MASSAGE THERAPY
Massage on the entire body is an ancient therapy often used to dispel various ailments. Aromatherapy is both holistic and practical as it protects and strengthens the body’s mechanism while stabilizing and energizing emotions. The ‘Touch’ method is employed for the massage, and touch ignites sensual feelings. Hence it has been rightly called ‘Sensual Massage’ as it combines the senses of touch and smell. It is not a hyperbolic claim when it is claimed that aromatic massage can stimulate a person’s body and mind as highly patent essential oils penetrate the body via the skin and are also inhaled as the massage progresses.
But to attain optimum benefits from massage, it is necessary to follow stepwise steps to build the requisite mood. In this respect, the procedure is simple to follow and practise.
• If massage is done at home, you can use a Japanese mattress or spread a cushioned cloth on the floor, or you may spread a cotton sheet which should be covered with a bath towel, but the bed is not suitable for the massage.
• In winter, it is essential to wrap around the body a towel, blanket, or hot water bottle by the feet, apart from using a pillow.
• Keep a calming and relaxing atmosphere in the room for which. Use soothing oil on a burner, or play sweet and pleasing low-tone music; no shrill or loud voices should distract your attention.
• The room temperature should be warm. When relaxing oil is massaged over the skin, the skin feels warm; when touched, the body feels cold. Only those body parts that are being petted should be exposed, but the rest of the body should be wrapped so that cold does not impact the unmassaged portion of the body.
• Your room and your partner must be comfortable.
• To avoid disturbance, dim the lights, draw the curtains, and switch on the heater.
• Let not the sounds of television, telephone, mobile phone, and traffic disturb and distract your attention. For this, you should close the window.
GUIDELINES BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE MASSAGE
Most important hints have already been briefly detailed above. Suggestive guidelines apply to both persons—one who massages and the other who is being/ due to be petted. Before you start to rub, ask your
client about areas of the body that cause pain and ache, general physical condition and specific problems, particularly if he has undergone any operation or suffered from sock injuries or mental status and state of mind. If you are delighted that the patient/client is fully fit for massage, only should you massage?
CHOOSING THE ESSENTIAL OIL
Aroma therapists never start a massage immediately. To provide the most effective treatment, the therapist has to ascertain the individual’s state of mind and body and establish whether there are any specific problems to attend to. Is the problem physical? Is it mental? Is it a combination of both? To help them treat a wide variety of complaints, aroma therapists have many oils at their disposal, but they never mix or use them until they have worked out a prescription for the receiver’s needs. Mixing the oil is a trained art, yet simple recipes can be used at home to deal with specific problems, from muscular aches and pains to headaches and stress. With potent essential oils, it is far better to use less than more, so if in doubt, start the massage technique with a base oil like sweet almond and add 2 or 3 drops of just one essential oil. Lavender, rosemary and geranium are good all-purpose oils or use chamomile for susceptible skin.
APPLYING THE OILS
• Keep the oil in an easy dispenser or bowl so you do not have to worry about lids during the massage. But keep the oil covered somehow, as essential oils will quickly evaporate.
• Always warm your hands before applying oils.
• Some therapists recommend warming the oil in your hands before applying it to the body as a courtesy to the recipient. Others advise against this because it hastens the evaporation of the essential oil, and the oil takes on your energy rather than your partner’s.
• If the body part you are working on is particularly hairy or the skin is dehydrated, you will need to apply more oil.
• Keep your touch light and sensitive. Remember that your hands are the main channel of communication.
• If you become tired while massaging, sit back for a minute but don’t let your hands leave your partner’s body, as it is essential to maintain the continuity.
• If the recipient’s back is stressed, place a pillow under the knees when lying on the back and under the pelvis when lying on the stomach.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing to give the massage so your movements are not hampered.
• If oil is accidentally spilled on clothing, dry it off quickly with a tissue. It will soon evaporate, but it may leave a stain to rinse out clothing in warm soapy water.
• For complete relaxation, avoid chatting during the massage; play music if you do not like silence. But do encourage feedback from your partner—you must be told if something does not feel good.
• Ensure that the person you will work with is given the following guidelines.
BEFORE THE MASSAGE
• Have a cool shower or wash before a massage. Do not soak in a hot bath; the oils will immediately be sapped into the skin.
• Do not use an underarm deodorant or body spray before the treatment, as this will block the effect of the oils.
• Do not have a large meal just before an aroma therapy massage, as the body’s system will have to work too hard to digest to be thoroughly relaxed.
• Do not drink alcohol before treatment.
• Do not have a massage if you have flu or a fever, or any severe condition. Wait until you are over the worst, and then let an aroma therapy treatment help restore your system’s balance.
AFTER THE MASSAGE
• Drink a glass of water immediately after treatment.
• Lie still for at least five minutes before getting up.
• Do not bathe or shower for at least 12 hours after a treatment to allow the oils to be absorbed by the skin and begin detoxifying the body.
• Drink plenty of water for the rest of the day as the kidneys will actively eliminate the toxins.
• Avoid alcohol for at least 12 hours after the treatment to give the body a chance to detoxify thoroughly.