Aromatherapy

No two practices go together better, than that of Bodywork and Aromatherapy. From setting a mood with the use of Candles, to creating a blend to use during a massage or reflexology session, aromatherapy is there.

Since the beginning of time, humans have always relied on a close relationship with nature. To survive, it was important to have the knowledge of plant life within the immediate area to have food, medicine, clothing and housing. Through the observation of animals, we have also learn what to use when we are sick. Sheep when ill will eat yarrow, while bears will eat wild garlic after a long hibernation.

As society has grown, so have problems with the environment. While we have become an urban society in life-style and in economic terms, we have become a rather disastrous to ourselves. This is shown by the ailments caused by pollution and stress that continue to grow by leaps and bounds annually. As a society, many have turned back to nature’s herbs and essential oils to help reverse the harmful effects of urban life.

Extracted from plants, shrubs, trees, flowers, seeds, roots, and grasses are these precious oils that are referred to as Essential oils. While aromatic oils promote plant growth, aid in the reproduction by attracting pollinating insects, repelling predators, the oils can also protect against disease. When we take this natural magic from nature to blend, these oils create the most enjoyable and wonderfully effective products that one can imagine.

Theses aromatic essences can be used for massage, skin, hair, deodorants and healthcare. When used in a diffuser or misted into the air, they can create a beautiful perfume. The essences bring the beauty of nature into our homes, offices and yes even our cars.

With all of my running off at the keyboard, I need to get to the reason for this entry. Ways that I have found to help my clients relax when they enter my office through the use of aromatherapy and essential oils.

Application

Pure essential oils have a wide range of therapeutic benefits. The method applied can effect the results you receive. First of all, please remember that almost no essential oil should be applied neat (undiluted) to the skin. "Normal dilution" is 2.5%, ie, 15 drops of the essential oil or synergistic blend to one ounce of carrier oil. Less is more when we speak of these powerful healing essences.

Because client often ask, "how to dilute"..."blend” “drops”, etc, you will find the following dilution and measurement charts:

How to achieve a specific dilution:

For one fluid ounce (600 drops) of carrier oil:

1% of 600	=	6	drops
2% of 600	=	12	drops
2.5% of 600	=	15	drops
5% of 600	=	30	drops OR	1.5 ml
10% of one oz	=	60	drops OR	3 ml

Measurements/conversions (volume)

30 ml	1 fl oz	600 drops	2 tablespoonsfull
15 ml	1/2 oz	300 drops	1 tablespoonfull
5 ml	1/6 oz	100 drops	1 teaspoon
1 ml	1/30th oz	20 drops	1/5 teaspoon

Carrier Oils

A carrier oil is a vegetable oil derived from the fatty portion of a plant, usually from the seeds, kernels or the nuts.

Each carrier oil offers a different combination of therapeutic properties and characteristics. The choice of carrier oil can depend on the therapeutic benefit being sought.

Natural lotions, creams, body oils, bath oils, lip balms and other moisturizing skin care products are also made using vegetable (carrier) oils. From a simple essential oil/carrier oil blend to a more complex natural lotion, your choice of carrier oil can make a difference in the therapeutic properties, color, overall aroma and shelf life of your final product. Carrier oils are pressed from the fatty portions (seeds, nuts, kernels) and do not evaporate or impart their aroma as strongly as essential oils. Carrier oils can go rancid over time, but essential oils do not. Instead, essential oils "oxidize" and lose their therapeutic benefits, but they don't go rancid.

Disclaimer The statements made on this blog have not been evaluated by the FDA (U.S. Food & Drug Administration). Information presented here are not intended to diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. If a condition persists, please contact your physician or health care provider. The information provided by this blog or this company is not a substitute for a face-to-face consultation with a health care provider, and should not be construed as individual medical advice. The testimonials on this blog do not guarantee or imply the same results. Everything you read on this blog is copyrighted. If you would like to borrow our descriptions, please link back to the page from which they were borrowed.

Events in the Development of Reflexology **

• 2500 BC China Beginnings of Acupuncture in China

• 2330 BC Egypt Tomb of Ankhm'ahor built depicting practice of surgical operations, or treatment of both hands and feet

• 1582 AD Europe The first book on zone therapy is published by Doctors Adamus and A'tatis

• 1776 AD Per Hernick Ling was noted for his gymnastic; lingism, as it was later known, was the treatment of disease with both active and passive moves

• 1800 AD Britian Treatment by Acupuncture was introduced and the term 'reflex' used by many medical men
  

• 1800 AD (abt) Japan Reiki an energy based healing system based on an old Tibetan texts, came forward from the teachings of Dr Mikao Usui; the theory was that the ki, (life force) was channelled through the practitioner, who in turn would convey this Rei ( Universal life Energy) through the practitioner's hands and into whoever needed it

• Late 1800s Germany Mendel-Bekhterev reflex response was found showing dysfunction in the corticospinal tract; Kurt MEndel (1874- 1946) a neurologist. Hermann Oppenheim (1858-1936), a neurologist, found when pressure was applied on the tibial crest there is a fanning of all toes and an extension of the great toe.

• 1892 AD France Dr Joseph Francois Felix Babinski (1875 - 1942) a neurologist, ascertained the plantar reflex.

• 1893 AD England Sir Henry Head (1861-1940) a neurologist, published research proving a direct relationship between pressure applied to the skin and the effect on internal organs. Later this was clarified to be the effects of dermatomes

• 1895 AD United States Dr William Fitzgerald (1872 - 1942) the originator of the theory of zone therapy
  

• 1913 -20 AD Washington Fitzgerald went to Washington to teach and lecture to Shelby-Riley students

• 1917 AD United States Edwin Bowers MD and William Fitzgerald MD published Zone Therapy and many other books during that time

• 1919 AD United States Dr Joe Shelby-Riley published first of 12 books about Zone Therapy

• 1928 AD Russia Bekhterev has his work translated into English

• 1938 AD United States Eunice Ingham (24 February 1889 - 10 December 1974) published 'Stories the Feet Can Tell'

• 1945 AD United States Eunice Ingham published 'Stories the Feet Have Told'

• 1949 AD United States Dr Roy S Ashton published 'The Fundamental System Bad Feet-Bad Spine showing the connection between foot abnormalities and the spine

• 1955 AD United States Harry Bond Bressler published his book Zone Therapy confirming all of Dr William Fitzgerald's work

• 1966 AD England Doreen Bayly returned from America after training with Eunice Ingham and introduced reflexology to Britain; she published her first foot chart in Black and White in 1966 entitled 'The Eunice Ingham method chart produced by Doreen Bayly'

• 1978 England 'Reflexology Today, The Stimulation of The Body's Healing Forces Through Foot Massage' was published by Doreen Bayly. Her earlier chart was reproduced in colour in 1970

• 1978 Taiwan Father Joseph Eugster began his dedicated work, teaching reflexology

• 1980s England Complementary medicine and reflexology specifically became a growth area; by this time over 80 books had now been written, and many articles, some with conflicting points but many stating a similar theme. Societies and associations were formed from 1983 onwards around the world. Schools were set up with many offering short training programmes leading to a certification to practice

** Reflexology, The Definitive Practitioner's Manual, by Beryl Crane, Published Element 1997

Reflexology and Some Common Reactions

Reflexology's primary benefits after a session include relaxation and stress reduction. Other benefits will be an improvement in your body's circulation which is how oxygen and vital nutrients are delivered throughout the body to it's furthest areas.

Sometimes during a session or even after you may have the sensation of being cold. This can happen because the body lowers the core temperature as you become more relaxed- the same happens when you go to sleep at night. You may also experience perspiration as the body warms up. This is especially true following a session when you have to travel back to home or work. You could also, during the session, feel either faint or queasy during a session, but this is alright, for your body is making adjustments within you and know that you are going to be fine.

Many times during a session I will hear comments from the client as to what he/she are feeling at that time. Matt* at his second session commented, "I feel a tingling from my feet up my legs and into different areas of my body when the Reflexologist worked the different areas of my feet."

Rachel* experience during one of her sessions was very different, "I felt so relaxed and sleepy, I could have stayed for another hour."

Reactions that occur between sessions usually last only a day or two and indicate that the body is returning to a state of balance. Some of the most common complaints are:

• Tiredness. Parasympathetic nervous system has become more dominant. The body's reaction is the need for more sleep so it can rest and repair.
  

• You may also find that you are energized with more vitality.
  

• Change in sleeping pattern. You may find that you have become so relaxed that your sleep becomes deeper and calmer. Also, you might find that your sleep has become disturbed for a while and dreams may be more active and frequent.

• Increased activity of the skin as it eliminates toxins can cause increased perspiration and rashes.

• Frequent urination and the urine might become cloudy with an unpleasant Oder.

• Frequent bowel movements. As the digestive tract has been stimulated to normalize or cleanse, it may eliminate toxins by producing frequent dowel movements or diarrhea.

• Increased Mucus discharge from the nose may occur which also marks a cleansing process. Mucus can be released from clogged sinuses, the ileo-cecal valve, or small intestines.
  

• Illness which may have been suppressed and never really healed may flare up and present itself as a fever or some other symptom which should go away in a day or so.

• Emotional or psychological releases may result, such as crying.

The next time, you have a Reflexology Session watch just how your entire body, Body, Mind and Spirit, responds while you are in the Chair- what is the sensation you are experiencing? Floating away, Drifting, are you feeling an emotional release during or after. How are you sleeping after a session; is your sleep deeper, what are your dreams doing. All of these are signs that Reflexology is helping you and your body to find balance and relax. Ask your Reflexologist about your experience since the last session, These are just a few and never hesitate to ask.

For more information I refer you to Kevin and Barbara Kunz, who are known for both their Books and Research in Reflexology.

Basic Terms To Get Started

AROMATHERAPY
-the therapeutic use of aromatic plants extracts and essential oils in baths, air or massage.

MASSAGE
-kneading and rubbing parts of the body to increase circulation and promote relaxation

MYOFASCIAL PAIN
-Most people have muscle pain from time to time. But myofascial pain is a kind of ongoing or longer-lasting pain that can affect...relax muscles and relieve sleep problems related to myofascial pain.

REFLEXOLOGY
- A type of bodywork that focuses on applying pressure to the specific nerve zones in your feet. Unlike other foot massages that intend to mostly relieve tension in the feet themselves, reflexology is a far more in-depth science that aims to harmonize your entire body. According to reflexology, every part of the human body is mapped into the feet. Reflexology treatments have been found to be highly effective for conditions such as allergies, headaches, and depression.

REIKI
-Japanese form of energy healing that cleanses and balances the energy patterns in the body. As a result, the body’s natural self-healing mechanisms strengthen, helping to establish optimum mental, emotional, and physical health.

During a session, I work in energetic connection with you in order to remove blockages, detoxify your energy system, and restore your vital life force energy. The Reiki technique utilizes a gentle laying on of hands to conduct the necessary energy force between us. The benefits of Reiki range from the release of habitual mental/emotional stress to alleviating chronic pain.

SWEDISH
-A very relaxing and therapeutic style of bodywork. It combines oils or lotion with an array of strokes such as rolling, kneading, and percussion to help the body improve its circulation. The benefits of this type of bodywork are wide-ranging and include relief from aches and pains, decreased stress levels in the body, enhanced mental clarity, improved appearance, and greater flexibility.

TRIGGER POINT THERAPY
- Bodywork that focuses on stimulating and releasing “trigger points” in your body. Trigger points are tender areas of tension similar to acupressure points, except they occur in the belly of the muscle tissue rather than along the energy pathways of the body. These ‘knots’ are built up throughout a person’s life due to physical, mental, and/or emotional stress. During a session, focused pressure is applied through a variety of techniques order to release your trigger points. This process can be quite painful at times, yet the effects are lasting and profoundly transformative.


(list is ongoing. Will be updated)

Welcome

Welcome to the world of Aromatherapy, Massage, Reflexology, Reiki and Massage with Style. My name is Liz and I am the owner of Massage with Style. Located in a beautiful small bedroom community to both Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR.

What will be the topic within this blog will be the use of Alternative Healthcare and what can be done within that area of healthcare with the tools that I have been train to use. I believe that education of the client should be at the front of every session and therefore the blog works for the area of my practice.

Feel free to ask questions and if I can't answer them you will be refered to those that do have more experience than I do. I don't know everything, but I do know what works for myself and my clients.

I hope you will gain just a bit and enjoy future post.