Top 6 Massage Oils According to Massage Therapists
Some oils are more difficult to use than others. Some oils remain greasy, making it uncomfortable to move around. The most comfortable and the most environmentally friendly oils can be found in many different types of oil blends. In this article, we have highlighted the top five massage oils according to Massage Therapists for their skin type-appropriate blend options as well as essential oil blends that they recommend using with them.
What is aromatherapy oil massage?
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
Essential Oils are aromatic plants that can be grown throughout the world. They come in a variety of sizes, colors and smells with each having different physiological benefits. For example, lavender offers anti-inflammatory properties while peppermint is used to help relieve headaches or migraines when misted as part of aromatherapy treatments.
Essential oils cannot be used in full strength as it is too concentrated to do so. They should always be diluted, either by applying a milder oil or giving them time to evaporate into the room with a humidifier. Attendants performing aromatherapy will typically apply the oil during their massage and diffuse it before they leave you alone for healing time. It can also commonly accompany other therapies such as chiropractic work in order to complement the treatment being given.
What are the benefits of massaging with aromatherapy oils?
The benefits of massaging with aromatherapy oils include the following:
- Massage therapy can be used to soothe ailments such as arthritis, stress and depression.
- Essential oils are a natural way of addressing physical symptoms instead of relying on pharmaceuticals that may have side effects or negative interactions.
Massages help normalize bodily functions in people who suffer from chronic pain due to tension affecting their muscles or organs. This will not only improve well-being but also improve blood circulation which is key for healing injured tissues through oxygenation and nutrient delivery.
The use of essential oils during massage offers a relaxing environment while providing relief from common aches and pains (e.g., headaches). It is beneficial because it does not interfere with other treatments like medications or surgery.
Essential oils have been found to reduce cortisol levels in individuals with chronic pain, as well as reduced stress and anxiety levels for both the therapist and client. Massage therapists can feel confident that it is safe to incorporate essential oils into their practice because they are natural substances without any negative side effects.
Peppermint oil
This oil is one of the most versatile oils. It is perfect for warming up cold feet and hands during a massage, alleviates tension headaches, can be used as an insect repellent by applying it to skin or clothing, and will provide relief from nausea if taken internally in small doses.
Peppermint mint oil also has many benefits when applied topically such as improving mental clarity and energizing muscles, but these effects are lost if there is no carrier oil like sweet almond or grapeseed oil because the mint essential oil itself may cause irritation to sensitive tissue without dilution with butter or another type of animal fat.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is a great oil for acne because it has natural antibacterial properties, and can also be used to help heal wounds.
tea tree is a good essential oil to apply topically at home or in the clinic during an acute infection such as cellulitis when applied directly over the affected area of the skin with sterile cotton swabs. The antimicrobial effect will lessen untreated bacterial growth that may exacerbate symptoms. It's also beneficial when mixed with carrier oils like olive oil or jojoba to using as a massage base for localized pain relief from muscle aches and arthritis flare-ups.
Turmeric essential oil
Known as "Indian gold" turmeric has been used in Indian culture for centuries as an anti-inflammatory agent that also helps soothe pain from arthritis, muscle aches, and rheumatism by reducing inflammation caused by swelling. Massage therapists use it mixed with other oils when treating these conditions because it's not always absorbed well by the skin.
Eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus oil is a great choice for relieving congestion. It can be
diluted with carrier oils like olive or coconut and applied topically to help relieve stuffy noses, coughs, wheezing, sinuses, and congestion from the common cold - just mix several drops of eucalyptus into your chosen carrier oil and rub on chest area using circular motions.
This makes it perfect for alleviating the discomfort of those pesky cramps after a long day in front of your computer or school desk - I'm not kidding! Massage therapists recommend mixing it with coconut oil because its absorbency helps you get more relief from less product while also boosting circulation which will leave you feeling better throughout the duration of your massage.
Fractionated Coconut Oil
This oil is made up only of the medium-chain triglycerides in coconut oil. This type of oil is less slick than traditional massage oils and is well-suited to short strokes used for targeting muscle tension. This product should not be used on people with a
coconut allergy, or latex allergies, as it may cause an allergic reaction. This oil has a long shelf life and will usually cost less than other oils. It washes out cleanly from linen and does not stain sheets as many other massage oils do.
Almond Oil
Sweet almond oil is moderately oily, which allows hands to glide easily over skin. It absorbs fairly quickly, but not so quickly that you need to reapply it all the time. People who have allergies should avoid this oil because of how easy it builds up on sheets and stains clothes with prolonged use. These oils usually don't irritate skin and are reasonably priced for the size of their bottle.
Bottom line: Sweet almond oil can maintain a workable level of grease without being excessively expensive or irritating your complexion; however people with nut-related allergies should watch for any allergic reactions before using.
Lavender Oil
Herbaceous, and slightly floral - lavender oil is a great choice for easing sore muscles. It has been traditionally used to
relieve pain and anxiety as well as promote sleep. Lavender can be applied in various ways: rubbed on the skin, added to bathwater, or inhaled from an aromatherapy pen device all of which have their benefits when it comes to massage therapies.
The downside? This type of oil doesn't last long because it breaks down easily with exposure to light and air; additionally, it's more expensive than other oils so you'll need more bottles at one time than others would require- especially if your clients come weekly as most do!
Can you use essential oil as massage oil?
Oils are popular for massage because of their ability to penetrate deep below the skin's surface, as well as transport healing properties.
Essential oils primarily consist of a single type of plant oil (or sometimes a blend) and can be made from either plants or spices: ginger, lavender, peppermint and rosemary essential oils are all often used in massages. In fact, most therapists will have at least one on hand during sessions! However not all essential oils should be applied directly onto the skin; some may cause irritation or allergic reactions. It is important that you consult your client before applying any new product to them- for example, if they have sensitive skin it would probably be best to avoid using an essential oil like lavender which is known to cause irritation.
Essential oils are often used in massages for one of two reasons- either they have a specific therapeutic purpose or as an aromatic addition to the massage session, creating an environment that promotes relaxation and serenity. You may want to experiment with different essential oils until you find one that suits your needs best- some may be more suited for use on sore muscles while others might work better when teamed up with other products during the massage process (such as lotions).