How to relieve back pain

We all suffer from back pain. Sometimes on an occasional basis, following a wrong movement or an unsuitable sitting position; other times on an ongoing basis, particularly when we suffer from a skeletal deformity or when, with age, the spine becomes twisted or sags. So, how can we relieve back pain? How can essential oils help?

Back pain, a widespread problem with multiple causes

Back pain can have many causes. In the vast majority of cases, however, it remains painful, especially when it persists. While we're not all lucky enough to have a professional masseur in our midst, it is possible to use simple, natural products to relieve back pain. However, just as massage can worsen pain by moving the wrong muscles or skeleton in the wrong way, the use of essential oils needs to be considered and moderated. These concentrates, which contain a large number of active elements, are indeed quite powerful. In order to know which oil to use for pain relief, it's first necessary to define the type of pain you're suffering from. The main forms and causes of back pain are as follows:

• Poor movement or an accident. Generally speaking, this type of pain is caused by excessive strain on the lumbar vertebrae, which are heavily used by most people in their daily lives.
• Ageing of the skeleton
• Stress: stress can cause back pain by contracting muscles
• Trauma: like stress, pain can have a psychosomatic origin.

Which essential oils can relieve back pain?

There are several essential oils that can be beneficial in relieving back pain. Here are a few examples:

Which essential oils to use for different types of back pain

Once you've defined the type of pain you're suffering from, based on its cause, it's possible to use essential oils to relieve it. For pain caused by poor movement or an accident, choose wintergreen essential oil, which is anti-inflammatory and analgesic, as well as bay laurel oil, which also contains anti-infectious active ingredients to limit complications and maximize the effects of the other essential oils. Peppermint essential oil is also recommended for all aches and pains, thanks to its cooling and anaesthetic effect.

The following lotion can be used:

• Wintergreen essential oil (30 drops)
• Laurel essential oil (20 drops)
• Peppermint essential oil (8 drops)
• St John's wort vegetable oil (10 mL)
• Calophylla vegetable oil (20 mL)

For skeletal ageing, Katrafay essential oil is the most effective. Apply the following lotion to painful areas:

• Katafray essential oil (10 drops)
• Scots pine essential oil (10 drops)
• Basil essential oil (10 drops)
• Frankincense vegetable oil (25 drops)
• Arnica macerate (45 mL)
• Macadamia vegetable oil (40 mL)

Or :

• Wintergreen essential oil (10 drops)
• Fir essential oil (10 drops)
• Laurel essential oil (10 drops)
• St. John's wort vegetable oil (5 mL)
• Calophylla vegetable oil (10 mL)

For stress-related tension, Chamomile, Lavender and Petit Grain Bigarade essential oils, applied in equivalent proportions or as desired to the soles of the feet or the insides of the arms, are highly effective.

So, using essential oils to relieve back pain is simple and effective, as well as treating the pain naturally.