the biggest reasons why so many people turn towards aromatherapy practices. Moreover, it is to reduce this because of the fragrances. During a massage, we breathe in and inhale the potent scents of various essential oils. These have a calming effect on our minds. Helping us to relax and let go of the tension that has built up over the week. When this is paired with the power of touch, our bodies begin to release oxytocin which is also known as the happy hormone. This reduces heightened blood pressure and cortisol levels while having anxiolytic-like effect that increases our pain threshold.
Relieve Anxiety
With its ability to reduce stress, aromatherapy is also called on to help relieve the symptoms of anxiety. It has been theorized that specific receptors in our noses are triggered by different scents. These then send messages to the nervous system which has an impact on the body’s chemical reactions. Essentially, inhaling these scents is thought to help take us out of the fight-and-flight mode. As well as return us to a state of calm. Popular essential oils such as lavender, jasmine, and bergamot are all shown to help those dealing with recurring anxiety.
Decrease Muscle Tension
The essential oils used in aromatherapy massage have the potential to penetrate through the top layers of the dermis. For this purpose, they can be used to relieve tension and stand alongside classic massaging techniques to work out knots. The most recent research into massage therapy is that the post-massage blood and muscle tissue have increased levels of mitochondria. These are needed for cell growth and energy. This abundance means that inflammation can be reduced and damage repaired.
Helps With Pain Relief
There have been several research studies into the benefits of aromatherapy massage for pain relief. In 2015, a study showed that lavender oil was an effective anti-inflammatory. it provided pain relief that was comparable with tramadol. In the same year, another study found that bergamot oil could be used for neuropathic pain. This could not be treated by opioid alternatives. And, in 2012, research was done into the effectiveness of essential oils in reducing the impact of menstrual pain to many benefits.
Relieves The Symptoms Of Depression
Research states that essential oils trigger mechanisms in the brain via the olfactory system. This allows signals to be transmitted to the limbic system and the hypothalamus to activate the production of serotonin. Conventional antidepressant medicine regularly relies on Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. It helps to maintain high levels of the hormone in the brain. This stabilizes our mood, enabling brain cells to communicate and preventing feelings like anxiety and fight-or-flight. Aromatherapy massage provides the perfect opportunity for these scents to infuse through your senses and the benefits noted above to be felt.
Reduce The Side Effects Associated With Chemotherapy
Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, put the body and mind under extreme stress. Many common side effects are explained and treated with common medicine. Furthermore, many cancer patients look to alternative methods to help alleviate their pain and stress levels. Complementary therapies, including aromatherapy massage, are used to improve mental resilience, calm the mind, and help relieve pain.
Helps With Insomnia
According to the NHS, some of the most common causes of insomnia are stress, anxiety, and depression. And, as you can tell from our list above, aromatherapy massage is ideal for helping to alleviate these feelings. Therefore, it can be effectively used to treat insomnia, when this condition is not related to other medical conditions.
Ease Labour Pains
Hypnobirthing has become a preferred labor route to traditional pain medication. Moreover, pregnant women are seeking out different ways to manage their relative pain. Massage with the right essential oils helps to stimulate the production of endorphins. These ‘happy hormones’ are also a natural form of pain killer and can help to ease contraction pains. Equally, the progression of labor is largely dictated by mood with muscles tensing up under times of stress. The calming aroma released from these essential oils. Also, it helps to ensure the labor environment is calm and relaxing for both mother and baby.
Help To Treat Headaches And Migraines
Some essential oils, including lavender, have been shown to alleviate physical stress which can help with tension headaches and migraines. In fact, a study published in 2013 found that migraine sufferers reported a reduction in pain just 15 minutes after inhaling lavender oil. Equally, other research from 2014 discovered that by mixing peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and ethanol, the muscles that tense up during headaches could be relaxed effectively.
Improve Digestion
According to holistic medicine experts, the same scent receptors in our brain that help to calm anxiety and depression can also signal the brain to alert them that food is being consumed. Some essential oils can be inhaled to help our brain signal that digestive juices need to be released. Thereby improving the quality of our digestion. Equally, it is thought that by penetrating our skin. These oils can aid with blood circulation to further improve our digestive tract.
Decongestant
Nasal congestion is something we’ve all experienced in our lives. And, seeing as the aromas from essential oils are so powerful. It calls to reason that they should be able to aid with these blockages. A 2006 review found that tea tree oil has many antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties. Which may help to treat the bacteria associated with sinus congestion. The best way to utilize these is through steam inflation – combining essential oils with hot water and breathing it in.
SCHEDULE YOUR MASSAGE TODAY
Whether you are an athlete, suffering from arthritis, or are pregnant, there are benefits to deep tissue massage therapy that can help you.
To learn more about the benefits of massage and other techniques to reduce pain and inflammation please contact us today to book your first appointment and get on the road to wellness.