Aromatherapy is a term that encompasses many forms of treatment. In this case, the treatment is via massage and has a holistic approach to the client consultation.  This will provide the information necessary to select the appropriate essential oils to suit the individual’s needs and provide a maximum therapeutic effect.

The selected essential oils are blended with a carrier oil to create a unique mix for the client. The blend is then applied to the skin using massage, enabling the oils to be absorbed through the skin. The massage itself is tailored to suit the client’s needs and concentrates on areas of tension.

What are essential oils?

They are the purest plant essence, highly potent oils which are extracts from various parts of plants, flowers, fruits, trees, roots, seeds, grasses.  Essential oils have an ancient tradition of providing a variety of therapeutic and medicinal benefits and many have been confirmed through modern scientific research. 

In the cosmetic industry various essential oils are used within products for their individual properties.  A fine example is Tea Tree, used in many products you can buy in the shops. It is a wonderful essential oil, which has an antiseptic and antimicrobial action, as well as a healing and soothing effect on the skin.  The essential oils used in treatment at the Ashfield Practice are of very high quality.

How do essential oils work?

Essential oils have an immediate impact on our sense of smell, also known as "olfaction".  When essential oils are inhaled, olfactory receptor cells are stimulated and the impulse is transmitted to the emotional centre of the brain, or "limbic system".

The limbic system is connected to areas of the brain linked to memory, breathing, and blood circulation, as well as the endocrine glands, which regulate hormone levels in the body.  The properties of the oil, the fragrance and its effects, determine stimulation of these systems.

When used in massage, essential oils are not only inhaled, but absorbed through the skin as well. They penetrate the tissues and find their way into the bloodstream where they are transported to the organs and systems of the body.

Who can benefit from Aromatherapy Massage?

These natural oils, when used in conjunction with specific massage techniques, deliver complete relaxation and therapeutic benefits. Aromatherapy is an accepted complementary practice amongst many health professionals and many people are enjoying the benefits of this powerful and natural therapy.

The results of aromatherapy are very individual. No two persons are affected by the same essential oil in exactly the same way. Even the same person can be affected differently by the same oil depending on surroundings, time of day or mood.

What are the Benefits of Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy massage is helpful in the treatment of many conditions. It is suitable for people of all ages, from tiny babies to older people, men and women.  It has been found to be particularly helpful for the following conditions:

• Anxiety, stress, depression and nervous tension
• Fatigue (including chronic fatigue) and ME
• General pain reduction
• Insomnia and poor sleep patterns
• Headaches and migraines
• Impaired immune system
• Menstrual problems, pregnancy and the menopause
• Constipation / diarrhoea
• Digestive disorders
• Poor circulation
• Neuralgia
• High / Low blood pressure
• Respiratory conditions including asthma and sinusitis
• Muscular aches and pains, including sports injuries
• Skin conditions and skin care
• Jetlag
• Vertigo