Massage Therapists
How Essential Oils Benefit Your Practice
Massage therapists report that using essential oils in their practice greatly increases client satisfaction.
The benefits of essential oils include:
- Reducing stress or anxiety for clients
- Helping ease muscle tension for a more effective massage
- Boosting the client’s immune system and your own, if you work with sick clients
- Gently reawakening your client at the end of your session
- Freshening and purifying the air and creating a relaxing environment for you and your clients
- Calming and soothing irritated skin from the use of hot stone treatments
- Improving overall client satisfaction by offering patients natural products they can use as a follow-up to their care, while providing your practice with another revenue stream.
We asked the massage therapists we work with to identify their favorite essential oils and/or blends they use in their practice. See their recommendations below. (Please note, this list is meant as a starting point, as there are many more essential oils and blends available to you and your choices will be dependent on the focus of your practice.)
Recommended Single Essential Oils
PEPPERMINT Mentha piperita
Refreshing, uplifting aroma
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Use a spritzer to freshen the air or use at end of session to gently awaken your client. Mix 6-30 drops of essential oil in 1 ounce of carrier oil or fragrance-free, natural lotion for foot massages, and conquer even the strongest foot aromas!
TEA TREE Melaleuca alternifolia
Tea Tree is known for its gentle yet powerful, full-spectrum, anti-infectious properties and its support for the immune system.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Use in water for hot stone treatments to promote cleansing and purity.
LAVENDER, FRENCH or E. EUROPE Lavandula angustifolia
This popular essential oil is known to create a gentle calming balance.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
It can be added to lotion or spritzer for the air and linens. It can also be used to calm skin that may have been overheated by stone treatment by mixing 1- 4 drops of essential oil in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil or aloe vera and applying to the spot in need.
EUCALYPTUS RADIATA Eucalyptus radiata or RAVINTSARA Cinnamomum camphora cineoliferum
Either can be a good choice for respiratory congestion, immune support, and muscle aches. The aroma is strong, refreshing, and camphoraceous.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
If you have a client who has difficulty breathing in the prone position, add a drop to a tissue and tuck under bottom sheet near the headrest.
ORANGE SWEET Citrus sinensis or MANDARIN Citrus deliciosa
Gentle uplifting and soothing aroma.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Use in a diffuser or spritzer alone or combine with Protection Blend.
Recommended Synergy Blends
PROTECTION
With its antimicrobial properties, this blend is especially helpful to support your immune system during cold and flu season.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Use in a spritzer to mist room in between clients. Mist doorknobs, bottles, etc. then wipe with cloth or paper towel.
REVITALIZE
Gentle uplifting aroma.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Diffuse in room or waiting room.
SLEEPTIME
Gently calming and soothing, this blend can be used when you have a client that has difficulty relaxing.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Add to massage lotion, spritzer or diffuser.
HEAD SOOTHE
No doubt many of your clients have head and neck tension, this blend can be used to help ease tension, calm headaches and promote deeper breething. It can also be used to freshen the air.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Add this blend to lotion for massage, or add a few drops to a tissue and tuck under the sheet near the headrest to help client breathe in the prone position. Use in a spritzer to freshen the room in between sessions.
MASSAGE BLEND
A favorite blend for massage therapists! This calming soothing blend supports release of muscle and emotional tension. Most clients really enjoy the light refreshing aroma.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
Use a light dilution with lotion (mix 6-30 drops with fragrance-free, natural lotion).
MUSCLE SOOTHE and/or JOINT RELIEF
Calms and soothes muscle and joint aches.
A P P L I C A T I O N :
These blends are appropriate for regional application during massage. Add to a lotion for application to specific area i.e. low back, knee or neck.
Please Note: We’re also happy to give you recommendations on how to effectively display, market and sell essential oils products. If you have a question regarding a particular essential oil or blend, please contact us for more information.
Articles
7 Reasons Not to “Give Your Client Whatever They Want” at End of Life
Tracy Walton, educator, and specialist in massage therapy and cancer care.
(Professional and ethical considerations for end of life care)
Aromatherapy: How Essential Are Those Oils?
Penn Medicine News Blog
(Using essential oils as a complementary modality to manage patient symptoms of anxiety, stress & nausea.)
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