Back pain. We’ve all experienced it at one time or another, and we all know that when we’re dealing with it, it’s really no fun at all. Learn how to use Essential Oils for Back Pain plus try out the DIY Pain Relief recipe.
Back pain can happen for a variety of reasons – from medical conditions to simple over-use or strain. Lifting and carrying heavy objects, sitting too long, twisting, and jerking the back muscles quickly are all common reasons one might experience back pain when an underlying medical concern isn’t present.
When we’re talking about medical concerns of the back, these include conditions such as muscle strains, spinal stenosis, herniated discs, arthritis, and osteoporosis.
Essential Oils for Back Pain
There are many great essential oil options for alleviating back pain, let’s take a look at a few.
| Cooling Oils | Peppermint, spearmint, rosemary |
| Warming Oils | Ginger, black pepper |
| Anti-inflammatory Oils | Lavender, frankincense, copaiba |
| Analgesic Essential Oils | Lemongrass, sweet marjoram, eucalyptus |
It’s best to use these oils topically, two ways include massage oils and bath blends, Try using one or more of these essential oils in a pain relieving massage oil or mixing with Epsom salts in the bath. Both methods are great application techniques for relieving pain.
Remember, if you’re using essential oils in the bath you need a proper carrier oil or other dispersant – Epsom salts do not count as a carrier!
Additionally, it is necessary to properly dilute the oils before applying them to the skin. Applying an undiluted or overly concentrated amount of essential oil may result in skin irritation or other adverse reactions. Finally, it is important to consult with an aromatherapist or other healthcare professional before beginning any new treatment protocol.
Ginger Essential Oil For Pain Relief
Ginger essential oil is becoming increasingly popular for pain management. It could be a great alternative to more traditional pain medications, as it effectively alleviates pain while being natural and non-invasive.
For example, ginger essential oil can provide pain relief from joint and low back pain, as well as muscle aches. It has anti-inflammatory properties which makes it great for relieving aches and pains caused by inflammation such as arthritis.
Dilute this oil with carrier oils and other essences in order to be massaged into the skin and absorbed through the tissue. Ginger essential oil makes a great addition to massage oil blends.
Its warming properties help with pain relief too. Besides pain relief, ginger essential oil also may reduce inflammation, making it an overall beneficial form of pain management to treat a variety of conditions.
Ginger is known to relieve nausea which is great because having lower back pain can sometimes lead to feeling nauseous.
Peppermint Essential Oil for Back Pain
Peppermint essential oil can be an effective natural remedy for easing back pain and reducing muscle spasms. It contains menthol, which acts as a mild anesthetic to help relieve the discomfort associated with muscle soreness and joint aches caused by sports injuries or strain from everyday life.
Additionally, peppermint essential oil is known to increase circulation, helping reduce inflammation in the area and providing a soothing effect that can bring relief to those suffering from any old or chronic ailment causing back pain.
All in all, peppermint oil packs quite a punch when it comes to aiding painful medical conditions like those that affect the lower back!
Eucalyptus Essential Oil for Back Soreness
If you are looking for a good essential oil to manage back soreness, eucalyptus may be the solution for you. Eucalyptus oil has been used in traditional medicine, and can provide incredible therapeutic and analgesic benefits.
The active ingredients in eucalyptus oil work to reduce inflammation and pain in the muscles, making it effective at assisting most types of back pain. To use eucalyptus oil for managing pain, simply add 6 drops of eucalyptus essential oil to 1 ounce of carrier oil such as coconut oil or jojoba oil, then massage it into your sore areas every day until symptoms subside.
With regular use, eucalyptus' natural analgesic properties can help soothe away your discomfort and have you feeling better in no time.
Essential Oil Blend for Back Pain Relief
I want to leave you with a recipe to help the next time you find yourself or a family member dealing with back pain.
For this blend you can uses trauma oil, it is the perfect carrier oil for pain blends. You can substitute it with another carrier oil if needed, like jojoba oil. Read more about trauma oil.
Back Pain Be Gone Blend |
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This blend is a massage oil blend and can be applied right over the painful areas of the back. Additionally, a few drops of this blend could be added to a warm bath as well.
Directions: Add your drops of each essential oil to a dark glass bottle. Measure out your trauma oil and add it to your blend of essential oils. Close the bottle tightly and roll it gently in your hands to mix the oils together. This recipe is a 4.5% dilution, for temporary issues. Apply directly to painful areas of the back 3-4 times per day. |
Aromatherapy Blends For Back Pain
Aromatherapy for back pain can be an effective way to reduce discomfort and improve overall wellbeing.
Lavender and Eucalyptus
A popular blend used for back pain is a combination of lavender and eucalyptus.
- Lavender has calming properties which can help to reduce stress and relax tense muscles.
- Eucalyptus soothes inflammation and promotes circulation in the area affected by the pain.
Rosemary and Ginger
Rosemary and ginger oil can also be beneficial for back pain relief.
- Rosemary oil has anti-inflammatory properties which can help reduce swelling caused by inflammation in the lower back area.
- Ginger oil also reduces inflammation through its warming effect on the muscles while providing a sense of comfort during recovery from injury or illness.
Peppermint and Marjoram
For those looking for extra support in managing their chronic or acute back pain, combining these essential oils with massage therapy or yoga poses can provide a holistic approach to healing and symptom management.
- Peppermint relieves tension headaches and helps to reduce muscle spasms.
- Marjoram has analgesic effects that help with localized pain.
With the right combination of essential oils, aromatherapy is an accessible option that may be able to offer some relief from back discomfort without any serious side effects or risk of addiction like some prescription medications do.
6 Easy Ways to Prevent Back Pain
Back pain can be experienced in the neck (cervical spine), middle of the back (thoracic spine), and/or lower back (lumbar spine) and can be an intense, sharp pain, achiness, tightness/stiffness, or even muscular spasms.
While the causes and actual symptoms of back pain are varied, the one thing they all have in common is that when we’re experiencing them, we want to relieve our pain as quickly as possible.
That being said, as the well-known cliché says – an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure, so let’s first talk about ways that we can prevent back pain.
1. Use good posture
How you sit, stand, and move throughout the day has a significant impact on your spinal health. Poor posture can lead to back pain and other problems.
2. When lifting, lift with the legs, not the back
Did you know that most back pain is caused by improper lifting? If you're not careful, you can easily injure your back while lifting heavy objects. But with a little bit of practice using your legs and not your back, you can safely lift. Also, be sure to get help when lifting heavy objects.
3. Do back stretches periodically throughout the day
This is especially important if you have a desk job. Doing back stretches throughout the day has been proven to alleviate back pain and stiffness associated with prolonged periods of sitting.
4. Exercise
Being active is a great way to prevent back pain – choose an activity you love and get moving! Exercise is a great way to strengthen your muscles and keep your spine flexible, both of which can help reduce your risk of back pain.
5. Eat a balanced diet
Eating healthy includes eating veggies, fruits, protein (meat) and whole grains. These foods contain natural vitamins and minerals which can help with LBP. Eating too much junk food causes inflammation in the body which causes back pain to worsen. So make sure you eat a balanced diet!
6. Chiropractic care and/or massage therapy
These alternative health treatments can not only alleviate back pain, but when used regularly, can stop back pain before it even starts.
Here is a quick back stretch video with 3 simple stretches that anyone can do:
Now, let’s move on to what to do when we do experience back pain.
Natural Ways to Relieve Back Pain
Back pain is one of the most common reasons people go to the doctor. It can be caused by a number of things, from injuries to poor posture. If you're struggling with back pain, there are a number of natural ways you can relieve it.
- Visit the chiropractor
- Rest while using ice or heat over the affected area
- Use essential oils for relief
When using essential oils for back pain, it is important to use only high-quality oils that have been tested by reputable manufacturers.
More DIY Recipes for Pain
Are you looking for more ways to relieve pain naturally? If so, you're in luck! We've gathered some of our favorite DIY recipes that can help ease pain and inflammation.
Essential Oil Pain Relief Butter
Pain is a common thing in our lives, but there are ways to make it less painful. I've created this recipe for you that can be used on any aches and pains with natural ingredients! Plus my essential oil blend will keep your skin feeling nourished while providing relief from pain too so give these recipes a try today if you're looking for some new DIY remedies :)
Bumps and Bruises Oil Blend
Almost everyone has experienced a bump or bruise at some point in their life. While these bumps and bruises might not seem like a big deal, they can be quite painful and take awhile to heal. If you're looking for a natural way to soothe your bumps and bruises, consider using an oil blend specifically designed for this purpose. Bumps and Bruises Oil Blend is a potent combination of oils that can help relieve pain and inflammation, speed up the healing process, and reduce bruising.
Headache Relief Roller Blend
Are you struggling with a headache? If so, you're not alone. A lot of people suffer from headaches on a regular basis. Luckily, there are things you can do to help relieve your headache pain. One great option is to create a headache relief roller blend using essential oils. Essential oils have been shown to be effective in providing relief for headaches. Plus, they smell great and can help you relax. So if you're looking for some relief, give this roller blend a try!
Blue Tansy Sore Muscle Rub
Have you ever been so sore after a workout that you can barely move? If so, you'll want to try this Blue Tansy Sore Muscle Rub. It's a natural way to help ease the pain and inflammation caused by exercise. Plus, it smells amazing! Find this blend on our Blue Tansy Oil Spotlight, it is the last recipe listed on the blog post.
Final Thoughts on Essential Oil Blends for Back Pain
Back pain can be one of the most chronic and debilitating issues that reduce our quality of life. From tension headaches to sciatica, upper back pain, or chronic fatigue, essential oils offer a natural solution to improving your condition.
Using these oils and essential oil pain blends can help improve circulation and promote relaxation in areas of chronic stress or soreness. You can apply these oils directly to your skin, add them to a massage oil or lotion, put drops in a warm compress, or diffuse them in the air in an aromatherapy diffuser.
A variety of essential oils are beneficial for chronic back pain; some examples being lavender, eucalyptus, frankincense, and clary sage. Give yourself the relief you need and start using these amazing healing powers today!
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Where to Buy Essential Oils?
Essential oils are great because not only do they make you feel good physically but mentally as well. I love having them around since they have so many benefits, like clearing the air of bad odors and improving moods by releasing calming scents in your home or office!
We are frequently asked what essential oil brand we like, here are some of our favorites: