Did you know that about 80% of adults suffer from lower back pain in their lifetime? More and more people are trying to minimize the usage of conventional pain killers to manage pain because they come with drastic long-term side effects. In this article, find out how to use side effect-free essential oils for lower back pain!
What Causes Lower Back Pain?
Lower back pain can be described in two ways: a dull constant ache or severe and sudden sharp pain that can leave the individual incapacitated, unable to stand or sit. The lower back is the region where most individuals feel the most pain. There are several causes of lower back pain which include:
- Sprains and strains
- Herniated or ruptured disks
- Intervertebral disc degeneration
- Radiculopathy
- Skeletal irregularities
- Spinal stenosis
- Traumatic injury to the back
- Spondylolisthesis
- And more
How Do Essential Oils Help Lower Back Pain?
Essential oils are pure plant extracts obtained through steam distillation and mechanical expression of aromatic botanicals such as the tree bark, leaves, roots, flowers, fruit rinds and resin of plants. They are highly concentrated and potent substances and so, they must be used in small amounts and only after diluting them properly. Below, find out how essential oils work to help lower back pain:
Analgesic properties: Their analgesic properties make them excellent pain relievers. Essential oils such as peppermint and wintergreen provide cooling pain relief while ginger, thyme and black pepper give warming relief.
Anti-inflammatory properties. Essential oils are powerful anti-inflammatory agents. Inflammation is a root cause of pain so reducing inflammation is a key treatment for relieving chronic pain.
Stimulant properties: Essential oils have stimulant properties that help increase blood circulation to the painful area, which enables nutrient-rich blood to flow to the area and nourish it.
Numbing effects: When applied to skin (diluted), many essential oils give pleasant tingling sensations that numb pain and can help you take your mind off dull and constant aches.
Stress relieving properties: Stress can lead to body aches and pains including lower back pain. Inhaling essential oils and applying them topically have been proven to have therapeutic stress relieving properties.
Most of the essential oils below are very strong so ensure you use proper dilution ratios when using them. As a rule of thumb: you can use 1 drop of essential oil in 1 tsp of carrier oil. Ginger, thyme and black pepper are ‘hot’ oils that can cause mild to severe chemical burns if used wrongly.
Top 6 Essential Oils for Lower Back Pain
1. Ginger (where to get it)
2. Black Pepper (where to get it)
3. Vetiver (where to get it)
4. Sweet Marjoram (where to get it)
5. Peppermint (where to get it)
6. Thyme (where to get it)
Essential Oil Recipes for Lower Back Pain
Find 3 effective essential oil recipes for lower back pain below:
1. Warming Pain Relief Massage Oil
What you need
- 10 drops thyme
- 7 drops ginger
- 5 drops sweet marjoram
- 4 tbsp grapeseed oil (where to get it)
- 2 oz amber glass dropper bottle (where to get it)
Method
- To a glass dropper bottle, add the essential oils drop by drop then top with grapeseed oil.
- To use, place about 3 – 5 drops of this blend on one palm, rub both palms together then deeply massage and press into your lower back region to alleviate and numb down the pain.
- Leave it on overnight.
2. Soothing Hot Compress
What you need
- The above blend
- A small towel that can go round your waist
- Hot water
Method
- After massaging the above blend on your lower back, get a towel and wring it out in hot water (as hot as you can handle).
- Wrap the towel around your waist, fully covering your lower back.
- Feel the moist and warm goodness which will numb your pain.
- After 5 minutes, you can wring out the towel and place it as a compress again. Repeat as necessary.
3. Cooling Pain Relief Blend
What you need
- 10 drops peppermint
- 5 drops wintergreen
- 2 tbsp fractionated coconut oil (where to get it)
- 2 oz amber glass dropper bottle (where to get it)
Method
- Add the oils to a glass dropper bottle and shake it gently to combine.
- Place about 3 – 5 drops of this blend on one palm, rub both your palms together and deeply massage your lower back.
- It will provide a pleasant, tingling and numbing sensation on the painful area.
- Leave it on overnight.
Stretcher Device for Chronic Lower Back Pain
I find it extremely useful to use this stretcher device for tensed and painful lower backs. It gets all the knots out, cracks your back in a pleasant relieving way and feels so soothing after you use it! Try it out!
Superior Fitness Stability Ball for Back Pain
If your back feels too tight, then you need this exericse ball in your life! It provides immense relief to lower back pain by stretching out and relaxing the tensed muscles. Get sweet relief within minutes of stretching on it!