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MassageImagine being on your feet all day, lifting heavy boxes, or sitting at a desk. Your back is killing you, there is a sharp pain in your shoulder, and your temples are throbbing. You suffer fatigue, muscle strain, trapped nerves. It’s time for a massage. Aromatherapy Although ancient civilisations in China, India and Peru seem to have used plant aromas for healing purposes, it is the Ancient Egyptians who, in popular belief, were credited with providing the origins of aromatherapy as we know it today. They are known to have developed a rudimentary distillation machine for the crude extraction of cedarwood oil and a papyrus dating from around 1550 BC gives details of aromatics used in the treatment of illness, religious ceremonies and embalming as well as for cosmetics which were used widely by both sexes. The formulae for many preparations can be found carved into the walls of Egyptian temples. Modern day aromatherapy owes much to the major contribution of three French nationals, Rene Maurice Gattefosse, Dr Jean Valnet and Margaret Maury. Chemist and scholar, Gattefosse, is considered the father of modern aromatherapy. In 1910, quite by chance, he discovered the virtues of essential oil of Lavender. During an experiment at a perfumery plant, he badly burnt his hand and instinctively plunged his hand into the nearest liquid available which happened to be lavender essential oil. He was amazed at the speed of healing and lack of scarring. This started a fascination with essential oils and he continued to experiment with these, especially during World War 1. He coined the phrase ‘aromatherapy’ in his book ‘Aromatherapie’ published in 1937 (some sources say 1928). Army surgeon Dr Jean Valnet developed Gattefosse’s work further. This time it was World War 2 that provided the opportunity for observing the effects in the treatment of soldier’s wounds. Valnet’s work continued and in 1964 he published his own book on the subject. Following this work, it was biochemist Margaret Maury who developed the technique of diluting and applying essential oils to the body by way of massage. So what is an Essential Oil? It is a term used to describe the volatile, aromatic liquid extracted from plants and trees. A more formal definition is “ a concentrated, hydrophobic liquid containing volatile, aromatic compounds from plants”. Whilst termed ‘oils’ they are non-greasy although they are not water-soluble. Because they are highly concentrated, they require dilution before use in aromatherapy. There are many ways to use essential oils but at Nature’s Quest, they are applied to the bare skin as part of a gentle, relaxing massage. Aromatherapy is good, in particular, for stress and stress related conditions as well for as a host of other complaints, aches and pains. It is generally harmless although care needs to be taken to avoid certain oils for particular conditions and, on rare occasions, there may be an allergic reaction to oils. It is more usual to enjoy a wonderful sense of well being from your aromatherapy experience. Tui Na Tui Na is a form of Chinese Massage and the literal meaning is Push/Grab, Push/Grasp or Stroking/Lifting. These literal definitions give a verbal illustration indicative of some of the ways that the hands work on the body whilst performing the massage. Tui Na can be worked on clients either through loose clothing or on the bare skin. The former is usually regarded as more traditional but in hospitals and elsewhere today, it is performed on the bare skin. This has an advantage in that one can use oils and sometimes herbs to increase the beneficial effects on the client. Tui Na is an ancient art as evidenced by historical illustrations and drawings. It is thought to pre-date even acupuncture and probably developed around 2500 BC. Oracle bones from the Shang Dynasty of China (1700 B.C.E.) show that Tui Na massage was used to treat children’s diseases and digestive complaints in adults. By 600 C.E. Tui Na was included in the Imperial Medical College as a separate department. The technique involves treating the body with Chinese massage strokes and acupressure on specific acupressure points relevant to the illness, massaging the meridians and generally affecting the flow of chi or energy through the meridians of the body. In Tui Na, illnesses are related to blockages in the flow of chi and the technique aims to clear these blockages and restore balance to the body allowing the body to ‘rid itself’ of the adverse condition.
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