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York
Clinic |
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Yorkshire Evening Press, 29th April 2002"Massage
away neck and shoulder aches"
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Q I suffer from neck and shoulder pain which is worse after a day in the office where I work with a computer most of the time. Can aromatherapy help? A If someone were to ask me which problem I treat most frequently, I would have to say neck and shoulder pain. Many of my clients work with computers and they all experience pain in the neck and shoulders area. The most common cause is incorrect posture . Slouched over a keyboard with hunched shoulders makes the muscles of the upper back and neck very tense. The problem can also arise from stress. Many people respond to stress by tensing muscles, usually without realising they are doing it. Aromatherapy is one of the best forms of treatment because it relieves the physical pain and reduces the stress that gives rise to it. |
Aromatherapy involves use of essential oils, which are actually plant hormones. These essential oils are dissolved in a base oil and enter the bloodstream through the deeper layers of the skin.
Many of these oils are effective for this type of pain. Analgesic oils such as chamomile, lavender, marjoram and rosemary will ease the pain; clary sage and jasmine will relax the muscles; while black pepper, juniper and rosemary will increase muscle tone.
These oils can be used regularly in aromatic baths which are a very useful form of self help. However, by far the most effective treatment is an aromatherapy massage.
The therapeutic effects of the essential oils are intensified by the massage. Circulation is improved, muscles are warmed and relaxed, muscle tone is improved , toxins are eliminated and stress levels are reduced. Add to all that the experience of being cared for and cosseted and you will be amazed by the marvellous feeling of well-being that cannot be matched by modern drugs.
I would recommend that you have a regular aromatherapy massage as a means of preventing and treating neck and shoulder pain.
Natural therapy to help relaxation
Q My life is very stressful at work and at home. I am becoming increasingly less able to cope with tension and anxiety. Someone in the office recommended aromatherapy. Can it help?
A You are certainly not alone here. Life gives rise to many genuine sources of anxiety whether it is a stressful job, motorway driving, noise, pollution and watching the news, to name but a few.
In fact, if daily stress were attended to in the same way as daily hygiene, we
Would not allow it to build up to the extent that we do. It is sad that we are more conscientious about servicing our cars than we are about reducing our stress levels
It is fortunate that you have realised your problem before it escalates out of control. If left untreated, stress can lead to physical symptoms ranging from tight muscles, digestive problems, migraines, allergies, Insomnia and even heart disease.
It is sensible, I believe, to seek natural therapies such as aromatherapy, rather than drugs which can have unpleasant even harmful, side effects and can lead to drug dependency and a depleted immune system.
In aromatherapy we have a valuable
alternative to drugs. There are sedative oils such as clary sage, sandalwood frankincense
and lavender and anti-depressant oils such as geranium, jasmine, roseneroli and ylang
ylang.
Massage is very important in the treatment of stress, not only for the application of essential oils, but also because of the contact with the therapist. Each tome I massage a person suffering from stress I marvel at the relaxing effect it has, I see my patient becoming more deeply relaxed until, by the time I have reached the head, they are completely transformed. Many fall asleep and I invariably receive comments such as “Bliss”, “A lifesaver” or “Can I stay forever”.
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