ATLANTA (March 18, 2006) – Atlanta School of Massage, a leader among Massage Therapy schools for over 25 years, offers useful advice on home therapies which can be used to help relieve pain and ease tension between massage therapy visits. Water therapy is a great at home therapy choice because it gives you a range of simple and effective ways of coping with stress, improving circulation and toning skin and muscles.

Follow these easy steps to create a relaxing stress relief bath, remembering to always use caution with essential oils:

• 2 cups Dead Sea salt, regular Sea Salt or Epsom salt, or a blend of two or three of these salts.
• 8-15 drops of your selected essential oil or essential oil blend (see suggestions below). Be sure and take heed in the safety data for the oils you choose to use.

Place the salt mixture into a bowl. Add 1 Tbs. carrier oil (vegetable oil is fine) and 8-15 drops of your chosen essential oils. Mix very well with a fork. Add the mixture to a pretty jar or container that has a tight fitting lid. After a day, you may wish to mix well again to ensure that the oils have blended very well. After you have drawn your bathwater, add about 1/4 cup (about 2 ounces) of the bath salt to your bath water.

Mix well to ensure that the salt has dispersed well in the tub and hop on in. It’s best to add the bath salts just before getting in the bath instead of while the water is running so that the essential oils don’t evaporate before you get in. Using this bath salt blend is safer than adding pure essential oils directly to the bath water and adds minerals and other beneficial properties of the salts.

Some blending suggestions for you bath:

• A blend of Geranium, Ylang Ylang, Clary Sage and Lavender for stress relief
• A blend of Rosemary, Basil and Tangerine for stimulating your mind
• A blend of Lavender, Sandalwood, and Marjoram to calm the senses
• A blend of Frankincense, Sandalwood and Mandarin to find that special place for inner peace

Essential oil cautions:

• Essential oils should ALWAYS be diluted with a carrier oil
• Use extreme caution when using essential oils with children under the age of 2, Lower the amount of essential oil to 1 drop diluted in a carrier oil.
• For treatment of children 2 and older and the elderly, use 1/2 the amount of your chosen essential oils
• Essential Oils are not a substitute for professional medical care.
• Do not use near the eyes.
• Sensitive skin and allergies
• Pregnancy
• Seizures / asthma
• Photosensitivity