Most people think of massage as something strictly found in a spa setting as a recreational or relaxing activity akin to going to the swimming pool or the movies. For some people, massage is something much different. Therapeutic massage is an important treatment for medium to severe health conditions such as back pain, headaches and joint injuries.

The differences between relaxation and therapy massage are numerous. Relaxation massage is an enjoyable experience in which the receiver has a lot of input on how or where it is to be performed. A licensed massage therapist uses varying degrees of light and medium pressure to induce a state of physical and mental relaxation. Massages of this sort are often performed in a spa or at a resort. Short, one-time relaxation massages can also be found at a mall or even some natural food stores. The relaxation massage could be as short as ten minutes or part of a full-day package that includes other pampering services such as a facial, manicure or hair styling.

Relaxation massages do have some therapeutic benefits such as improved circulation and stress reduction. Also, some of the massage techniques of relaxation massage are similar to those of therapeutic massage. The recipient of the relaxation massage lies on a specialized table or chair and is usually covered with only a thin sheet. Swedish massage is the most popular type of relaxation massage and can be accompanied by aromatherapy, hot stones and hydrotherapy.

Therapeutic massage, on the other hand, is used for the specific purpose of pain relief and usually takes place in a clinic or physical rehabilitation center. In some cases the massage may take place in a hospital setting. The first session will often include a full disclosure of past medical history and current conditions. As with relaxation massage, elements of therapeutic massage may be extremely relaxing. But the advanced techniques for rehabilitation of chronic pain are deeper and can approach the realm of slight pain. Whereas relaxation massages are often only one session in length, therapeutic massage may be as frequent as three times per week for a period of several months.
Therapeutic massage may be recommended for:

• Chronic pain
• Cancer
• Sports injury
• Strains and sprains
• Whiplash
• Arthritis
• Spinal conditions
• Pregnancy

Types of therapeutic massage can include trigger point, myofascial release and deep tissue. Both relaxation and therapeutic massage offer numerous health benefits to a patient suffering from pain and stress.

(ARA) – Every season has its signature scents and summer is no exception. What summer scent stimulates your senses? Is it freshly mown grass? Or perhaps the faint smell of coconut that makes you think of sunscreen and summer afternoons at the beach? Or even the fragrant hint of lavender or rose from the flower garden?

You can celebrate the scents of summer – and even recapture the emotions those aromas evoke long after summer fades – by using essential oils in practical ways for an outdoor aromatherapy experience. Tom Havran, aromatherapy expert and product developer at Aura Cacia, offers the following tips to maximize your “scent-ual” summer.

* Before-Sun Shea Body Butter
Natural shea butter provides slight sun protection for the skin. Although it is no substitute for a proven over-the-counter product with a high SPF, shea butter can be used as a fine, natural base prior to outdoor activity and application of a commercial sun block.

To make your own before-sun shea body butter, melt together 3 ounces of shea butter and 1 ounce of grapeseed or jojoba oil until just liquefied. Remove the mixture from heat and let it partially cool until it takes on a hazy color. Then mix in 18 drops of lavender essential oil and pour the mixture into a small jar. Smooth your homemade body butter on your skin prior to applying commercial sunscreen.

* Cool Fan Tip
Before the age of electric fans and air conditioning, a hand-held fan was a practical way to move hot, stagnant air away from the face and neck, thereby providing evaporative cooling. A hand-held fan is still easy and practical. Waving a fan is so much more fun and effective than waving one’s hand (especially to shoo away summertime bugs).

Enhance your fan’s effectiveness by applying a few drops of cooling peppermint oil and insect-repellent citronella oil. This is a particularly convenient way to use these oils if you don’t want to apply them directly to the skin.

* Lavender After-Sun Mist
Invariably, exposure to the sun has a cumulative, detrimental effect on the skin. Lavender essential oil is often included in therapeutic skin care products because of its highly regarded soothing, healing and toning effects.

To make your own soothing and cooling lavender skin mist, mix 4 ounces of purified water or chilled peppermint tea, 1 tablespoon of aloe juice or extract, 21 drops of lavender essential oil and six drops of peppermint essential oil in a spray-mister bottle. Shake and lightly mist skin after exposure to sun. Always shake well before use. Avoid eyes and sensitive areas. Chill bottle and contents before application for added relief.

* Aromatherapy Simmering Pot for the Grill
After dinner is served on the patio the bugs seem to move in — just when you are trying to enjoy the food. Utilize the residual heat of the grill by simmering a pan of water to which you’ve added a blend of insect-repelling essential oils such as citronella, palmarossa, lemongrass, geranium and lavender. Enhance the brew with some aromatic botanicals such as peppermint leaves, lemon and sprigs of herbs such as rosemary and thyme.

* Evening Candle Applications
As your outdoor day moves into evening, candles are often used to provide light and ambience to the setting. Rather than the ubiquitous citronella-fragranced commercial candles or the smoking tiki torch, seek out decorative aromatherapy candle lamps to which you can add your own custom blend of essential oils. These usually come with a well to add water and a few drops of essential oils.

For more ideas on using essential oils for summertime activities, visit www.auracacia.com/summer.

Courtesy of ARAcontent