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How do you incorporate essential oils into your treatments?
I'd love your input for an upcoming article in Massage & Bodywork magazine!
Tell me... How do you incorporate essential oils into your massage and bodywork practice? What are some of your favorite ways to integrate them into your treatments, or handy tips that you'd share with an MT who's looking to get started with essential oils?
Post your comments below, and you just might see yourself in an upcoming issue of Massage & Bodywork magazine!
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Maher on
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I would love to hear peoples responses to this. Essential oil use I have been looking into for awhile now just don't know to start and I use more lotion and cream based products because I do alot of sports and deep tissue massage would those make a difference in using essential oils.
Thank You,
Jenn Maher,LMT
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Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on
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Being a level II certified aromatherapist, I have worked essential oils into my practice extensively. I blend all my own oils. By blending the correct carrier oils I can use oil for lomi lomi to deep tissue/shiatsu. The blend is adjusted to give the desired drag. I scent the oils and provide natural solutions to allergies, colds, flu, rashes etc. Essential oils make a great addition to the treatments possible in massage.
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Daniel where would suggest I start to gain some knowledge on this subject, any good book or websites?
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There are many good books out these days. Some are steered to the emotional effects of scents while others go towards the medicinal effects. A good place to start is a site you use for ordering. Any essential oil supplier that is dependable will include details on each oil. This will include oil properties, medicinal effects, contraindicators, and the note which effects which scents are noticed first and which linger longer in a blend. You should find compatible high, middle, and low notes. Read the contraindicators carefully. Some oils should not be used during pregnancy, others should not be used along with certain meds, herbs, or homeopathic remedies. Most citrus oils cause photosentivity and should not be used for people outdoors much especially in summer.
It is very complex and provides interesting reading. I took the course at American College of Healthcare Sciences. It is a long and detailed study. Level II certification will enable licensing in most countries that require licensing. It is unfortunate that the USA has no standards for Aromatherapy causing people to misinterpret it as anything that smells good. Actually it is the therapeutic use of plant aromatic oils.
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Thank you, one last question, I know that the qualities of some brands are better than others, is there o e that you prefer over others. Again thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.
Jenn Maher, LMT
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Permalink Reply by Kristen on
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Jennifer,
quality does matter. I've been around aromatherapy for over 10 years. I even owned my own bath and body company where I would incorporate the oils into the products. Two years ago I found acompany called Young Living Essential Oils and haven't looked back. They get the best results and deliver every time with their quality and purity of the oil. Hope that helps.
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I use essential oils mainly for pain relief and stress relief. My clients have always loved the way my treatment room smells and I feel as thought the eo's truly help with their pain. I also offer the raindrop technique which you can find more info here. It's for boosting the immune system and balancing. It's great fun to offer and the clients seem to like it as well.
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Some that are dependable and high quality are manukaoil.com, mountain rose herbs, and new directions aromatics inc. A general rule in wholesale buying is to check qualities of several suppliers and having found comparable ones compare prices each time you order. Self certifications that are simply brands of the supplier are meaningless. I buy from the producer when possible.
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Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on
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This is where I like to go for essential oils. Professional people only.. Most companies and website get their oils from these guys.. check em out...
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Permalink Reply by Denise Miller on
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My clients have a variety to choose from, then I put a few drops in the palm of my hand and with my fingers, apply the oil behind their ears, rub my palms together, and apply the rest onto their shoulders. They Love it!
I have been using Young Living Oils and offering the Raindrop Therapy for over 10 years. If they have a specific problem, for example knee pain, I put Wintergreen on their knees before I apply the lotion. Blessings, Denise
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applying neat (undiluted) has a greater chance of allergic reaction and dermatitis. I use manuka oil rather than tea tree because it is unlikely to cause dermatitis.
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Permalink Reply by Therese Schwartz on
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I also use Young Living essential oils. I have a collection of them but my favorites to use on a daily basis are lavender, peppermint and wintergreen. With wintergreen I always make sure that my client does not have a sensitivity to aspirin because of the close chemical relationship between wintergreen and aspirin. My method for application is to use unscented oil (Bon Vitale Naturale is my favorite) in the bottle in my holster and then just put the essential oil or oils I want to use in the palm of my hand.
My clients love it because it gives a custom-tailored experience to every massage! They know that I'm paying attention to what they need each time and adjust the oils accordingly. I will many times use my intuition to decide what oils to use, and sometimes my clients pick their own oils the same way. One time I got an answer of an oil I didn't have...oops!
For someone wanting to get started using essential oils I'd suggest starting with lavender, and get the best quality you can afford. Lavender has a long list of benefits beyond smelling good! It's an excellent jumping off point.
Make sure the oils are therapeutic grade. Lesser-quality oils will smell OK but will not contain all of the beneficial chemical compounds that therapeutic grade oils have. I'd also suggest understanding the negatives to using oils, for instance someone with a headache might not want you to use them at all for that session.
@Daniel - on one thread you commented that wintergreen diluted in jojoba oil is great for opening up the sinuses. I have a client who is very thankful to you for that suggestion!
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