Warming massage oil

This idea has been discussed before -

I use a jug of hot water too, leaving a folded towel beside it to dry the dispenser when I lift it out - it only takes seconds.

Great idea, I was wondering about this last week! Very chilly time of year, I'd imagine people would appreciate the warm oil!

I sometimes warm the massage oil - I use a stainless steel jug kettle, which i find is ideal.

I have a large oil burner, and I had thought of putting the massage oil in the top of the burner and lighting a tealight underneath to warm it up. Any thoughts from any one on this?

I put my oil on a small heat pad - Click action one - can be used hundred of times over. I also use it to keep my clients warm. You use it - and then bring to the boil in a saucepan to make liquid again and then allow to cool. 99p size 4x3 inches is fine.
just put soe on the mrket place

I have a large oil burner, and I had thought of putting the massage oil in the top of the burner and lighting a tealight underneath to warm it up. Any thoughts from any one on this?

Be careful - I think using the above method will make the oil too hot. You may end up burning your fingers dipping them into the oil before you get a chance to put it on the client.

In a spa I previously worked in an electric baby bottle warmer was used the heat up the massage oil in a plastic bottle. I can't remember if the heat was adjustable but a few bottles got a little bent out of shape.

I have a thermos flask in which I keep boiled water. I pour a little into the cup part and keep my oil bottle in the hot water. I also do the same for the massage lotion which I use at the end of a reflexology treatment.

I've been doing it for years and clients really appreciate it.

I have a baby bottle warmer and I have my oil in a little ceramic flask (looks like a mini carafe with a pouring lip).

I also put oil in a little plastic bottle with a flip lid and that fits perfectly too.

I also put oil in a little dish and place that in my towel cabi.

Hi,

I'm fascinated with this thead because I'm just starting out in Holistic massage. I find that oil warms in my hands, so I'm not sure why it needs to be warmed more? Or have I missed the point somewhere?

Myarka.

I agree with Myarka, I have hot little mits so the oil is always warm by the time it goes onto the body. I usually finish off the treatment with a facial massage and by the time I can sit down - so I put the oil in a small bowl balanced on the top of my adjacent radiator.

Love Binah
x

hi guys

2 things i tend to do

1. i used to pop my flip top bottle in hot water and just take it out when i go to begin my massage ( makeing sure you wipe the drips first)
2. i now have a small heater in my treatment room for heating the towels so i just pop the bottle on the radiator for a few minutes before i begin and it heats perfectly. ( make sure not to leave for too long)

as to why you would heat the oil , for me especially holistic massage is about being warm and comfortable and almost cocooned.
if u can get a volunteer, apply regular oil which is just heated by rubbing the hands together and massage into one leg, do the same on the other leg but with a heated oil and ask them the difference. You will see the difference on your clients face. That goes for applying a heated towel when you finish. my clients love it.... hope this helps

Agree that oil does warm in the hands, but this usually brings it to about body temperature. It's actually quite nice to have the oil much warmer than this (obviously not too hot). Dropping it onto the skin feels fantastic.

And lotion takes much longer to warm up, so it's actually quite nice to have a foot massage using it warm, as opposed to body temperature.

the difference is immense, it adds that touch of luxury and is very sensory.

also, oil goes a little further if its warmed, so saves a few pennies too.

if I have the oil in the plastic bottle with flip lid, I sometimes apply it directly from the bottle and move my arm up and down the area, I have prechecked the temperature first.

I also do this for my body wrap products.

I have a large oil burner, and I had thought of putting the massage oil in the top of the burner and lighting a tealight underneath to warm it up. Any thoughts from any one on this?

I use this method and it works very well. I use an oil burner where the top of the burner is a small bowl so I can take the top off. I have the tealight lit before client is in the room and when the client is ready for treatment I pour the amount of oil needed into the top and then the time the client gets undressed and onto the couch the oil has warmed nicely, though it can get very hot quickly so I always have a small bowl of cold water that I place the top of the burner and just hold the base into the water. This way I am only warming the oil that I am using.

Clients have said that it is lovely to have warm oil on them and different to just warming in your hands. I have had this treatment myself and it does add that little bit of pamper to the massage.

Love Rachel

Thanks everyone. I agree that pre warmed oil is far better, more comforting and luxurious than just warmed in hands. I now have a few more ideas to try out. Thanks.

Hi

I used warm oil when I was completing some case studies and they really enjoyed the massage. It is possible to buy electric oil warmers from some of the aromatherapy suppliers

Kaz:)

I see clients from 7am onwards. Applying the cold oil is akin to an eletcric shock and if they jump off the couch they'll probably claim on my insurance. I put the oils on the radiator for about 15 minutes before my first client arrives and use the radiator to keep them at a tolerable temperature. Simple but effective.

Warming Oil

I'm a mobile massage therapist, so if my oils have been in the car and are cold, I ask my client for a small cup of hot water out of the kettle, then put the bottle into that while I am setting up, then it's fab by the time I start. With driving around, my hands are usually a bit cold too, so it warms them up at the same time - double whammy!:)

I have been known to take a hot water bottle into the car for the journey, to put into my therapy bag to take the chill off my towels/sheets too!

Lesley

I also use a baby bottle warmer.

Hand warm just isn't enough and imo I hate to hear a therapist slarpy, slarping their hands to gether trying to warm oil up.

Like Guruholistic, I heat the oil to warmer than body temp and sometimes drizzle it on (backs). Clients love it.

Patchouli

I take my thermos flask of hot water with me to clients, so it's always on hand and I don't have to trouble them.