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The popularity of receiving massage treatments has been growing substantially in the last 10 years. Many people recognize that receiving natural therapies such as massage is very beneficial to the body. However, many people have never received a massage simply because they either do not make the time to see a masseuse or they feel that pain for a one-hour massage plus gratuity is very expensive. As always, technology now offers other possibilities to receive the benefit of receiving frequent massage therapy.

Massage chairs have advanced rapidly over the years. They now contain a number of different types of technologies which come together to provide very effective massage treatments. Whether you would like a full body massage or prefer to target a specific area, massage chairs are a practical alternative to receiving frequent massage therapy.

Many people are conscious of their bodies and our timid to get a massage in nothing but a towel. They also may not feel comfortable going to see a masseuse for whatever reasons. It massage chair provides a convenient method to receive the positive benefits of massage treatment with out the embarrassment.

You can receive a number of positive health benefits from having a massage chair. Massage chairs make it viable to receive massage treatments on a frequent basis. Just like diet and exercise, massage treatments must be done on a regular or routine interval to be effective.

Many of us are feeling much more stress today than perhaps ever before. The changing situation in the world is causing the stress levels of everyone to rise. It seems that we are working harder to stay where we are at.

It is important to be aware of the impact of stress on the body. Stress first affects the mind. The mind tries to resolve the problem is faced with. If the problem is not resolved quickly, then it will linger which causes the body to be under tension. Prolonged tension causes stiffness which results in pain and discomfort.

It is best to counteract the effects of stress on the body as it begins. The longer the stress impacts the body, the more harm it does. Relieving the tension through relaxation and relieving the body of aches and pains is a great way to counteract the effects of stress on the body.

Oftentimes we are so busy in our hectic schedules that we don’t take enough time for our health and well-being. A massage chair is a constant reminder that we need to take a time out for ourselves. Just a few minutes a day can have an enormous effect on your outlook and health.

Relaxation is a critical part of leading a healthy lifestyle. If we are always on the go and never relax then our body doesn’t have sufficient time to heal. Relaxation helps to distract the mind to calm and quiet it. This gives the body time to heal rather than be under stress.

Receiving frequent massage chair therapy is a great way to get the benefits of massage. Massage helps the mind to relax while relieving the soreness in the body. The body is stimulated and invigorated with the movements of different massage techniques. This helps to relax the muscles, improve circulation and to increase awareness and concentration.

Massage chairs offer a way to relieve minor aches and pains in the body. They are especially effective in relieving stiffness due to stress or physical exertion. Many common ailments can be relieved with the stimulating and invigoration that the various massage programs in a massage chair contain.

Massage chairs provide you with a great way to counteract the effects of stress. They are an excellent vehicle to provide relaxation. Massage chairs provide a constant reminder to you to take a few minutes for yourself and to relax. Think how a massage chair can help you counteract the effects of stress building up in your daily life.

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Reflexology is considered an alternative health treatment. Reflexology is also known as zone therapy. It involves massaging, holding, squeezing and pushing throughout the body. As certain areas are massage then it is thought to affect other parts of the body. However, many practitioners have conflicting views on exactly how reflexology massage is supposed to work.

But fear not, there is some common ground in the reflexology world. Reflexology targets specific points of the hands and feet. Massage movements stimulate specific reflexology points that are supposed to be connected to other organs within the body. Although reflexology has been around for centuries, no clinical studies have been performed to validate the benefits of this type of massage.

Many traditional methods of healing including reflexology have not been validated with medical studies. Reflexology massage has been found as far back as the ancient Egyptians. In a sense, reflexology has been practiced over 100 generations, yet the last hundred years of science has not had time to investigate its claims. Reflexology was introduced to the United States in 1938 by Eunice Ingham.

The Ingham method of reflexology is used primarily for releasing tension in the body. This method is good for reducing stiffness from stress. Many health professionals agree that stress is one of the biggest contributors to health problems. This method of reflexology is used improve nerve and blood supply while also relieving stress.

Reflexology is a natural thing which applies particular massage movements to stimulate major organs throughout the body. There are no known side effects of getting a reflexology massage. When these reflexology points are stimulated, its corresponding organ is relaxed.

There is a certification board for practitioners of reflexology. The main certification board is the Reflexology Association of America. This certification board was established in 1995. It is responsible for setting the guidelines for reflexology standards.

To attract students into studying reflexology, the Reflexology Association of America encourages that reflexology becomes a standard profession. This would be similar to other certification programs where graduates would be bestowed the right to practice this technique.

There isn’t a lot of research on reflexology. This area is starting to get more attention with the emphasis on more natural therapies. You can find some further research at Reflexology Association of America. Most of their research is around pain control.

Other research indicates a wide variety of benefits. Again, since there are no clinical studies, some of these benefits must be taken with a grain of salt. But other benefits include reducing hair loss, rectal prolapse and reductions in cardiac diseases. It certainly will be interesting to see some more studies and the traditional area.

Reflexology is a field of many traditions. Although there is a main certification board, many operate outside of this particular board. There are many diverse practices of reflexology but, nowadays all come back to the connection between the hands and feet and the rest of the body. Like many traditional fields, the light of science is slowly beginning to rise.

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There quite a number of people who suffer from a swelling of the feet and legs. This can happen when fluid is retained between the body cells. Charlie, fluid is retained in the body cells and not between them. This condition is known as edema. Sufferers of edema typically have progressively more solid feet and lower legs. Many of these pieces are turning to massage chairs to provide a compression massage for relief.

Edema can result by a serious condition of the kidneys, the heart, the liver or even blood vessels. Some of the following have been late to contribute it to edema: pregnancy, PMS, neuromuscular disorders, and abusing drugs. These have been known to cause fluid to be retained between the body cells.

Typically sufferers of edema will notice swollen legs and feet. This is due to the fact that the feet and lower legs are typically at the lowest elevation. The accumulation of fluids will happen in these low elevation places of the body.

Some of the typical symptoms of edema are the swelling of the feet, calves and lower leg areas. Typically the swelling will be at its lowest levels in the morning and then began to increase as the day goes on. This can cause stiffness in the legs or joints.

As the day progresses, you may feel your feet or lower legs swelling. This can start to bog you down as the swelling causes increased stiffness in the muscles and joints. With increased stiffness, it starts to affect your mobility.

Persons suffering from long-term edema may have what is called pitting. Pitting can be checked when you press a small area for a few seconds. Once you release your finger you may notice an indentation continues in that area. This needs to be checked as continued swelling can cause skin ulcerations.

Another common set of symptoms are puffy eyes, swollen hands and swollen wrists. Also reported are higher incidences of higher blood pressure, increased urination, palpitations and higher blood pressure. Many times this condition can also lead to weight gain.

Preventing edema is always the best measure, but seeking relief is also a good alternative. Since you are dealing with swelling, elevating the legs is always important. When you elevate the legs above the level of the heart, this puts minimal pressure on the back of the knees and thighs.

One important area is to elevate your legs while you sleep. This helps keep the fluid buildup in the legs to a minimum and also helps flow more blood to the area. You should also check on getting good shoes. You should try on shoes in the afternoon when swelling is at its maximum.

Many times a compression massage is used to help reduce swelling and restore flexibility. A compression massage uses a gentle squeeze and hold. This helps to loosen the muscle or joint.

Many massage chairs have lower body air compression massages. A leg rest contains a number of airbags to provide a gentle hold and squeeze massage. These airbags are designed for the feet and calves. This can be great relief for someone with stiff joints and muscles.

Like any medical condition, you should always check with your medical provider to see what is right in your case. There are many options that may be available to help relieve the stiffness and pain from edema. Massage chairs have been used in some cases to help patients relieve stiffness and help improve their mobility.

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Reflexology is considered an alternative health treatment. Reflexology is also known as zone therapy. It involves massaging, holding, squeezing and pushing throughout the body. As certain areas are massage then it is thought to affect other parts of the body. However, many practitioners have conflicting views on exactly how reflexology massage is supposed to work.

But fear not, there is some common ground in the reflexology world. Reflexology targets specific points of the hands and feet. Massage movements stimulate specific reflexology points that are supposed to be connected to other organs within the body. Although reflexology has been around for centuries, no clinical studies have been performed to validate the benefits of this type of massage.

Many traditional methods of healing including reflexology have not been validated with medical studies. Reflexology massage has been found as far back as the ancient Egyptians. In a sense, reflexology has been practiced over 100 generations, yet the last hundred years of science has not had time to investigate its claims. Reflexology was introduced to the United States in 1938 by Eunice Ingham.

Reflexology got its start with the introduction of the Ingham method. This was collaboration between Eunice Ingham and Dwight Byers. The focus of this type of massage is for relieving stiffness throughout the body. This method has been noted for improving blood flow and four relaxing the body.

Reflexology is a natural thing which applies particular massage movements to stimulate major organs throughout the body. There are no known side effects of getting a reflexology massage. When these reflexology points are stimulated, its corresponding organ is relaxed.

Practitioners of reflexology massage can be certified. The Reflexology Association of America provides a certificate program for those needing its guidelines. This association also promulgates the guidelines that set the standards for reflexology training and practice.

Reflexology massage is interesting assets only apply to mainly the hands and feet. This has made it somewhat difficult for practitioners to only specialize and this technique. As massage gains more notoriety as a natural treatment, reflexology will also increase in popularity.

The organization does publish research related to reflexology. Most of the research published is regarding either pain control or not see a control. This research looks at the connections in the body for pain and not in control. There are some proponents that believe reflexology may also plans the body of toxins, increase blood circulation and could even assist in weight loss.

There have also been reported successes in treating anything from hair loss to cardiac disease and even rectal prolapse. However, the clinical proof is certainly lacking in these cases. Many individuals have reported that they are body feels less stress and tension after receiving the reflexology massage. However, there are no research findings that show clinical proof that reflexology is able to make significant changes or prudence in particular cases.

Reflexology has been used from ancient Egyptian times to relieve tension in the body. The Egyptians developed the first relationships between certain points on the hands and feet and other major organs. Today, practitioners of reflexology can become certified by a national board. This has provided more legitimacy to preserving a long-standing traditional healing method.

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If you suffer from pain in the joints and muscles areas then you may have polymyalgia. If you have stiffness in the ligaments and tendons then you may have fibromyalgia. Although both conditions can cause stiffness and pain, one involves the joints and muscles where as the other involves the ligaments and tendons. The result of either situation is the muscles become tense and stiff. A number of chiropractic doctors have been treating both conditions using massage chairs are some aspects of their treatment.

Polymyalgia is in inflammatory condition in the muscles or joints. The stiffness of muscles and joints causes mobility to be decreased. The stiffness also causes pain and this condition can be prevalent throughout the body. This condition mainly affects women of northern European descent. Some speculate it could be linked to genetics, but no solid evidence has been presented.

Polymyalgia or polymyalgia rheumatica, affects the joint and muscle areas. This condition is inflammatory in nature, whereas fibromyalgia is not. Polymyalgia most commonly affects the elderly population. Most sufferers of this condition are women and are frequently descendents of Scandinavia or northern Europe.

Natural methods such as massage therapy aim to restore flexibility of the muscles. Massage therapy along with stretching can help to restore flexibility in the joints. Massage chairs are used to deliver these types of therapies to help people with these conditions. To relieve the discomfort is very important to assist a persons positive outlook.

Like any we routine it starts with the basics. It’s important to get a reinforcing routine going. Start your day with some light stretching. Help the major muscles that are stiff become more flexible. Perform light exercises to help build stamina and strength. Restore your muscles and joints with massage chair therapy.

Natural methods of treatment include stretching, light exercise and massage therapy. The focus is on restoring more flexibility and elasticity to the soft tissue areas. Stretching helps to elongate the soft tissues to restore elasticity. Light exercise helps to increase the strength of the soft tissues. Massage therapy is used to elongate the muscles to help them recover after exercise and to keep them elastic.

You should think about getting a normal daily routine going. Think about doing light stretching in the morning followed by some light exercise and then a relaxing massage. Think of your healing process as a three-step cycle including stretching to improve flexibility, exercise to build strength and massage to restore health and vitality.

Imagine having the constant pain from one of these conditions. Further imagine that there is no known cure. Relieving the symptoms becomes of paramount importance. When these symptoms flare up you need to seek relief. A massage chair is an important asset in the fight against these two conditions of polymyalgia and fibromyalgia.

Massage chairs provide you with the tools you need when you feel stiffness. You can apply different massage techniques to the area you need. You can focus it until it relieves a certain area. This helps to maintain better control over your daily routine.

Massage chairs provide effective massage therapy and have full body capability. Additional therapeutic treatments are included in massage chairs such as heating elements, traction systems and even music players. These help to restore the elasticity back to the soft tissue areas affected by these conditions. Consult with your health care professional on treatments that are right for your condition.

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Losing Weight After Pregnancy

Posted by Ben Beckwith in Massage - (Comments Off)

Pregnancy is a beautiful time in a woman’s life that brings with it a glorious blessing after nine months. A few fortunate women sail through their pregnancies and their bodies bounce back without a hitch or any additional weight gain. For the majority of the women though this is not the case. The key to getting the weight off is diet, exercise and massage chair therapy.

A woman will not lose as much weight as she expected to lose after the birth of her child. She may end up with unwanted pounds due to excessive weight gain during the pregnancy. In many cases, fluid retention is the problem and the weight will drop approximately three weeks after delivering the baby due to frequent urination and perspiration.

If you are not one of those women that just drop pounds like nothing, then prepare yourself for what may come. Realize that weight gain is part of the process. You are becoming a Mom or you have already been around the block. Half the game is mental, so be prepared from an emotional standpoint. You can lose the weight and you will, but it takes time and do not forget about effort.

There are numerous suggestions that will help you to lose this extra weight. Some of these helpful hints are obvious such as diet and exercise. Others are not so obvious such as massage therapy. When taken together, the weight can be lost and lost for good.

Diet. Diet. Diet. You are what you eat. Food is your energy. The types and range of fuels helps the body run and regulate itself appropriately. Do not fight an uphill battle. Get your intake of foods to be better quality for your bodys nutrition and you have won half the battle. Its OK to indulge with a dessert, just not everyday!

The problem with fast food is it contains high levels of sodium. Sodium helps to retain water. A good portion of the weight gain in pregnancy is water weight. Water intake is essential in flushing out the toxins of our bodies. Replace any soda or juice drinks, which contain sugar, with mineral water.

Exercise starts with E and means Effort. You have to make an effort to get a consistent routine of exercise going. It is all too easy to go from one thing to the next and never exercise. Take time for you and get yourself in shape. You and the baby will both be happier. Talk to your medical professional as to what is right for you.

Are you planning on breastfeeding? Did you know that by breastfeeding you can make a deposit of five hundred calories per day? Yes, breastfeeding can help you lose weight. Your body is prepared to serve two individuals. Find out from your health care provider how breast feeding and other items can help you lose weight.

Massage therapy has been used throughout the ages for recovery and healing. Your body goes through tremendous changes during pregnancy and after as well. You have to deal with improving your diet and exercising. You also need time for your to recover. A quick massage from a massage chair is ideal. Its the friend you need, when you need. Relief is finally on your schedule.

If you want to see the look of fear on woman, ask her to check her weight during pregnancy. Most women have spent their whole lives keeping the weight off. Yet pregnancy naturally puts it on. When the pregnancy is over, then you need to get in gear to work the remaining weight off. Give yourself a nine month time frame to lose it.

Pregnancy is a wonderful experience and the greatest gift of life. As with all important health issues, speak with your medical doctor about what is right for you. Weight loss is important, but make sure you get the doc’s blessing on what you do. Find out how diet, exercise and massage chair therapy can help you find that new balance.

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Many consider chiropractic treatments as an alternative health care methodology. However, chiropractic treatment is a main stream health care method focused on skeletal system discomfort. Chiropractic medicine is more famous for is focus on the health of the spinal column. They use a range of treatments to deal with the muscles, nervous system, skeletal system and other soft tissues of the body. Massage therapy is used for patients soft tissue treatments to help improve range of motion, reduce discomfort and increase muscle flexibility. Massage chairs are being employed to automate many of these treatments.

With the increase in holistic, natural treatments, chiropractic medicine has become more popular. Typically, a visit to a chiropractor was to relieve back pain or headaches. These are still the majority of visits to chiropractic offices. The doctor must still figure out the actual causes of these symptoms in order to provide relief.

Holistic health is the view that a doctor of chiropractic medicine takes for treating patients. They are taught to believe that the body can maintain self-healing if the patient provides the right situation for their body. The doctor is merely there to help induce the body back toward self-healing.

As such chiropractors need to apply specific treatments to induce the bodys self healing process. Some of the treatments include adjustments, electro-stimulation, and massage therapy. Massage chairs are being used to apply massage therapy and other complementary treatments as well.

To get the body back on its course to natural healing, massage treatments need to be performed on a recurring, periodic basis. Through the repetition of these treatments the body begins to heal. The bodys natural healing process will begin to gain momentum.

Massage chairs have become more common in the chiropractic environment. These chairs automate the manual method of massage therapy and provide a means for consistent application of massage therapy. They are both reliable and consistently perform repetitive massage therapy treatments.

There are numerous massage treatments that can be performed with todays advanced massage chairs. You can use them for a general body warm up or warm down. They can apply a specific technique to a given area of focus. The consistency of the massage and the duration can be controlled as required.

Massage chairs come equipped with automatic programs and with manual programs. The automatic programs are usually one touch and run the whole massage chair. Manual programs are used to apply specific massage techniques.

One nice feature of massage chairs is the application of massage therapy to a given region of the body and also for a given duration of time. This provides consistency of massage therapy to patients by eliminating the inconsistencies of massage applied by massage therapists. The intensity of the massage can also be controlled as well, giving the doctor an excellent means to control the periodic application of massage.

Many technologies have been added to massage chairs to complement the massage therapy. The addition of heating elements, tractions systems and even music players continue to increase the capabilities of massage chairs. Patients can be warmed up with the heaters built into the chair. Stretching of the lower body or upper body can be performed in these massage chairs. All the while, the patient can relax to music played on the massage chairs music player.

The advances of massage chairs allow multiple therapies to be applied at the same time if needed. Heat can be applied to the whole back, while the traction function stretches out the lower body. The lower lumbar can be massaged while heat is applied to the legs. The combination of options is truly phenomenal.

A chiropractors role is to align everything to its prior state of functioning. As your body is able to take back over the healing functions, a chiropractor needs to apply repetitive treatments. Massage chairs provide a consistent and dependable means to provide a range of treatments to assist the patients spine back to full health.

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Sanyo has a full range of massage chairs in their product line. We are going to take an in depth view of the entry level model for Sanyo. The model SR 1000K is the subject of this product review. Our reviews are systematic and we judge any massage chair is five critical areas. We give a point rating of up to twenty points per area for a total possible score of 100. This is the SR-1000K massage chair recliner by Sanyo.

Warranty Coverage & Customer Service: We start with the warranty coverage because this is your long term protection. Massage chairs are complex machines and obtaining sufficient warranty coverage is always advised. Sanyo covers the SR-1000K recliner with the following warranty: You get 3 years coverage for the roller mechanism, 1 year labor coverage, 1 year parts coverage and 1 year in home service coverage. This is a great warranty for an entry level massage chair. Sanyo also has moved to a national call center which has also improved customer service. We rate the warranty coverage and customer service a 19.

Comfort & Ergonomics: Quite simply, a massage chair needs to be comfortable to sit in. We have seen some chairs that could not be used other than when the massage is running. Sanyo has figured this out and the SR1000 is a comfortable chair. The controller is well laid out and easy to figure out. The main power is to the side which takes a short training period to remember. The foot massager takes getting use to flipping out which is somewhat cumbersome. We give this chair a 17 for comfort and ergonomics.

Ease of Use: This is perhaps a category because it is a pet peeve of ours. Let’s face it our world is getting more complex and so are the devices in it. It is the responsibility of the maker of these items to keep it simple. We found the remote to have too many steps to get what you want compared to other massage chairs. This was surprising given that it was a Sanyo. But nevertheless, it is what it is. We rate the SR-1000 a 16 for ease of use.

Key Features: This massage chair comes with the Sanyo stiffness detector. The stiffness detector uses technology borrowed from lie detectors. The stiffness detector in the SR 1000 can sense tightness in the muscles of the body and other points of stress. The user holds the side of the remote and the chair can detect these areas of stiffness. The chair will then target these areas for relief. The other interesting feature is the shape sensor. The shape sensor takes a measurement of the position of the shoulders. The chair then identifies where the shoulders are at and adjusts the massage accordingly. The rollers width will then become less when it gets to your shoulders and for your neck area. These are some advanced electronic features that are unique to Sanyo. We give a rating of 18 for key features.

Massage Therapy: The SR-1000 comes with automatic and manual massage techniques. The automatic massages are named Recovery and Relax. Relax is a soothing type massage and Recovery is more vigorous for after more strenuous activity. The manual massages come with 3 massage techniques but also have two stretching capabilities. The stretching can be used in combination with the 3 massage techniques. The leg rest is capable to massage both the calves and the feet providing virtually a full body massage capability. The SR1000 earns a 17 for its massage therapy.

The Sanyo SR 1000K scored 87/100 points in our rating scale. The SR-1000 has some very unique electronic features for an entry level massage chair. It has one of the strongest warranty coverage for its price range. The foot massager can be hidden from view which adds to the aesthetics of the chair. The chair comes with a nice wood accents adding to its design flair. The massage therapy is effective. This is certainly a great value for its class. If you are looking for a massage chair recliner in this category the SR-1000K certainly merits your consideration.

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Did you know that 4 out of 5 people will suffer from back pain? That is 80% of the population. Our backs take a beating and pain and discomfort is the result. Of the 4 people only half will actually seek treatment. The other half will live with the discomfort. If that half only knew that Hawaiian massage therapy is a great way to get relief, they might be more tempted to actually get help.

Hawaiian massage has evolved from the ancient healers of the Hawaiian islands. These master healers developed specific massage methodologies through time to relief problems throughout the body. One particular method is the Lomi Lomi massage. This Hawaiian technique uses the hands to work gently, yet firmly over the entire body. This therapy is particularly effective in relieving back pain, since it penetrates deeper and deeper.

These ancient practitioners saw the total energy flow through the body. They say that energy flow was sometimes hindered in certain regions, yet flowed in others. In time a holistic approach to healing and well being was developed. But specifically what they found was areas of energy blockage could be manipulated. With the development of different massage techniques, the energy flow of the body could be restored. This restoration brought back balance to the body.

The Lomi Lomi massage uses gentle swaying motions, just like the wave lapping up on the beach. These gentle swaying motions loosen tight muscles. They also help to stretch and elongate the muscles. This restores elasticity back to the muscles. Hawaiian style therapy makes use of deep tissue techniques to penetrate deeply. Gentle pressure is initiated in the beginning and gradually more firm pressure is used. These helps to provde deep relief to aching muscles.

Hawaiian massage techniques are now being integrated into the best massage chair brands like Panasonic and Omega. Panasonic has developed software programs that replicate the key techniques of Hawaiian massage. You can find one-touch massage buttons just for this specialized therapy technique. Other companies like Omega have integrated some of the more effective movements like the gentle swaying motion. Omega also includes stretching or lower body traction in its recliners to help the stretching and loosening of tight muscles for great relief.

You may be surprised how far massage recliners have advanced. They provide full body therapy and an astonishing array of massage techniques. The Lomi Lomi massage is the one of the latest to be integrated into these tireless mechanical masseuses. If you have back pain, check with your health care professional about a massage chair. They offer tremendous capability and with the addition of Hawaiian massage can take to higher states of relaxation and tranquility.

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The Season is once again upon us. So much to do, and so many people to take care of. Through all the chaos, we’d like to always to a little something special to bring extra cheer to our gatherings of friends and family…but how? Ever tried ‘real’ aromatherapy? Not just a potpourri in the bathroom, or lemon-scented detergent. Real aromatherapy with pure essential oils. It can make a difference, creating a warm, friendly, familial atmosphere inspiring a smile on everyone’s faces. There may even be some health supporting side effects as well, just from smelling something good…

Essential oils offer a totally unique and effective means of creating a warm, familial atmosphere with relative ease. Our hearts and minds respond to aromas before we even ‘think’ about them. Before we’re able to decide whether we like or don’t like a particular smell, our body is already reacting physiologically. In the case of aromatherapy, we’re generally concerned with pleasant, healthy mind/body responses to aroma (and we’ll be discussing the strictly emotional and psychological aspects of aromatherapy here, saving its extremely important roll in our physical health for another time). In scientific studies, the simple aromatic use of pure essential oils has been shown to lower cortisol levels, lower blood pressure, and promote endorphin release…they’ve even been shown to prevent rats from fighting. Imagine what they can do for your family!

Getting started with aromatherapy is a very simple process – you’ll need just a bottle of essential oil (single or blended – we’ll get to some suggestions in a moment) and a means to diffuse the aroma into your living space. Many great ‘seasonal’ essential oils are available at local health food stores or over the internet. Essential oil diffusers are often found at the same stores, with a wide selection of prices and style to suit your needs.

Warming diffusers do just that – warm the essential oils either from a cotton pad, or evaporate them from the surface of small bowl of water using a candle. These are inexpensive, easy to use, and make a smaller space smell wonderful. For a little larger area, a fan diffuser passes air over the oils and evaporates them more effectively. A little bit fancier still is an ultrasonic nebulizing diffuser, which is really a small humidifier specially made to make a mist of essential oils along with water. These are nice in dry areas or in homes with forced-air heat. Top-of-the-line are the cold-air nebulizing diffusers which make a mist of the pure essential oils themselves. Cold-air nebulizers can diffuse oils into a very large open area or at high concentrations if your therapeutic needs are such in the future.

And now for the fun part – the essential oils. There are SO many to choose from, and you may start by just browsing sites on the internet which will often have listings of over a hundred oils available. Here we’ll have a look at just a few of the favorites for this time of year. Perhaps the most popular are the ‘needle’ oils, distilled from the needles and twigs of evergreen trees. Balsam Fir is especially nice, with a lightly complex aroma of both high and middle notes. Black Spruce is another favorite, much for the same reason – their sweetness is quite uplifting, and their complexity keeps us interested. Juniper berry, while not strictly a ‘needle’ oil is also wonderfully bright and uplifting. While some find it a bit strong on its own, it blends very well with other essential oils distilled from evergreens.

Even somewhat more traditional for the season can be the more resinous oils of Frankincense, Sandalwood and Myrrh. These tend to be more earthy and grounding than the evergreen oils, perhaps a little more calming – exactly what many homes are in need of right about now. Each has unique characteristics: nice Frankincense will have both bright citrus notes and deeper woody notes. Sandalwood is a little softer, and is well known for its calming effects. Myrrh can be slightly sharper (look for a good quality one for the smoothest aroma) with a special scent and calming quality of its own. These three oils can successfully be blended together quite easily (try 2 parts Frankincense, 2 parts Sandalwood, 1 part Myrrh) or blend any one of them in small amounts with the evergreen oil of your choice.

Perhaps you want to get a little more creative? Choose some of your favorite aromas and experiment. Citrus oils like Sweet Orange and Bergamot are excellent, uplifting scents. Small amounts of oils like Clove or Cardamom can be added to spice things up (Cinnamon is not generally recommended for diffuser use, as it can be too potent even in very small amounts). The common floral aromas of Lavender and Chamomile can be useful for soothing the young ones. If you’d like to create your own blend, but don’t have a recipe, its often best to make a small amount first, counting by single drops the amount of each oil until you like they way they’re blending. Then make a larger amount based on the ratios of the drops you’ve used.

You’ll really only need one essential oil, or maybe a just a few if you’re feeling adventurous, to get you started. About one-half ounce (15 milliliters) of any pure essential oil will last several days, and you won’t be sorry you have some left over if you don’t use it all by the end of the year. A little pure essential oil goes a long way; it’s always better to get a little hint of aroma than to be overwhelmed by it, so start slowly if this is your first time. With a little intuition, you can create a warm, comfortable, calm and/or happy atmosphere naturally with essential oils – and you’ll have added that extra little something that can bring bigger smiles to your family’s faces this season.

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