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River Rock Aromastone Massage
By Kristine Shultis, MM, CTN, LMT (NCTMB), RM
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for healing. This healing technique is used by itself or in combination with other healing modalities such as massage. There are over 3,000 types of essential oils which are made by steam distillation, pressing or extraction of plant material. Essential oils work by being absorbed by the skin into the body and by the inhalation of the scent acting on the brain.
Massage therapy is a great way to introduce your clients to the healing benefits of aromatherapy. Topical applications for essential oil use include stress reduction, injury rehabilitation, detoxification and the reduction of chronic symptoms associated with underlying soft tissue pathology. River Rock Aromastone Massage is a simple way to add essential oils to your heated stone massage by combining essential oils with a carrier oil and applying the oil to the stones and client and/or by adding essential oils to the water in the stone heater.
The following essential oils are used for River Rock Aromastone Massage: lavender, rose, eucalyptus, sweet orange, vanilla, sandalwood, peppermint, rosemary, frankincense, geranium, bergamot, lemon and tea tree.
How Essential Oils Work
Essential oils are able to work their way deeply into the body. They are moved through the body via blood circulation and are absorbed by lymphatic fluid, cells, nerve pathways, fatty tissue and muscles before being excreted by the lungs and kidneys. When inhaled, essential oils reach the olfactory nerves which transfer the information into electrochemical signals in the brain. Essential oils can affect the production of hormones and the immune system.
Contraindications
Contraindications for essential oil use include pregnancy, cancer patients and persons with epilepsy or seizures. Persons who have used topical applications of essential oils should avoid sun exposure after use as many are phototoxic.
The following essential oils may raise blood pressure and should be used with caution: pine, hyssop, rosemary, common sage, and thyme.
Essential oils may be toxic if ingested. Ingestion of essential oils is beyond the scope of practice for massage therapy.
Properties of Essential Oils
Essential oils have many excellent healing properties. Below is a list of the healing properties of the oils:
Alterative – An agent that corrects disordered body functions and supports balance in the body.
Oils – lavender, Melissa, geranium
Analgesic – An agent that reduces the sensation of pain.
The oils are blended because they are synergistic and work well together. Blending the oils makes them even more effective than single oils alone.
Essential oils should be used diluted and are added to a carrier oil Your favorite natural massage oil will work well as the carrier oil provided that it is unscented. Do not use mineral oil, petroleum, lanolin, coconut oil or cocoa butter as these inhibit the ability of the essential oil to be absorbed by the body.
The oils are divided into three categories according to how they evaporate. Top notes evaporate more quickly and give you your first impression of the scent of the oil. Middle notes evaporate more slowly and make up the main scents of the oil. Base notes evaporate the slowest and bind the other scents of the blend together. The following shows how the oils are divided into Top, Middle and Base notes. Some oils can be used in more than one way.
Top
Middle
Base
Bergamot
Geranium
Frankincense
Birch
Lavender
Sandalwood
Cedarwood
Lemon grass
Vanilla
Lavender
Rose
Lemon
Orange
Peppermint
Rosemary
Blending Your Oils
Concentration means the amount of essential oil that has been added to the carrier oil. Because the heat used in stone massage intensifies the essential oils’ affect, a concentration of 1% to 2.5% should be used. Essential oil can also be added to the water in the stone heater. Measure your oil in a bottle measured in ounces and add drops of the essential oil. Gently shake to blend.
Carrier Oil
Concentration in Drops
Ounces (oz)
1%
2%
2.5%
½
3
6
7.5
1
6
12
15
2
12
24
30
4
24
48
60
8
48
96
120
Less is more – start with ½ the recommended amount
When blending essential oils generally, oils with similar scents blend well together. There are also a number of combinations of different scents that blend well together such as floral and citrus, and mint and citrus. Blend according to the properties of the oils, the top, middle and bottom notes, and/or the scents. There are no bad blends and each is subjective and right for the person it is created for. Experimentation is a must with blending. Remember that less is more; always start out with just a few drops and add more as needed. Rosemary, citrus, sandalwood, bergamot and lavender are oils that enhance and smooth out the scent of blends.
Scents of Essential Oils Chart 1
Refreshing
Light/Fresh
Powdery
Sweet
Medicinal
Floral
Bergamot
Rosewood
Cedarwood
Birch
Eucalyptus
Geranium
Eucalyptus
Sweet orange
Frankincense
Lavender
Birch
Lavender
Geranium
Bergamot
Sandalwood
Rose
Tea tree
Rose
Lemon grass
Lavender
Vanilla
Rose-wood
Rosemary
Lemon
Vanilla
Scents of Essential Oils Chart 2
Green/Herbaceous
Exotic
Warm
Lemon
Citrus
Minty
Rosemary
Sandalwood
Lavender
Lemon
Bergamot
Peppermint
Vanilla
Lemon grass
Lemon
Rose
Sweet orange
Below are some blends used at River Rock Massage. Experiment with these blends and then create your own. Always wash your stones and change the water in the heater between clients when using essential oil. At River Rock Massage I use two stone heaters with rocks if I have two clients back to back that will have River Rock Aromastone Therapy. Beginning with hot water in your stone heater will cut the time it takes to heat the water and be ready for your next client.
