Massage Therapy Supplies

Massage is considered an art and those of us who have had a truly healing massage may think of the massage therapist as a great artist. This art has been around for thousands of years. A Chinese book dating back to 3,000 BC is the first written record of massage. Over time the art has developed with different types of massage being added such as deep tissue massage, orthopedic massage, acupressure massage, and many others. But no matter what type of massage, the use of massage therapy oils has almost always been part of it.

What is A Massage Therapy Oil?
Using the term “oil” to describe this product may actually be a misnomer. They are actually the extracts or liquids derived from the plants for which the “oils” are named. The valuable liquid is distilled from different parts of the plants by using steam or hot water.

The byproduct of this process really does not feel oily at all. They are referred to as the essential oils of the plant and they are very highly concentrated. Because of this, they should not be applied directly to the skin. For this reason, for the purposes of massage, the essential oils are added to carrier oils. These oils help the active ingredient of the essential oil absorb more readily into the skin so that the body can reap the most benefits. When used for massage, just a few drops is necessary and should ideally be mixed right before the massage begins.

What Are the Benefits Massage Therapy Oils?
So do massage therapists use oils? The point of a massage is to relax the muscles, enhance natural healing, provide pain relief, and provide an overall sense of physical and psychological well-being. The oil allows the massage therapist’s hands to move more easily around the body in order to do all of this.

But that’s not the only reason to use massage oils. Each different essential oil has some aromatherapy quality. For instance cedar is associated with feelings of centering and strengthening; camphor brings clarifying, energizing, and purifying feelings; and frankincense is calming, visualizing, and meditative. These effects can intensify the feelings of relaxation and well-being that a massage provides.

There are other benefits to using massage oils, depending on the type of essential oils used in them.

• Grapeseed oil – This essential oil is full of the kind of fatty acids that are good for the skin and the membranes of the skin cells. It is a great moisturizer and can help with skin regeneration.
• Apricot oil – This oil also has revitalizing benefits, plus it is nourishes and moisturizes the skin. It can also soothe irritated skin.
• Jojoba oil – This oil is a good moisturizer because it so closely resembles your own skin. It is perfect for massage blended oils because it absorbs easily into the skin and is a good emollient.
• Avocado oil – This is another good oil for use as a massage blend. It is usually blended with almond or grapeseed oil. Mixed together they can easily be absorbed by the skin. It is perfect for people with dry, aging skin.
• Holy oil – This is a carrier oil for essential oils. Because of its structure it can carry the oil well into the skin.

If you want to use massage oils and home, you can pay just about anything from $10 to $250 for more professional oils meant for deep tissue massage. The $10 bottles are fine for effective home use. When receiving a professional massage, the cost of the oil is usually included in the price of the massage.

MASSAGE THERAPY SUPPLIES SINGLE OIL HOLSTER w BOTTLE    US $13.99

100 PURE LIME ESSENTIAL OIL MASSAGE THERAPY    US $10.00

Jasmine Ylang Ylang Therapy Massage Oil Organic    US $6.99

Negatives to Massage Therapy Oils
These massage therapy oils can have a down side:

1. Since they do come from plants, for some people they may not agree with their type of skin. Some people have developed rashes or dry skin patches after using therapy oils.
2. There is always a possibility of an allergic reaction. It is a good idea to have the massage therapist do a test on a small area before applying it to the entire body.
3. Some have a strong odor. Ask that you be able to smell it first before the therapist uses it. A smell that doesn’t agree with you could actually make you sick. Most oils however are usually made with products that are known to be calming and relaxing.