When back pain hits, it can turn a perfectly good day into an uncomfortable nightmare. Between the aching, the shooting pain, and the limited mobility, back pain can bring you to a screaming halt.
This is especially true for lower back pain, which happens to be more prevalent during the back-to-school period than other time of the year. When you’ve been walking and running and moving all summer, your back may naturally protest a bit when you start sitting at a desk all day. Unless you find a way to create some relief, it’s likely you’ll live with this back pain all school year!
Don’t worry, though: this isn’t your only option.
In fact, there are dozens of things that can help your lower back pain fade off into a distant memory. Between chiropractic care and mobility work, you can regain some of the flexibility your active back saw all summer long. If you want to add another care option, there are a few essential oils worth considering.
While many people dismiss essential oils as a hippie remedy that doesn’t offer anything real to consumers, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Produced naturally and designed to work quickly, essential oils can target orthopedic and muscular pain and provide the relief you need.
Here’s what you need to know.
Pain Relief Without a Prescription
If you’re a victim of ongoing back pain, you might know that one of the most common methods used to treat said back pain is opioid painkillers. Powerful and potent, opioids have exploded into a near-epidemic in recent years. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine:
“Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the US, with 52,404 lethal drug overdoses in 2015. Opioid addiction is driving this epidemic, with 20,101 overdose deaths related to prescription pain relievers, and 12,990 overdose deaths related to heroin in 2015.”
As prescription painkiller use has become more popular in recent years, more people have begun to realize its dangers and take steps to seek out alternative pain management options. Essential oils lend themselves naturally to this effort. When combined with hot- and cold therapy, massage, chiropractic care, and topical ointments, essential oils can limit lower back pain and help people curb their prescription medication intake.
5 Benefits of Essential Oils for Pain
There are dozens of advantages to using essential oils for back pain, and many stretch beyond back pain and into overall wellness. Here are a few of the most prominent benefits:
1. A Sense of Peace
If you’re in pain all the time, it’s hard to feel relaxed or peaceful. Essential oils, however, can help make this a reality.
By soothing both the body and the mind, essential oils can promote a sense of peace and tranquility. This, in turn, reaches out into all sections of your lie and can promote enhanced wellbeing and happiness, both at school and out in your life.
2. Better Sleep
Did you know that essential oils can promote healthier sleep? By soothing back pain and relaxing the nervous system, essential oils are incredibly effective at promoting wellness and comfort, and ensuring that you can move into your day rested and happy.
3. Reduced Inflammation
This is where essential oils shine. Certain essential oils offer powerful anti-inflammatory properties that reduce both inflammation and irritation. This is a compelling benefit that can promote overall wellness in a number of ways.
4. A Stronger Immune System
Many essential oils have powerful antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal properties. These properties can help the immune system work optimally, and may prevent certain illnesses or diseases.
This means that essential oils can help you keep back pain at bay while also keeping you away from the common cold.
5. Reduced Skin Irritations
If you’re suffering from any skin irritations, essential oils can help promote healing. When applied topically, essential oils promote fast absorption and healing at deep levels of skin and muscle tissue.
5 Exceptional Oils to Heal Back Pain
Ready to start using essential oils to heal back pain? Here are five to try now:
1. Marjoram Essential Oil
Marjoram essential oil is a natural pain reducer that is ideal for anyone who has overextended or strained their back muscles. Without any unwanted side effects, this simple essential oil is a nice addition to any back pain treatment program.
Here are some additional benefits of marjoram oil:
- Promotion of Healthy Digestion. Marjoram can help relieve other issues, such as nausea, diarrhea, flatulence, constipation, and other digestive problems. It can also stimulate movement within the intestines and soothe the digestive tract.
- Good Heart Health. Did you know that marjoram essential oil is a vasodilator, which means it can help your heart stay healthy? By relaxing and widening blood vessels, marjoram eases the flow of blood and can help your heart work more easily.
- Pain Reduction. Marjoram is a powerful warming herb, which allows it to relieve sore muscles and cut the pain. This is the primary feature that makes it so ideal for treating back pain!
2. Sweet Ginger Essential Oil
Ginger oil has a warming and healing quality to it that is ideal for penetrating and soothing sore and aching muscles. Ideal for use in massage, or as a topical application just before bed, ginger oil can help reduce inflammation and tightness and promote deep muscle relaxation.
Here are some of the unique benefits of ginger oil:
- Soothes the Stomach and Digestive System. If you’ve got GI issues, or your tummy is feeling a bit off, sweet ginger oil can help. One of the best natural remedies for GI upset, sweet ginger oil can act as an analgesic and a relaxer for the stomach.
- Heals Infections. Ginger oil has powerful antiseptic properties, which make it the go-to when you’re battling infections caused by bacteria and microorganisms.
- Promotes Respiratory Health. If you’re looking for an essential oil that will promote good respiratory health, ginger is it. By removing mucus from the lungs and throat, this oil can act as a natural remedy for the flu, coughs, asthma, and the common cold.
3. Frankincense Essential Oil
Highly relaxing and soothing, Frankincense can help ease tension and promote ongoing pain relief. Like ginger oil, it works best as a topical application and is ideal for daily use as part of your overall back pain management program.
Here are a few additional benefits of frankincense oil:
- Stress Reduction. Frankincense oil reduces stress and helps cut down on negative emotions. By reducing the heart rate and normalizing blood pressure, frankincense can reduce depression and anxiety.
- Immune Function. Frankincense is another essential oil that promotes good immune function and helps destroy dangerous bacteria.
- Eases Chemotherapy. If you’re undergoing chemotherapy, frankincense can help ease the side effects of treatment.
4. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender offers powerful anti-inflammatory properties that make it a powerful oil for reducing lower back pain. It’s also an ideal oil for cutting stress, easing insomnia, and calming nerves. Pack it in your school bag to cut the tension on the go and promote overall well being.
Lavender oil also does the following:
- Promotes Relaxation. Lavender oil can soothe and calm the nervous system, which allows it to alleviate stress ad promote a sense of relaxation.
- Encourages Healthy Sleep. Lavender oil can help promote relaxation, soothe the body and mind, and make drifting off to sleep easier.
5. Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint is one of the go-to oils for back pain. Sporting a refreshing scent, this tingly oil is great for lifting spirits and soothing stress that comes from dealing with ongoing pain. Put it on after a shower for a deep healing sensation that lasts all day.
Here are a few of the perks of using peppermint oil in your daily life:
- Peppermint Oil Invigorates. With a stimulating scent and a bracing feel, peppermint oil invigorates and energizes you.
- Fewer Headaches. Peppermint oil can help cut headaches and muscle pain, which makes it an excellent option for treating back pain.
Additional Tips to Ease Lower Back Pain
Now that you’ve got your essential oil regimen on point let’s talk about other ways to reduce your lower back pain. Here are a few tips that will work well with your busy back-to-school schedule.
- Hot and Cold Therapy. Ice and heat can both work to your advantage when it comes to lower back pain. Order is essential, though: always start with ice and use heat afterward. Be sure to wrap each in a towel or similar swatch of fabric, to avoid injuring your skin.
- Consider Acupuncture. Think acupuncture is bunk? Think again. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, acupuncture is useful for treating moderate, chronic, and ongoing lower back pain. Designed to restore energy flow in the body, acupuncture can stimulate a release of pain-relieving chemicals throughout the body.
- Improve Your Desk Space. You spend a great deal of time working at a desk during back-to-school season. Keep your back healthy by re-imagining this space. Your computer monitor should be eye-level, your feet should sit flat on the floor, and your knees should be level with your hips.
- Get a Chiropractic Adjustment. Chiropractic adjustments are incredibly helpful for cutting back pain. If you’re struggling with low back pain, contact your chiropractor for an adjustment.
The Case for Essential Oils
There are many ways to treat and resolve back pain, but essential oils may be some of the best. When paired with good chiropractic care and a healthy lifestyle, these handy oils can be a critical tool on your path to wellness.
Ready to book your first chiropractic appointment? Contact our team today!