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Oil or lotion allows the muscles to be massaged manually without causing too much friction on the skin. Most massage therapists
use light lubricants that hydrate the skin and are easily absorbed. They are usually mildly and pleasantly scented to enhance
the overall experience.
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Steam-distilling 1,000 pounds of mature Mentha piperita plants in full bloom
will produce about one pound of peppermint oil. This clear or pale yellow oil emits a strong, sharp menthol aroma that is
pungent and powerful, even overwhelming. Peppermint oil fights bacterial infection and reduces the oiliness present
with acne and blemishes. It stimulates circulation and helps enliven dull dry skin. Peppermint oil leaves skin feeling soft
and silky. It also regulates and normalizes oily skin and hair. It constricts capillaries and minimizes the redness of broken
capillaries and varicose veins. Peppermint oil cools emotions and dissipates anger, hysteria and nervousness.
It energizes and relieves mental fatigue. It diminishes depression. Peppermint oil increases alertness and improves concentration.
It awakens the central nervous system, stimulates the brain and clarifies thought processes.
Muscle-Spasm Headache Relief This formula is great for easing muscle-spasm headaches. What you need: 2 drops peppermint 1 drop rosemary 1 oz. carrier oil such as sweet almond oil How to: Add the peppermint and rosemary to the carrier oil. Rub on pulse points or on back of neck.
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Massage is the manual manipulation of the soft tissue of the body. When properly applied, it helps balance the body, assist
with posture, relieve aches and pains and increase the flow of oxygen and other nutrients to the blood and bones. Massage
techniques range from a basic working of tight muscles for relaxation and stress reduction to extensive treatments (some that
don't even involve physical touch) to alter and affect the body's energy. There is a wide range of massage techniques, so
you'll need to decide which one best addresses your needs. Whether you just need help with a back spasm a couple of times
a year or want to incorporate the tenets of massage into your daily life, there's a technique that's right for you. 
Cranial sacral therapists use gentle movements applied to the skull and vertebrae to balance the circulation of the liquid
that surrounds the brain. Because the whole body expands and contracts with the rhythm created by the cranial pulse -- the
pumping of this fluid -- the cranial sacral system affects the entire body. Working on the cranial sacral system brings the
body into balance, releasing accumulated stress to create a general sense of well-being. It also can help with headaches,
neck and jaw pain, and problems with the pelvis and the diaphragm. 
When muscles are stressed, they block oxygen and nutrients, leading to inflammation that builds up toxins in the muscle tissue.
A deep-tissue massage gets to the heart of the problem, working intensely on the muscles and connective tissues to loosen
toxins and get blood and oxygen circulating properly. Because many toxins are released, it's important to drink plenty of
water after a deep-tissue session to help eliminate these toxins from the body. A mild pain reliever helps reduce soreness
and inflammation
Trager work, also called psychological integration, consists of shaking, vibrating and gentle kneading, all pleasant movements
designed to make the body feel good. Along with moving the body in playful ways, the Trager practitioner constantly explains
what the body is revealing. The underlying theory is that most physical problems start in the mind; the physical and verbal
communication are used to contact the subconscious, communicate with the muscles, and coax them back to health.
Watsu is a form of massage that combines hydrotherapy with shiatsu. While the client is submerged in warm water, the therapist
does a combination of acupressure and long strokes over the body's energy fields. The buoyancy the water provides allows the
practitioner to use stretches and muscle manipulations that would normally be impossible. Being underwater also increases
the body's sense of tranquility and relaxation. 
Though massage is certainly a great way to pamper yourself, its original intent has always been to help heal certain physical
conditions. Many illnesses and symptoms can be at least temporarily alleviated through various forms of massage. Before starting
massage therapy, consult your doctor to make sure it's recommended for your condition. Massage is often effective for problems
associated with stress, PMS, menstruation and menopause.
Is massage a cure for an ailment, a way to maintain good health, or a means to pamper yourself? The answer is "all of the
above." At its best, massage can be curative, preventative, and soothing. If sitting at a desk every day has done a number
on your back, a good massage therapist should be able to help; you could opt for specific work on the upper or lower back
to deal with a particular problem, or you might want to improve your posture to avoid a recurrence of the problem in the future.
Or, perhaps you just want to spend an hour at a spa getting an allover body massage purely for muscle (and mind) relaxation.
As with all beauty and medical treatments, new practices in massage appear regularly. Warm stone therapy, for example, combines
massage with the use of heated lava rocks for a very relaxing experience. Choose your treatment based on your particular needs
and desires; also decide how much you want to spend and how often you wish to visit your massage therapist.
Compact serrated leaves on short square stems contrast with the long spearlike spikes bearing the tiny purple, pink or white
flowers of the peppermint plant. Originally native to Asia and Europe, this member of the Lamiaceae family is now grown commercially
in humid regions of Australia, Brazil, China, England, France, Japan, Morocco, Spain and the United States, which is the primary
producer of peppermint oil.
