Posted on Tuesday Jan 26 2:25:00 GMT 2010
What is aromatherapy and how does it work?
Aromatherapy uses essential oils - concentrated essences taken from the flowers, fruit, seeds, leaves and bark of certain plants - to treat different body and skin conditions. For example, lavender essential oil has soothing and relaxing properties (one of the oils in Shine’s Flow Balm) or immortelle essential oil stimulates the collagen in the skin to help tone the body (one of the oils in Shine’s Tonic Balm).
Aromatherapy can boost well being, relieve stress and help to refresh your body so can help improve your physical and emotional health. There are a couple of theories to explain how aromatherapy works. The first is that you directly absorb the oils through the skin into your bloodstream. The oil can then travel through your body and have an effect on a specific organ or function in your body.
Many essential oils have an anti-inflammatory effect, which can help with arthritis and muscular pain. Other oils may help with breathing problems or prevent or fight off infections by helping boost your immune system.
The second theory relates to your sense of smell. The nerves used to smell are found high up inside your nose and they connect directly to your brain. Foods, flowers, perfumes and plants all release tiny molecules into the air and stimulate your smell (olfactory) nerve cells. The cells send a message to your brain to interpret what the smell is. The smell can then set off a reaction in your body, both emotionally and physically. For example, it might change your heart or breathing rate or make you feel calm or excited.
It is widely accepted that people use aromatherapy and massage because it makes them feel good. Therapists promote aroma-therapeutic massage as a natural way to help you relax and cope with anxiety, pain, depression and stress, but aromatherapy can also help to boost your immune system, fighting off colds and bacterial infections, help with circulation and menstrual problems as well as relieving headaches and digestion problems.
So what is involved in a treatment? Caroline uses Decleor products and comments: “Decleor has four body treatments that I adapt to my clients’ specific needs combining a fusion of massage techniques with Decleor’s treatment balms, which are based on aromatherapy oils. These are Relax, which relaxes and hydrates the body; Detox, which stimulates and helps to detox the body; Tonic, which firms the skin and reduces stretch marks and Flow, which boosts energy, stimulates microcirculation and helps to eliminate toxins and remove excess fluids leaving customers feeling invigorated and energised. The treatments can be 30, 45 minutes, 1 hour or 90 minutes and the client and I decide which balm will work best for them in our initial consultation.
Several of Shine’s customers also have felt the benefits of massage for other symptoms than back pain. Therese, who is a regular client of Caroline’s, says: “A few days ago, Caroline suggested a 15 minute back massage using a special blend of oils to help clear my asthma. This worked a treat and I can highly recommend it to anyone.”
Delia C, comments: “Caroline is to be highly recommended. She has brought about healing, relaxation and a calmer mind due to her thorough, relaxing and professional approach to her therapies. She has brought about a huge change after a lot of difficult situations in the past for me.”
HW adds: “I have had a series of massage treatments with Caroline which were recommended by my doctor, after I had a liposuction operation. I enjoyed 3 months of massage which truly supported my recovery period. My sessions have been de-stressing both physically and psychologically.”
Following a massage, Rebecca also adds: “I am more self-aware of what I need to do to feel more relaxed. My IBS symptoms, which were exacerbated by stress and anxiety, have pretty much disappeared.”
With massage being highly beneficial for a range of symptoms, perhaps we should take a leaf out of the Egyptian’s books and set aside some time for our physical and emotional wellbeing. Massage, particularly when used with aromatherapy oils can help to enhance self-image, relieve stress and alleviate depression. It also improves concentration, circulation and reduces fatigue – as well as improving the condition of the skin. It’s a tonic for the whole body, helping you to balance your mind and moods to really take on life’s great adventure.
About the Author
Caroline is Woking Town's Expert on Decleor Aromatherapy facials, body treatments and products
www.shinewoking.co.uk
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