Aromatherapy massage is Swedish massage therapy using massage oil or lotion that contains essential oils (highly concentrated plant oils like peppermint, moringa and sweet almond oil.
During an aromatherapy massage, you inhale these essential oil molecules or absorb them through your skin. They are thought to promote beneficial changes in your mind and body by affecting the limbic system, a region of the brain known to influence the nervous system.
Why Do People Get Aromatherapy Massage?
Each essential oil used in aromatherapy is said to have different properties. For example, some calm and make you feel relaxed while others energize. Here are some widely used essential oils and their purported properties:
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Calming: chamomile, lavender, and geranium oil
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Uplifting: ylang-ylang, clary sage, rose, and neroli oil
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Energizing: rosemary oil
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Decongesting: eucalyptus, pine, and tea tree oil
Since aromatherapy massage techniques are often the same as those used in Swedish massage (the most common type of massage in Kenya), people often get it for sore back, neck, and/or shoulder muscles or to ease stress.
Use of therapeutic essential oils in massage is being explored for the following conditions:
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Anxiety
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Dementia symptoms
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Depression
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Insomnia
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Menstrual pain
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Supportive care for people with conditions such as cancer