Back Pain & Aromatherapy
By Pam Wilson
Back Pain is
something that will probably affect nearly everyone at some point in their
lives. Some people will occasionally
experience back pain while for other, it can be a curse both physically and
emotionally and stay with us for many years.
It may come and go,
by day, week, month or even years. The
cause can vary from injury, certain activities, occupational, poor posture,
genetics and even stress. Other diseases
such as Cancer, Osteoporosis and Arthritis can also cause back pain and
discomfort. So it is vital to establish the cause of your back pain, whether
through diagnostic or through the process of elimination and not just for your
own peace of mind, but also to determine a safe and effective way of treating
the problem. Whatever the cause the result is often pain and discomfort!
Many people will
live with back pain that never really leaves them and if it does, then only for
a few hours and often because they may have rested, or done certain exercises or
even taken medication to ease the pain!
Learning to live
with back pain, can almost become a full time job, especially if it prevents
you from sleeping. Regardless of sleep,
the pain can cause on - going fatigue, which is quite common for anyone enduring
pain for any length of time.
Modern day life
allows us to sit down for long periods of time: at work in the car in front of
the TV and now in front of computers, laptops, ipads and iphones. The activity
of sitting down for too long is probably where some of the problems may have
started. Along with little exercise and not strengthening our core abdominal
muscles, especially when we are younger, may well lead to back problems in
later life. Even wearing the wrong kind
of footwear especially for young girls can lead to back problems. Thus, making sitting down for any period of time a
problem.
Carrying out daily
activities such as house hold chores, gardening or even just getting dressed,
bending down to put on shoes and so on, can be an unpleasant experience because
of the discomfort it can cause.
All work
environments provide safe working conditions to accommodate and of course try
to prevent employees sustaining/agaggravating any type of injury and or condition. Any type of work station whether at home or
in a workplace can be adjusted to accommodate the user.
Of course Keeping
mobile and active is important, walking can be a very effective exercise in the
combat to ease back pain and the associated problems. Not staying in the same position for any
length of time is equally important to prevent back and other health problems.
Recent studies have
shown that one of the biggest causes of people being away from the workplace in
the UK, is due to back pain! Millions of
days each year are lost due to back pain and other muscular skeletal
disorders.
Using Therapists
such as a Physio and Osteopath have become common practise and there are now
even Apps you can download that give advice about back pain and how to manage
it.
Many of us will have
clients who have or have had back pain, indeed many Therapists can suffer back
pain too.
As Aromatherapists
we know how effective Aromatherapy
treatments can be, in dealing with pain and some of the other causes and
symptoms, such as inflammation, poor posture that comes about through
compensating an injury along with the pain and discomfort and stress that this
can cause.
Since the Nervous
System is key to our spinal column this can cause other problems and ailments
such as stomach upset, headaches, blurred vision, numbness, tingling, feeling
tired and stressed and so on. This may
also depend on where in the spine or which vertebra is effected if that is the
case. Either way these symptoms can be
worrying.
Aromatherapy
massage in itself is a soothing, relaxing treatment that can aid stimulation of the circulatory and
calm the nervous system. The essential
oils however, can play an important role to help primarily with the analgesic
effect of the pain, relax the muscles and ligaments to reduce the effects of
spasm and inflammation - a common cause of back pain, plus promote healthy
sleep. Thus this can have a positive effect on the other systems of the body,
and so a calming effect on both the physiological and emotional well-being.
So whether your
back pain is acute or chronic, there are many oils to help with the pain and the various associated symptoms.
Chamomile for
analgesic and anti-inflammatory, calming and promoting sleep
Frankincense
anti-inflammatory and mild sedative
Ginger warming and
stimulating good for poor circulation
Helichrysum
anti-inflammatory, especially inflamed joints, excellent in cold compress for
bruising
Juniper Berry
anti-rheumatic, anti-spasmodic, nervine, rubefacient, excellent for eliminating
toxins from the body and can help to strengthen the nervous system.
Lavender prevents
muscular spasm, anti-inflammatory relieves anxiety and tension, promotes sleep
Peppermint eases
muscles soreness
Rosemary analgesic,
anti-spasmodic properties, improves blood circulation
Sweet marjoram
analgesic, anti-spasmodic, a warming oil that eases tight muscles especially in
lower back pain, a sedative.
Remember to always
check your client's medical status to ensure they have no contra-indications to
the oils you are going to use, or are pregnant.
A combination of
any of the above oils, plus many others that also contain the above properties
to help with back pain and the pain plus
associated symptoms, can have a powerful
and positive effect for the client.
So while a
Chamomile is calming and promotes sleep it also contains analgesic and
anti-inflammatory properties.
Don't forget to
encourage your client to use the oils effectively at home, in between
treatments, either in a blend which they can apply to the affected area or for
bath time. A warm bath using essential
oils can be an excellent way to ease the effects of back pain, especially
before bedtime in order to relieve pain and stress and encourage a good night’s
sleep.
Using oils in a
warm compress and applied directly to the affected area can reduce swelling,
inflammation and ease pain rapidly.
Remember prevention
is better than cure but managing our health, especially where pain and our
backs are concerned is equally important.
Please note: If pregnant or suspect you maybe pregnant or suffer
with a medical condition consult your G.P. or qualified Aromatherapist for
advice before using essential oils. Do not apply essential oils neat to
the skin, always use with caution.
References
NHS Back Pain at
Work
The Aromatherapy
Bible - Gill Farrer-Halls
If you would like more
information about professional aromatherapy, are interested in training to
become an aromatherapist or would like to find a qualified aromatherapy
practitioner in your area please go to the International Federation of
Aromatherapists (IFA) website at www.ifaroma.org
or email at office@ifaroma.org.
