HANDS UP WHO’S NEVER HAD A MASSAGE BEFORE?
I recently had two clients come for an aromatherapy massage that had NEVER had a massage before, no pressure then!
I have some clients who have been coming to see me for years, some for over a decade and others who come for a short time to alleviate a concern, physical or emotional and then merrily go on their way. Whoever I do treat, I am always honoured and humbled by the trust that people put in me. The two newbies loved their treatment by the way, and one of them fell fast asleep, a massive compliment! You can’t say that often about your job, but a client falling asleep is a true sign of trust and pure relaxation.
As an aromatherapist I combine my massage with the addition of essential oils. I will always make a bespoke blend tailored to the client’s needs for that session, and with over 55 essential oils to choose from in my kit, there is always an oil that fits the bill.
Smell is personal, so I will always include the client in the blending process. There’s no point in telling a client that a certain essential oil will support or calm a condition when they don’t like the aroma! Smell is very closely linked to the memory center in our brain, which explains why a smell can transport you to a certain time and place.
So why come for a massage in the first place?
Massage is a set of moves and strokes that manipulate the soft tissues of the body to induce relaxation, ease pain and restore wellbeing. There are many different ‘types’ of massage and I use a variety of strokes from various approaches including Acupressure and Swedish massage. The word massage comes from the French meaning ‘friction or kneading’, which in turn comes from Arabic word ‘massa’ meaning to touch or feel.
So much research exists about the power of touch, and this was something that people talked about during the Covid Pandemic when being ‘touch hungry’ was a real thing! We are a tactile species and need touch to thrive.
Massage is known to
Reduce stress
Reduce muscle tension
Improve circulation
Stimulate the lymphatic system
Induce relaxation
Increase joint mobility and flexibility
Improve skin tone
Aid restful sleep
Support the digestive system
So, what’s stopping you having a massage?
With all those benefits it seems like a no brainer to me.
I offer a full body treatment or back, neck & shoulders. A full body treatment may seem a little daunting to someone who hasn’t had a massage before so a back, neck & shoulder treatment is a great way to explore the experience.
The client is always in charge and there is always a pretreatment discussion on the aim of the massage, and what, if any parts of the body you don’t want massaged. It won’t surprise you to know that a few people don’t like their feet done!
I am always happy to answer any queries you may have about what an Aromatherapy Treatment involves, so do get in touch (no pun intended) and see for yourself how massage can play a crucial role in your well-being!