Treating arthritis pain with aromatherapy

If you ever have arthritis, you are familiar with how debilitating the disease can be. Achy joints, swollen muscles, and overall stiffness can make it difficult to accomplish even the most basic household chores.

Fortunately, many drug and non-drug therapies are now available to help control the often-painful symptoms of arthritis.

Many arthritis sufferers are also turning to natural medicine to ease the pain of living with arthritis. In their search for natural therapies, some arthritis sufferers have uncovered a surprising revelation: aromatherapy. Many arthritis patients have found substantial physical and mental pain relief through the all-natural therapy known as aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy uses plant and flower derived scents to treat a variety of ailments. To newcomers, aromatherapy may seem like a feeble therapy option in comparison to stronger options like prescription drug therapies that are often offered to patients.

However, aromatherapy is a traditional method that has been in use in ancient cultures such as Eyptian, Indian and Chinese culture and has been studied extensively in modern times. Its effectiveness toward reducing the onset of the most common arthritis symptoms has been studied, and the results look promising to those who suffer from the stiffness and pain often associated with arthritis.

Aromatherapy as a treatment for arthritis has been shown to reduce the discomfort associated with common arthritis symptoms. It provides arthritis sufferers with a feeling of overall wellness and relaxation. Aromatherapy treatment is most effective when used in conjunction with other forms of therapy, including traditional drug therapy and occupational therapy.

One of the greatest assets of implementing aromatherapy into their arthritis therapy is that it has no side effects. Unlike other type of therapies, aromatherapy is safe, all-natural, and does not cause any side effects.

So how can you go about using aromatherapy to treat the symptoms of arthritis? Several manufacturers now make specially blended aromatherapy oils that are combined specifically to treat the symptoms of arthritis. You can find these at your local health food store or order them through the Internet.

Most of these specially blended aromatherapy products are blended into a topical vegetable oil, cream, or lotion that can be applied to the skin. Essential oils are very powerful. They must always be blended into some kind of base before they are used. Most aromatherapy blends contain roughly 3 per cent essential oils in a 97 per cent base. Any more than this ratio can cause irritation. Look for an aromatherapy blend that is made specifically for arthritis sufferers.

Some of the best essential oils for treating the symptoms of arthritis are eucalyptus, camphor, thyme, lavender, rosemary, ginger, lemon, and angelica root. Look for aromatherapy blends that contain one or more of these essential oils. You can find aromatherapy blends that can be applied topically via a lotion, steam inhaled, applied as compresses, or added to bath water for a relaxing and comforting hot bath.

Using aromatherapy in a hot compress treatment can help reduce feelings of inflammation, joint stiffness, and overall muscle tension.

Treating yourself to an aromatherapy session on a regular basis as part of your arthritis treatment can provide considerable relief to arthritis sufferers.

If you are keen on this form of pain treatment, there are many information resource on the internet that you can search for. Try with certain flavors that appeal to you or try out the flavors that are specially recommended for pain relief. Good luck in your treatment!

This article is contributed by Leong Y.H., M.D. Dr Leong is a western trained medical doctor with a keen interest in Oriental medical methods. You may republish this article provided you give credit to the author and provide a web link back to http://www.quick-pain-relief.com.