Easing the pain of eating disorders with aromatherapy massage

by Hayley Joanne Markwell*
(Dip rem, Dip sports, Cert 1V aroma)
07935 925 096

*Hayley runs a mobile therapeutic massage business and also works from a clinic in Redbourn in Herts. She is happy to discuss by phone how she may help you with aromatherapy and massage therapy.

Aromatherapy massage uses essential oils made from plant extracts that are absorbed through the skin and which in turn balance the mind, body and spirit. They help to improve one’s self-image on a physical and mental level. It is a gentle and deeply relaxing massage that focuses on two of our primary senses – touch and scent – whilst at a deeper psychological level helping to heal hurt and anxiety.

Eating disorders are increasingly common but little discussed in modern society. They are a range of different conditions where people have an abnormal attitude towards food, altered appetite control and unhealthy eating habits that affect their health and ability to function normally.

The most common form of disordered eating is obesity, which affects more than one in ten people. Bulimia nervosa, or binge eating and purging, is twice as common as anorexia. Men and boys can also have eating disorders, though less often than girls or women.

Holistic therapies like aromatherapy massage, Reiki and EFT can provide treatment and prevention along with good support and help in alleviating discomforts emotionally and physically.

A recovered anorexic explained to me that massage and other complementary therapies gave her time to “de- stress” and “manage” her condition as well as it being “time for me”. She and her mother felt that it provided relief and it was beneficial to have something that was a step away from the intense medical therapies they received. Looking back, the mother-as-the-carer believes that she would have benefited from regular massage too as she never gave herself time away from the daily stress of coping with her daughter’s disease.

Massage can relieve a lot of anxiety where treatment is received on a regular basis. This is a huge help in the prevention of an eating disorder. As the person is making space for total relaxation away from the pressures of everyday life, it gives the client time for themselves. They can enjoy and feel positive energy is being focused solely onto them.

Massage can also provide an outlet for sufferers to talk if they wish. The therapist can be there to listen and not to give advice or dictate what action they should take. It is time for them where they can escape from or reflect on their disease, but nevertheless to leave feeling invigorated, having received relief from aches and pains and also feeling balanced.

The benefits of a treatment are often felt in the first session, quickly improving mood and behaviour. Aromatherapy oils have subtle and powerful effects which continue to provide benefit to an eating disorder client for some time after a treatment. Endorphins are released and stimulated in the brain as a result of the massage. These endorphins have a role in appetite control, pain relief and stress. Long terms benefits include:

preventing issues from escalating into worse problems
alleviating the overall problem
giving time for the individual to rest, and
supporting personal growth.

Massage will also help someone to feel more comfortable and relaxed in their own skin. This in turn brings relaxation and rest from their disease.

Massage for an eating disorder can be done through clothes if the client does not feel confident or comfortable, however the benefits of aromatherapy as discussed earlier can be a key part in helping someone’s well being.

Different techniques and oils can be used for different eating disorders and their different stages.

For example, anorexia sufferers can suffer from severe pains and discomforts in their limbs and so requesting deep tissue massage. However, decreased nourishment can lead to nerve damage and a gentle light massage would be more appropriate in this circumstance to avoid the potential for long term damage. So care must be taken to have good communication with the sufferer so that they experience relief without damage being done to their fragile and vulnerable skin and muscles. Relief from discomfort and aches can fortunately be found with the use of lavender and rosemary oils.

Sufferers of obesity struggle with a lot of fluid retention due to their lymphatic system not performing to its potential. Lymphatic drainage techniques can be used to give relief and stimulation to this system. As well as decreased lymphatic function, circulatory and digestive systems can become very ‘sluggish’ and massage can play a key role in simulating and increasing the work of these vital systems.

Specific oils such as chamomile, orange, fennel, rose, sandalwood, frankincense and grapefruit can help emotional clearing of feelings such as grief, depression, control, and acceptance. Oils can also be chosen to help balance an appetite in a gentle and non-forceful way. Oil blends can be tailored to be relaxing or invigorating. Either way, the person receiving the massage will feel rejuvenated, balanced and calmed.

Loved ones often experience a huge amount of distress when a family member suffers from an eating disorder. So much care and attention is often focused on the sufferer that those around them that forget to look after themselves. Massage can be of great help to carers. It provides them with quality time to escape from everything they are carrying on their shoulders. It gives them time to rest and relax which in turn means they can put fresh positive energy into helping their loved one, leading to a more progressive and effective outcome.

A carer described that part of her loved one’s recovery arose when she realised she herself needed to change, as her daughter was never going to benefit from her help if she didn’t take care of her well-being. She used the following phrase which runs true with all eating disorders, and even life, “ if nothing changes, then nothing changes”.

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