Aromatherapy for Fibromyalgia

By James Willace


Aromatherapy is a kind of healing therapy which gained prominence since the 1980s. It utilizes essential oils from flowers, herbs, therapeutic plants, and trees which contain chemicals and compounds that emit various scents. Some of the more popularly known concentrated oils utilized are eucalyptus, rosemary, ylang ylang, peppermint, rosemary, lavender, chamomile and lemon but lots of others are also commonly used. Aromatherapy is used in varied forms to achieve better general health and well-being .Aromatherapy is done thru many alternative methods. Inhalation and dilution are some examples of the popular strategies. Inhalation can either be directly or indirectly administered. Direct inhalation permits an individual to breathe the steam straight from a steam inhaler which contains the fundamental oil dropped on the surface of the water. This method is said to be good for sinus headaches and respiratory symptoms. It works by facilitating the healing substance in entering the blood when the diluted scent comes in contact with the nose lining and lung tissues. Indirect inhalation in contrast to this, is performed by utilizing a diffuser or just putting 1 or 2 drops of oil in an open container and letting the drops of oil evaporate, till the perfume mixes with the air in the room. Aromatherapy combined with massage is another technique of delivering the treatment. Aromatherapy massage offers a dilution of the oil before it is applied on the skin. This way, burns or unfavourable skin reactions can be avoided. It also allows the perfume to linger longer because of the slow evaporation process and it also involves more substantial portions of the body. Administering aromatherapy by way of massage produces relaxation and other mental benefits.

Aromatherapy for Fibromyalgia

The National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) suggests that Fibromyalgia patients include complementary and alternative treatments (aromatherapy and acupuncture among others) in their treatment plans along with traditional Western medicines and physical cures. The NFA also asked the best Aroma Therapists from the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) to give their opinion about what concentrated oils they believe to be most constructive for Fibromyalgia patients based primarily on their experience. In their reports, the methods and fusion of oils they used were quite varied which attests the belief that Fibromyalgia requires a very customized treatment programme. These specialists have found oils that include lavender, peppermint, chamomile, ginger, lemon grass, marjoram and black pepper to be useful for pain relief, excessive nervousness, sleep improvement, headaches and improving circulation.

Medical Literature

Only a few medical research reports are available to support the favourable results of aromatherapy on Fibromyalgia symptoms and with the few that are available, findings are mixed. A recent study showed that lavender aromatherapy might be beneficial in the short-term for heart-rate and sleep quality among middle-aged females afflicted with poor sleep patterns. The authors concluded that lavender aromatherapy could improve heart beat rate and sleep quality among people with sleep problems, however only on a short term basis as their research showed that the results weren't where not consistent at one month and 3 months after the trial was conducted. Before this, another study was done in 2007 to appraise the usefulness of concentrated oils and aromatherapy relative to improving exercise volume, discomfort, physical performance and function in female Fibromyalgia patients. Results showed no noteworthy difference in function between one group using essential oils and another which was not. The two research studies above gave contrasting findings. Many patients swear by aromatherapy and think of it as a vital part of a useful treatment program. Others who have tried it have found it pointless. Like most treatment initiatives utilized for Ffibromyalgia, the results have a tendency to vary noticeably from patient to patient. The best information relative to Ffibromyalgia and aromatherapy is to try it out and see whether it holds advantages for you.




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