Essential oils are on the rise, being used as alternative forms of treatment; not meant to cure but solely meant to assist with traditional medicine, physical therapy, massage therapy, and in some cases, no other treatment at all. It all depends on the present issue and what they’re wanting the essential oils to do for them.
Essential oils are used to treat symptoms ranging from migraines to menstrual cramps, and even more severe conditions such as arthritis. Though essential oils aren’t FDA approved many still choose to take a chance and see what all the fuss is about. They are however FDA compliant, but not approved; even though they are considered more natural than traditional medications; they can still be harmful when not used with caution and in compliance with potential risk factors.
It’s always important to speak with your doctor if you plan on using essential oils in any way and for any reason, especially when you’re already taking medication or receiving other forms of treatment that it could collide with and potentially cause a negative reaction/response.
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What are Herbal Remedies?
Essential oil bottles and diffuser.
Photo by Jaron Whelan on Unsplash
Herbal remedies are remedies derived from herbs that are used to assist with treating certain conditions of the body.
Essential oils are classified as herbal remedies; deriving from plants, flowers, herbs, and certain seeds. Though there are various forms of herbal remedies essential oils are what the name calls them, oils.
Aromatherapy is the form of therapy in which essential oils are generally used. Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine; which is known to be the non-orthodox way of treatment. Meaning doctors consider it to be a not so traditional way of treatment, but they also know that many are beginning to incorporate it into at-home treatments.
How do you use Essential Oils?
Essential oils are not to be ingested but rather inhaled generally through a diffuser, in some cases steaming is also an option, along with a quick inhalation of the bottle itself being a form of use.
Essential oils can also be gently massaged into the skin, meant to be absorbed. These oils are popularly known to be used alongside aromatherapy, as a form of massaging oil for the body during massage therapy.
Keep in mind visiting your local chiropractor can set you up for getting your next massage and maybe considering if this may be an option for you.
They can also be used in the bath for further relaxation and lightening of certain symptoms.
It’s very important to read and educate yourself before ignorantly using essential oils seeing that they can bring about certain health issues also, regardless of them being considered “natural”.
Can Essential Oils Be Used to Treat Inflammation?
Essential oils are known to influence certain types of arthritis, with the targeting of the inflammation in particular; along with mild forms of any pain.
Arthritis is a health condition where the joints are affected by pain due to an overwhelming amount of inflammation. Because of the body’s supply of unwanted inflammation, it causes pain and sometimes that pain can seem almost unbearable.
That’s why many have considered using essential oils to better assist with the pain outside of the doctor’s office and in the quiet of their homes.
So yes, essential oils can be used to treat inflammation and according to studies it’s been tested and shown that these oils do indeed have an anti-inflammatory effect in terms of arthritis.
What Essential Oils Can Be Used to Treat My Pain and Inflammation?
There are well over 90 various types of essential oils that can be used to relax, calm, and soothe, but there are also specific ones known to assist with actual pain and inflammation.
Eucalyptus plant
Photo by Matt Montgomery on Unsplash
- Eucalyptus – Eucalyptus oil derives from the eucalyptus tree and can be used within teas as leaves, or when crushed through the necessary process that then produces the oil, it can be used in a diffuser or massaged into the skin. This oil helps with joint and muscle pain and can help relieve the body from the obvious joint pain associated with arthritis. It is proven to have anti-inflammatory properties which would be useful in terms of settling down the inflammation that also accompanies arthritis.
- Lavender – Lavender oil is known for it’s a soothing and calming effect on the body, it derives from the flower, the lavender flower. It’s known to help calm babies down when preparing them for bed and is used in many baby lotions for that very reason. This oil can help soothe those aching joints by helping to relieve stress and further helping the body to not be so tense or stiff due to the pain it may be experiencing.
- Ginger – Ginger oil is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties and can be massaged directly into the skin. However, it’s a very potent oil and should be used by diluting in most cases so that the skin doesn’t respond negatively. Oils can be tested on a small area of the skin when using them in massage form, to ensure that your skin doesn’t have a response you don’t desire.
Conclusion
Visiting your local chiropractor, like Dr. Brent Wells and his amazing team of Anchorage Alaska chiropractors, can set you up for the future as they assist you in your health goals, and supply to you the necessary information you’ll need to move forward in your journey towards a pain-free body.
They offer massage therapy and aromatherapy if that’s the option you desire to move forward with. They would love to help you better understand just what it can do for your body at this time in your life.
Your health is important to me and it’s important to them, and I do hope it’s important to you and that you now know of other options you can take to better help you live a life free of pain.
About Dr. Brent Wells
Dr. Brent Wells, D.C. is the founder of Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab and has been a chiropractor for over 20 years. His practice has treated thousands of patients from different health problems using various services designed to help give you long-lasting relief, such as chiropractic care, physical rehab therapy, and massage therapy in Anchorage, Juneau, and Wasilla.
Dr. Wells is also the author of over 700 online health articles that have been featured on sites such as Dr. Axe and Lifehack. He is a member of the American Chiropractic Association and the American Academy of Spine Physicians. And he continues his education to remain active and updated in all studies related to neurology, physical rehab, biomechanics, spine conditions, brain injury trauma, and more.
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