A good massage relaxes your muscles and improves muscle tone, circulation, and lymph flow. It also relieves any physical tension and relieves mental stress. Massage through oil, be it essential oil or ayurvedic herbal oil, gives a combined effect of touch and therapeutic benefits of oil. You may choose the type of oil based on your pain, site and cause of pain to get the optimal benefit.
Back pain is the commonly encountered pain amongst the youngsters due to postural and sedentary lifestyle and elderly due to arthritic conditions. The oil massage for back pain relieves the pain and the essential oils or the herbal oils seep deep into the dermal levels to treat it. Oil massage for back pain has been a touted and commonly opted method to relieve back pain. Let us understand which essential oils and herbal ayurvedic oils should be used for oil massage for back pain relief.
Essential Oils for back pain
Essential oils have been used for centuries for back pain and inflammation without any side effects. It can be used in 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 essential oil is massaging it on the affected area.
Here are 6 top essential oils that you can use for oil massage for back pain.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus is largely known for its ability to unblock sinus congestion and cure colds and its antioxidant and anti-bacterial qualities are quite evident. But apart from this eucalyptus oil also has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties which helps in soothing tired and aching muscles. Eucalyptus oil also improves the blood circulation encouraging a good flow of blood, washing out the pain.
4. 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 is commonly used for whole body massage and is helpful for sciatica pain.
5. Chamomile Oil
The chamomile essential oil posses 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 light application of chamomile oil on the affected areas.There are two types of chamomile essential oil available on the market. One is Roman chamomile essential oil which is a milder one and provides the calming and relaxing effect. Whereas the other type German chamomile oil is the stronger one and is used in acute inflammatory conditions or severe muscle, joint or bone pain.
6. Ginger Oil
Ginger is an easily available ingredient and its 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 oil massage for back pain. It is seen to work wonders in case of chronic low back pain.
Always remember to use a carrier oil(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 the above essential oils to your back twice or thrice a day. If you are suffering from the chronic back pain you may apply hot compresses at pain site after using essential oils. This helps speed up the absorption process and may increase the effectiveness of the oils.
Ayurvedic or herbal oil for back pain
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 boosting immunity by keeping the lymphatic system hydrated and flowing. The herbal ayurvedic oil massage for back pain helps in alleviating pain and reduce the stiffness and swelling around the joints as well. The commonly used herbal oil for back pain are:
1. Mahanarayan oil:
Mahanarayan oil or tel is an excellent herbal oil and is used in Vata Doshas such as joint and muscle pain and improves blood circulation. Mahanarayan oil massage for back pain provides excellent pain relief in people suffering from chronic back pain.
2. Mahavishgarbha oil:
Mahavishgarbha oil or tel is a herbal medicated oil used externally for joint pains, muscular pains and inflammations. It is also used in Vata Doshas and is helpful in maintaining joint, cartilage and ligament health. Massage with mahavishgarbha oil helps in relieving trapped air in joints causing pain in joints and helps maintain flexibility in joints.
3. Ksheerbala oil:
Ksheerbala oil is used for neuro-muscular conditions such as sciatica, spondylosis etc. It is often recommended by Ayurvedic experts for such Vata Disorders. Ksheerbala Oil massage for back pain helps in achieving pain relief and strengthening of muscles.
You can not go wrong on choosing from any of the above oil for a relaxed & soothing oil massage for back pain. Though essential oils or ayurvedic oils are not a magical cure or permanent cure for back problems, just help in reducing back pain and associated symptoms. If there is any other oil which you found helpful in treating your back pain, do share with us in the comments section.
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