Aromatherapy is a complimentary and holistic natural therapy utilising the healing properties of plants in the form of essential oils, to the benefit of your total well-being. The essential oils are volatile and therefore highly aromatic and enjoyable to use.

There are different application methods used in aromatherapy, including: massage, baths, inhalation, vaporisation, ointments, body and face oils, natural perfumes, and compresses.

Aromatherapy massage is very relaxing, enjoyable and healing. We will also work into tense spots to ensure your muscles are restored to a relaxed state too.

The essential oils used at Massage Sense are 100% naturally extracted from plants, flowers, barks and roots that has a strong pleasant scent and are mixed with a base oil. These are then absorbed through the skin and travels via the bloodstream where it has a therapeutically working on your total body and organs.The process can take 24-36 hours.

The scents can also teach us to deal with frustrations, stress, rejection and with insecurities. Thus it improves the emotional as well as your physical health.

Before the treatment the therapist will consult your well-being at that moment, she will then prepare a personalised mixture for you, that you can take home after the session.

Essential oils are concentrated natural essences from plants that are extracted through the process of steam distillation or cold expression of plant material such as flowers, leaves, grasses, trees, fruits and roots – from a single botanical source.

Each essential oil is comprised of a different combination of natural (unaltered) chemical constituents that determine both its aroma and its synergy of therapeutic value. Essential oils directly affect the limbic system in the brain via the olfactory nerves and therefore have an influence on our mind, mood, emotions and memory.

Essential oils are often the active components in beauty products amongst all the chemical additives put into products to preserve them (increase shelf life), add fake fragrance to make more appealing or colour them to make them look more appealing. Basically with most beauty products out there more care is taken with how they appear and how they are marketed as opposed to whether they are actually good for your skin, hair and health. Therefore it is much better to find natural beauty products to use as much as possible.

Essential oils can be beneficial to different systems in the body such as the immune system, endocrine (hormonal), respiratory, digestive, reproductive, integumentary (hair/skin/nails) and urinary system. They make their way to these body systems by getting into the bloodstream via the skin (massage) and via inhalation.

Aromatherapy is much more than beautiful natural aromas that delight the senses. It is highly effective for reducing stress.
Aromatherapy is also effective for treating colds, coughs, influenza and other viruses.

Many essential oils are anti-viral, anti-bacterial and antiseptic making them especially powerful against these viruses. They can help prevent you from getting sick by being an air-antiseptic and providing some protection from germs, or if you are sick they can help your body heal quicker.

Note however that when treating a virus, you should not have an aromatherapy massage because you risk infecting the therapist and the therapist’s clients.

Instead if you are sick you can utilise the power of the essential oils at home to help you recover quicker and protect your family from getting sick too.

Aromatherapy massage may assist with conditions such as:

• Women’s health issues: PMS and menopause

• Stress and tension

• Digestive issues

• Muscular and general aches and pain

• Emotional issues – assists with anxiety, grief, depression, and irritability.

• Skin conditions – it is soothing internally (reduces stress and therefore inflammation in the body) and externally – e.g. on eczema.

• Insomnia

• High blood pressure

• Headaches and migraines

• Boosts immunity – massage therapy puts our bodies in the “rest and digest” mode and therefore encourages our immune system to return to optimal levels (stress reduces immune activity). Plus many essential oils do have antibacterial, antiviral and antiseptic properties.

Do not use massage therapy to replace your regular medical care or as a reason to postpone seeing a health care provider about a medical problem.

If you have a medical condition and are unsure whether massage therapy would be appropriate for you, discuss your concerns with your health care provider.

You might also look for published research articles on massage therapy for your condition.