Back Pain

Back pain is a common term covering a wide variety of situations primarily centered around the spinal column.  The spinal column is not only a major structural member of the human anatomy but it also houses the spinal cord, a key part of the Central Nervous System and the primary conduit for exchange of information between the Peripheral Nervous System (limbs, organs, and glands) and the brain.  Injury or disease to the vertebrae, discs, or the spinal cord can all be the source of back pain.

Also, since nerve signals from the Peripheral Nervous System travel through the spinal column, injury or disease of the spine can lead to improper function or “mixed signals” in these other parts of the body.  Listed below are common types of back problems and also a simplified chart showing which of the vertebrae is the critical point where nerves leave the spinal column to service various parts of the body.

Muscle Strain

With heavy or awkward lifting, repeated uncomfortable actions, over exertion, or with a fall or other type of accident the muscles in the back can be strained resulting in aching pain that can last for days.

Whiplash

This is the common term for the injury resulting from an abrupt jerking motion of the head resulting in an injury to the neck.  Common in our day of auto crashes.

Disk degeneration

The disks between the vertebrae provide a cushion and flexibility to the spine.  They may be damaged through accident or degenerate with age.   Typically with age the outer covering of the disc will weaken causing the disc to bulge and to flatten.  The flattening can eventually cause bone to bone contact between vertebrae and become a source of pain.  The bulging can put pressure on the adjacent nerves and be another source of pain.  If the bulging adds enough pressure the disc may rupture which is termed a herniated disc.  The pain in these cases can be dull and achy or become sharp and shooting in acute situations.

Sciatica 

The sciatic nerve is a large nerve pair that travels from the lower spine to the legs and feet.  The nerve transitions from the spine from the L4, L5, and S1 locations which are in the lower part of the back.  These are structurally susceptible to stress with all the pressure that can be applied to this part of the back.  If the nerves are pinched or damaged it will result in pain, numbness, or weakness in any area from the lower back to the feet.

Facet joints

The vertebrae are linked together with the facet joints (see diagram).  These joints can degenerate with arthritis or age.  As they degenerate they can become inflamed and painful.  Prolonged sitting or remaining in one position can exacerbate the pain and standing or flexing the back can provide some relief.  Over time this can lead to osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis

As the facet joints deteriorate the body may try to compensate by producing a bony growth commonly called a bone spur.  This bony structure can narrow the passages that nerves go through and result in pressure on those nerves.

Failed Back Syndrome

Many journals now list this as a common back problem.  This is the result of back surgery that has left the person with no improvement or even a worsened condition.  Statistics now suggest that this happens in 15 to 40 percent of back surgeries.

Spinal stenosis

This is a narrowing of any of the channels that carry nerves thereby putting pressure on the nerves.  It is a term that applies to many of the conditions above.  It can result in pain, numbness and/or loss of strength in limbs and can affect bladder and bowel functions as well.

The Central Nervous System (brain and spinal cord) are connected to other parts of the body through the Peripheral Nervous System.  If damage is done to the spine it can have an effect on other parts of the body.  The chart below is a simplified diagram of where various nerves leave the spinal column traveling to other limbs, organs, and glands of the body.



Oils, blends & products recommended:

Oils & Blends:  Balance, Birch, Deep Blue, Frankincense, Helichrysum, White Fir, Wintergreen

Essential oils based products: AromaTouch Technique, Deep Blue Rub

Also consider: Basil, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, Marjoram, Myrrh, Oregano (use Oregano topically with a carrier oil), Peppermint, Rosemary, Sandalwood, Thyme

Suggested protocols:

Back pain many times includes the following scenario:

1) There is an injury or degeneration that leads to damage of nerve, muscle, or connecting tissue.  With the back most commonly nerve pressure or damage is involved.

2)  Pain may be accompanied by loss of feeling and/or loss of strength

3)  Inflammation compounds the pressure on the nerve

4)  As the back muscles try to compensate there are often muscle spasms or cramps in the back area that add additional pressure and intense pain.

This leads to the conclusion that the protocol should include:

1)  Oils for immediate pain relief

2)  Oils for inflammation reduction

3)  Oils to relax muscles and eliminate the spasms

4)  Oils for increased circulation to facilitate quicker healing

5)  Oils that heal and rebuild the damaged tissue 

BEST TO START HERE:

·  The single best possible step is to use the AromaTouch Technique described elsewhere on this website.  Daily if possible.  Follow with a hot compress.

·  Supplement this with the oils listed below.

THEN COMBINE WITH THESE (as necessary):

Oils for immediate pain relief:

·  Deep Blue, Birch, or Wintergreen

·  Apply 2 -3 drops topically to the area where the pain is manifested as often as required or use Deep Blue Rub.  (For some Wintergreen may need to be applied with a carrier.)

·  To make the AromaTouch Technique or other oils and blends applied to the back more effective use a hot compress after the application to drive the oils deeper into the tissues and muscles.

Oils to reduce inflammation:

·  Basil, Bergamot, Black Pepper, Myrrh, Roman Chamomile, Rosemary, or Wintergreen

·  Apply topically to spinal area.  This is the location on the spine where the nerve is being pinched and will probably be different that where numbness or lack of strength or even muscle cramps occur.  For example, if numbness and loss of strength is in the leg then the lower back area where the sciatic nerve originates may well be where there is nerve compression.  Two or three drops topically 2 - 3  times daily.  (For some Wintergreen may need to be applied with a carrier.) 

Oils to relax muscles and eliminate spasms:

·  AromaTouch, Lime, Marjoram, Roman Chamomile

·  Apply 2 - 3 drops topically to the area where the spasm is occurring.

Oils to increase circulation:

·  Citrus Bliss, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Lemon, or Peppermint

·  Apply 2 -3 drops topically to the spinal area 2 -3 times per day

Oils to strengthen and regenerate tissue:

·  Frankincense, Helichrysum, or Sandalwood

·  Apply 1 -2 drops topically to the spinal area 2 -3 times per day followed by a hot compress

Also consider:

·  Baths with oils will help relaxation

·  Diffusion of Citrus Bliss, Lavender, or other relaxing oils at bed time will help


dōTERRA Essential oils does not prevent, treat or cure disease. Your lifestyle choices can help prevent disease. Your doctor treats symptoms and fixes broken parts. Your body cure disease!

Migraine

Migraine headaches are a moderate to severe throbbing sensation that lasts a few hours or sometimes for days.  The precise reason for this type of headache is not know but one description of the sequence of physiological events is as follows:

Migraine headache is caused by vasodilatation (enlargement of blood vessels) that causes the release of chemicals from nerve fibers that coil around the large arteries of the brain. Enlargement of these blood vessels stretches the nerves that coil around them and causes the nerves to release chemicals. The chemicals cause inflammation, pain, and further enlargement of the artery. The increasing enlargement of the arteries magnifies the pain.

     Migraine attacks commonly activate the sympathetic nervous system in the body. The sympathetic nervous system is often thought of as the part of the nervous system that controls primitive responses to stress and pain, the so-called "fight or flight" response, and this activation causes many of the symptoms associated with migraine attacks; for example, the increased sympathetic nervous activity in the intestine causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. 

•    Sympathetic activity also delays emptying of the stomach into the small intestine and thereby prevents oral medications from entering the intestine and being absorbed. 

•    The impaired absorption of oral medications is a common reason for the ineffectiveness of medications taken to treat migraine headaches.

•    The increased sympathetic activity also decreases the circulation of blood, and this leads to pallor of the skin as well as cold hands and feet. 

•    The increased sympathetic activity also contributes to the sensitivity to light and sound sensitivity as well as blurred vision.

 from MedicineNet.com

Some sufferers from migraines say that there are signs that signal when a migraine headache is coming on.  This includes signs such as tingling, light flashes, or other warnings that can suggest taking some preventative measures.  For many the headache is accompanied by sensitivity to light, loud sounds, and may include an upset stomach or even nausea.

Triggers for migraines vary from person to person and are not always predictable (do not always trigger the migraine) in an individual.  Some of the reported triggers for migraines include: stress, sleep disturbance, fasting, dehydration, dietary changes, hormone changes, bright or flashing lights, allergies, chocolate, wine, certain odors, cigarette smoke, and caffeine.

An important step in helping with migraines is to determining from experience for an individual what triggers their migraines. By finding the triggers, one can anticipate them and use the habits of diet and lifestyle coupled with the essential oils to mitigate them.  The tab above for Suggested Protocols will have some of the most commonly suggested helps and the tab Experiences & Testimonials will include other's experiences.

Oils, blends & products recommended:

Oils & Blends:  Deep Blue, Frankincense, Lavender, Marjoram, PastTense, Peppermint

Essential oils based products: Life Long Vitality supplements

Also consider: Basil, Birch, Eucalyptus, Ginger, Roman Chamomile, Rosemary, Wintergreen 


dōTERRA Essential oils does not prevent, treat or cure disease. Your lifestyle choices can help prevent disease. Your doctor treats symptoms and fixes broken parts. Your body cure disease!

Headaches

Headaches can be triggered by many different conditions but the typical result is the nerves in the head muscles and blood vessels of the head signal the brain that there is pain.   The triggers can be anything from a blow to the head, disease, to emotional distress.  There are many different types of headaches documented in the literature (over 150) but the most common are:

 

    Tension headaches – These are the most common headache that most people will experience from time to time.  Tightness is felt in areas around the head that results in mild to moderate pain.  The more common areas are the back of the neck, the temples, or the forehead.  The cause is not yet fully understood.

    Chronic daily headaches – If there are repeated tension headaches from day to day it is labeled chronic daily headaches. 

    Migraine headaches –  A migraine is a much more painful experience.  This can be a moderate to severe throbbing sensation that lasts a few hours or sometimes for days.  Again the precise reason for this type of headache is not yet know.  Go to Migraines for more information.

    Cluster headaches – This is one of the most severe of headaches.  The name is because they come in repeated frequent attacks or “cluster periods”.  The attacks may be 2 or 3 times a day and may last from weeks to months.  They may then go away for months or even years.  They often begin in the middle of the night while someone is asleep.  The pain is usually on one side of the head or the other and typically right behind the eye.  The pain is intense, constant, and throbbing making it almost impossible to function normally.

    Sinus headaches – When the membranes of the sinus cavities become inflamed and swollen there can be pressure around the eyes, cheeks, and forehead area where these cavities are located.  This pressure then can result in a sinus headache.

    Acute headaches – Typically seen in children these headaches come on suddenly and last for a short time.

    Hormone headaches – Changing hormone levels during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause may trigger headaches.  This may also include hormone changes with medications such as birth control pills.

Essential oils have a well-deserved reputation for helping with headaches. The tab above for Suggested Protocols will have some of the most commonly suggested helps and the tab Experiences & Testimonials will include other's experiences.

Oils, blends & products recommended:

Oils & Blends:  Deep Blue, Frankincense, Lavender, Marjoram, PastTense, Peppermint, Rosemary

Essential oils based products:

Also consider: Basil, Clove, Eucalyptus, Ginger, Lemon, Lemongrass, Wintergreen

Suggested Protocols:

Mild tension headache:

•  A drop or two of Peppermint oil rubbed on the temples, forehead, and/or back of neck is a simple and effective solution for most.

•  PastTense is a blend of oils in a handy roll on dispenser that is also very effective and more convenient.

Sinus headaches:

•  To relieve immediate pain PastTense or Peppermint as described above will be helpful.

•  Also attend to the sinus infection as described under Sinus Infections.

More severe headaches:

•  Use Peppermint or PastTense as described previously but follow with a damp, cool compress using a clean hand towel. Apply this compress to the forehead and closed eyes and/or the back of the neck, while resting for a few minutes. Repeat as often as needed and schedule will permit.  A few drops of an oil may be put directly on the damp towel to extend the help.  Keep oils away from eyes.

•  Some will find an inhaler or using cup and inhale may prove advantageous.

•  Different bodies and conditions will respond differently to oils. Sometimes it is necessary to rotate or try different oils. 

dōTERRA Essential oils does not prevent, treat or cure disease. Your lifestyle choices can help prevent disease. Your doctor treats symptoms and fixes broken parts. Your body cure disease!