TREATING FIBROMYALGIA USING AROMATHERAPY.
What Is Fibromyalgia?
One of the most complex and frustrating conditions to have is called fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a chronic illness that causes musculoskeletal pain, tenderness, stiffness, rashes, sleeplessness, fatigue, and stress. It doesn’t damage any joints or organs (unlike osteoarthritis or complications with MG), however, it greatly affects the body’s daily functionality. Because of how difficult it has been to diagnose over the years (lab testing and X-rays have not been able to confirm a diagnosis), fibromyalgia is considered to be a psychological condition that triggers physiological symptoms.
Psychological & Physiological Effects of Fibromyalgia:
What makes fibromyalgia so difficult to diagnose are the symptoms presented. The main symptom reported by people with fibromyalgia is pain. For the larger population, the pain is widespread (head-to-toe, the entire torso, or hip-to-toe) however, it can also occur in a few other places namely the back, neck, and shoulders.
Fatigue is also a common symptom among people living with fibromyalgia. Fatigue is a symptom that can be experienced by people with other conditions or is a chronic condition in itself, adding to the complexity that comes with finding a diagnosis, essentially delaying the treatment process which is both frightening and frustrating.
Other symptoms that people living with Fibromyalgia experience include (but aren’t limited to): memory fog, incoherent thinking, headaches, migraines, sleeplessness, kidney & urinary problems, light, noise & temperature sensitivity, IBS, stiffness (especially in the mornings), muscle tension, insomnia, numbing or tingling of extremities (pins and needles), TMJ dysfunction, and muscle tension.
These very symptoms can also occur in other serious conditions such as hypothyroidism, insomnia, sleep apnoea, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus, so if you have any sneaking suspicion that you have any of the aforementioned conditions or experience any or many of these symptoms regularly, contact your physician as soon as possible.
Essential Oils for Fibromyalgia:
Aromatherapy is one of many complementary therapies that have been used to holistically treat and manage symptoms of fibromyalgia. Below is a list of the best essential oils for fibromyalgia and how best to use them:
Best Essential Oils For Treating Fibromyalgia Pain
1. Peppermint
2. Helichrysum
3. Black Pepper
4. Juniper
5. Ginger
6. Eucalyptus
7. Sandalwood
8. Cedarwood
Best Essential Oils For Treating Fibromyalgia Fatigue
1. Lavender
2. Roman Chamomile
3. Jasmine
4. Marjoram
5. Rose
6. Neroli
7. Capsaicin / Capsicum
8. Orange
Best Essential Oils For Treating Cognitive Issues Caused By Fibromyalgia:
1. Clary Sage
2. Rosemary
3. Cypress
4. Melissa
5. Bergamot
6. Grapefruit
7. Ylang Ylang
8. Vetiver
9. Basil
10. Nutmeg
How to Use Essential Oils for Fibromyalgia:
Essential oils can be used in several ways:
1. Topical Application
Mix 1–3 drops of 1 essential from each symptom category per 25ml carrier oil — for example, if you have shoulder pain, fatigue, and memory fog, add 3 drops of Sandalwood, 2 drops of Marjoram, and 1 drop of Nutmeg into 25ml of Coconut Oil and mix well, then gently massage a small amount of your balm/ blend to your shoulders until fully absorbed by the skin.
You can choose from a variety of different carrier oils such as Sweet Almond Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Coconut Oil, Soya Oil, and Olive Oil. The mixture/blend/balm can also be added to bathwater or used as a massage oil.
2. Inhalation
You can use essential oils in diffusers or burners. These tools heat the essential oils enough to release the scent into the air. Depending on the size of your burner or diffuser, you can use 5–10 drops of essential oils.
3. Hot Or Cold Compresses
Compresses are made by submerging a cloth in very warm or ice-cold water with essential oils in it. Cold compresses are useful when treating headaches, fevers, muscle strain, and bruising. Warm compresses can be used for boils, muscle aches, and joint pain. Fill a heatproof bowl with either very warm or cold water, then add several drops of your desired essential oils to the water and submerge a cloth in the water. Gently wring the cloth out and gently place it on the affected area.
To retain the heat on a warm compress, wrapping the damp cloth in cling film and placing another dry cloth over the top helps. Another tip when using warm compresses is to fill a hot water bottle up with boiled water, allow it to cool slightly, and then wrap it with a cloth that has been submerged into the bowl of essential oils. Once wrapped, place gently over the affected area, using a towel, thin blanket, or cloth as a shield to prevent injury.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW: Do not apply undiluted essential oils directly to the skin. Always keep them out of reach of children and away from the eyes. If there is contact with the eyes, first rinse with milk or plain vegetable oil, then with warm water, and visit a physician immediately afterwards. Always do your research on the brand of essential oils and carrier oils. Use reputable brands and preferably virgin, cold-pressed, unrefined, and organic oils. Avoid oils you know you are allergic to, and do not ingest essential oils.
Other Complementary Treatments and Lifestyle Remedies:
Along with taking prescribed allopathic medicines, eating a balanced diet, and using aromatherapy for fibromyalgia, there are several other holistic treatments for fibromyalgia. Much as the effectiveness of each treatment varies from person to person, once you find one or two that you love and work for you, stick to them. Here’s a list of holistic treatments to try:
- Acupuncture
- Yoga
- Exercise
- Massage Therapy
- Reflexology
- Stress Management Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Tai Chi
- Physiotherapy
- Kinesiology
For more information, the internet, your doctor, and libraries are your oysters. Please remember that this does not constitute medical advice so always speak with your healthcare practitioner before taking any medication, or supplements, or introducing any essential oils to your daily healthcare and homecare practices. Take good care of yourselves, and each other.
