Part of an occasional series by Sarah Lund: helping you to choose the right complementary therapy for you .... Why do some massages seem too hard or too soft?

What’s the difference between an Aromatherapy massage and a Body Massage?

Have you ever booked a massage, then come away complaining that it was too gentle? Or the other way around: perhaps you were expecting a light, soft treatment but spent the whole time wondering what on earth the practitioner was doing?

Booking the wrong type of massage is an easy enough mistake: as body massage is typically given using some aromatherapy oils, the difference isn’t immediately obvious. The two types of treatment come from separate disciplines, however, which explains why the wrong type of massage can be a disappointment.

Body Massage

In a body massage, your practitioner uses oil to help her or his hands glide over your skin. They may add a drop of aromatherapy oil to ease your mood (say, lavender to relax or bergamot to cheer you up) but the treatment itself is physical. By combining thoughtfully-chosen strokes, your masseur can relieve physical aches and pains, treat problems in the circulation and digestive systems and promote detoxification.

To cut a long story short: a good body massage will loosen tense muscles, stimulate the blood and lymphatic systems and – as a result – help your own body to help itself. This is the type of massage treatment given by physiotherapists to cure specific injuries, as well as by complementary therapist for overall well-being.

English aromatherapy

By contrast, aromatherapy is a form of medicine. In France, where aromatic oils are taken internally, they can only be used by qualified doctors and physiotherapists. (The correct term for this is aromatology.) Confusion arose in the 19th century, when essential oils were introduced to the UK from France. As the first aromatherapy organisation in England was made up mainly of Beauty Therapists, the Beauty Therapy code of practice had to be followed which does not allow the administration of anything by mouth.

This was written into the associations' code of practice and into that of every other association to follow. Here in the UK, therefore, a complementary therapist or beautician can't prescribe essential oils as medicine: just as well, since the oils are very strong!

The French still call aromatherapy massage “English Aromatherapy”. Luckily for us, a method of introducing the oils into the body through the skin was developed in France, by a nurse called Marguerite Maury. Although she trained with France’s leading aromatologist, Dr Chabenes, she was not a qualified physician. Because of this, she worked with other doctors to figure out new ways to administer the oils, such as inhalations, room fragrances, compresses and bathing as well as massage.

Aromatherapy massage

The aromatherapy massage is very specifically designed to encourage the body to accept oils through the skin into the blood, and the nervous system to be receptive to the essences’ chemical components. A lot of the strokes are similar to Body Massage, where they are used to get the oils onto the skin: but a massage therapist will then focus on releasing muscle tension where an aromatherapist will focus on encouraging the body to be as receptive to the therapeutic benefits of the blend which they have tailor made for the recipient.

Remembering that essential oils are actually powerful medications as well as fragrances, you should expect an aromatherapist to require a detailed consultation before your treatment begins. She’ll need to know about your medical history as well as your present condition, both physical and emotional in order to make the perfect blend for you.

Choose one - or both!

Both forms of therapy can treat a wide range of conditions and you may well be drawn to one or the other. Our Holistic Therapists will help you decide which is best for you.
Our 'Holistic Library' tells you more about essential oils and what they’re good for.

Fancy practicing massage with your partner? Try a Romantic Massage with your partner, or check out our day courses!