DOES IT MATTER WHAT MASSAGE OIL YOU USE?

A massage without oil is, well… not a massage. It’s more of a skin-abusing torture rub. Massage oil allows the fingers to glide over your skin, practically friction-free, so they can deliver that oh-so-wonderful magic we all crave.

Don’t Settle for Just Any Massage Oil

But did you know that some oils deliver more than just a smooth ride for the masseuse’s fingers? Thanks to decades of lab research, scientists now know more than ever about the therapeutic benefits of a variety of essential oils.

So yes, the massage oil you choose does make a difference in the way your massage turns out.

What does that mean for your next massage? It means that, after a massage, in addition to feeling blissed out and physically relaxed to the wet noodle stage, your body may actually be a little healthier.

Here are some of the ways different massage oils can deliver added value to your next massage.

Oils Can Help With Joint Pain

There are some essential oils that can be added to massage oils for increased powers of healing. One of these is black pepper essential oil. Made from the dried berries of the pepper plant (yes, just like what you use in your pepper mill), they have anti-inflammatory properties.

Oils Can Help With Muscle Soreness

In addition to the muscle nirvana a massage creates, the oil you use can boost the muscle-relaxing effect of your session. A massage oil containing ginger essential oil may help warm the muscles, further increasing the massage’s power to relax your body.

A more exotic oil that also relieves sore muscles is one made with arnica extract. Related to the sunflower plant, this Scandinavian plant is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. You may know it as ‘wolf’s bane’. Some even say it helps heal bruises.

Oils Can Boost the Power of the Massage

Massages don’t just leave you feeling relaxed and calm. They also stimulate your lymphatic system. Why’s that important? Because the lymphatic system is your body’s white blood cell factory.

White blood cells are your own personal army of infection fighters. Create more and your army is stronger. So, a massage can help you stay healthy and avoid the latest germ that’s going around the neighborhood.

Using the right massage oil can boost that benefit. Essential oils like peppermint, patchouli, and rosemary, when added to your massage oil, can multiply the power of a massage to deliver these physiological benefits.

The Right Oil Can Relax Your Mind

Of course, 45 minutes of distraction-free time on the massage table does wonders for your mental state, too. No phone, no work, no people… it’s the timeout we all need.

Some massage oils can make that 45 minutes even more beneficial to your mind. If they contain essential oils like rosemary, chamomile, or rosewood, massage oils can further relax your mind to a state of zen-like calm.

Let’s Not Forget the Skin

For the most part, people get massages to relax the body and the mind. But keep in mind the skin loves a good massage, too. You’re having oil rubbed all over your body, so it makes sense to use an oil that’s known for promoting healthy skin.

Massage oils made with jojoba oil are popular for their moisture-boosting properties. More exotic choices may include myrrh oil or desert date tree oil. Skin rejuvenation headed your way!

In the end, all that matters for a good massage is that your masseuse knows what she’s doing, and you feel good afterward. The oils you choose to use can actually make a blissful experience even better if you can imagine that’s possible. Have fun experimenting with the different massage oils, and your weekly trips to Nirvana may just get even better.