Archive for the ‘Massage Therapy’ Category

Massage Oil Candles | Essential Oil Candles

Thursday, April 28th, 2011

Massage candles are candles that are constituted of aromatherapy oil, mainly, oils which are used for massaging purposes. Aromatherapy is a technique that may be used to treat various psychological and physiological problems, making use of concentrated plant extracts including essential oils, carrier oils, absolutes, infusions, and phytoncides. Aromatherapy essential oils can be used directly for topical application and massaging or can be used as aromatherapy accessories like candles, soaps, and incense sticks.

Massage oil candles are the scented candles, constituted of herbal extracts or pure essential oils. These essential oil candles are not made of ordinary wax; rather they contain soy bean wax as the major ingredient. Massage candles burn without smoke and have a relaxing effect on the mind and body, imparting a sense of wellbeing and tranquility.

Some of the uses of massage candles are listed as under:

  • One of the major uses of aromatherapy candles is to augment your mood and make you feel elated. You may light the candles to saturate the ambience with the fragrance, and then feel the effect of these candles on your state of health.
  • You can use aromatherapy candles to create a serene and pleasant ambience while bathing. A bath with hot water with the pleasant fragrance of the aromatherapy candles can work wonders for you, also enhancing your memory and concentration, and, in turn, your productivity.
  • Aromatherapy candles can also be used to decorate your home or office. Massage candles are available in different colors and shapes and can really enhance the interiors.
  • Aromatherapy candles are sedative in action, and if you are suffering from insomnia, these candles might serve as elixir. Aromatherapy with chamomile and lavender oils are known for their sleep inducing property.
  • Aromatherapy candles may also be used in an aromatherapy massage. The scent of the aromatherapy candles coupled with warm massage oil soothes the body and mind, averting a number of ailments.

While aromatherapy candles have numerous uses, you must be cautious while buying these candles. When buying the massage oil candles, you must be selective to pick the candles with the aroma that might please you the most. When you light the candle, you must ensure that it burns evenly, which would otherwise cause accumulation of essential oil in the center of the candle, shortening its lifecycle.  Also, you must never leave the candle unattended to avoid incidences of fire. You may seek the help of an aromatherapy professional who can help you select the candles that would best serve your purpose.

Massage Oils and Lotions | Massage Therapy Oils

Thursday, April 28th, 2011

Aromatherapy has gained tremendous popularity over the recent years worldwide. In aromatherapy, a number of essential oils and massage lotions are used for treating various ailments. The use of massage oils and lotions in aromatherapy depends on the ailment or disorder to be treated. It is not only the medicinal properties of the massage lotions and oils but also the aromas of these oils play an important role in healing and curing the ailments.

The essential oils possess the inherent natural fragrance of the plants or herbs from which they are extracted. For making massage lotions and oils, essential oils are first blended with some carrier oils such as olive or almond oil in order to dilute them as most essential oils are very strong in nature and can cause skin irritation if used directly without dilution. These days artificially scented massage oils are also available in the market. Therefore, while buying massage therapy oils you must ensure that you are choosing the natural ones.

You yourself can make aromatherapy massage oils at home. Some excellent recipes for massage oils and lotions are mentioned hereunder.

  • Mix six drops of lavender essential oil in three tablespoons of olive oil. This massage oil has a great soothing and calming effect on the nerves. This property makes it popular as an excellent stress reliever. A massage with this oil makes you feel refreshed and stress free. You can also use patchouli essential oil, clary sage oil, germanium essential oil and ylang- ylang oil for the purpose of relaxation. These oils are also well known for their calming and stress-relieving properties.
  • Blend eight to ten drops of avocado essential oil in four tablespoons of almond oil. This oil is very rich in vitamin A, vitamin B and vitamin D. Regular massage with this oil will not only solve your problem of dry skin but also helps in gradually eliminating the wrinkles.
  • For treating ailments such as the common cold, flu, and disorders of the respiratory system, you can prepare the massage oil by mixing five to six drops of eucalyptus essential oil in four tablespoons of olive oil. If you happen to suffer from cold or chest congestion, massage with this oil on your forehead, chest and back before going to bed.
  • A pain relieving massage oil can be made by mixing one drop each of chamomile oil, eucalyptus oil, helichrysum essential oil, six drops each of marjoram oil and lavender oil, and two teaspoons of olive oil. This oil has the great ability of relieving muscular as well as rheumatic pains.

Despite all the great benefits of aromatherapy massage oils and lotions, you should consult your health care provider before using them.

Massage Therapy - Natural Way To Relieve Stress

Friday, June 11th, 2010

Mental stress and strain is very common among people of all age groups due to the fast paced life of today’s modern world. Everyone does undergo some amount of stress due to some reason or the other. Some people feel stress due to problems at their work places while others are stressed because of their home environment. Driving to work every day can also be a reason for stress to some because of congested roads and unruly traffic. You may find yourself unable to avoid some reasons for stress. Continuous stress and strain leads to many ailments and health problems. The most serious problems that could arise due to stress are high blood pressure and heart disease.

The best way to treat stress is to relax your mind and body. Therefore, you must give yourself the requisite time for relaxation. Over the years, a number of relaxation techniques have been developed. Massage therapy is one of them and considered to be most effective therapy for the treatment of stress. So, consult a qualified and experienced massage therapist and avail his or her services regularly so as to keep yourself away from stresses of life.

These days massage therapy is practiced using essential oils like olive oil, lavender oil, tea tree oil, and many other essential oils in accordance to the particular needs of a person. This is known as an aromatherapy massage.

Massage therapy involves a gentle massage all over the whole body, resulting in the relaxation of the muscles; this ultimately leads to the relaxation of brain. Most therapists start the massage from your feet. Pressing the bottom of the feet gives you a great feeling of relaxation. Then gradually, the legs are massaged, followed by your back, shoulders, and head. The expert therapist would apply consistent pressure on your body while massaging.

Some of the advantages of massage therapy over other relaxation therapies include:

  • The first and the foremost advantage of massage therapy is complete relaxation. Here, complete relaxation means, relaxation of the mind, body, and soul.
  • Being a natural therapy, there are almost negligible side effects. Rather the effects are so wonderful that you feel very fresh and enthusiastic.
  • Full body massage improves the blood circulation in your body, thereby protecting you against heart ailments.
  • Massage with certain essential oils gives you healthy and glowing skin.
  • Regular massage therapy keeps your body joints and muscles flexible. This helps in retaining your youthfulness for a longer period.

Massage Therapy To Relieve Arthritis Joint Pain

Friday, June 4th, 2010

Arthritis is an acute disorder of the joints. It is characterized by inflammation and pain in the joints. There are several types of arthritis. It may be characterized by pain and inflammation in one case, whereas there might be wear and tear of the cartilage of the joints in other cases. The latter condition is generally more severe in nature. The knees are the most affected joints in the majority of arthritis patients. This is due to the fact that legs and knees bear the whole body weight.

The causes of arthritis depend upon the type of arthritis you are suffering from. Some of the common causes are:

  • Metabolic disorders
  • An injury to the joints
  • A family history of arthritis
  • Infections or ulcers
  • Increase in uric acid levels in the blood stream

The common symptoms of arthritis include inflammation, pain, and stiffness of the joints. These symptoms may be experienced in one or more joints.

Massage therapy can be very helpful in treating arthritis. Firstly, a soothing massage reduces the pain and swelling in the muscles. Secondly, it helps in improving the flexibility of your joints by improving the circulation of fluids in the body. There are various massage therapies which can be used to relieve the symptoms of arthritis. Some of the most popular massage therapies to treat arthritis include:

  • Myofascial Massage: This is a kind of soft tissue massage which helps in relaxing contracted muscles, increases lymph drainage, and stimulates stretches muscles, which helps in relieving pain in the joints.
  • Swedish Massage: Swedish massage is a massage technique that involves the usage of massage oils and the application of firm, but gentle pressure on key joints, which eases muscular tension and promotes relaxation, thereby alleviating the symptoms of arthritis.
  • Deep tissue Massage: This massaging technique realigns the deeper layers of connective tissue, which in turns aligns the joints, thereby reducing pain and tension in the joints.

Massage therapy is an effective remedy to relieve arthritis, but you must be cautious while employing this technique to cure the problem. You should consult your doctor before you opt for a massage to treat arthritis. If your doctor recommends a massage, you must seek the services of a trained massage therapist. If performed by an untrained person, the symptoms of arthritis might worsen.

Other than massage therapy, there are a number of other alternative remedies that can help in the treatment of arthritis. These include aromatherapy, hot water therapy, Ayurveda, and the application of castor oil to the affected joints.

Resources:

Acai Beryy