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Aromatherapy massage is a form of alternative and complementary medicine based on the use during a treatment of very concentrated "essential" oils from the flowers, leaves, bark, branches, rind or roots of plants with healing properties.

Armed with the information gathered from your consultation, I will select and blend three to four essential oils that best meet your individual needs. The essential oils are mixed with a carrier oil and absord through the skin into the bloodstream where they can affect the whole body and promote healing.

Creating a synergy is the most important part of blending, it requires a deep understanding of essential oils, a fair amount of experience and a lot of intuition. Intuition and experience are very important, because synergies are rather context-dependant.

During an aromatherapy massage, much of the essential oils are also inhaled and absorbed through the mouth and nose stimulating the production of relaxing, sedative euphoric or sedative neuro-chemicals, providing beneficial mental and emotional effects.

The aroma of these "essential" oils directly stimulates the brain and help to unwind or to comfort for example, this is more known as subtle aromatherapy.

Carrier oils are also used during a treatment for their nutritive value to the skin.

The importance of the vegetable oil used during an aromatherapy massage should not be overlooked.

During an aromatherapy massage, I use a blend of different vegetable oils as they can be absorbed by the skin and be therapeutic to the body.

Sweet Almond Oil - This is probably the most common of base oil used in massage. Sweet almond oil is obtained from the dried kernels of the almond tree and it is an excellent emollient(softening and soothing to the skin) and also helps the skin to balance its loss and absorption of moisture.

Jojoba Oil - (pronounced ho-ho-ba) this oil is unique because it is not composed of fat but of liquid wax. It is suitable for all skin types, whether dry, oily or sensitive as it has a balancing effect. When applied to the scalp as a treatment, jojoba oil acts to regulate and remove the sebum layer, it's good for acneic skin. However, on its own only it does not give nourishment to the skin.

Avocado Oil - It is moisturising to the skin and is ideal for dry, mature skin and assists in the treatment of climate-damaged and undernourished or aged skin.

Calendula Oil - It useful for treating venous problems such as varicose veins and venous inflammation. It has a great effect to treat spider veins, ulcers, bed sores, varicose veins, bruises.

Hypericum Oil (St John's Wort oil) - It is a beautiful golden-red oil with an anti-inflammatory effect that soothes the inflamed nerves that cause neuralgia, sciatica and fibrositis. Hypericum oil if also effective on sprains, bruises and swellings.

Wheatgerm Oil - It is a natural anti-oxidant and preservative, because of its vitamin E and essential fatty acids, it promotes the formation of skin cells, improving blood circulation, and helps relieve symptoms of dermatitis, eczema or psoriasis.

Comfrey Oil - Comfrey is one of nature's greatest medicinal herbs and has been used since about 400 BC as a healing herb for broken bones in particular.

For a face massage I use :

Rosehip Oil - This oil has been used to reduce wrinkles and signs of premature aging, it also helps to counter the drying effects of the sun which are usually noticed by the fine wrinkles or crow-feet around the eyes and mouth. Rosehip oil can also be used to attenuate scars (both surgical and accidental).

Apricot Kernel Oil - It has a light texture making it very easily absorbed into the skin which makes it suitable for facial massage blends.

Lomi Lomi massage or Hawaiian massage is a unique massage technique which involves prayers and chanting, as well as dancing the hula. This massage technique is based on the philosophy of the Huna, which holds that all things in this world seek to be loved and be in harmony with others. The Polynesians' word for this massage technique is "lomi lomi," which is actually their word for "massage."

In Huna, it is believed that negative thoughts and behavioral patterns, as well as bad memories, causes the body to lose its harmony with its surroundings. Love ebbs away from the system. The loss of harmony and the lack of love lead to stress and afflict the body with various forms of illnesses. The aim of lomi lomi massage, therefore, is to restore harmony to the body and make the body aware that it is loved.

Lomi lomi massage is not just about the relief of physical pain. In the application of the lomi lomi massage, the practitioner also seeks to bring calm into her client's mind and to bring balance back into his or her spirit. It is said that if caring and compassion is not present during a session of lomi-lomi massage, the treatment itself will not work.

A session of lomi lomi massage can be done with the client fully clothed, but oftentimes, it is done with the client having only a towel to cover the body. This exposure of skin helps the therapist to go about her work continuously.

A session of lomi lomi massage begins with prayers. The philosophy of the Huna holds to the existence of a higher power, and the aid of this higher power is invoked by the therapist with her hands laid on her client's body. The practitioner seeks the help of this higher power so that healing may take place as a result of the session. The client is also often asked to speak his or her own prayer, naming the affliction of his or her body which the massage session is supposed to handle.

In performing the massage, the practitioner makes use of aromatic massage oils, which she applies on her client’s skin. Broad, two-handed strokes are often used; it is not uncommon to feel one hand of the practitioner applying pressure on one part of the client's body, while her other hand is massaging another part. It is also not uncommon for the giver of the massage to make use of not just her hands but also her forearms and elbows.

There is no set routine with the lomi lomi massage, and so no two sessions of a lomi lomi massage are alike. Oftentimes, the therapist chants while performing the massage, and she also dances the hula. The purpose of the hula dancing during the massage may seem funny to those who experience the lomi-lomi massage for the first time, but it is actually a technique employed by the therapist to keep her body in harmony with her client's body. After all, the restoration of harmony is the point of lomi lomi massage.

For those who have experienced it, foot massage is great. When pressure is applied to various spots on the sole of the foot, it seems like all the tension that has built up there is being released; such a release of tension gives the body a feeling of instant relief.

Reflexology takes foot massage a bit further.

Reflexology is a healing practice where pressure is applied to certain areas of the foot – and sometimes the hands and ears – to bring healing to the body. These areas are called zones or reflexes; the heart of reflexology is the theory that each zone or reflex corresponds to a particular organ in the body. Reflexology used to be referred to as zone therapy and some practitioners still make use of this term.

Practitioners of reflexology claim that the principles behind this healing practice have been in existence for around five thousand years. It is said that there are archaeological evidence that give proof of the practice of reflexology in Egypt, China and Japan as early as 2700 BCE. The practice of reflexology itself, however, only came to the western world during the 19th century.

As stated above, in reflexology, it is believed that the feet, hands and ears are segmented into different zones or reflexes, and these zones correspond to a particular part of the body. It is also believed that the feet and hands are very sensitive, as they have pressure sensors that are related to the flight-or-fight mechanism of the body. The energy flow through the body can be blocked in these zones, causing stress and impairs the proper function of certain organs in the body. When the organs of the body fail to do their work properly, illnesses develop.

Here is how the body is zoned according to reflexology:

Left foot or left hand – the left side of the body
Right foot or right hand – the right side of the body
Insides of foot/hand – the spine
Outer sides of foot/hand – arms and shoulders
Toes and fingers – head and neck, as well as the organs within
Long bones of the feet/hands (the arch) – waistline
Area above the arch and underneath the toes (the ball of the foot) – organs between the waist and the neck (lungs, heart, breast, liver, stomach, etc.)
Area below the arch (the heel) – organs below the waistline

Applying pressure to specific zones on the feet and hands is believed to release the blocked energy in the body and encourage the corresponding organs to begin healing and functioning as they should. This is because manipulating the zones on the feet and hands aids in promoting circulation and releases endorphins, which are the feel-good hormones of the body. It relieves stress and alleviates pain on a more general level.

How does a typical session with a certified practitioner of reflexology go?

The practitioner will first assess the general condition of your health. He or she will note the adaptations that your feet and hands have taken as a response to pain and stress. Such adaptations come in the form of lumps, calluses, bunions or knobs on the joints of the toes and hands.

Once the assessment has been made, the practitioner will then manipulate the zones of the feet and hands using a number of techniques. The manipulation can be painful, but if it becomes too much, you should communicate so with the practitioner. Too much pressure on the zones can cause harm rather than good. A reflexology session is always done with clothes on and oils or creams are rarely, if ever, used.

An indicator that the session is working is when relief is felt within 30 minutes after the session. You should take it easy after each session is done to feel the full effects of reflexology in your system. However, you should take care not to replace conventional treatment with reflexology. If you are feeling sick, go see a doctor.

The term synergy refers to the combination of two or more factors; it is often used to describe the cooperative action between muscles and nerves. With regard to massage, synergy refers to the combination of therapeutic massage and aesthetic balance to promote relaxation and stress relief. It is typically catered to individuals who desire both the health benefits that come from massage and the mental wellness that comes from a pleasing aesthetic environment.

Massage

Of the many techniques employed in the practice of synergy massage, most focus on relieving muscle tension and restoring physical balance. Techniques like reflexology focus on working specific, often small portions of the body that trigger relaxation in larger muscles or bones. Techniques like acupressure and deep tissue massage focus on applying intense pressure to relieve muscle knotting and cramping. Instruments such as hot stones are sometimes applied to add intentional heat to the body and increase circulation and muscle fluidity.

Treatment

A synergy massage is often combined with one or more treatments to promote health and physical wellness. These treatments include sea algae wraps and body scrubs, to name a few. Generally, these are intended to either exfoliate the skin or detoxify the body of harmful bacteria or plaque that naturally builds up over time. Essential oils, creams, toners, salts or butters are among the common ingredients of a synergy treatment used to hydrate or purify the body.

Surrounding The surrounding environment is what sets this practice apart from other forms of massage. When someone is enjoying synergy massage, he is usually placed in a room designed to promote harmony and balance. Objects in the room are place in an orderlyfashion and tend to have an Eastern or Asian influence, such as river rocks or bamboo. Soft music and aromatherapy are utilized to help relieve stress and promote calm.

Benefits

As mentioned earlier, synergy massage aids in stress relief by promoting relaxation. However, it also has several other benefits. By dilating veins and loosening muscles, synergy massage can relieve cramping and improve circulation. By stimulating nerves and manipulating pain receptors, it can relieve mild pain and lessen stiffness. Synergy massage is convenient, easy and appropriate for most ages.

Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is a modern, logical system of massage therapy. NMT is based on understanding how the neuromuscular system functions. Neuromuscular principles help me understand what's causing your pain: trigger points, posture, etc, and how to treat it. The nervous system controls everything in the body, including muscle tension and pain.

Neuromuscular Therapy's approach to massage is very detailed massage of muscles, tendons, ligaments, connective tissue, etc. Precise massage therapy releases problem areas that are missed by general massage.

Neuromuscular massage techniques often use the thumbs or fingertips to explore tissues in detail. Elbows or forearms are also used, when necessary. Tense muscles often form bands of muscle fibers even tighter than the rest. These are areas of hypertonicity and ischemia. Searching thoroughly, I can feel bands of tight muscle fibers; the areas that are in the most trouble. These are found and treated until they release.

Neuromuscular Therapy has grown to include treatment of the craniosacral system, joints, connective tissues and internal organs. Problems in any body system can create high-intensity nerve impulses that stimulate muscles to contract, leading to pain.

The most effective type of massage therapy for lower back pain isneuromuscular therapy. Neuromuscular therapy is also called trigger point myotherapy. The American Academy of Pain Management recognizes this form of massage therapy as an effective treatment for back pain caused by soft tissue injury (such as a muscle strain).

Principle Of Neuromuscular Therapy

Adhesions · Body structures can become glued together.
Facilitation · What the nervous system has done many times before tends to happen more easily.
Hypertonicity · Excess tension in muscles.
Ischemia · Restriction of blood flow.
Joint Fixation · Tight joints create tension in muscles.
Nerve Compression · Bones or cartilage can press on nerves.
Nerve Entrapment · Tight muscles can entrap nerves.
Pain Threshold · Muscle tension causes pain when it crosses the pan threshold.
Postural Distortion · Misalignment in gravity leads to muscle tension.
Referred Pain · Pain can occur at a distance from where the problem is.
Trigger Points · Points of high electrical activity send pain to other areas.

Shiatsu (指圧 Japanese from shi, meaning finger, and atsu, meaning pressure) is a traditional hands-on therapy originating in Japan. It is promoted as a natural way to help people relax and cope with issues such as stress, muscle pain, nausea, anxiety, and depression; but there is no scientific evidence proving that shiatsu can treat any disease.

in the western world, the massage technique known as shiatsu has come to be known by many names. Some of these names are barefoot shiatsu, namikoshi shiatsu, oha shiatsu, shiatsu-do, macrobiotic shiatsu and Zen shiatsu. However, most of the forms shiatsu has taken in the western world only use the basic principles that make up what the original shiatsu is, and are at times radically different.

Shiatsu is a Japanese massage technique that literally means "finger pressure": the word "shi" means "finger" while "atsu" means pressure. It is a massage technique that has been existence for over 2,000 years, and is actually a derivative of the ancient Chinese massaging and healing method of acupressure.

Just like acupressure – and acupuncture – it is believed in the practice of shiatsu that the body consists of 14 meridians, which each meridian corresponding to a major organ of the body. These 14 meridians serve as a channel through which energy or chi flows. An unhindered and balanced flow of chi in the body translates to good health.

Because chi must flow freely and in balance through the body, it is also believed in shiatsu that when chi is blocked, the body experiences illness. Illness also happens when chi is depleted in certain points in the body while flowing in excess in others.

In shiatsu massage, the aim is to remove the obstacles that block the flow of energy through the meridians of the body. It also seeks to restore the balance in this flow of energy. The removal of these obstacles and the restoration of balance in the body are done by pressing the fingers – and at times the elbows, knees and feet – on the acupoints, also known as pressure points, along the meridians of the body. The shiatsu therapist also manipulates the areas adjacent to these pressure points to further stimulate the body’s capacity for healing and to enhance the feeling of wellness.

Conventional western medicine does not have any proof that the meridians through which chi flows actually exist in the body, and so shiatsu and similar healing techniques are treated as complementary medicine. However, just like the other massages and healing techniques derived from acupressure, it is proven that pressing the acupoints in shiatsu helps in stimulating the release of endorphins and energizes the immune system, coaxing the body to fight against disease. Shiatsu can be used to address various health issues, from muscular pain to digestive pain and even emotional pain.

Shiatsu massage can be intense, and so it is not uncommon for patients to find themselves laughing or crying, wanting to shout out or be still, or display other emotions during the treatment. This is taken to be a sign that the energy flow within the body is being restored to the way it should be.

After a session of shiatsu massage, a client should feel a deep sense of calmness, relaxation and contentment. However, he or she should also expect to feel symptoms of cold and flu after the first couple of sessions; it is a side effect of shiatsu that is also taken to be a sign that the body is well on its way into mending.