Get Ready With Me: Aromatherapy Prep.

Aromatherapy isn’t just about pleasant scents. It’s a powerful tool with both physical and emotional benefits. When thoughtfully integrated into a massage session, essential oils can help calm the nervous system, ease muscular tension, and promote a deeper sense of well-being.

Here’s how I prepare an elevated, customized aromatherapy experience for each of my clients—one that engages both body and mind.

Step 1: Choice Comes First

Every session begins with choice. I invite my client to select the essential oil that resonates with them that day—whether they’re seeking clarity, calm, energy, grounding, or something else entirely. This ensures the aromatherapy is tailored to both their emotional needs and physical goals.

Step 2: Creating the Blend

I place up to five drops of the selected essential oil into a heat-resistant ramekin and set it aside for now.

Next, I prepare the topical blend. I pour an unscented carrier oil into a small, clean plastic portion cup, then add a five drops of the chosen essential oil to it too. This custom-blended oil will be used during the massage.

Why apply it topically?Topical application is ideal for addressing the physical effects of aromatherapy—relaxing muscles, soothing joints, or calming the skin. Essential oils absorb through the skin and into the bloodstream, offering therapeutic benefits beyond the surface.

👉 Pro tip: Always swirl the blend to mix—don’t stir! Swirling ensures a gentle, even combination without over-agitating the oil.

Step 3: Creating a Mini Diffuser

Once the blend is ready, I return to the ramekin. At the back of the clinic, I pour steaming hot water over the essential oil drops in the ramekin. This simple step transforms it into a low-tech diffuser, releasing the aromatic molecules into the air.

I then place this mini diffuser near the head of the table—on the floor or on a low stool—so the client can breathe in the scent throughout the session.

Why inhalation?Inhalation is the most effective way to access aromatherapy’s emotional and mental benefits. The olfactory system is directly connected to the brain’s emotional center, which is why certain scents can instantly calm, uplift, or focus the mind.

At the end of the session, the client gets to take home the portion cup of their custom-blended oil. It’s a great way to extend the benefits of their treatment between sessions, whether they use it for self-massage, in a bath, or simply dab a little on their wrists for a calming moment during a busy day.

By combining topical application with inhalation, I’m able to offer a truly holistic aromatherapy experience—one that nurtures both body and spirit. It’s a small but powerful addition to massage that can transform how you feel during and after your session.

Accompanying Vlog: https://www.tiktok.com/@kirbyclarkellis.mti/video/7269361448848002347?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7356954434540471851

https://youtu.be/xTzpz23UNPo?si=lmZAwCiHnqE7RjsI

Peace and Healing,

Kirby Clark Ellis, MTI, BCTMB