Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Fibromyalgia and Aromatherapy

By James Willace


Aromatherapy is a type of therapeutic process which has gained prominence since the 1980s. It utilizes essential oils from flowers, herbs, medicinal plants, and trees which contain chemicals and compounds that emit various aromas. Some of the more commonly known essential healing oils used are eucalyptus, rosemary, ylang ylang, peppermint, rosemary, lavender, chamomile and lemon but a variety of others are also commonly used.


Aromatherapy is used in varied forms to realize better general health and well-being .Aromatherapy is done using many alternative techniques. Inhalation and dilution are some of the popular techniques. Inhalation can either be indirectly or directly administered. Direct inhalation permits an individual to breathe the steam straight from a steam inhaler which holds the essential oil dropped on the surface of the water.


This strategy is believed to be good for sinus headaches and respiratory infection symptoms. It works by helping the healing substance in entering the bloodstream when the diffused scent comes into contact with the nose lining and lung tissues. Indirect inhalation by contrast, is accomplished by using a diffuser or simply putting one or two drops of oil in an open container and letting the drops of oil evaporate, until the fragrance mixes with the air in the room.


Aromatherapy joined with massage is another method of delivering the treatment. Aromatherapy massage offers a dilution of the oil before it is applied on the skin. This way, burns or unwanted skin reactions can be prevented. It also permits the perfume to linger longer because of the slow evaporation process and it directly involves more substantial portions of the body. Administering aromatherapy by way of massage promotes relaxation and other emotional benefits.

Aromatherapy for Fibromyalgia

The National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA) recommends that Fibromyalgia patients include complementary and alternative therapies (aromatherapy and acupuncture among others) in their treatment plans along with traditional Western medical treatments and physical therapies.


The NFA also asked the best Aroma Therapists from the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) to give their opinion in regards to what aroma oils they believe to be most beneficial for Fibromyalgia patients based primarily on their experience. In their reports, the strategies and combination of oils they used were varied which affirms the belief that Fibromyalgia needs a highly personalized treatment programme.


These pros have found oils that include lavender, peppermint, chamomile, ginger, lemon grass, marjoram and black pepper to be beneficial for pain relief, excessive nervousness, sleep improvement, headaches and improving circulation.

Medical Literature

Few medical research reports are available to support the advantageous effects of aromatherapy on Fibromyalgia symptoms and with the few that are generally available, observations are mixed. A new study revealed that lavender aromatherapy might be advantageous in the short term for heart-rate and sleep quality among middle aged ladies subjected to insomnia.


The writers concluded that lavender aromatherapy could improve heart rate and sleep quality among people with sleep problems, only on a short time basis as their research showed clearly 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 evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic oils and aromatherapy relative to improving exercise volume, discomfort, physical performance and function in female Fibromyalgia patients.


Results showed no extraordinary difference in function between one group using oils and another which was not. The two research studies above gave contrasting discoveries. Many patients count on aromatherapy and regard it as a vital part of an efficient treatment program. Others who've attempted it have found it pointless. Like most treatment initiatives utilized for Ffibromyalgia, the results tend to vary seriously from one patient to another. 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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