Massage therapy is a type of manual therapy that aims to promote optimum health and well-being through the manipulation of soft tissues on either the superficial, subcutaneous, or deep muscle layers. It has many therapeutic benefits including reducing stress levels and improving circulation.
Tools used by massage therapists include massage lotion, face masks, swivel towel bars for drying clients off after a treatment or before entering the locker room, disposable undergarments worn by clients to avoid staining clothing with oil during treatments.
The post Refresh 24 spa also discusses how they use these tools in their practice during various massage sessions.
Tools used by massage therapists :
1. Massage lotion:
It is used to help in relaxing the muscles before and after a session of massage therapy. The therapist rubs the lotion on to the body of the client and then massages it in. The massage lotion has various types including oil, cream, liquid and gels.
2. Swivel towel bars:
It is used to dry the client after giving a massage or when the client is taking a shower or bath. The rate at which the towel spins and how quickly it spins determines the quality of the towel bar.
3. Massage underwear:
It is worn by the client to avoid getting oil stains on their clothing. The underwear are disposable and are thrown away after every use so as to prevent cross-contamination during massages. Clients also wear washable cotton briefs under the massage underwear during sessions to assist in reducing friction on their skin.
4. Face masks:
The face masks are made of an absorbent material and can help to prevent the oil from getting into the nose and mouth area during a treatment. They are worn by the client during a session so as to minimize discomfort during stretching of the muscles.
5. Essential oils:
In addition to lotion, face masks, underwear, swivel towel bars and towels for drying skin after a treatment, massage therapists also use essential oils. They find these useful in providing an aroma which is pleasing but not too overpowering on clients.
The therapist can add an essential oil to the massage lotion, face mask, underwear or towels. The essential oils used also vary depending on the client’s skin type, texture and tolerance. Some essential oils used include lavender, patchouli and frankincense.
6. Aromatherapy candles:
The candles are used during treatments to help diffuse the essential oils, and also to give a relaxing atmosphere for the client.
7. Shampoo:
This is used by the therapist during treatments to clean the hair of their client. Some shampoos contain an antiseptic which helps to prevent skin infections and irritation on the scalp of the client. They usually use unscented shampoo in order to prevent scents from interfering with fragrances used in essential oils.
8. Body brushes:
This is used to exfoliate the skin of the client and it helps to remove dead or old skin cells. It can also be used for stimulating circulation by gently brushing them on the face and arms of clients during a treatment session. The brush is used on the whole body and is also applied on top of sheets so as to ensure that it does not fall onto the floor during a session.
9. Body scrubs:
It is an exfoliating mix which contains grated cucumber, salt, castor oil and essential oils such as lavender and patchouli. This is applied on the body for about 10 minutes before showering or bathing with soap or shampoo. It is usually mixed with a carrier oil, such as almond oil.
10. Essential oil shampoos:
Shampoos contain either essential oils or natural oils such as coconut or olive oils. They are usually mixed with carrier oils to help protect the hair from damage due to the essential oils. This can be done 1-2 times a week depending on the condition of hair. Some experts also recommend using shampoos with extracts of rosemary, chamomile and thyme to treat scalp conditions such as dandruff, eczema and psoriasis.
11. Essential oil conditioners:
Conditioners are essential after washing the hair with shampoo to remove frizziness and flyaway hair. They usually contain extracts from Chamomile, rosemary and thyme which help to fight dandruff, eczema and psoriasis.
12. Cotton wool pads:
The pad is used for application of lotion or face mask on body parts such as the neck, shoulders or hands during a treatment session. It is also used for removing oils from the face after a massage treatment has been given. The pads are usually made of cotton wool in order to prevent damage on the skin from being caused by fibres from synthetic wool pads.
