| It has been well established that stress is one of the | | | | approximately seven to ten days (7-10). In |
| leading factors of chemical changes in the body. | | | | conclusion, the study found that aromatherapy, |
| Persons who suffer from high anxiety are more | | | | coupled with massage does help ease geriatric |
| prone to depression, disrupted sleep, heart disease | | | | constipation.[2] |
| and a kaleidoscope of other health disorders. In the | | | | Other research suggests that both aromatherapy |
| case of those persons suffering from a plethora of | | | | massage and massage are beneficial to persons |
| health conditions, aromatherapy massage and | | | | suffering from cancer. In a study performed by |
| massage have been shown to alleviate stress and | | | | Princess Alice Hospice in the UK, patients were |
| anxiety. While these natural healing techniques may | | | | administered both aromatherapy massage and |
| not always cure disease, they can have a remarkable | | | | massage alone during a four-week course. To assess |
| effect on the physical body. | | | | its efficacy on physical and psychological symptoms, |
| What many individuals do not realize is that stress is | | | | both techniques were randomly administered to |
| the leading proponent in raising blood sugar levels and | | | | patients with advanced stages of cancer. The |
| blood pressure, red blood cell over activity, | | | | findings were promising, as significant sleep patterns |
| constricted blood vessels, racing pulse, and digestive | | | | were enhanced in both of the groups. In addition, |
| problems.[4] These facts prove that stress can have | | | | depression levels were statistically significant in the |
| a very negative impact on overall health. | | | | massage group. Overall, the study showed that |
| In a report by the Research Institute of Nursing | | | | patients who had heightened levels of distress were |
| Science (College of Nursing Seoul National University, | | | | more likely to respond to both types of massage.[3] |
| Seoul, South Korea)[1], aromatherapy massage was | | | | In conclusion, we have learned that stress-related |
| studied on elderly women in Korea to determine its | | | | disorders and health complications can be significantly |
| efficacy on anxiety and self-esteem issues. | | | | reduced and/or alleviated by natural healing |
| In the study, a massage was administered using | | | | techniques such as aromatherapy massage, massage |
| aromatic essential oils, such as chamomile, lavender, | | | | and other noninvasive health treatments. |
| lemon and rosemary. Overall, the study lasted seven | | | | © 2007 All Rights Reserved - Aromatherapy |
| (7) weeks in duration. During that time frame, | | | | Massage and Massage: Effectiveness on Emotional |
| aromatherapy massage sessions were set three (3) | | | | and Physical Wellbeingby CarolAnn Bailey-Lloyd |
| times per week, with each session being 20 minutes. | | | | References: |
| After the initial three-week period, a one-week | | | | 1. Effects of aromatherapy massage on anxiety and |
| intermission ensued, and then continued the remaining | | | | self-esteem in Korean elderly women: a pilot study. - |
| three weeks. While blood pressure and pulse rate | | | | Int J Neurosci. 2006 Dec; 116(12):1447-55. |
| were not significantly affected, remarkable | | | | 2. Effect of aromatherapy massage for the relief of |
| differences were clearly established in regard to | | | | constipation in the elderly - Taehan Kanho Hakhoe |
| anxiety and self-esteem. | | | | Chi. 2005 Feb;35(1):56-64 |
| In another study, the same procedure was | | | | 3. A randomized controlled trial of aromatherapy |
| administered to older patients suffering from | | | | massage in a hospice setting. - Palliat Med. 2004 |
| constipation. In the 10-day study, the experimental | | | | Mar;18(2):87-92 |
| group was given abdominal aromatherapy massage; | | | | 4. Chronic Stress Affects both Mind and Body: The |
| using the essential oils lemon, peppermint and | | | | Health Effects of Stress and Increased Cortisol |
| rosemary. The control group, too, was given | | | | Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational |
| massage; but without the aid of aromatherapy. Upon | | | | purposes only, and is not intended to replace the |
| commencement of the study, levels of constipation | | | | medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. |
| were measured by the constipation assessment scale | | | | Please consult your health care provider for advice |
| (CAS). While the results found that the average | | | | about specific medical concerns and especially before |
| number of bowel movements had improved in both | | | | beginning any type of health treatment. |
| groups; the experimental group who had received | | | | NOTICE: Article(s) may be republished free of charge |
| the aromatherapy massage showed a significant | | | | to relevant websites, as long as Copyright and |
| improvement. Purportedly, it was demonstrated that | | | | Author Resource Box are included; and ALL |
| its effects lasted for two (2) weeks after treatment; | | | | Hyperlinks REMAIN intact and active. |
| whereas non-aromatherapy massage lasted | | | | |