What are the Advantages of Using Essential Oils for Sciatica Pain? Essential oils have been around for quite some time now, making a mark in the world by aiding in many of the remedies sought out to assist in healing and wellness.
You name it and there is more than likely an essential oil for it. Essential oils are one of the various forms of alternative medicine, used in what many know to be aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy is many times also known as essential oil therapy. The oils are formed with the extractions from various plants, which bring the necessary potency to the oils. They can also be extracted from fruit, leaves and even certain forms of seeds.
Aromatherapy is a form of holistic healing treatment. As a professional chiropractic doctor, I know many things about essential oils and how to use them properly.
How Do Essential Oils Work?
Essential oil therapy is taken into the body through the senses. Smelling the oils and topically applying the oils allowing them to be absorbed into the skin, are the two ways aromatherapy is intended to work.
Some examples include:
To name a few those are some of the forms in which aromatherapy comes, enabling the oils to then be brought into the body.
Essential Oils are proven to have many positive results and benefits.
Benefits of Essential Oil Therapy Include:
- Soothing of sore joints
- Boost immune system
- Reduce anxiety and stress
- Ease headaches/migraines
- Fight bacteria
- Improve digestion
- Improve sleep quality
According to Healthline, those are only a few, but some of the most common benefits that have been proven true by those who have taken that route to help in their wellness journeys.
Essential Oils are also beneficial when treating and helping cope with arthritis. Osteoarthritis is one of the leading factors leading to Sciatica pain. As stated previously if you name it there is more than likely an oil designed for it.
Are There Oils for Sciatica Pain?
Sciatica is defined as a pain, weakness, numbness or tingling generally on one side of the body, radiating or remaining constant in the lower back, behind and leg.
There is a nerve on the backside of our bodies called the sciatic nerve, and when there is pressure or irritation involved near or on that nerve it causes pain.
Arthritis can lead to sciatica pain but simple wearing down of the discs in the lower back can cause that triggered pain also. As one ages is generally when sciatica is diagnosed, because of the natural wearing down of those particular areas in the body.
There are essential oils recommended to help with sciatic pain also known as neuropathic pain. Some of those oils include but aren’t limited to:
- Lavender
- Peppermint
- Ginger
Lavender Essential Oil:
The essential oil lavender is derived from the plant known as Lavandula angustifolia. Lavender is many times used to help soothe. It’s used in baby lotions, baby bath wash, and beyond.
Lavender essential oil assists with pain by bringing a calming effect that reduces any anxiety, stress and even helps reduce any pain the body may be experiencing.
Lavender doesn’t solely work to reduce the pain but to rid the body of the pain altogether, working its way to the root.
Peppermint Essential Oil:
Peppermint oil is soothing due to its cooling effect. It can be used to calm the irritation being brought on by sciatic pain.
Peppermint oil is known for its properties such as anti-inflammatory and anesthetic properties. It helps to cut down on inflammation and has a slight numbing effect on whatever area is experiencing pain.
Ginger Essential Oil:
Arthritis is inflammation to whatever bones joints or muscles are being affected by arthritis. Ginger has been proven to assist with those areas that are affected with inflammation.
Therefore relating to sciatica it’s helpful in easing and disrupting inflammation caused by any type of neuropathic pain.
Important Safety Reminders
When using any essential oils be sure to check with your medical professional who can assist you in your journey of experimenting with that form of alternative medicine.
Some of these oils render side effects that should be made aware of and understood prior to ingesting them. Some of the effects can be toxic. One of those serious side effects is one taking on unintended Hormonal changes.
It’s also important to know that some oils can be applied topically as directed, while others can only be used in the form of a diffuser. There is also a such thing as needing to dilute essential oils, and if it instructs that and it’s not carried out it can cause side effects and sometimes irritation to the skin.
While they can be used on a daily basis (essential oils) when treating certain health conditions, it’s necessary to be sure you know how to use them so that you aren’t overusing them or using them improperly in any way.
Good Things to Know
Sciatica pain can be treated and assisted with the use of essential oils, but it’s also mindful to carry out other helpful tools that are able to work hand in hand with the treatment.
Exercises and certain stretches are very helpful when living with sciatica. The stretches and exercises on a daily will help to keep the joints and muscles loose and not tense. That will enable the oils to work better, seeing that you’ve done your part to prime the muscles in a sense before the treatment is then rendered.
Sciatica can be treated in other ways, but when looking for alternative ways of medicine and alternative forms of treatment, then essential oils is an appropriate option for you.
If you’re choosing surgery as an option then essential oils can still work for you, helping you to be better equipped to undergo the surgery. They can and will also be beneficial to anyone coming out of surgery in need of some extra form of support, and not wanting to take medications.
According to Mayo Clinic, using aromatherapy after surgery has been proven to help rid patients of pain or make it more manageable. It’s also been proven to ease nausea, and sore muscles.
About Dr. Brent Wells, D.C.
Dr. Brent Wells is a graduate of the University of Nevada where he earned his bachelor of science degree before moving on to complete his doctorate from Western States Chiropractic College. He founded Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab in Alaska in 1998. He became a well-known Anchorage chiropractor and is passionate about treating his patients with care and compassion.
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Essential oils are a safe and natural way to reduce inflammation and pain. However, if you're pregnant or have a medical condition, please consult your doctor before using essential oils.
