Field Experience
There exist various types of unconventional therapies. An alternative medicine represents any treatment that is different from traditional medicine in numerous aspects like concentrating on a patient’s mental, physical, and inner energy to help recover. Among the alternative medicine methods, one can mention color, juice, and sound therapy. Furthermore, magic charms can be used. Aromatherapy represents a complementary therapy that utilizes plant material, referred to as essential oils. The treatment is important for both mental and bodily conditions. Aromatherapy is possibly the most developed and famous complementary and alternative medicine in the current era. Different research studies have analyzed the range of advantages of essential oils and aromatherapy in the realm of humanity. Aromatherapy typically enhances the quality of life and may promote bodily, emotional, and divine well-being of an individual. The following report presents the assessment of a field study I undertook at the Fontainebleau’s Lapis Spa. The report provides the reason I chose to visit Lapis Spa, my initial impression of the center, and the licensure of the Spa. Additionally, it describes the qualifications of the practitioner who treated me, the condition I shared with her, and the recommendations she gave me regarding the treatment. Lastly, in addition to showing my view on the recommendations, the report examines the outcomes of the treatment process.
Fontainebleaus Lapis Spa
In my field experience, I decided to go to the Fontainebleau’s Lapis Spa in Miami. There exist numerous reasons I chose the place. Lapis Spa is one of the most beautiful spas in America. Additionally, it offers therapies that comprise great facials and ocean-inspired wraps. At Lapis Spa, a client enjoys various amenities afterward like massage-jet showers, mineral pools, and eucalyptus steam baths. Customers can rest as they lie on a bench or a marble chaise by the pool. I was also attracted by the description on their website that stated that the Lapis Spa offers an individual the pleasure of “dramatic ocean views” while their renowned cure therapists pamper one’s body and soul to heights thought unreachable.
Initial Impression of Lapis Spa and Licensure
My initial impression of the center was that it was state managed or licensed because of the orderly nature of everything. However, I was amazed to learn that there exists no particular law governing aromatherapy or aromatherapists. As I learned, many practitioners use it in their practice, for instance, in massage treatment, and the regulations governing this practice are the ones that apply. Presently there exists no form of aromatherapy accreditation in the United States among experts in the field. Any state body regulates neither essential oils nor aromatherapy. Although there is no formal certification, numerous institutions can offer certificates or diplomas that exhibit satisfactory attainment of their coursework.
Lapis Spa works with several bodies to ensure that proper standards are met. Among the agencies, one can mention the Educational Standards in Aromatherapy Association, the American Alliance of Aromatherapy, the National Oils Research Association, and the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA). At Lapis Spa, these bodies’ goals entail guaranteeing compliance with educational regulations through an examination process and ensuring that ethical aspect is maintained across the community. Additionally, they ensure that Lapis Spa upholds other expert requirements to acquire and keep certification as an entity offering aromatherapy.
Practitioners Credentials
At Lapis Spa, the practitioner who treated me had a license from the NAHA. Nonetheless, aromatherapists are not obligated to be licensed medical experts, but they can acquire voluntary certification from the NAHA. The NAHA standards require approved practitioners to possess a broad knowledge of physiology and anatomy. Additionally, the experts should understand the components of botany, the clinical and holistic aspects of therapeutics, chemical blending procedures, and processes of the oil application. The NAHA has developed a code of ethics for aromatherapists who should comply with it by healing customers with divine approaches and sharing knowledge with associates.
Conditions Shared with the Practitioner
When I went to Lapis Spa, I was suffering from stress and anxiety. Tension, stress, and anxiety are common aspects of human life. Stress may be a result of an unhealthy lifestyle, adverse surroundings, and self-challenging beliefs and insolences. Extreme pressure may also lead to stress, which is harmful to the body and the intellect and may cause various diseases. Stress is one of the most common conditions in the United States and may be associated with work. On the other hand, anxiety is a mood of disquiet, like fear, which may be mild or severe. At Lapis Spa, I understood the effectiveness of aromatherapy in relieving anxiety and stress.
Additionally, I told the specialist about my fear of having the general adaptation syndrome. Stress causes this syndrome by activating the active part of the autonomic nervous system, which results in hormones introducing physiological changes in the body. I was also suffering from fatigue and insomnia, a characteristic of distress caused by stress. The practitioner assured me that aromatherapy could manage stress as it employs the multidimensional holistic method. I also learned that it further relieves nausea.
Recommendations
The specialist offered me several recommendations and I will adhere to them depending on the circumstances. First, the expert underlined the physical benefits of aromatherapy in relieving stress. The specialist advised me on living a healthy lifestyle and employing techniques to calm the intellect. Most important was the recommendation that using various alternative and complementary therapies like aromatherapy, energy therapies, massage, music, and relaxation helps counteract stress. Additional treatments include aqua therapy, chiropractic, homeopathy, hypnosis, spiritual healing, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and folk remedies.
The expert also recommended that I should only apply essential oils under the guidance of a specialized professional and with full knowledge of the physician in the case of pregnancy, asthma, and allergies. Other recommendations were that in the case of a history of seizures, I should avoid hyssop oil. Individuals with high blood pressure should avoid stimulating essential oils like spike lavender and rosemary. Aromatherapy will require full knowledge and advice from the doctor. Furthermore, the specialists gave me some general information on what I should avoid, for instance, taking essential oils orally unless under the guidance of a skilled professional since some are harmful and dangerous.
The specialist also recommended that I should add water or a base massage oil like sesame or almond oil to phenol-rich oils like cinnamon that can irritate the skin. Such alternative liquids should be added to the essential oil before applying to the skin. Care should also be taken to prevent using oils near the eyes. According to the specialist, I should also avoid using essential oils near open flames since they are extremely flammable and volatile.
Results Experienced and the After-Feeling
After treatment, I experienced significant results, and I can say that I felt splendid and relaxed. The aromatherapist used rosemary essential oil that significantly enhanced my mood and gave me a feeling of gratification. Through essential oils, the complimentary therapy induced relaxation and calmness, as well as made me feel refreshed. Additionally, the aromatherapy with essential oils improved my complexion because anti-inflammatory properties of oils can prevent dryness, irritation, and rough skin. Before going to the spa, I was feeling upset in my stomach, but after the therapy, I felt healed. Utilizing aromatherapy may treat stomach problems and nausea. Specifically, the treatment targets the initial stage of digestion and causes an immediate reaction, enhancing the flow of digestive juices and reducing stomach issues.
Aromatherapy offered me relief from physical, psychological, and emotional complications. The changes were facilitated by the fact that aromatherapy has many benefits. It can also help lower blood pressure and relieve tension and headaches. My problem with sleep was also resolved because lavender, an essential oil used in aromatherapy, helps reduce migraines and prevent insomnia. In women, the therapy also assists in lessening abdominal spasms, and it contributes to relaxation in palliative care. After the treatment process, I felt calm, did not feel stressed or anxious, and had no negative feelings.
Conclusion
My field experience at Lapis Spa in Miami Beach helped me appreciate and understand many aspects of aromatherapy. I discovered that alternative treatment concentrates on the mind, body, and soul to help recover. Aromatherapy employs plant material that has a healing effect. In familiarizing myself with aromatherapy as a practice, I realized that there exist no distinct regulations from either the state or local governments that manage the aromatherapy practice. Nonetheless, at Lapis Spa, I discovered that there are some organizations that cooperate with the institution to guarantee that moral aromatherapy ideals are met. Such organizations include the Education Standards in Aromatherapy Association, the NAHA, the American Alliance of Aromatherapy, and Natural Oils Research Association. Additionally, I learned that in order to acquire accreditation, aromatherapists at Lapis Spa have to have an approval of the NAHA and the relevant experience. I experienced the benefits of aromatherapy, which included relaxation, enhanced mood, relieved stress and anxiety, and improved complexion. Furthermore, while using the essential oils, precautions should also be taken since they may result in detrimental effects.