Massage and Essential Oils

As a massage therapist, or related bodywork professional, you may increase the benefits of your treatments for your clients by
adding therapeutic grade essential oils to your work. High quality essential oils are documented to repair and rejuvenate the
musculature and nervous systems, bring forth deep relaxation, and assist the physical and emotional healing processes.
Using essential oils with your massage clients is quite simple, although there are a few tips to keep in mind.

Dilute the oils or use “neat”?

All of the oils listed on at the end of this article are safe for the skin and typically fine used directly, undiluted, on the skin
(referred to as “neat”). The most effective way to gain the full therapeutic benefit of the oils is to apply them neat then “feather”
them in with the back of your fingertips. After applying the essential oil, add your carrier oil. The feathering technique
stimulates the nerve endings on the skin to draw the essential oil into the system. This can be done at any time throughout the
session.

There are a few other essential oils you may want to use that are considered “hot” and are to be used with caution. These are
Cinnamon, Thieves, Oregano, Lemongrass and Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris). Even with these hot oils, use neat, in small
amounts, and plan on adding a carrier oil within a minute or two to soothe the skin, if it should begin to redden or the client tells
you they feel any itching or burning sensations.

*If an essential oil ever creates heat or an irritation on the skin, do no add water, add a carrier oil to dilute the effects and
soothe the skin. Water will only intensify the problem.

How many drops to use?

Young Living’s essential oils are pure and undiluted, making them highly concentrated and quite potent. For a client just
beginning with essential oils, start with using 1-3 drops of one chosen oil. If you have a concern with skin sensitivity, test with a
small amount of the essential oil on the client’s forearm. If all goes well with this treatment, next time you may want to add a
second oil, again, using 1-3 drops. When using more than one essential oil in a treatment, use them in a “layering” fashion.
This means use one oil, feather it in, and then start with another (Marjoram, then Peppermint, for instance). The constituents of
one oil get absorbed without conflicting with the power of the other oil. Waiting even 15 seconds between oils is sufficient.

Stay in communication with your client and trust your intuition as to how much, how often, and how many different oils to use
per treatment. As a general rule, use 1-3 drops of each oil, using as many different oils as you feel necessary, and the client
feels comfortable.

*Remember, with the detoxifying effect of these potent oils, you, as the therapist, will also feel an effect. Begin by using the
oils on yourself, slowly cleansing and strengthening your system. Then move into using them on your clients.

** A general rule of thumb for using essential oils regularly: if there is an oil you are needing and want to use every day,
skip a day a week, or use for three weeks and skip a week, before resuming daily use.

Considering Client Sensitivities

Find out if you have any clients who are sensitive to aromas. Do not plan to use the oils with them (at least initially) or with the
client before them so that a sensitive person does not need to smell the scents of the oils. Why would someone be highly
sensitive to essential oils? It may be that, even without applying them to the skin, a detoxification process is initiated. If a
person has absorbed an excess of heavy metals or other toxic chemicals throughout their life, this detoxification will be
uncomfortable.

It may also be that the aroma triggers an uncomfortable emotional reaction. Essential oils are known to release hidden
emotions and have been used for emotional release work for centuries. Unless emotional release work is part of your
practice and the client is in agreement, their boundaries here must be respected.

My Approach to Essential Oils

There are many ways to approach essential oil usage. In France, essential oils are a part of the pharmacopoeia. Doctors
and aromatherapists prescribe them to be used topically on the skin, to be inhaled, and to be taken internally. Oils are used
for help with physical and emotional issues. The English school of aromatherapy has a more conservative approach to using
essential oils. There, it is recommended that oils only be used when diluted with a carrier oil on the skin and they say not to
take them internally. In Germany, most of the recommended usage of essential oils is for emotional issues, more than
physical. In Egypt and Turkey, they are used more similarly to the French approach.

My approach is very like the French. I like to use essential oils in my massage practice, with or without carrier oils. I inhale
them; I diffuse them; I take them internally; I massage them on my feet and other areas of my body. I think that each of us has
to do our research and discover what works best for us.

So, what oils do I use and recommend for massage?

Here are a variety of essential oils commonly used by massage therapists and a brief description of their benefits.   There are
other essential oils that may help with various issues that clients bring in with them. If you want to learn more, there is a
reference list at the end of this information sheet. The ones with an * are my favorites.   (Young Living Essential Oil’s blends
are denoted by an underline.)

    *Valor balances the electrical energies within the body; may help to balance and align the physical body and relieve pain
along the spine; calming and relaxing; helps hold adjustments

    *Believe contains Idaho balsam fir, frankincense, and rosewood. Calms the spirit; stimulates the mind, supportive for the
nervous and immune systems; good for muscle and bone

    *Sacred Mountain creates a feeling of protection, empowerment, and grounding

    *Lavender muscle relaxant, calming and relaxing, helps body fight inflammation

    *Aroma Siez   relaxes sore, spastic muscles resulting from injury, fatigue, or stress

    *Marjoram anti-spasmodic and muscle relaxant, sedating (my favorite ‘muscle’ oil)

    *Lemongrass useful for soreness, injuries of the connective tissue (especially with Marjoram)

    *Basil anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, revitalizing, uplifting

    *Three Wise Men helps the muscles release traumatic memory from their tissues

   Idaho Balsam Fir helps soothe sore muscles and aching bodies

    Geranium regenerative to the nerves and tissues, balancing to the hormonal system, refreshing

    *Wintergreen helps body fight inflammation and spasms, warming, good for deep tissue and bone

    Rosemary anti-spasmodic, revitalizing, may be helpful with chronic fatigue

    *Peppermint anti-inflammatory to the nerves, works as a “pusher” for other oils, may be helpful with chronic fatigue,
revitalizing

    Peace & Calming relaxing, may alleviate depression, anxiety, and symptoms of stress

    Ylang Ylang anti-spasmodic, sedating, balancing, uplifting, excellent for the skin

    Dragon Time helpful for hormonal balance, menstrual cramping and discomfort

I encourage you to research the subject for yourself, seek out different perspectives, experiment on yourself, and discover how
you can incorporate the use of therapeutic essential oils into your life and work. The benefits of combining the two powerful
modalities of massage and aromatherapy are truly amazing.

Thank you to Reilly Murphy-Evans for her encouragement and information.

References:

Aromatherapy by Vivian Lunny M.D.

Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art by Kathi Keville & Mindy Green

Aromatherapy Blends & Remedies by Franzesca Watson

Essential Oils Desk Reference (compiled by Essential Science Publishing, 1-800-336-6308

Natural Home Health Care by Daniel Penoel, M.D. and Rose-Marie Penoel

Reference Guide for Essential Oils by Connie and Alan Higley (Abundant Health, 1-888-718-3068)

The Essential Oils Book: Creating Personal Blends for Mind & Body by Colleen K. Dodt

For more information email Nancy Cebula or call her at 303.499.1607.

This information is for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug
Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.