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The best form of treatment for back pain is prevention. Regular massage with essential oils and baths will prevent pain by reducing stress, improving muscle tone, relaxing tight muscles and improving the general level of wellbeing.

Causes of back pain:

Dysfunction of the intervertebral joints of the spine due to injury.
Spondylitis (synonymous with osteoarthritis and degenerative back disease).
Poor posture and muscle tone.
Arthritis and osteoporosis.
Lack of exercise or overtraining.
Improper footwear and walking habits.
Improper lifting.
Obesity and sedentary lifestyle.
Straining.
Calcium deficiency.
Slouching when sitting.
Sleeping on the mattress that is too soft.

Back pain is the total suffering of a person in the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects. Aromatherapy addresses all of the above.

Aromatherapy Treatment for Back Pain.

Massage with Essential Oils – Massage can be a valuable way of re-educating tense muscles, relieving pain, swelling, reducing inflammation and stress levels.

Compresses – Cold/Hot. Cold compresses may be used to relieve tiredness due to overwork or stress, and to alleviate acute pain. Hot compresses are often used to reduce pain of a chronic nature.

Baths – This is a very effective method because the essential oils are absorbed into the skin. A soothing warm bath with essential oils is just the thing to relax tight, tense muscles in the shoulders and upper back.

Benefits of Aromatherapy in reducing Back Pain.

Aromatherapy can help alleviate the symptoms of back pain in a number of ways:

• Relax the muscles which in turn reduces the stimulation of pain centres.
• Reduce mental/emotional stress ( mood is lifted leading to a reduced perception of pain).
• Encourage blood flow around the body, providing the muscles with nutrients and oxygen.
• Aid in the maintenance of healthy muscles.
• Relieve local inflammation.
• Speed recovery from muscle injury.

Therapeutic Effect of Essential Oils.

Analgesic. It relieves or diminishes pain.
Rubefacient. It warms and increases blood flow.
Anti-inflammatory. It alleviates inflammation.
Antispasmodic. It prevents and eases spasms.
Detoxifying. It cleanse and purifies the bloodstream.

Essential oils for Back Pain.

Essential oils: Battaglia (2003) recommends Blacj pepper, Cajeput, Cinnamon bark, Clove bud, German Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Ginger, Juniper berry, Lemon, Sweet marjoram, Nutmeg, Peppermint, Pine, Rosemary, Thyme. Others : Vetiver, Sweet orange, Frankincense, Benzoin.

Carrier oils : Arnica infused oil, St John’s Wort.

Aromatherapy Oil Blend for Back Pain

Lower Back Pain Blend
2 drops Spike Lavender
2 drops Sweet marjoram
2 drop Black pepper
in 10ml of carrier oil
(avoid if you have hypotension)

Backache Blend
2 drops Ginger
2 drops Cajeput
2 drops Lemon
in 10ml of carrier oil

If you live in Wellington, NZ and are looking for massage: Aromatherapy and Ayurveda – contact me on (+64) 0210778203 or hello@shamamatherapy.com

Head Massage offers a multidimensional approach to the management of conditions associated with the nervous system such as depression, anxiety, stress and insomnia.

Head is the most important organ of the body because all the sense organs like the eyes, ears, nose and tongue are located in it. Although the techniques used in Head Massage involve only the upper part of the body, the potential benefits are widespread.

Benefits of Head Massage

Increases blood flow to the head, neck and shoulders.
Improves circulation and nutrition to scalp, the skin and the hair.
Relaxes the muscle and nerve fibres of the head, neck and shoulders.
Reduces pain, spasms, restrictions and adhesions in the muscle fibres.
Reduces stress.
Drains any accumulated toxins.
Stimulates the release of endorphins from the brain.
Relaxes the mind and body.
Improves sleep patterns.
Increases the supply of oxygen to the brain.
Increases energy levels.
Promotes healthy hair growth.
Helps relieve mental fatigue and improves concentration.
Slows down the speed of ageing.

Head Massage with essential oils provides nourishment to all sense organs and promote their normal and natural functioning.

Essential oils for Head Massage

When using essential oils to treat nervous system it is important to identify the cause of a problem before selecting the essential oils.

Head Massage Blend for Insomnia
1 drop Ylang Ylang
2 drops Lavender
2 drops Sandalwood
2 drops Sweet orange
in 30ml Sesame oil

Head Massage Blend for Headache
2 drops Peppermint
2 drops Lavender
2 drops Sweet marjoram
1 drop Rosewood
in 30ml Sesame oil

Contraindications for Head Massage

Cold.
Fever.
Indigestion.
Inflammation of the scalp.

Frequency of Head Massage

In India, head massage is often part of a daily schedule. In the western world, as part of a stress management programme, head massage should ideally be carried out once or even twice a week for maximum benefit.
Head Massage balances the body, relieves pressure and soothes away tension, so we can breathe, stand and move more freely. A head massage is a soothing and relaxing treatment, allowing you to escape the stresses and strains of daily living.

If you live in Wellington, NZ and are looking for massage: Aromatherapy and Ayurveda – contact me on (+64) 0210778203 or hello@shamamatherapy.com