But, as Robert Tisserand writes in a recent blog posting, there is another good reason to use essential oils during massage, and that is to kill microbes that could cause illness. Because of the close work during massage, both client and therapist can share potentially infectious microbes. Lavender and other essential oils are powerful anti-microbial agents and therefore serve a valuable service far beyond aroma.  Read Tisserand’s great article to learn more about studies in this area.

So go ahead and ask for an aromatherapy massage! You’ll be killing germs without lifting a finger.

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Now, if you’ll pardon me, I’m off for a run.

Read the article from the New York Times here.
Read the full study in the journal Learning and Memory here.

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What does this mean?

It means Patrick Smith Natural Health neither performs nor commissions tests on animals for any of its products.  In addition, I require all of my suppliers to attest to the fact that they neither perform nor commission animal testing, and any new supplier must attest to the same before I will work with them.  This means that my entire supply chain is clear of animal testing.

Thank you for supporting cruelty-free cosmetics!  (Don’t you feel better?)

To learn more about the Leaping Bunny program and browse their cruelty-free shopping guide, visit here.  And look for the Leaping Bunny on our labels soon!

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Hooray once again for massage! (And for this treatment, you don’t even need to see a professional!)

Read the abstract for the study here, and read the protocol for self-massage as published in Massage Magazine here.

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In a spa or gym environment, time management is critical, as therapists often have 10 minutes or less to turn a room around. If they start getting backed up after their first client, somebody’s going to get short-changed.

But what about us private practice therapists? We manage our own schedules and can build in as much turnaround time as we like. What’s the benefit of sticking to the clock? First, I’m mindful of people’s schedules. When a client books a 60-minute session at 5pm, I assume she has somewhere to go at 6pm. If we start 15 minutes late because of some chit-chat, I will check that she’s okay to go until 6:15pm. Second, I value my time as a professional, and time is all we have to give (i.e. we don’t provide a tangible product to take home). Lastly, “giving” extra time can (but doesn’t always) give the wrong message in a therapeutic context. “If I’m good, maybe I’ll get some extra time,” a client may subconsciously think. “Why didn’t I get that extra time today? What did I do wrong?” With the extra time factor out of the equation, there are no confusing messages.

That said, I do make sure I finish my work. If my client needs attention to his lower back, I manage my time to make sure that his lower back is attended to. And if the hour is up and I have just started working on the face or head, I will spend a few moments to properly finish the session.

And if I have some product samples, I love giving those away. Or coupons for local services. Or a lollipop, if I haven’t eaten them all…

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Mr. Tisserand also includes a wonderful quote from John Gerard’s The Grete Herball (16th century): “Rosemary. For weyknesse of ye brayne. Agaynst weyknesse of the brayne and coldeness thereof, sethe rosmarin in wyne and lete the pacyent receve the smoke at his nose and kepe his heed warme.”

Is it any surprise that I have been putting drops of Rosemary (ct camphor) in my shower in the morning and that my math skills have improved?

Read Mr. Tisserand’s blog on this study here.

Read the abstract to Moss & Oliver’s 2012 study in the journal Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology here.

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Well, I’m ALL IN.

Read the article here.

See the study here.

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In fact, I’m off to do that right now!

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Andrea Petersen’s piece gives a great overview of studies that prove the efficacy of massage, including those done for immune function against cancer, asthma treatment for children, and grip strength for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Petersen also writes about a study showing how a single massage reduces cortisol production in the body, which I also wrote about in January (“Massage and Immunity“). And massage research continues to grow, as the industry has grown to $11 billion in 2011.

The article also addresses the small but growing number of states and healthcare plans where massage therapy is a covered benefit. Little by little, insurers are recognizing the benefit of allowing massage to its members. Washington is currently the only state where massage is required to be covered.

We’ve come a long way. It wasn’t that long ago when acupuncture was not a covered benefit. Now it is commonplace to be covered. With more work and articles like this, most people will be able to enjoy the benefits of massage in the near future.

Read the full article in The Wall Street Journal here: “Don’t Call It Pampering: Massage Wants to Be Medicine“

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Yes.  There are times when massage is not recommended:

Fever: Do not seek a massage when you have a fever.  A fever indicates that your body is battling something, and it’s best to let your body do its job without interference to your circulatory system.
Impaired Judgment: If you’re drunk, high, or otherwise “out of it,” do not get a massage.  One of the main reasons for this is when you are cognitively impaired, you do not have the tools to provide the right feedback to your therapist.  If he/she is working to deep, you may not notice it and you could become injured. Sleep it off, and get a massage the next day.
Acute Injury: Massage is very helpful in supporting the healing process from injuries — but not during the acute stage (up to 24 hours after the injury, although sometimes several days).  A trained therapist can begin working with you once the injury has passed the acute stage and inflammation has started to subside.  Discuss your condition thoroughly with your therapist after clearing it with your doctor.
Open Wounds: If you have an open wound, don’t expect your therapist to work on you.  Let the wound begin to heal, scab over, and then talk to your therapist about possibly working around the properly dressed wound.
Deep Vein Thombosis/Pulmonary Embolism: Massage can be dangerous to you if you have a present DVT or PE.  The work can dislodge the clot and cause serious — even fatal — complications.  After DVT/PE event has passed, ask your doctor if you are cleared for massage.
Numbness at Extremities: Tell your therapist ahead of time if you have numbness in your hands or feet for any reason, including complications from diabetes.  Like with impaired judgment, impaired feeling can prevent you from providing appropriate feedback to your therapist.

These are some of main times and conditions where massage is not indicated.  As always, if you are unsure or if you are experiencing a condition and wish to receive massage, check with your doctor.

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