{"id":44097,"date":"2019-05-01T21:35:26","date_gmt":"2019-05-01T21:35:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pranarom.ca\/blog\/?p=44097"},"modified":"2019-07-15T17:19:52","modified_gmt":"2019-07-15T17:19:52","slug":"aromatherapy-massage-a-quick-guide-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pranarom.ca\/blog\/aromatherapy-massage-a-quick-guide-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Aromatherapy Massage: A Quick Guide (PART 1)"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Massage is said to be one of the most important methods of applying essential oils.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

However, in my experience I\u2019ve found that not many people know about it (or know much about it).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In fact, I think massage is fairly underrated as a use for essential oils and as a method of healing and relaxation, perhaps because it\u2019s not that common.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Why is this the case?<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Author Jane Buckle says that \u201ctouch is rarely included in nursing, medical, or other health trainings, [because] so many health professionals do not know how to touch their patients and do not have the time, money, or inclination to take a massage therapy training course.\u201d[1]<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

This is unfortunate because touch is so beneficial for us<\/a>. And people often forget this.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

For these reasons, I thought it useful to spend some time talking about the \u201caromatherapy massage\u201d.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What is massage?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Massage is the \u201cmanual manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for therapeutic purposes, using strokes that include gliding, kneading, pressing, tapping and\/or vibrating.\u201d[2]<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Masseuse<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The first written records of massage date back to China more than 4000 years ago; there is evidence that it was used in Ancient Egypt as well. Hippocrates, the founder of modern medicine, wrote \u201cthe physician must be experienced in many things, but most assuredly in rubbing\u2019.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It is still used today, though it has definitely been overshadowed by modern medicine, partly because it hasn\u2019t completely met the standards of evidence required in today\u2019s world.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Nevertheless, the benefits of touch have long been recognized.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Importance of Touch<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Touch is a fundamental human need<\/strong>; its importance for mental and physical health has been well researched[3]<\/a>. Touch is also fundamental to the development<\/em> of a healthy human being; touch deprivation in the early stages of life has been known to inhibit the emotional and physical growth of children[4]<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

However, this need does not disappear as we grow older. Whether we realize it or not, we all need touch. We need it because it connects us together as human beings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Physical touch is said to release oxytocin, a hormone that fosters relationship growth and closeness, and enhances a sense of trust and attachment[5]<\/a>. This is true as much for the person giving the massage as the one receiving it.[6]<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"\"<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Touch is, in a sense, intimate, because it involves a connection between two people that is not frequently shared. Think about it, how many people are you comfortable with touching or being touched by? Probably not many.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Interestingly, this intimacy is exactly what makes massage so effective; the connection that is built through massage helps the person receiving it feel safe enough to relax and unwind, which contributes much to the \u201chealing\u201d effects of massage.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

That\u2019s right: the benefits of massage are both physical and <\/em>psychological.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What are the benefits of massage?<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Research indicates that massage can have the following benefits[7]<\/a>:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n