It’s easy to be skeptical about how effective using essential oils can be when it comes to using them for pain relief, especially when they are often touted as a cure-all. There are multiple things that can cause you to feel pain, including overworked muscles, muscle spasms, inflammation, stress, and bad posture.

People suffering from sickness, pain, and inflammation turn to over-the-counter and prescription medicines regularly for treatment. It is, however, becoming more common to use essential oils as a method of managing pain provided by nature, without added chemical content.

dōTERRA’s AromaTouch Technique, used at Shin Wellness, is an alternative approach to applying essential oils along energy meridians and reflexology points of the back and feet to help balance the Nervous system as well as other systems of the body.

5 Common Pain Relieving Essential Oils

1. Lavender essential oil. Lavender is extracted from the aromatic flowers of the lavender plant. The oil is a popular, and all-around good choice that offers a range of benefits for total wellness. It acts as an anti-inflammatory that can calm inflammation around joints. It also contains calming properties that may reduce stress, relax the mind, and improve sleep quality.
2. Rosemary. Rosemary essential oil contains strong anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. The essential oil of this popular herb has been found to be one of the most commonly used oils in aromatherapy that is targeted at reducing pain. This oil is great for back pain, muscle pain, headaches, and joint pain due to its antispasmodic and analgesic compounds.
3. Peppermint oil. Peppermint contains menthol, which has a cooling response on tender, achy muscles. It also has analgesic, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
4. Frankincense. Frankincense is a mild sedative with potent anti-inflammatory compounds. This oil can alleviate stress and relieve general pain.
5. Marjoram. This essential oil is derived from the leaves of the plant and has been used for hundreds of years to calm spasms, sprains, swelling, and stiffness in the joints and muscles

Other Considerations

• Essential oils are highly concentrated and are too strong to use on the skin directly. Mixing these oils with a good quality carrier oil, such as coconut oil, is the best way to use them. Its recommended that before applying to larger areas of the body, conduct a patch skin test with any of the essential oils mentioned above to avoid irritation.
• Never ingest essential oils!
• There are options and recipes to blend many oils to get the benefit of more than one oil at once.
• Common places to apply essential oils are the bottoms of feet, chest, temple and pulse points.
• Oils can be used in a diffuser to start your day off right, increase energy or to relax and unwind at the end of the day.
• Another way to use essential oils is to add 2-5 drops of essential oil to bath water or use with Epsom salts or carrier oil.
• Create your own massage oil by adding 15-20 drops diluted to 1/2 cup of carrier oil. Begin by massaging the feet as it allows oils to quickly enter the bloodstream.
• Try to avoid using metal or plastic utensils or containers to mix or apply essential oils. It is better to use glass or ceramic.
• Store away from sunlight and moisture in order to retain the potency of essential oils.

The Takeaway

These days aches and pains affect everyone and are never fun. It is not uncommon to explore and find remedies for the various discomforts we experience. In addition to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, adding essential oils to your regular routine may reduce symptoms of pain and inflammation.

These oils have unlimited potential in terms of how you can use and combine these incredible oils. The AromaTouch Technique is for everyone who is interested in looking after their health & well-being.

If you are interested in learning more about AromaTouch Therapy, I encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of our trusted practitioners at SHIN Wellness. We offer many other holistic treatments such as Decompression Therapy, Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Neurofeedback, Psychology, Reiki, Nutrition, Massage, Rolfing, and Corrective Exercise. If you need some help figuring out what service is right for you, try our personalized consultation. Our Wellness Center and Chiropractor office in Miami Florida specializes in restoring your health!