Body pain is the most commonly encountered pain amongst the elders due to old age and wear and tear of muscles. After a strenuous day at work or when not feeling well, you might experience pain in the body. While going in for a hot water bath or using a hot water pack to ease the pain is one of the common traditional ways to fight body pain, it might not be a feasible option for a long term relief. Moreover, popping a painkiller every now and then to get rid of body aches is not a good idea because of its effect on the liver and kidneys with its long-term use.
But one thing that is known to be effective as well as safe for people suffering from body ache is an oil massage. Yes! oil massage for body pain with essential oils or herbal oils works wonders as these oils seep deep into the dermal levels to provide relief. This is the reason it has been touted to be the best natural remedy for body pain and is one of the commonly adopted methods to relieve body pain as well as back pain for a long time. Let us understand which essential oils and herbal ayurvedic oils should be used for an oil massage for body ache relief.
6 Essential Oils That Are Excellent for Easing Body Aches
Essential oils have been used for centuries for back pain and inflammation without any side effects. It can be used in the form of aromatherapy where you breathe in the essential oil through a diffuser to relieve migraines or pain caused by blocked sinuses. The other way of using an essential oil is massaging it on the affected area.
A good massage relaxes your muscles and improves muscle tone, circulation, and blood flow. It also relieves any physical tension and mental stress. Oil massage with essential oils or ayurvedic herbal oils gives a combined effect of touch and therapeutic benefits of oil. You may choose the type of oil-based on the pain, site, and cause of pain to get the optimal benefit. Here are 6 top essential oils that you can use for an oil massage for body ache.
Peppermint Oil: Peppermint oil massage helps alleviate pain due to arthritis, migraines and muscle aches and pains. It is an age-old technique that still holds strong. Peppermint oil is known to reduce the occurrence of spasms. When mixed with lavender it is even more effective and longer lasting.
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Lavender Oil: Lavender oil is a popular pain-relieving essential oil due to its light sedating and soothing effects. This makes it highly effective for stress-related pain in the head, neck and back. Lavender oil can be inhaled or rubbed onto painful body parts. It is a mild oil that can be applied directly to the skin. Application or inhaling of lavender oil at night offers a relaxing sleep, which in turn helps to naturally cure any kind of body pain. It is a highly relaxing and mood-boosting oil.
Eucalyptus Oil: Eucalyptus is largely known for its ability to unblock sinus congestion and treat cold due to its antioxidant and antibacterial qualities. But apart from these, eucalyptus oil also has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties which helps in soothing tired and aching muscles. Eucalyptus oil also improves the blood circulation which in turn helps to wash out pain and provide relief.
Sandalwood Oil: Sandalwood oil is very effective for joint pain and inflammation. When aches and pains are caused by stress, sandalwood is a good essential oil to use. It has mild analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to ease pain and reduce inflammation thereby relieving back pain. It is commonly used for whole-body massage and is helpful in treating sciatica pain.
Chamomile Oil: Chamomile essential oil possesses both antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties. Chamomile oil massage is really beneficial for back pain because of inflammation or muscle spasms. The oil is readily absorbed by the skin to reduce inflammation and pain. Severe pain caused by conditions such as sciatica or slipped discs can also be treated with a light application of chamomile oil on the affected areas. There are two types of chamomile essential oil available in the market. One is Roman chamomile essential oil which is a milder one and provides a calming and relaxing effect. The other type is German chamomile oil which is the stronger one and is used in the case of acute inflammatory conditions or severe muscle, joint or bone pain.
Ginger Oil: Ginger is a common kitchen ingredient but not many people are aware of the pain-relieving properties of its oil. Ginger oil is very effective for cramps, arthritis, and inflammation of the joints. Ginger oil should always be diluted with a carrier oil such as coconut oil. A good massage with ginger oil reduces muscle stiffness and eases the pain. Gingerol present in ginger is known for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties making ginger oil an essential massage oil for body ache. It is seen to work wonders in case of chronic lower back pain.
Always remember to use a carrier oil (such as olive oil, coconut oil or any vegetable oil) along with your choice of essential oil to dilute it. In case of acute pain or inflammation, you may massage these essential oils twice or thrice a day. If you are suffering from chronic pain you may apply hot compresses at the site of the pain site using essential oils. This is because it helps speed up the absorption process and may increase the effectiveness of the oils.
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Oiling the body with Ayurvedic herbal oil is an ancient technique revered by Ayurveda for a daily self-care routine or for localized pain relief. It nourishes the skin and nerves, as well as boosts immunity by improving blood circulation through the body. The use of herbal or ayurvedic oils for massage of the body helps in alleviating pain and also reduce stiffness and swelling around the joints.
You can not go wrong in choosing oils for a relaxed & soothing oil massage for body pain. Though essential oils or ayurvedic oils are not a magical cure or permanent cure for pain, it helps in reducing pain and its associated symptoms. Also, if you still experience pain after the use of these oils or suffer from severe body ache, it is wise to consult a doctor to know the exact cause of it.
(The article is reviewed by Dr. Swati Mishra, Medical Editor)
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