Inner Focus Massage and Bodywork

Essential Oils

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Does Aromatherapy Really Work?

So what’s the deal with aromatherapy?  Does aromatherapy actually work? You’ve purchased some lavender-scented hand soap and citrus body lotion, and you’ve notice that certain smells can make you feel relaxed and happy, while others can instantly bring about unpleasant thoughts.  Plus, you know that whether it’s the scent of fresh laundry hanging in the sun, a whiff of your grandpa’s after shave, or the odor of a certain drink or food whose ingestion once preceded a nasty bout of stomach virus, good or bad, smells have a particularly acute way of triggering memories, emotions, and moods.  The science behind this tells us that the olfactory bulb is tightly wired to the amygdala (responsible for processing emotion) and hippocampus (helps with associative learning).  This, coupled with the experience we’re having when we first smell something, leads to strong emotions being associated with certain aromas.

But actually using scents as a therapeutic tool?  Are there health benefits of aromatherapy?  The truth is that certain therapeutic-grade scents can not only change how you feel on a surface level, but some essential oils and the scents they emit can actually offer some real benefits, especially when paired with massage therapy.  The best part?  Essential oils offer all of their therapeutic attributes with nary a pill in sight – medication-free!  It is for this very reason that aromatherapy is making great gains in popularity among those striving to live in a more natural, chemical-free way.  And, at Elements Massage, we’re all about feeling your best in the most natural way possible.  Here are some of our favorite essential oils to use during a massage:

  • We love lavender!  Perhaps the most popular of all the oils, lavender is great for inviting a sense of relaxation and well-being.  It is balancing, soothing, healing, and normalizing.  When paired with a massage, it can improve sleep, reduce anxiety, and promote deep relaxation.
  • Bright citrus, including sweet orange, lemon, grapefruit, and lime, are cheering and uplifting.  Users will feel refreshed and will find their mood lifted.  For clients who want to feel energized and uplifted during and after a massage, we use our Radiance blend which blends citrus, a hint of pine, and more.
  • Eucalyptus is like the superhero of essential oils.  Not only does its scent leave the user feeling more focused and energized, but when applied topically during a massage, it soothes muscles and helps purify the skin.  Plus, if you happen to be suffering from allergies or an otherwise stuffy nose, eucalyptus can help to open up your airways.

Next time you have an appointment with Jodi, be sure to discuss adding the healing element of essential oils used in aromatherapy to your massage.  Not only will you walk away, as always, feeling great from your massage, but the essential oils Jodi uses may just heighten and improve your experience all the more. For an appointment, call Jodi at Inner Focus Massage – 701-238-8257.

Does Aromatherapy Help With Anxiety?

It’s the obsessive thoughts.  Or the overwhelming worry.  The sweaty hands and heart palpitations, and even the fear of making small talk at a party are often telltale signs.  Even though you haven’t slept well for days, you still feel way too wired to fall asleep.  It can also manifest itself into chronic bowel irritability – yikes!  If you suffer from regular anxiety, then these symptoms are uncomfortably familiar to you.  Writer and politician John Lubbock once said that “a day of worry is more exhausting than a week of work.”  Anxiety is life-altering, and can make the sufferer miserable – you know this all too well.  Do you also know that anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in in the United States?  A whopping 40 million adults experience chronic anxiety; that’s 18% of our population, or one in every 5.5 of us.

Unfortunately, most people who experience anxiety either don’t treat the illness at all, or resort to prescription drugs immediately, without considering alternative therapies.  The prescription drugs, while effective in treating anxiety symptoms, are not without their own set of symptoms.  Many people report experiencing cognitive difficulties and dizziness.  And, ironically, the withdrawal symptoms of many anti-anxiety medications actually include anxiety.

If you are one of the millions of anxiety sufferers, you may be yearning for a safe, all-natural possible anxiety aid.  If so, and if your doctor agrees, consider trying aromatherapy.  Unclear about what, exactly, aromatherapy is?  When you get your massage, and enjoy the scents of eucalyptus, citrus, lavender, and other botanicals used by your massage therapist, you’re reaping the benefits of aromatherapy whether you realize it or not.  The scents of the oils stimulate nasal nerves, which then in turn send impulses to the areas of the brain that control emotion and memory.  The affect the fragrances have on you depends on what oil was used, as each oil has specific influences on your mind and emotions.

For anxiety specifically, sweet orange, lavender, and bergamot are very effective.  Other oils to try include lemon, Roman chamomile, rose, sandalwood, and clary sage.  To enjoy their scents and experiment their efficacy on your anxiety, try using an oil diffuser to disperse the scent throughout a room.  Or try making a simple room and body spray by mixing three ounces of water, one-half tablespoon of vodka, and 15-40 drops of your desired oil(s) in a four-ounce glass spritzer bottle.  Shake well before each use, and spray in the air or on your body to help keep anxiety at bay.

Keep in mind, too, that massage helps tackle the physical ramifications of your anxiety (think: near-constant jaw-clenching, balling of fists, shoulder-hunching – ouch!) If you have specific needs, requests, or questions about which of our oils or oil blends might be optimal for you, just ask Jodi.  The best part of incorporating aromatherapy into your daily arsenal is that it is completely safe, natural, and is void of side effects when used properly.  And considering that anxiety costs the United States around $42 billion per year, it seems that a less-expensive, all-natural, totally accessible anxiety fix is in high need.  Consider regular massage your health insurance, preventative medicine, and an ongoing fix for your stress and anxiety.  And because Inner Focus Massage and Bodywork uses only high-quality oils for your massages, you can be sure that we are an impactful piece of your mental health, physical health, and overall wellness.  Questions? Call Jodi at 701-238-8257

The Raindrop Technique; Essential Oils That Heal

Essential oils are in the first press of plants, much like Extra Virgin Olive Oil. They are the lifeblood of the plant and they carry with them concentrated natural chemicals that have intense healing effects. This is where it all begins.

There a volumes of books that outline the plants and their healing properties, and there are volumes of plants that carry these healing properties. There is a vast array of uses for these essential oils. These healing properties can be further elevated when combining certain oils for a synergistic effect, which amplifies the individual oils’ benefits. Massage is the best method to directly apply these oils into the skin for the effective delivery of the healing benefits. Not to mention, it smells and feels fantastic for the mind, body and spirit.

The Raindrop Technique

This is a very specific technique formulated by Dr. Gary Young. This technique is utilized by many in the Natural Health field. There are Chiropractors, Acupuncturists and medical physicians who have researched and utilized this service. The Raindrop technique is beautifully incorporated into any massage session. This consists of a layering of 9 specific essential oils, dropped individually, in specified sequence along the spine & feet, which are very powerful spots and deliver results, quickly.

The Raindrop Technique is fabulous for strengthening the immune system, reducing inflammation in the body, reducing pain –chronic or acute. Massage therapists have seen many amazing results when a client with specific issues or a condition has regular sessions of this treatment. The degree of seriousness of the condition would determine the frequency of the treatments. For the average healthy person, one treatment a month, with their regular massage session is perfect. This treatment is also a great idea going into cold & flu season.

If you are interested in the benefits of a Raindrop Therapy, call Jodi to schedule an appointment at 701-238-8257.

Enhance your Health with Essential Oils!

What are Essential Oils? The concentrated fluids from the flowers, stems, leaves of plants are known as Essential Oils. These oils have the concentrated compounds that hold the beneficial components of the plant. Much like the dried herbs we buy in the Health Food store, a vast array of plants have healing properties for a number of health issues. However, the oils have a much more powerful effect, as they are immediately absorbed by the skin, and other tissues, depending on how you apply them. Inhalation is a very effective way to experience the benefits of the oils.

 

How are Essential Oils used as part of Massage Therapy??  The Benefits vary from oil to oil, but the Citrus oils, like lemon, grapefruit, tangerine, are all known for their uplifting effect on emotions; some tend to suppress the appetite & are used in weight loss programs; all have a bit of a detoxification effect on the body. They refresh & energize. They also make fabulous cleaners! So, when you add these oils to your massage directly to the skin, right before applying the fatty massage oils, you get an excellent application. Then the massage of the full body gets the circulation increased and the soothing effects of the oils are distributed through your body & mind for great results. Plus…clients are always commenting on how good it smells in my office J.

Different oils provide various benefits so let’s discuss and issues you may be having and there may be an oil that will help with relief for you.