Massage is the workinjg of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue using various technique, to enhance function, aid in the healing process, and promote relaxation and well-being.
Massage involves working and acting on the body with pressure - structured, unstructured, stationary, or moving - tension, motion, or vibration, done manually or with mechanical aids. Target tissues may include muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, skin, joints, or other connective tissue, as well as lymphatic vessels, or organs of the gastrointestinal system. Massage can be applied wtih hands, fingers, elbows, kness, forerm and feet. There are over eighty different recognized massage modalities. The most cited reasons for introducing massage as therapy have been client demand and perceived clinical effectiveness.
In professional settings massage involves the client being treated while lying on a massage hair, or lying on a mat on the floor. The massage subject may be fully or partly unclothed. Parts of the body may be covered with towels or sheets. Those who practice massage as a career are referred to as massage therapists. Some oils are more likely to leave you feeling greasy after the massage, while other massage oils go rancid quickly and take on an unpleasant smell. Worse, some oils might irritate skin or cause allergic reactions.
Here are five top choices,. These massage oils can be used alone or in combination.
1) Sweet Almond Oil
Sweet almond oil is one of the most popular massage oils among massage therpists. Extracted form almonds, sweet almond oil is pale yellow in color.
It is slightly oily, which allows hands to glide easily over skin. Sweet almond oil is absorbed fairly quickly, but not so quickly that you need to keep reapplying it.
Compared with other oils, sweet almond oil is reasonably priced. It usually does not irritate skin. People with nut allergies should not use almond oil.
2) Apricot Kernel Oil
Apricot kernel oil is similar in texture and color to almond oil, but costs slightly more. It is rich in vitamin E, a quality that gives it a longer shelf life than the typical oil.
Like almond oil, apricot kernel oil is absorbed into the skin, so it won't leave people feeling greasy afterwards. This property also makes it a good oil to use for aromatherapy massage.
Apricot kernel oil is a good alterntive to sweet almond oil for people with nut allergies.
3) Jojoba Oil
Jojoba is actually a wax extracted from the seed of the jajoba plant. Jajoba is a good option for most people prone to back acne because it is thought to have antibacterial properties and contains long chain wax estes that closely resemebles skin sebum.
Jojoba has a very long shelf life, so it's a good choice if you don't use it regularly.
It is very well-absorbed, which makes it a favorite carrier oil for aromatherapy. Jojoba is usually not irritating to skin.
One drawback: jojoba oil is so silky and quickly absorbed, you may need reapply it often or mix it with othe oils. It is more pricey than sweet almond oil.
4) Fractionated Coconut Oil
Although you may think of coconut oil as being a thick, white solid oil, fractionated coconut oil is actually a light, non-gresy, liquid oil,
It is called Fractionated coconut oil because it contains only a fraction of the whole oil. The long-chain triglycerides have been removed, leaving only the medium-chain triglycerides.
Fractionated coconut oil is less pricey than many other oils ( it 's comparable to sweet almond oil ) and like jojoba oil, has a very long shelf life. But perhaps the top feature of fractionated coconut oil is that it tends not ot stain sheets, a problem with most massage oils.
5) Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil is a light, non - greasy oil that won 't leave skin feeling oily. The oil, extracted from sunflower seeds, is rich in the essential fatty acid linoleic acid, as well as palmitic acid and stearic acid, all components of healthy skin. The amonut of linoleic acid in skin declines with age and can be stripped by harsh soaps and cleansers.
Sunflower oil can go rancid quickly, so it should be purchased in small quanatities and stored in a dark cool area. Squeezing one or two capsules of pure vitamin E oil into the bottle may hay to extend the shelf life.
People with allergies to the sunflower plant family should avoid sunflower oil.
Other Massage Oils
* Avocado Oil
Avocado oil pressed from the avocado fruit. Deep green in color, avocado oil is a heavier oil and is usually oils such as sweet almond oil.
Avocado oil is roughly double the cost of sweet almond oil. People who are sensitive to latex may be sensitive to avocado oil.
* Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter is very rich and has a distinct chocolate aroma. It is solid at room temperature and has a heavy texture, so it needs to be blended with other oils or sed only for very small areas.
* Grape seed oil
In many respects, grape seed oil makes a great massage oil. It has little - to no odor, and it has a smooth, silky texture without being greasy.
However, most grape seed oil is extracted from grape seeds using a solvent ( rather than being pressed from the seeds), which some it an inferior oil for aromatherapy massage.
* Kukui Nut Oil
A light, thin, non - greasy oil. Native to a Hawaii, kukui nut oil is typically used on all skin types, including oily skin and sun - damaged skin.
* Olive Oil
Most people are familiar with olive oil as a cooking oil, but it is occasionally used for massage. It is a heavy oil with a greasy or sticky texture and recognizable aroma that many associate with cooking, so it' s usually not used on its own for massage.
One study compared topical olive that olive oil had no effect on epidermal barrier function, wheeas topical sunflower oil resulted in significant improvement in the skin barrie.
* Sesame Oil
Sesame oil is prized in Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India. It is used in a daily Ayurvedic self-massage called abhyanga, as well as shirodhara.
According to Ayurveda, sesame oil is especially useful for nourishing and for ailments associated with the vata type, such as anxiety, poor circulation, constipation, bloating, and excessive dryness.
Sesame oil is a rather thick oil that may leave skin feeling oily, so it can be blended with lighter massage oils. The unrefined oil has a strong aroma.
* Shea Butter
Extracted from the of a tree native to Africa, shea butter is a solid at room temperature. Like cocoa butter, shea butter is heavy and can leave an oily feeling on skin, so it is usually not used on its on for massage. It may be blended or used for very small areas.
Shea contains a natural latex, so people with latex allergies should do a patch test before using it.
* Wheat Germ oil
Wheat germ oil is too thick to use on its own as a massage oil, but it can be blended with lighter oils, Wheat germ oil is rich in vitamin e.
And finally, instead of oil, massage therapists often use specially-formulated massage gels and lotions. Some of the benefits of massage are listed below.
Pain Relief
All kinds of pain and muscular aches can be eliminated through massage therapy. It is beneficial in cuing rheumatism arthritis, headaches, migraines, chronic back pain. It helps relieve muscle tension and stiffness.
Improved Cralief:
Its most important application is that in increasing life span and general ense of well being.
Stress Relief:
Massage is a great way to reduce the stress in your life. It helps in curing tension-related headaches.
Reducing Blood Pressure:
Massage is helpful in decreaing blood pressure in people with hypertension.
Better Sleep:
Massage therapy inducas a massage relieves mental stress.
Improves Flexibility:
It provides geater joint flexibility and range of motion. It relieves muscle tension and stiffness
Athletic Performance:
Massage therapy enhances athletic performance. It speeds up healing of injury and prevents further injury.
Strengthens the lmmune System
It stimulates the digestive system and activates the urinary system.
Emotional Benefits:
Massage is good for healing emotions. It satisfies the need for caring nurturing touch.
Body Awareness:
Massage creates body awareness and enhances capacity for calm thinking and creaivity.