Case Study – Aromatherapy for neck and shoulder pain

Case Study – Aromatherapy to treat neck & shouldER pain

If you suffer from neck and shoulder pain, you are not alone. Doctors estimate that seven out of 10 people will suffer from neck and shoulder pain at some point in their lives. One in 10 adults is hurting right now. And between 50% to 85% of people with such pain will be bothered by it again within the next five years Source: Harvard Health Publications

I see a lot of women at the Just Be Clinic suffering with neck and shoulder pain.  Although some things are outside our control such as genetics and accidents, a large proportion of neck and shoulder pain is related to our lifestyle and the way that we interact with the world. Repetitive activities such as sitting at a computer, driving and lack of exercise lead to overstraining and in turn problems in your neck, shoulder or rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is a group of four tendons that attach four shoulder muscles to the upper arm, and when injured it restricts the movement of the arms and can be very painful and uncomfortable.

Essential oils for neck and shoulder pain

Aromatherapy Massage is a time-honored and trusted treatment for relieving tight and tense muscles, and together with the correct essential oils it can bring instant relief to tension, knots and muscle spasms associated with neck and shoulder pain. Aromatherapy works using essential oils that not only go skin deep but right into the blood stream and therefore warming up the muscles. Effective oils include black pepper, German chamomile, ginger, sweet marjoram, lavender or rosemary, which when added to a carrier oil to bring blissful relief to those tight, stiff and aching areas. When used this way in massage, the blended oils penetrate into muscular tissue increasing blood flow to the area, which encourages the contracted muscles to expand and relax.

Although you can effectively massage your own neck, it is much more difficult to reach the shoulders and rotary cuff area.

My Top Tip for neck and shoulder pain

At home use a compress soaked in essential oils to help release those aches and pains.  Take a cloth or paper roll and apply castor oil which has a thick consistency and add your choice of essential oils such as Black Pepper and Lavender, a favourite of mine, or German Chamomile.  Place the compress on the affected area and place a hot water bottle or other heat source over the compress for 20 minutes.  I would suggest doing this before bedtime.  You might need to do this a few times to get the results you want.

If aches and pains persist, get in touch with me for an Aromatherapy Massage on yvonne@justbe.ie or call/text 086 896 8409