For many women, menopause and perimenopause mark a period of profound transition. This stage of life can bring challenges such as disrupted sleep, hot flushes, joint pain, mood changes, anxiety, and shifts in energy levels. While these experiences are natural, they can also feel overwhelming, particularly when women are left to manage them without effective remedies. These changes often arrive at a time when women are balancing careers, families, and caring responsibilities, which can make the impact even more profound.
Massage therapy offers a compassionate, evidence-informed way to help women navigate this time with greater ease and comfort. For many women, it provides a sanctuary: a space to rest, reset, and receive tailored support for body and mind. When combined with the therapeutic use of essential oils, massage can become a holistic approach to easing symptoms and restoring balance.
This guide is designed for therapists who want to understand both the science and the lived experience of menopause, and who wish to offer treatments that make a meaningful difference.
Understanding Menopause and Perimenopause
Menopause—brings a myriad of symptoms ranging from sleep disorders, hot flushes and night sweats, to joint pain, mood shifts, and anxiety.
Perimenopause, the transition leading up to menopause, can last up to ten years and often brings many of the same symptoms as menopause itself.
These changes affect not only the body but also emotional wellbeing and quality of life. Increasingly, women are looking for holistic and non-pharmacological approaches that provide practical relief and a sense of being cared for. Massage therapy is well-placed to meet this need.
Perimenopause typically begins in the mid-to-late 40s, though some women notice changes earlier. It marks the gradual decline of ovarian function and can last for several years before the final menstrual period. Menopause itself is defined as the point when a woman has gone 12 months without menstruating, with the average age in the UK being 51.
Symptoms can vary widely. Some women experience only mild discomfort, while others struggle with symptoms that significantly affect their quality of life. Common challenges include:
- Vasomotor symptoms: hot flushes, night sweats, palpitations.
- Sleep disturbances: insomnia, early waking, restless nights.
- Musculoskeletal issues: joint stiffness, muscle aches, reduced flexibility.
- Emotional changes: mood swings, irritability, anxiety, low confidence.
- Cognitive effects: difficulty concentrating, “brain fog,” reduced clarity.
- Skin and hair changes: dryness, sensitivity, reduced elasticity.
Because every woman’s journey is unique, a person-centered approach is crucial. What helps one individual may not help another, and treatment plans need to adapt over time.
How Massage Supports Wellbeing During Menopause
1. Relief from Common Symptoms
Clinical studies have shown that massage, particularly when combined with aromatherapy, can ease hot flushes, insomnia, joint aches, fatigue, and anxiety. Women often report feeling calmer, sleeping better, and experiencing less physical tension after a course of regular treatments.
2. Better Sleep and Emotional Balance
Massage encourages the release of serotonin and dopamine while lowering cortisol levels, helping restore balance to the nervous system. This supports healthier sleep cycles and greater emotional stability—two areas that are frequently disrupted during menopause.
3. Physical and Hormonal Support
The circulatory and lymphatic benefits of massage improve skin hydration, support musculoskeletal health, and may help regulate stress-related hormonal fluctuations. For many women, these effects contribute to feeling more at home in their bodies.
4. The Importance of Individualized Care
Different approaches—such as aromatherapy massage, reflexology, deep tissue work, and lymphatic drainage—can all offer benefits. The most meaningful results often come when treatments are tailored to the individual, taking into account her symptoms, preferences, and overall health picture.
Key study findings.
Research has highlighted Aromatherapy massage led to statistically significant improvements in self-reported menopause symptom severity, outperforming placebo and even “regular” massage.
Therapeutic massage reduced anxiety and depression scores, and improved sleep in postmenopausal women struggling with insomnia.
Reductions in musculoskeletal pain and increased flexibility were consistently reported, especially with deep tissue and remedial massage.
Studies focusing on postmenopausal insomnia and anxiety identify regular massage therapy as a powerful adjunct to, or replacement for, medication in restoring healthy sleep cycles. Improved serotonin and dopamine release, reductions in the stress hormone cortisol, and activation of the parasympathetic “rest and digest” system all contribute to greater emotional stability and overall wellness.
Beyond psychological advantages, massage may directly aid hormonal regulation by reducing stress-induced fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone. Circulatory benefits—better lymph drainage, increased skin hydration, and improved musculoskeletal health—are also key for coping with menopause-associated changes in body composition and elasticity.
The research distinguishes between modalities: aromatherapy massage (using essential oils tailored for hormonal support), reflexology (targeting key hormone-balancing zones), deep tissue, and lymphatic drainage are all supported by outcomes data
The Role of Essential Oils
Blending essential oils into massage treatments can further support women’s wellbeing during menopause. Each oil brings its own therapeutic qualities:
1. Hormonal Balance & Emotional Support
- Oils like frankincense, chamomile, and sweet orange offer soothing effects on the nervous system, helping regulate mood swings, reduce anxiety, and promote emotional stability.
2. Stress Relief & Improved Sleep
- Lavender, marjoram, and frankincense are known for their calming and sleep-inducing properties, reducing physical and mental stress, supporting deeper relaxation and better sleep.
3. Muscle and Joint Pain Relief
- Black pepper, niaouli, and arnica oil provide natural warming and anti-inflammatory effects, easing muscular tension, stiffness, and joint pain — common complaints during menopause.
4. Boost in Energy & Mental Clarity
- Lemon eucalyptus and mandarin red offer uplifting and refreshing qualities, enhancing focus, mental clarity, and combating fatigue often associated with hormonal shifts.
5. Skin Nourishment
- Blends contain nourishing carrier oils like wheatgerm, evening primrose, and avocado, which support skin elasticity and hydration — important as skin can become dry and sensitive during menopause.
Combine the benefits of touch therapy (oxytocin release, circulation boost) with therapeutic essential oils and you get a powerful combination of both physical and emotional relief.
Creating a Supportive Environment for Clients
For many women, the value of menopause-focused massage is not only in the physical relief it brings but also in the sense of being heard and understood. A person-centred approach means:
- Taking time for consultation and listening carefully to each client’s experience.
- Offering privacy, respect, and validation, free from judgment.
- Tailoring sessions to meet the client’s changing needs, whether that’s easing night sweats, improving sleep, or restoring energy.
Women often describe these sessions as not just treatments, but moments of genuine care and connection that help them feel more like themselves again.
Practical Guidance for Therapists
Supporting menopausal clients requires both technical skill and emotional sensitivity. Here are key principles:
- Comprehensive consultation: Take time to ask about symptoms, lifestyle, and emotional wellbeing. Clients may not always volunteer information unless invited.
- Flexibility in treatment: Recognise that symptoms fluctuate. One week, sleep problems may be most pressing; the next, joint stiffness or anxiety. Adapt accordingly.
- Creating safety: Offer privacy, warmth, and reassurance. Many women value a safe, judgment-free space where they can speak openly.
- Education and empowerment: Share information about how massage and aromatherapy work. This helps clients feel involved and reassured.
- Consistency: Many studies show the strongest benefits from weekly sessions over several weeks. Encourage clients to commit to a treatment plan.
Case Examples: What Women Say
Women who receive menopause-focused massage often describe profound improvements in their quality of life. Reported benefits include:
- Falling asleep faster and staying asleep for longer.
- Feeling calmer and less anxious during the day.
- Reduced frequency and intensity of hot flushes.
- Looser joints and less stiffness when waking in the morning.
- A sense of being cared for and supported, especially when other healthcare avenues felt dismissive.
These lived experiences underline that massage is more than a treatment—it is a form of compassionate care.
Embracing This Work as Therapists
Supporting women through menopause is both a privilege and a responsibility. With a growing body of research backing its benefits, massage therapy can play a vital role in improving quality of life at this stage. By combining skilled touch with evidence-based aromatherapy and an empathetic, person-centred approach, therapists can help women feel seen, supported, and empowered during this transition.
Industry Growth and Professional Opportunities
While the heart of this work is always person-centred care, it’s worth recognising the broader context. Interest in menopause support is growing, both in the healthcare system and the wellness sector.
- Massage remains the UK’s most searched spa treatment—over 500,000 monthly searches in 2025, far ahead of other therapies.
- The UK spa and wellness industry is projected to see double-digit growth over the next decade, with massage accounting for £1.9 billion in revenue annually.
- Women remain the largest consumers of therapeutic massage. Given that over 13 million women in the UK are peri- or post-menopausal, this is a demographic in need of specialist support.
For therapists, this presents a dual opportunity:
- Clinical impact: By offering evidence-based menopause support, therapists can directly improve women’s lives, addressing a healthcare gap that is often overlooked.
- Professional growth: Specialising in menopause massage can expand client bases, improve retention (since symptom management often requires regular treatments), and strengthen professional reputation.
Overcoming Barriers
Despite the evidence, some practitioners hesitate to market menopause-focused treatments. Concerns may include:
- Confidence: Feeling under-trained in women’s health.
- Regulation: Worries about how to frame services ethically and within professional boundaries.
- Awareness: Uncertainty about client demand.
These barriers can be addressed through:
- Pursuing CPD in menopause and women’s health.
- Using clear, supportive, and ethical language in marketing materials.
- Offering trial packages or workshops to raise awareness.
The reality is that women are seeking support, and therapists equipped with knowledge and empathy are well-positioned to provide it.
Conclusion: A Call to Compassionate Practice
Menopause and peri-menopause can be demanding, but they also present an opportunity for therapists to make a meaningful difference in women’s lives. Through massage, we offer not just physical relief, but also compassion, reassurance, and space to reconnect with the self. Investing in this area of practice is not about market trends—it is about providing thoughtful, evidence-informed care to one of the most important and often underserved groups in our communities.
Menopause and perimenopause are universal experiences, yet many women feel underserved and overlooked within traditional healthcare. Massage therapists can play a vital role in bridging that gap—offering evidence-based, compassionate, and holistic care.
By combining therapeutic touch with essential oils, creating safe and welcoming environments, and recognising the unique needs of each client, therapists can make a tangible difference in women’s lives.
At the same time, embracing this work also strengthens the profession, aligning with a wellness industry that is expanding rapidly. The convergence of client need, research evidence, and industry growth makes menopause support not only an act of care but also a forward-looking area of professional development.
In short: investing in menopause massage is good healthcare, good practice, and good business. It is an opportunity to serve with compassion, while also growing as a therapist within an evolving wellness landscape.
References
[1] Massage Therapy Market Size, Trends & Forecast 2025 … https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/massage-therapy-services-market
[2] Massages top the list as UK’s most searched spa treatment https://professionalbeauty.co.uk/spa-treatment-search-trends-uk
[3] UK Spa Market Size & Share | Growth Forecast 2025-2034 https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/uk-spa-market
[4] How much do Massage Therapists Earn in the UK? https://www.protectivity.com/knowledge-centre/how-much-do-massage-therapists-earn-in-the-uk/
[5] The Spa Trends Report 2025 | SpaSeekers.com https://www.spaseekers.com/spa-insider/inspiration/spa-trends-2025/
[6] Now is the Perfect Time to Start a Career in Massage https://collegeofclassicalmassage.com/start-a-career-in-massage-therapy/
[7] Health & Wellness Spa Market Report 2025-2030 https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/health-wellness-spa-market-report-094600879.html
[8] 2025 Therapeutic Massage Services Global Market Size & … https://www.researchandmarkets.com/report/massage-service
[9] Health and Wellness Spas in the UK – Market Research … https://www.ibisworld.com/united-kingdom/industry/health-and-wellness-spas/5053/
[10] Massage And Menopause https://mbmassagetherapy.uk/find-your-pain/massage-and-menopause/
[11] Effect of aromatherapy massage on menopausal symptoms https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22549173/
[12] Effect of massage in postmenopausal women with insomnia https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3059875/
[13] Menopause Massage https://www.relaxglasgow.co.uk/menopause-massage
[14] The Therapeutic Impact Of Remedial Massage Therapy https://www.westernregionhealth.com.au/harmonizing-menopause-the-therapeutic-impact-of-remedial-massage-therapy/
[15] Research: Massage and Menopause https://www.amtamassage.org/publications/massage-therapy-journal/massage-and-menopause/
[16] Effect of Massage Therapy On Menopausal Symptoms … https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S092493381532112X
[17] AB0341 THE EFFECTS OF AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE … https://ard.bmj.com/content/83/Suppl_1/1415.2
[18] Comparison of the Efficacy of Massage and Aromatherapy … https://brieflands.com/articles/zjrms-970
[19] The Benefits Of Massage For Menopausal Women https://www.fireandearthleamington.co.uk/blog/the-benefits-of-massage-for-menopausal-women/
[20] Massage Benefits for Menopausal Women https://www.soothicity.co.uk/post/massage-benefits-for-menopausal-women
[21] Managing Menopause Stress and Anxiety Through Holistic … https://gatehousehealth.co.uk/blog/managing-menopause-stress-and-anxiety-through-holistic-massage-a-natural-solution-for-relief/
[22] Massage and the menopause https://www.keherentherapy.co.uk/massage-and-the-menopause-eft/
[23] How Massage can ease Menopause Symptoms https://www.eastwestcollege.com/how-massage-can-ease-menopause-symptoms/
[24] Reflexology for Menopause Symptoms https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/blog/reflexology-for-menopause
[25] The benefits of lymphatic drainage massage to help relieve … https://www.pure-therapy.co.uk/the-benefits-of-lymphatic-drainage-massage-to-help-relieve-common-menopausal-symptoms/