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Aromatherapy Massage for Sports

How to perform a massage for sports using aromatherapy

A stimulating aromatherapy massage is beneficial before and after sports and it also assists the body's detoxification process by galvanizing the lymphatic system. Stimulating the lymphatic system is also beneficial for convalescence, helping to strengthen the immune system once an illness has passed.

Sports massage is stimulating and vigorous and, unlike most other forms of massage, does not aim to relax and calm. It either helps to prepare for sporting activity by toning and warming the muscles, or to recover from sporting activity by loosening tight tense and hard-worked muscles. The technique of sports massage is also somewhat different to normal aromatherapy massage, being brisker, deeper and more vigorous. However, it is still aromatherapy massage because you use essential oils to stimulate, tone and cleanse the body.

How to perform the sports massage

You will need a mat or futon, your preferred essential oils mixed with base oil using a small dish, and a towel.

  1. Prepare your partner as normal. This aromatherapy sports massage is applicable for the legs only, as the lower limbs perform a lot of work during sport. Uncover one of the legs, oil your hands and effleurage up and down, just like performing a normal massage. Then increase the speed and pressure of the effleurage strokes, making them vigorous, brisk, and a little deeper. Be careful not to apply too much pressure on the back of the knee as it could hurt the knee.
  2. Petrissage the thigh, using a brisk, deep technique and perform some friction strokes afterwards.
  3. Move to the calf, avoiding the back of the knee, and continue brisk petrissage. Gently lift the leg to do some drainage strokes.
  4. Now effleurage the whole leg before covering it using a towel. Repeat for the other leg.
  5. Ask your partner to turn over and uncover one of the legs. Effleurage the whole leg, increasingly briskly and a little deeper. Do not apply pressure over the knee. Petrissage and friction the thigh, then effleurage the whole leg, cover and repeat for the other leg.

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