Bellanina Facelift Massage
September 1, 2010 by angie
Filed under Massage Therapy, Wellness
The Bellanina Facelift Massage System (formerly Belavi Facelift Massage) is a time tested, proven technique that offers a solution to anti-aging and stress relief. When you receive a Bellanina Facelift Massage, not only are facial muscles toned and tightened and the skin softened, and you are put in a state of deep relaxation – sheer bliss! With repeated Facelift Massage in weekly sessions, you can begin to see noticeable changes in your face and neck. Once the face is toned, it is easier to keep it in shape. If you are considering a medical or plastic surgery procedure, the Bellanina Facelift Massage works wonders as a pre-and post-operative treatment as well as regular maintenance of beautiful, healthy skin. The Bellanina Facelift Massage is a pampering, relaxing massage that improves the appearance of the face through stimulation of the underlying layers of skin and soft tissue. This support system can make surface wrinkles less visible, slows down the formation of new ones, and helps keep facial muscles from giving in to its two biggest enemies; gravity and time! Its techniques include acupressure, lymphatic drainage and contouring strokes.
Facial massage is not new. Historical records dating back thousands of years show that the Chinese discovered pressing certain “acupressure” points on the face caused a greater flow of blood and oxygen to the facial area which promoted a release of tension, a softening of lines and a toning and tightening of sagging skin, among other health related benefits. Facial massage regained its popularity in Hollywood in The ’50s and ’60s, before plastic surgery became a household word. Movie stars lined up for their weekly massages, which promised to extend their beauty. Held in high regard by celebrities and those in the public eye, it is now gaining notoriety and favor by the masses of baby boomers now in their prime.
You can now turn on your television and you will see infomercials and news casts on facial fitness programs. Look in self care or health and fitness magazines and you will find advertisements filled with movie stars and self described beauty therapists all touting their promise of youth through a self-massage exercise and home care system. Trained in Facial Massage in Los Angeles in the ’70s, Belle Tuckerman, the founder of the Belavi Facelift Massage System (now Bellanina Facelift Massage), incorporated the techniques into her practice at the popular BodyMind Spa on the Southern California Coast. Throughout the Eighties she developed a technique that made her a highly sought out teacher. After selling BodyMind, she devoted her time to further developing the Belaví Method and opened The Belaví Institute for Facial Massage in 1989. Now thousands of therapists and aestheticians have incorporated these techniques into their practice.
How it Works
The face has a complex muscular structure. Each facial muscle is constantly busy performing a multitude of movements. Consider the full range of emotions, movements and expressions your face makes every day. Even as you dream your facial muscles are working! When facial muscles are massaged and exercised regularly, all the metabolic processes are stimulated, which means that the facial circulation is improved, capillaries are strengthened, the facial lymph system is cleansed and the skin becomes blemish free. Studies have shown that massage keeps the collagen and elastin fibers wet and warm which encourages and stimulates their growth. With each Facelift Massage, the toning benefits increase because muscles have memory. The treatment consists of first cleansing and exfoliating the face of dirt and make-up. You wouldn’t want to massage a dirty face! Warmed towels are used to gently hydrate the skin and help you relax. Once the face is prepared, a vigorous and active massage begins. The stimulating effects of nimble fingers forces blood to rush to the skins surface, promoting circulation, detoxification and relaxation. When a muscle is continually in a contracted state; let’s say a furrowed brow, these contractions begin to etch the face with deep lines. You can physically release the contraction through repeated massage. Through awareness, the muscles learn to let go and you begin to shift unconscious holding, thus releasing facial tension and deep lines.
Energizing effects can be achieved by massaging facial acupressure points. These points relate to energy flowing through the body, which is often blocked by stress, illness or toxins. Massaging these points liberates blocked energy, increases the flow of oxygen and reduces stress and tension in the face, which helped to cause the creases and crevices. Finding acupressure points are quite simple. They present themselves as sensitive spots or tiny indentations on the face. Once the face is toned it’s easier to keep in shape by incorporating a home facial-toning program. “I encourage my clients to wash their face in an upward position and do facial exercises three to four times a week. For just a few minutes effort towards home maintenance each week, a toned face can stay that way,” says Belle Tuckerman.
Although the benefits of massage seem clear, there’s more to the treatment that meets the eye. The skin – our body’s largest organ – has two distinct layers. The uppermost layer, the epidermis, consists of five layers. The epidermis replaces itself every month or so as the skin looses about 100,000 cells daily through natural exfoliation processes. Unlike children, whose skin exfoliates in rapid succession to continually expose new healthy cells, mature skin becomes sluggish causing dead skin cells to cling to the surface. Since dead skin cells are also dehydrated, they appear aged. In young skin, the turnover is about 15 – 20 days while in an older person it takes about 30 – 45 days. In order to get the fountain of youth flowing again, new cells need to replace dead cells.
Lying beneath the five layers of the epidermis is the dermis. It makes up more than 90% of the skin’s mass. It is a highly vascularized layer of connective tissue (collagen and elastin). The dermis consists mainly of blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, sweat glands, oil glands, arrector pili muscles and hair papillae. The affects upon the epidermis and dermis when the face is massaged is a greater cell turnover, exposing newer healthier cells, and through the process of blood and oxygen coming to the surface, a metabolic process occurs that allows the toning and tightening affect upon the muscles of the face. This rejuvenation process can be accelerated by adding the stimulating honeylift massage to your facial massage treatment, especially from the signature strokes of the sticky “Honeylift Massage” of the Bellanina Treatment. The special techniques of whipping and tapotement of the honeylift treatment give the skin a pinkish cast because the blood has been brought to the surface. The skin glows with health due to this rush of blood. Vigorous stroking movements remove impurities and give the skin “breathing room”, opening pores and eliminating toxins by removing dead skin cells.
Anti-Aging & Anti-Stress: The Benefits Are Two-Fold
Even if The Bellanina Facelift Massage provided no anti-aging benefit, I know my waiting room would still be filled with eager clients waiting to receive it.
I have clients who are not that concerned with anti-aging, who find the Bellanina Facelift Massage the greatest stress reducing, relaxing and pampering treatment they have ever received. Alternating between a therapeutic massage or facial massage, I have clients who come to me solely for the stress reduction the Bellanina Facelift Massage offers.
Bellanina is truly the most relaxing and pampering treatment on my menu. Something quite magical happens when I touch a face. The active stimulation causes my clients to shift their consciousness, because of the energy. Unlike a therapeutic massage where they keep their consciousness with their body to enjoy the feeling of every move, they zone out in the Facelift Massage. Often during the eye massage, my clients’ breathing pattern shifts into a state of deep relaxation. After I finish the facial massage, the client receives a hand massage, followed by a luxurious foot massage, using hot towels and a rich moisturizing lotion. Heavenly! I conclude with a scalp massage and leave the client exhilarated and eager to book their next session. What a wonderful spa treatment! A massage to the face, neck, shoulders, back, hands, feet and scalp are all included in a Bellanina Facelift Massage treatment.
For the serious seekers of facial fitness, or those considering plastic surgery, I suggest that my clients book a series of six or twelve treatments given two to three times per week, while practicing facial exercises and self massage at home. Packages are available for those that are looking for the anti-aging benefits of this amazing facelift massage!
Modified Massage
July 12, 2010 by angie
Filed under Massage Therapy, Wellness
An amazing full-body massage can be given in a side-lying and semi-reclining position for those in need. Ideal for pregnant women or for any other individual who cannot lie on his/her back or abdomen comfortably. Here are a few reasons why you may want to try this new way of receiving your massage:
-Sinus pressure and pain
-Lower back pain from laying on stomach or back for an extended period of time
-Breast tenderness
-Recovering from surgery or have an injury
-Pregnancy
In this position the client lies on one side, with a pillow supporting the head, the bottom leg is straight, and the upper knee is bent and supported by a special bolster made for this position. The client will switch and be on both sides during the session in order to work all of the areas needed. Next, you will turn over to your back and will be supported in a semi-reclining position for the remainder of your massage.
This special positioning can be incorporated into my Holistic Wellness Massage, Therapeutic Massage and Reiki sessions. There is no additional charge for modified massage. Be sure to let me know at least 24 hours in advance that you would like to incorporate this special positioning into your session. The bolsters needed are not always on site.
Getting the Most from Your Massage
May 2, 2010 by angie
Filed under Massage Therapy, Wellness
Initially, a stiff neck or an even stiffer schedule may have sent you to a massage therapist. But chances are your repeated returns will be a result of the overall sense of well-being you experience from this healing bodywork.
At first, your therapist may seem to be doing all the real labor. But clients soon discover the quality and scope of relief they receive during a therapy session is very much in their own hands. Your influence and attention can boost the benefit of each and every massage. To reap the optimum benefits from this renewing ritual, here are some simple strategies.
If you arrive early for your appointment, use the extra time to decompress. Focus on something in the room — a picture, the music or a ray of light — and breathe slowly. Relax your shoulders and quiet your mind. Let this place and time become your sanctuary in a frantic world.
Communication is the ultimate tool for enhancing your massage experience. The most vital information your therapist needs involves your primary intention regarding your massage. Did you schedule the massage to reduce anxiety? Are you searching for relief from an injury? Or do you need to release some suppressed emotions? Your therapist will rely on your comments to devise the best plan of action to accomplish your goal.
Just as an informed doctor has a better chance of honing in on health issues, an enlightened therapist can target trouble zones and generate solutions. Use the brief conversation with your therapist at the beginning of each session to create your own hybrid experience. On your first visit, mention any chronic conditions, bothersome injuries or serious ailments during this consultation. The greater the insights into your individual history, the more tailored your treatment will be. For instance, migraine sufferers might receive some myofascial release therapy, while the therapist might employ shiatsu techniques to relieve carpal tunnel symptoms. Lymphatic drainage treatments can help ease cancer pain. Your therapist can ease many diverse conditions, but only if he or she knows of your concern. When going for repeated visits, fill your therapist in on any new developments — a new job, a recent fall, a death in the family — which might have an affect on the session and your health.
Be clear about whether you’d like some focused attention on tender areas or whether you’d like those sensitive spots avoided altogether. If you do request some pointed concentration — on a touchy back, for instance — expect some discomfort as your muscles release. But always let the therapist know immediately if the massage crosses your pain threshold at any time.
Cold muscles are tense muscles. Since body temperature can fluctuate throughout the massage, don’t hesitate to say something if you need more or less coverage. Tell the practitioner when the room needs to be warmer or if you’re easily chilled.
Some clients have difficulty enjoying their massage because they feel self-conscious undressed. Therapists are trained clinicians and, in many ways, share the ethics of medical professionals. They work with burn victims, mastectomy patients and disfigured people. In their practice, they’ve seen un-movie-star-like bodies and less-than-athletic physiques. Clients will not receive comments on their cellulite, criticisms on their lack of muscle tone or commentaries on calorie control. Indeed, these corporal qualities pass by many skilled practitioners’ eyes completely unnoticed. Therapists are trained to care for each and every body, yours included.
If you still feel you will be unable to enjoy the massage unclothed, inquire about treatments — like reflexology — which allow clients to remain dressed. Another alternative is to have just the upper part of your body worked on until you’re willing to indulge in a full body massage. Talk your options through with your therapist.
The therapist will check with you several times during the massage to verify the pressure feels just right. But, if at any time you would like more vigorous action or less intense effort, don’t be afraid to speak up. Because everyone has a different tolerance to touch, therapists depend on their client’s instructions and reactions to determine the depth of pressure to apply. And, although therapists are trained to note visual clues for a client’s discomfort — tense facial expressions, curled toes, tightened tendons — your feedback ensures clear communication. After all, moans and groans can signal both agony or bliss. Depending on sighs and other sounds to convey your current state of pleasure or pain is an iffy tactic at best.
Other than that occasional dialogue, your massage experience might be a wordless one. Unlike salons, where continuous conversation seems to be a requisite, massage rooms are quiet places. Therapists will let you lead the conversation, but they do not expect you to talk.
Not all therapists are trained in every mode of massage. Depending on their specific schooling, practitioners may specialize in certain types of therapy. Add to that variable the unique educational background of each therapist, as well as their individual styles and strengths, and clients have the opportunity to explore a wide spectrum of approaches and techniques.
Tracking what works and what doesn’t ensures favorable outcomes in the future. Use every session to build your knowledge of massage, to learn what feels good to you and to observe which procedures improve your state of mind. When certain maneuvers or manipulations feel wonderful — or if you’d like to avoid them in the future — ask your therapist to describe or name the movement. Then, armed with this information, you can replicate or evade similar results in the future.
While the classical strokes of Swedish massage are familiar to all therapists, more complex techniques (such as the Feldenkrais Method) will be known to only a select subgroup of practitioners. If you decide to experiment with more specialized types of bodywork that are unfamiliar to your therapist, he or she will be glad to refer you to a trained professional in that area.
Embarrassing as it may be, bodywork can produce some interesting bodily noises. It’s possible with the release of so much tension, your body lets go of something else. Therapists are accustomed to flatulence. In fact, it’s a healthy side effect of massage. Often a client will be so relaxed that they fall into a quasi-sleep mode, often awakening to their own snoring. Again, therapists respect each and every body and all that comes with it.
When the body is touched in a healthy and safe environment, there oftentimes can be an emotional impact. Some clients find themselves crying during or immediately after a massage. If this happens to you, think of this reaction as a positive one. Therapists are familiar with this kind of release and will help guide you through it. If you hold a lot of trauma within, it is often helpful to pair your bodywork sessions with talk therapy sessions to process what has just happened to you on the massage table.
Many massages end with the client asleep on the table. So, when your time is up — and that moment always comes way too soon — your therapist will make certain you know they are leaving the room. The therapist will also advise you to take your time getting up. They do this for a number of reasons, one being that raising your head too quickly after a lengthy therapeutic session can cause dizziness. At your leisure, dress, retrieve your belongings and exit the room leaving the door open. Be aware that because of an elevated metabolism, clients often need to visit the restroom after their massages and menstruating women will likely experience an increased flow.
Allow time for a gentle re-entry into real time. Be tender with your body — and your mind — immediately after your massage. And be sure to drink lots of water. Massage is a detoxifying rite and you’ll want to flush your system of the freed contaminants. If there is a hot tub available, a 10-minute soak is just what the therapist ordered, but be conscious of your water intake so as not to dehydrate. Or — in high-altitude environments — take a break in the steam room. Sea level residents may find the sauna more agreeable.
The actual massage may be over, but you will carry its positive effects with you throughout the day — and night. Utilize massage on a frequent basis, and you might just get accustomed to “feeling good.”
Diane M. Marty is a freelance writer who enjoys the benefits of many types of bodywork.
Now, More Than Ever, You Need a Massage
May 2, 2010 by angie
Filed under Massage Therapy, Wellness
Invest in Your Health, and Navigate Difficult Times with Grace
Consumers may be tempted to trim their wellness budgets when economic times are tough. Yet a recent national consumer survey showed most massage-minded Americans are committed to maintaining the health benefits they experience with massage. It only makes sense. The better you feel, the better job you can do of caring for yourself and your loved ones.
Now, more than ever, massage should play a role in reducing stress and strengthening the health of Americans. When people feel their best, they are more likely to be able to face the challenges difficult times present. With greater health and peace of mind, consumers can face difficulties with poise, clarity of purpose, and strengthened emotional reserves.
Truly, massage is more than a luxury–it’s a vital part of self-care that has a positive ripple effect on us as we work, play, and care for others.
Invest In Yourself and Those You Love
If you think about it, massage is an excellent value. The price of massage has remained stable in recent years, as the cost of movies, meals out, and sports events has risen. Which of these has the power to improve your health and your outlook on life?
Following are health reasons all American adults should be including massage in their family budgets and schedules. Massage:
* Reduces anxiety
* Reduces the flow of stress hormones
* Improves sleep
* Boosts the immune system
* Improves energy levels and reduces fatigue
* Improves concentration
* Increases circulation
* Improves self-esteem
* Reduces frequency of headaches
* Releases endorphins
The positive effects of regular massage can have benefits in many areas of your life.
Home. Massage therapy will also help families under stress create healthier households with clear-thinking and more relaxed moms and dads. Children are very sensitive and often pick up on tension in a household, parents who are taking care of themselves are more likely to be better caregivers and provide a sense of security to their kids. This goes for caregivers of aging parents and other family members.
Work. The health benefits of massage can help forestall illnesses and lost work time, especially when you may be asked to produce more with fewer resources. Decision-making skills will be better and your performance is likely to be improved with a clear focus and more energy. A hint for the boss: Research shows employees exhibit less stress and improved performance when given twice-weekly, 15-minute massages in the office!
Health Conditions. Those with already existing health conditions can continue to reap benefits in the following ways. And proactively caring for health through massage may help reduce costly doctor visits and use of prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Research shows:
* Massage can reduce sports-related soreness and improve circulation–good to know when you may be exercising more to reduce stress.
* Deep-tissue massage is effective in treating back pain, arthritis, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia patients receiving massage also have less pain, depression, anxiety, stiffness, fatigue, and sleep problems.
*Massage reduces symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
* Oncology patients show less pain, fatigue, nausea, anxiety and depression following massage therapy.
* Stroke patients show less anxiety and lower blood pressure with massage therapy.
* Massage therapy is effective is reducing postsurgical pain.
* Alzheimer’s patients exhibit reduced pacing, irritability and restlessness after neck and shoulder massage.
* Labor pain. Massage during labor appears to reduce stress and anxiety, relax muscles and help block pain. Some medical professionals believe massage also reduces tearing, shortens labor, reduces the need for medication and shortens hospital stays.
* Preterm babies receiving massage therapy gain more weight and have shorter hospital stays than infants not receiving massage.
* Massage is beneficial in reducing symptoms associated with arthritis, asthma burns, high blood pressure, and premenstrual syndrome.
Holistic Aromatherapy Using Essential Oils to Achieve Balance
April 28, 2010 by angie
Filed under Massage Therapy, Wellness
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Originally published in Massage & Bodywork magazine, February/March 2005.
Copyright 2005. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. All rights reserved.
Using aromatherapy to balance your whole being will not only affect the health of your body, mind, and spirit, it will undoubtedly affect the health of your business as well. When you experience renewed vigor and harmony within, it’s hard for your career to not reflect the results, too.
Understanding the Language of Aromatherapy
Many ancient cultures used plant aromatics as incense, salves, unguents, natural perfumes, and distilled waters for the purpose of health. Today’s therapists can draw from the ancient example to restore not only their client’s well-being and vitality, but also their own.
Aromatherapy, both a science and an art, is the use of plant-based essential oils and hydrosols to balance the mind, body, and spirit. An essential oil is a volatile liquid extracted from various plant parts by steam distillation. Those aromatic plant parts may be the root, seed, leaf, flower, peel, bark, resin, wood, fruit, or berry. The science refers to an understanding of the therapeutic properties of essential oil through chemistry. The art is bringing essential oils or hydrosols together in a blend to enhance their therapeutic effect.
How True Aromatherapy Works
Aromatherapy is most commonly associated with the sense of smell, but essential oils can be absorbed into the body by either inhalation or skin application.
Our sense of smell chemically connects our brain to our environment. Perceived odors can trigger perception, memories, and smell-related emotions and behaviors, as well as regulating feeding, autonomic responses, and hormonal output. By smelling an appropriate essential oil, the user can become relaxed or invigorated, be soothed, feel emotionally balanced, improve a mood, reduce stress, or recall a beautiful place or event. With the use of essential oils, unexpressed emotions like anger, fear, and resentment can surface, thereby preventing these emotions from manifesting in the body as health problems.
Essential oils are also absorbed into the body through the skin. Lavender can be detected in the blood 20 minutes after application to the skin. Since essential oils are so rapidly excreted from the body, microorganisms do not have an opportunity to develop resistance to essential oils. With topical application, essential oils go directly to where they are needed for sore muscles and cramps, bruises, infections, minor cuts and abrasions, arthritis, and headaches. Essential oils can also increase the circulation of blood, stimulate the immune system, and reduce lung and sinus congestion.
Essential oils help us feel good about ourselves. They can assist healing and restore a sense of well-being to our bodies. The plant oils, as opposed to fragrance oils, harmonize the body and stimulate its natural healing abilities. True aromatherapy is a marvelous tool for self-care, but not a substitute for medical treatment.
Using Oils From Aromatic Plants
The safest and most common ways of using essential oils are by inhalation through the nose and mouth and by dilution for skin application through bathing, massage, skin care, and simple first aid. Unless you are using a reliable formula, it is best to begin working with a single oil at a time. This way you will know exactly what gave the results, and you will become familiar with the individual oil.
Inhalation. Inhalation of essential oils is systemic absorption by way of the nasal mucosa and lungs. Inhalation can be used for a variety of purposes. The air quality in your workspace or home can be cleansed and disinfected via essential oils. Inhalation can give you relief from upper respiratory congestion or reduce the effects of stress. It is by inhalation that essential oils can influence moods or emotions and relax or stimulate. But not all essential oils can be used for inhalation. Some are too caustic to the tender tissues of the nasal passages and lungs. This route of application is contraindicated for asthmatics and those with respiratory allergies. Inhaling through the nose is for the sinuses and emotions. Inhalation through the mouth is for the benefit of the lungs. Inhalation is easily accomplished through the use of steam, a diffuser, spritzing, a humidifier, or sniffing a tissue.
Skin Application. Using essential oils on the skin can not only offer the added benefit of your own healing touch, skin application can treat underlying muscles and organs, as well as addressing localized conditions. The risk here is contact dermatitis, especially for the therapist who is already using essential oils in her practice. Sensitivity can also develop with prolonged exposure to undiluted essential oils, causing a permanent allergy to a given oil. Be also advised that all pressed citrus oils and several others are photosensitizing. These oils increase the power of the sun’s rays and a severe burn can result.
On a tissue or in a diffuser For use on the skin, always dilute the essential oil in a carrier like olive oil, sunflower oil, jojoba wax, aloe gel, or a neutral cream or lotion. (Mineral oil is not recommended for use with essential oils. Mineral oil is best left for lubricating machinery as essential oils will not mix.) This allows the essential oil to be applied in a smaller amount over a larger portion of the skin as in massage.
Body, Mind, and Spirit
Your body serves you in many miraculous ways as you work and move through daily life. It is nothing new to be told that as a therapist, if you work to the point of being tired or fatigued, you risk injury that could seriously alter your career path. If you feel you have overworked your back, thumbs, hands, arms, or even feet, pay attention that you work with your breath and watch your body mechanics. At the end of the working day, begin to anticipate sliding into an aromatic bath to relax, soaking your feet or hands, applying an invigorating aromatic rub to your limbs or a soothing compress to your back (see the self-care recipes throughout this article).
What other ways can essential oils restore your vitality and reduce your stress? Apply essential oils (in dilution) to the appropriate reflex points on your ears, hands, and feet. For example, rub diluted Eucalyptus radiata on the tips of your fingers and toes for sinus congestion. Reflexology is known to reduce stress as well. Need to stimulate your immune system? Try the “Thymus Thump” by firmly thumping the manubrium at the top of the sternum with your fingertips. Add an upper chest rub with vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides), and really stimulate the thymus gland to activate the immune system.
Stress in small amounts may keep you motivated, but long-term intensity will affect your health. This is a key time for plant oils to partner in your health. The main attribute of essential oils is stress reduction. When essential oil molecules reach the portion of the brain associated with smell, an electro-chemical process initiates the release of neurochemicals that may be sedating, relaxing, euphoric, or stimulating. Inhaling molecules of essential oils begins a powerful process.
If you have already experienced an essential oil or an essential oil synergy that connects with your being, use it to return to your body and reconnect with your essence. For caregivers and therapists, mental exhaustion and depletion from giving of themselves over and over can leave little reserve for self. The more you engage in nurturing yourself, the more reserves you will have to share with clients and family, and burnout will seem remote. Nurturing yourself can include many varied activities, rituals, and practices: yoga, meditation, deep relaxation, hypnosis, journaling, dream work, creative pursuits, tai chi. Spiritual retreats and time in nature reinforce the Earth connection and help us to see opportunities for personal growth in the events of life. Consult the list of essential oils on page 32 to see which one or more resonate with your emotional and spiritual self-care.
Grounding is a fluid, unimpaired connection with the Earth and with full mental awareness. Vetiver and spikenard (Nardostachys jatamansi) are excellent oils to use with your personal grounding exercise. When meditating or doing breathwork, use frankincense (Boswellia carterii) to deepen the breath. Dream work and dream journaling can lead to a deeper understanding of self. To enhance the process, place several drops of clary sage (Salvia sclarea) on a tissue and tuck it into your pillow at bedtime. Dreams become more colorful and intense without nightmares. Aromatics reach into the core of our being. Place a touch of rose (Rosa damascena) in a carrier oil over the heart, surrender and fall into the area that needs healing and have a conversation with your body.
The Next Level
If your self-treatment does not impact your symptoms, try an appointment with a professional aromatherapist. Receiving an aromatherapy session from a professional will facilitate the selection of essential oils and applications that best suit your needs. Essential oils place your body and mind in a receptive state. When you inhale an essential oil, your soul is communicating with the aromatic plant. There is an interconnected web of life energy. Aromatherapy can restore resonance to malfunctioning connections. Natural healing begins with connecting mind, body, and soul.
Eileen D. Cristina, CMP, ACA, is an advanced clinical aromatherapist, advanced Barnes myofascial release therapist, and owner of Kneading Wellness, a supplier of therapeutic essential oils and aromatherapy supplies. She has studied aromatherapy with renowned essential oil resource consultants from around the world and represents the United States on the editorial board of The International Journal of Aromatherapy. She is an adjunct faculty member at the Lancaster School of Massage in Pennsylvania. As a professional member of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, she serves as the Pennsylvania State Director. She can be reached at eileenkw@ptd.net.
Recipes
Back Compress – 4 drops Black Pepper, 3 drops Geranium, 3 drops Lavender, combine with 4-8 oz. of warm water.
Rough Hand Scrub – 2 drops Patchouli, 2 drops Rose, 1 drop Lemon, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon fine salt.
Sinus Relief – 2 drops Peppermint, 2 drops Eucalyptus, 2 drops Lavender, use on a tissue or in a diffuser.
Essence Connection Massage Oil – 8 drops Spikenard, 7 drops Clary Sage, 15 drops Grapefruit, 2 oz. Massage Oil.
Foot Soak – 3 drops Cypress, 1 drop Peppermint, 2 drop Lemon, mix in a basin of water.
Yoga Synergy (Chest Rub) – 1o drops Cypress, 10 drops Frankincense, 10 drops Geranium, 2 oz. Massage Oil.
Deep Relaxation – 2 drops Marjoram, 2 drops Lavender, 2 drops Red Mandarine.
Journaling Juice – 3 drops Rosemary, 3 drops Lemon, 2 drops Clary Sage, 2 drops Black Pepper, use on a tissue or in a diffuser.
Sore Muscle Rub – 10 drops Eucalyptus, 10 drops Rosemary, 10 drops Lavender, 2 oz. Massage Oil.
