With the use of topical instead of oral, some unwanted effects of classical anti-inflammatories disappear
The muscles and joints are part of the locomotor apparatus, which allows us to perform different movements to interact with the outside world. In certain situations there are injuries, such as a sprain, a muscle cramp or a fracture; in others, its wear degenerates into pathologies such as osteoarthritis or other rheumatic diseases.
The common symptom of all these pathologies is pain, for which there are multiple solutions in scientific aromatherapy. Effectively there are analgesic essential oils that have a special affinity for muscle and joint tissue. If we decided to take them orally (as usual for conventional anti-inflammatories), we would have to wait for them to reach the intestine, be absorbed, metabolize in the liver, pass into the blood and, now, reach the locomotor system. That is, a too long path that delays the therapeutic action and leads to multiple undesired effects.
Advantages of the topical route
For this reason its application is always done topically, since it is the fastest and easiest way to reach the painful tissue. Do not forget that essential oils pass through the skin quickly, reaching the bloodstream.
By using the topical instead of the oral route, some unwanted effects of the classic anti-inflammatories disappear, such as gastric discomfort, increased tension and toxicity at the level of the liver and kidney. Even so, there are some essential oils that have certain contraindications that we must not forget.
What AE can I use for muscle pain?
AE de wintergreen: The best known, since it is a natural aspirin. It is a powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic, but is contraindicated during pregnancy, lactation and in children under 6 years. Perfect to treat tendinitis, epicondylitis and other similar pathologies. Needless to say, those allergic to aspirin or NSAIDs should not use it either.
Blue Eucalyptus AE: With a similar smell to citronella, it is the main alternative to wintergreen for patients who can not use it. Especially useful in case of arthritis.
AE of rosemary chemotype camphor: muscle relaxant and analgesic, ideal for muscle contractures, torticollis and other types of pain. It also has limitations (not suitable during pregnancy, lactation or in children under 6)
How do they apply?
In general, these essential oils should be applied diluted in a vegetable oil such as almonds, or even arnica, which is also anti-inflammatory. In this way it prevents the skin from becoming sensitized when it comes in contact with them (some AE are irritating) and also allows us to perform a muscle massage. In these cases it is best to apply enough vegetable oil to cover the entire painful area and then add 2-3 drops of EA, distributing them well throughout the area.
Another option is to enhance any anti-inflammatory ointment with an analgesic essential oil, such as wintergreen. Just add 2 drops to the usual dose of ointment; the effects are noticed after only a few minutes. The number of daily applications will depend on the intensity of the pain, but they are usually recommended between 3 and 4 daily.
Specific formations
Finally, there is the option of using several anti-inflammatory essential oils in the same preparation. In this way its action is enhanced, reaching optimal results. With this objective, the Aromalgic range of Pranarôm laboratories, formulated with chemotyped essential oils, has been conceived. It consists of a massage oil, a roll-on with massage balls and a fast absorbing spray for athletes.
All of them contain a base of AE of wintergreen and blue eucalyptus to which other specific AEs are added as the case may be. All these treatments are perfectly compatible with the usual medical recommendations, in fact many patients usually combine conventional oral treatment with the use of essential oils topically.
Thus, aromatherapy offers us first-rate treatments to relieve pain efficiently, quickly and safely.
