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How do you incorporate essential oils into your treatments?

I'd love your input for an upcoming article in Massage & Bodywork magazine!

Tell me... How do you incorporate essential oils into your massage and bodywork practice? What are some of your favorite ways to integrate them into your treatments, or handy tips that you'd share with an MT who's looking to get started with essential oils?

Post your comments below, and you just might see yourself in an upcoming issue of Massage & Bodywork magazine!

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Permalink Reply by Michele Ellis on July 17, 2012 at 2:14pm

I'm glad this is being brought up. The only way I've learned to use essential oils is the "Aveda" way. Pick 3 oils from each element and let them smell them and pick which one they would like. I like this for some treatments but I'd like to learn more ways.

The oils I always have in my room are lavender and eucalyptus. I just love the smell of lavender and when I get one of those clients that smell really bad (doesn't happen very often, but still happens) it's nice cause it's not overly strong yet masks the smell. Usually these clients just came from a work out and didn't realize they got that bad or just didn't have time to go home and shower. Eucalyptus is just great for clearing up congestion. My clients love then I put Eucalyptus on them when I flip them on their backs.

Those of you that are really educated on aromatherapy and the essential oils, what do you think of Lotus Touch essential oils? I see most of you use Young Living essential oils. Did you start with another brand or always use that? What brand to you suggest starting out with? Good essential oils are on the expensive side, so those starting out might need to start with something of a lower quality.

I do use Lotus Touch at the moment. I have a Young Living essential oil guide book that I got while I was still in school. So I have known about them for a while. I never seem to be able to find where to buy them from though. What website do you use?

OK. Enough pestering questions for now.

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Permalink Reply by Katie Clair on July 17, 2012 at 11:10pm

Living in Ohio where sinus problems reign supreme I almost always add essential oils to my massages. I love the Olbas blend oil which can be applied directly at the temples and occiput and then i wipe my hands a bit and do a massage of all sinus acupressure points on the face and scalp, followed by a few neck stretches and then begin the massage. Lavender is also great to and to any massage where the client has sensitive skin, And my clients LOVE raindrop therapy :)

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on July 18, 2012 at 11:12am

For alergies try blending 5 drops of wintergreen EO in 1/2 ounce of jojoba oil. Put a drop or two on the ends of a q-tip for the client to wipe in their nose. Wintergreen is a natural antihistamine. My clients always ask for it after trying it once when the winds blow.

Katie Clair said:

Living in Ohio where sinus problems reign supreme I almost always add essential oils to my massages. I love the Olbas blend oil which can be applied directly at the temples and occiput and then i wipe my hands a bit and do a massage of all sinus acupressure points on the face and scalp, followed by a few neck stretches and then begin the massage. Lavender is also great to and to any massage where the client has sensitive skin, And my clients LOVE raindrop therapy :)

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Permalink Reply by Laura Garza on July 19, 2012 at 10:33am

I'm still in school but copy what some of my therapist have done with me - rub peppermint on my hands and have the client inhale. Then I move on to face and/or head massage. I like it towards the end as it changes what I feel after putting it on. I've also used lavender depending on if the client needs calming or stimulating (peppermint). I can't wait to learn more. Katie mention Olbas oil which I love and have been using on myself for aches and pains. I think it would be a great addition to a sports massage!