Aromatherapy Massage Techniques

There are three main ways in which the benefits of the essential oils can be obtained

1 - Bathing

Add 1 to 2 capfuls of bath oil into a warm bath.
Body shampoo – use one capful on a wet flannel, massage mitt or directly onto your hand and then apply straight onto wet skin.

2 - Inhalation

Pour one capful of the relevant Arrivarome oil into a, bowl of hot water and cover your head with a towel. Inhale the vapours taking care not to scald your skin with the steam.

3 – Massage

Effleurage: A series of gentle, soothing strokes, which enable the Arrivarome oils to penetrate the body. Use your whole hands, not just your fingers, in strokes which are long, short, firm or gentle. Keep your hands relaxed in this movement to allow the muscles to relax, nerve endings to be soothed, circulation increased, stress and tension relieved.

Petrissage: This is like gently needing dough. Each movement should be slow and careful, without causing pain. Helpful for fatty areas and backs. They can relax the muscles, increase circulation, help lymphatic flow and aid the release of trapped toxins. Use slight pressure on the thumbs.

Arms: Massage up towards the armpit, using effleurage or petrissage, on the fatty or muscular areas only.

Legs: Always massage legs upwards. Use effleurage alone or with petrissage on the fatty or muscular areas only. Never over varicose areas.

Feet: Massage from the toes to the heel, thumbs under the foot and fingers on top.

Head Massage: Put the relevant Arrivarome oil on your finger tips and work all over the scalp.

Migraine & Headaches: Massage around the base of the neck and work upwards to the base of the scalp. Continue massaging this area for a few moments. Use your fingers to apply the Migracalm to the temples and forehead with firm but gentle circular movements.

Neck: Use small, firm circular movements, working from the base of the neck, either side of the vertebrae, to the base of the scalp. Work to the sides of the neck and repeat the movements, this time gently, and work down again. Repeat several times.

Shoulders: Massage into the muscles with effleurage and petrissage movements. Using your thumbs and palms make firm strokes from the shoulder to the neck and back again

Back: Firm or gentle effleurage or petrissage can be used. Do not massage over the vertebrae. Start from the lumbar region of the back, and with two hands stroke all the way up to the shoulders. Slide the hands over the shoulders and return down the sides of the back. Repeat this movement as many times as you like.

Abdomen: Use circular movements only, in a clockwise direction. Effleurage is the best stroke to use for this.

Women's Reproductive Problems: Massage using effleurage movements. Begin at the lower back and slide over the hips. Now slide each hand separately over the abdomen, and repeat the whole process.