Oxford Aromatherapy

What happens at an aromatherapy session?

The aim is to treat the whole body (holistic) and not just the current problem. At the first session there will be a consultation to determine any problems or contra indications to ensure safety and to select the best oils to use. Up to a total of 12 drops of up to 5 oils are blended with a carrier oil for a full body massage.

You will then be requested to undress and lie on a portable massage table where you are covered in towels. If in your own home, you can undress in another room and put on a dressing gown. Modesty is respected. The British are modest and some like keep their underwear on. This is not a problem. Wear whatever you're comfortable with, short of a suit of armour I can work with it. It's your session after all, it's for your benefit so wear whatever you're happy with. (see also FAQs). As soon as massage starts most people forget their inhibitions.

Less than one in fifty of my clients are men!

If you have any concerns, please do not be afraid of discussing them before the session, so that your requests can be taken into account. 

Treatment takes place on the massage table with the body covered by towels and only the area being treated is exposed at one time. Care is taken to ensure that your persons modesty is respected and no part will be treated without permission.

If treatment for back or hip problems is required, you will be asked, before lying on the massage table to stand and walk either to ascertain where the problems lie and after back massage your legs and hips will be manipulated.

Treatment normally starts with back and shoulder massage to include the lower back and hips. This takes about 15—20 minutes. 

 

Then the back of legs and feet (8 - 10 minutes) . After turning over the front of the feet and legs are treated (8 minutes) followed by the arms, abdomen and chest (up to 15 minutes)  It is while having their stomach gently massaged that many clients fall asleep!

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Finally the back of the neck head and face are treated (10 minutes). If there are specific problems the more time can be taken and the complete massage usually takes about 75 minutes.

 

see also http://www.massageexchange.com/gallery.asp

No part of the body is touched without your consent. Many do not like facial massage and some do not like a head massage that upsets the hair. This is respected.

The massage will be adapted to meet individual needs and If requested, partial body massage can be undertaken if requested.

HAWAIIAN-STYLE FLOWING MASSAGE
Deep Pressure ‘Hands-Free’ Massage

For Hawaiian massage, I mainly use the forearm and upper arm for the massage and also carry out some stretching procedures. As it is recommended that one massages along the whole length of the body, Hawaiian massage is normally carried out naked, but using a cotton sari or similar piece of material to cover the client as taught at the Middlesex School of Complimentary Medicine.  (see MSCM image below)

 

Following therapy, relaxation is essential, hence home treatment is recommended so there is no need to travel afterwards. Avoid shower or bath for at least four hours to allow the oils to be absorbed by the skin. Avoid caffeine or alcohol directly after aromatherapy but drink plenty of water.

Breast Massage: I never massage,  touch or expose female breasts unless specifically asked to; However for instance, I have one client who has had some surgery for breast cancer and her surgeon recommended massage to restore the shape and reduce scarring, also some of clients request breast massage as a pleasurable and beneficial experience.

 

http://users.rcn.com/cd.dnai/a/b/bm/breastmassage.html This Web site is a discussion about using breast massage to improve lymph fluid and blood flow in the breasts, which may reduce the chances of breast cancer.  Breast massage might be more than a relaxing, pleasurable experience, it may also be very good for your health.

A  photographic tour of a full body massage can be see at: http://www.massage.spb.ru/fototour/back.htm However this is a Russian site and should be taken as an example of massage techniques and not necessarily what is taught in the UK especially concerning modesty.  Also look at http://www.massageoils.org/

I always ask the client at the end of the session what they would like repeated. about 40% say feet, 30% say abdomen and 30% say back. 

At the end of the session , the clients comments are recorded on the clients record sheet.

Tim Hallchurch, 

Oxford Aromatherapy

Paddock Cottage

Thrupp

Oxford OX5 1JY

Tel 01865 377099

Mobile 07802 202557

 

 

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