Best Essential Oils for Pain Management

Why Essential Oils?

Essential oils are a force to be reckoned with in the world of organic medicine.

Their natural healing properties provide access to a less-intrusive form of treatment.

Some of these oils may already be found in your very own bathroom and kitchen.

Our bodies are natural vessels that ultimately crave organic remedies for healing.

Follow along as I dive into the powerful properties of the essential oils that can be used for effective pain management.

Pain is physical discomfort that is felt by most people at one point or another, and by its nature, it is nearly unavoidable.

Victims of agony seek fast relief, no matter their pain threshold.

For years, traditional medicine has been at the forefront of effective pain relief.

However, the use of such medicines can lead, over extended periods, to unwanted reactions.

The desire for organic alternatives has become increasingly desirable for old and new pain victims.

Organic alternatives such as essential oils have convinced consumers of their benefits for pain relief.

Some commonly-experienced pain includes back, shoulder, TMJ, nerve, knee, neck, tendon, foot, hip, kidney, leg, and bone discomfort.

The way pain is felt differs from person to person.

You should always strive to be specific when describing your discomfort.

Being specific helps to pinpoint what the best treatment should be for your given pain.

 

 

 

Essential Oils for Back Pain

Back pain afflicts up to eight out of ten people commonly in their daily lives.

The pain can be continuous or can move between a dull irritation to an intensely focused ache.

There are both acute and chronic back pains.

Acute back pain can last anywhere from a few days to several weeks, and it is recognized as a sudden occurrence.

Back pain that persists for a period of over three months is considered chronic.

Physical suffering originating from your back can be a direct result of muscle and nerve issues.

The renowned properties of ginger have been studied throughout the years and are deeply believed to aid in lower back pain relief.

Another great oil for back pain relief is marjoram.

This essential oil soothes the muscles and joints with its warm touch, all while calming your emotions.

Due to its cool, numbing effect, wintergreen is a widely-used essential oil.

The numbing effects minimize the pain indicators recognized by your brain.

The reduction of these pain indicators decreases the amount of pain we feel from different types of back pain.

Lavender essential oil provides the anti-inflammatory properties needed to soothe inflamed muscles and the surrounding tissues.

Its great qualities shoot it to the top of the list for aiding in pain relief involving areas not limited to those of the back.

Like the essential oil marjoram, lavender offers wonderful calming properties that are ideal for various kinds of pain management.

 

Essential Oils for Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain may involve a fracture, joint instability, arthritis, and/or pain involving tendon inflammation or a tendon tear.

Inflammation in the shoulder is caused by extensive use of the joint.

Frequently participating in activities that require overhead motion can lead to tendonitis.

This type of pain is generally considered to be acute.

Chronic tendonitis is commonly associated with arthritis, and other ailments linked to old age.

Inflammation and swelling are the usual culprits for shoulder pain.

Our shoulders work significantly throughout the day to help support the fluidity of our daily movements.

To add to this workload, elements of our daily life often seep in and cause stiffness in our shoulders, along with undue stress.

A common condition known as frozen shoulder syndrome makes it difficult for you to raise your arm in various directions across, behind, and around your body.

Combine the essential oils of wintergreen, peppermint, and lavender for ultimate relief from this frozen shoulder syndrome.

Wintergreen aids in the reduction of inflammation, while peppermint oils reinforce wintergreen’s effects.

For best results, combine these two essential oils with lavender to achieve multiple benefits.

Frankincense and chamomile are two other effective essential oils for pain and inflammation relief in the shoulders.

 

Essential Oils for Joint Pain

Via a joint on each side of your jaw, the temporomandibular joint connects your jaw to your skull.

Disorders that involve the temporomandibular joint cause pain in the muscles that regulate your jaw movement.

Pinpointing the cause of your TMJ is hard to uncover, but it may be influenced by some injury, arthritis, or genetics.

It is a relief to know that pain associated with TMJ does not normally last for long periods.

Another excellent oil combination, peppermint, frankincense, and lavender blend together to relieve TMJ pain, relax muscles, and eliminate inflammation.

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint.

Pain in the jaw and the disrupted function of the jaw are caused by TMJ.

You can also opt to use wintergreen to take advantage of its numbing capabilities.

 

Essential Oils for Nerve Pain

Shingles, HIV, cancer, and diabetes all contribute to nerve pain and discomfort.

The effects of nerve pain can be extremely challenging.

Nerve pain symptoms include random jolts of electricity, the common burning sensation, or feeling as if you are being stuck by needles.

Nerve pain often leads to the apprehension and extreme sadness.

Though nerve problems are difficult to cure, the pain that comes with it can be alleviated by the use of essential oils.

Living with nerve pain can be traumatizing.

Eucalyptus oil is great for relieving the pain caused by nerve conditions such as neuralgia, short-term paralysis, and sciatica.

This oil can be administered via aromatherapy.

Though essential oil pain relief won’t be effective forever, essential oils can be used to help relieve the pain until the underlying problem is addressed.

Within German chamomile can be found chamazulene, the leading anti-inflammatory element found in all essential oils.

In addition, alpha-bisabolol is another great ingredient present in large portions of German chamomile oil.

These two elements together pack a serious anti-inflammatory punch.

 

Essential Oils for Knee Pain

People young and old are affected by knee pain. Whether due to injury or medical circumstances, knee pain can be helped.

Not all knee pain reacts well to organic healthcare.

However, minor knee pain can definitely benefit from careful essential oil treatment.

Some knee injuries require surgery. Knee pain can begin in different portions of your knee.

Swelling, instability, crunching sounds and the inability to straighten your knee fully are all side effects of underlying knee problems.

It is a struggle to walk when you suffer from knee pain.

This pain is often a result of swelling, and when this cause is the primary one, our main goal is to reduce it until it is eliminated.

Both ginger and frankincense have been found to reduce significantly the pain and stiffness associated with swelling of the knee.

However, frankincense is considered the top essential oil for eliminating the causes of your typical knee pain.

Another oil that offers the ability to diminish knee-related joint pain is rosemary.

Rosemary is an oil with great anti-inflammatory properties.

 

Essential Oils for Neck Pain

The neck contains many tissues, and disease or disorder of any one of them can be the source of your neck pain.

Frequent neck ailments are caused by tension in the neck, injuries that may have resulted in landing a blow to the neck, or viral infections.

You may feel a dull throbbing sensation associated with neck pain.

Shoulder pain and headaches can also be closely related to neck pain.

Essential oils may be of great use when seeking neck pain relief.

Desk jobs mean you sit for extended periods.

From this, we tend to experience mild to serious neck pain.

Other culprits causing neck pain are bad posture, waking up from a night of sleeping on your neck the wrong way, or sudden twisting movements of your neck.

There are many essential oils available to help relieve neck pain.

A lot of neck pain is caused by spasms in the muscles that control neck movement.

When looking for the perfect essential oil for neck pain, we want to keep this in mind.

Lavender, cypress, basil, marjoram, and peppermint all share this ability to treat muscle spasms.

The rate at which each oil offers relief varies with each combination.

Of the options on the list, basil is the most effective in reducing muscle spasms.

 

Essential Oils for Tendon Pain

Tendons can suffer from being under too much pressure. Stress from overuse can also contribute to tendon pain.

Most tendon ailments have been found to be caused by common deterioration.

A lot of tendon treatments have been aimed at eliminating inflammation.

It is very hard to treat tendon disorders effectively.

You will continue to find that lavender is an excellent source of pain relief, as it helps time and time again to provide fast relief from painful symptoms.

The anti-inflammatory elements found in lavender allow you to complete your daily activities without the added swollen, painful joints.

The cooling properties of peppermint soothe your muscles to relieve tension and muscle aches throughout.

Lemongrass oil is also commonly used as an antidote for arthritis and tendonitis.

 

Essential Oils for Foot Pain

Foot pain arises from various physical diseases and activity.

Having a vulnerable immune system opens you up to infections that lead to foot pain.

Common such infections include viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

Shoes that do not fit properly can cause painful sores and discoloration of the foot.

Once you have discerned where the source of your foot pain lies, you can take immediate action to remedy the pain.

When nutrients can flow properly to the source of your pain, the healing process can speed up.

Through the use of peppermint oil, we can achieve a more efficient flow of oxygen and nutrients to the source of the pain.

This oil stimulates the pain surface area to reduce inflammation and muscle spasms.

For plantar fasciitis, a combination of frankincense and wintergreen can greatly reduce the swelling and inflammation associated with this type of foot ailment.

The combined ingredients of frankincense and wintergreen are not ideal for the healing of bunions.

The mixture will, however, alleviate the pain. We also use wintergreen to encourage blood circulation.

The increased blood flow will release any acid buildup in your feet.

 

Essential Oils for Hip Pain

Many physical problems are associated with hip pain.

Determining the root of the pain requires knowing where the discomfort is originating from in your hip.

Hurt originating from the inside of your hip and near your groin area indicates issues within the hip joint.

Problems with the surrounding hip muscles and ligaments contribute to the pain of the external hip, upper thigh, and external buttock.

Ailments throughout your body can also be the source of your hip pain.

The best way to address hip pain is by seeking to reduce inflammation.

The added inflammation causes pain and limits your hips’ range of motion needed for fluid movement.

Lavender, wintergreen, and frankincense all have the tools to engage actively this healing procedure.

Together, they offer maximum results.

 

Essential Oils for Kidney Pain

Determining whether you are suffering from kidney pain or back pain is sometimes difficult.

A key to uncovering the truth is to recognize that pain originating from your kidneys is usually a much deeper and higher-sitting ache.

Urinary tract infections and kidney stones are the primary culprits for kidney pain.

Due to all the toxins we consume daily, we need some way to cleanse our system.

That job is given to our kidneys.

When our kidney function is hindered, unwanted pain in the lower back sometimes develops.

Essential oils cannot cure kidney problems; however, they can minimize the pain while you seek additional treatment to get to the root of your kidney issue.

Back pain, when due to the kidneys, can be effectively treated with the use of thyme essential oil.

The components of this oil provide therapeutic characteristics that diminish cramping and back discomfort.

 

Essential Oils for Leg Pain

There are no limits to where in the leg pain may occur.

Neither are there any restrictions on what time of the day leg pain will commence.

Contingent upon the cause of the pain, it can be activated in the foot, knee, or thigh, while running or even doing a simple task such as sitting.

Tissue inflammation is the leading cause of leg pain and is a direct result of injury or disease.

If you have arthritis, you may experience pain in the knee and ankle joints, while pain radiating down your leg is common if you have sciatica.

Leg pain can be treated with oils that help to alleviate growing pains and other types of leg aches.

Lavender, rosemary, and wintergreen are excellent oil choices when treating leg discomfort.

The warming sensation, combined with increased blood circulation to the source of the pain, help to reduce aches.

 

Essential Oils for Bone Pain

Unlike muscle and joint pain, the sore, intense bone tenderness or irritation of bone pain persists whether you are moving or still.

The cause of bone pain is believed to be derived from diseases that affect the bone and its functional structure.

Other causes of bone pain are as a result of common injuries.

The impact of a distressing physical event can dislodge or crack the bone, which causes bone pain.

Combining yarrow essential oils with eucalyptus and wintergreen oils enhances their properties that provide relief from bone and joint discomfort.

You can experience the added benefits of eucalyptus oil as an aromatherapy treatment.

Inhaling this oil has been proven significantly to reduce pain.

 

Essential Oil Recipes for Pain Relief

Recipe for Back Pain

You will need wintergreen, marjoram, ginger, and a carrier oil of your choice for this mixture.

For your carrier oil, you can choose from oils such as olive, jojoba, grape seed, evening primrose, and many more.

Oil Mixture for Direct Application:

• Add one tablespoon of your carrier oil of choice.
• Add three drops of wintergreen, marjoram, and ginger to your carrier oil.
• Mix this oil combination well, and gently massage a small amount into the place of your pain.

 

Recipe for Back and Shoulder Pain

You will need wintergreen, frankincense, lavender, and a carrier oil of your choice for this mixture.

For your carrier oil, you can choose from oils such as olive, jojoba, grape seed, evening primrose, and many more.

Oil Mixture for Direct Application:

• Add one tablespoon of your carrier oil of choice.
• Add three drops of wintergreen, frankincense, and lavender to your carrier oil.
• Mix this oil combination well, and gently massage a small amount into the place of your pain.

 

Recipe for Nerve Pain

You will need German chamomile and eucalyptus essential oils, as well as a carrier oil of your choice, and a diffuser for the mixture.

For your carrier oil, you can choose from oils such as olive, jojoba, grape seed, evening primrose, and many more.

Oil Mixture for Direct Application:

• Add one tablespoon of your carrier oil of choice.
• Add two drops of German chamomile to your carrier oil.
• Mix this oil combination well, and gently massage a small amount into the place of your pain.

Oil Mixture for Aromatherapy:

• Add two to four drops of eucalyptus oil to your diffuser.
• Inhale for 30 minutes daily, until the pain subsides.

 

Recipe for Knee Pain

You will need ginger, frankincense, rosemary, and a carrier oil of your choice for this mixture.

For your carrier oil, you can choose an oil such as olive, jojoba, grape seed, evening primrose, or many more.

Oil Mixture for Direct Application:

• Add two tablespoons of your carrier oil of choice.
• Add five drops of ginger, frankincense, and rosemary to your carrier oil.
• Mix this combination well, and gently massage a small amount into the place of your pain.

 

Recipe for Neck Pain

You will need cypress, basil, lavender, and a carrier oil of your choice for this mixture.

For your carrier oil, you can choose from oils such as olive, jojoba, grape seed, evening primrose, and many more.

Oil Mixture for Direct Application:

• Add two tablespoons of your carrier oil of choice.
• Add five drops of cypress, basil, and lavender to your carrier oil.
• Mix this oil combination well, and gently massage a small amount into the place of your pain.

 

Recipe for Tendon

You will need peppermint, lemongrass, lavender, and a carrier oil of your choice for this mixture.

For your carrier oil, you can choose from oils such as olive, jojoba, grape seed, evening primrose, and many more.

Oil Mixture for Direct Application:

• Add one tablespoon of your carrier oil of choice.
• Add two drops of peppermint, lemongrass, and lavender to your carrier oil.
• Mix this oil combination well, and gently massage a small amount into the place of your pain.

 

Recipe for Foot Pain

You will need peppermint, wintergreen, frankincense, a carrier oil of your choice for this mixture, and a large container or bowl filled with warm water.

For your carrier oil, you can choose from oils such as olive, jojoba, grape seed, evening primrose, and many others.

Oil Mixture for Direct Application:

• Add one tablespoon of your carrier oil of choice.
• Add two to three drops of peppermint, wintergreen, and frankincense to your carrier oil.
• Mix this combination well, and gently massage a small amount into the place of your pain.

Oil Mixture for Foot Soak:

• Fill a large container with warm water.
• Add two to three drops of peppermint, wintergreen, and frankincense to the water.
• Soak feet in the container for thirty minutes to relieve foot pain.

 

Recipe for Hip Pain

You will need lavender, wintergreen, frankincense, and a carrier oil of your choice for this mixture.

For your carrier oil, you can choose from oils such as olive, jojoba, grape seed, evening primrose, and many others.

Oil Mixture for Direct Application:

• Add one tablespoon of your carrier oil of choice.
• Add two to three drops of lavender, wintergreen, and frankincense to your carrier oil.
• Mix this oil combination well, and gently massage a small amount into the place of your pain.

 

Recipe for Your Kidneys

You will need lavender and thyme essential oils, and a carrier oil of your choice for this mixture.

For your carrier oil, you can choose from oils such as olive, jojoba, grape seed, evening primrose, and many others.

Oil Mixture for Direct Application:

• Add one tablespoon of your carrier oil of choice.
• Add two to three drops of lavender and thyme to your carrier oil.
• Mix this oil combination well, and gently massage a small amount into the place of your pain.

 

Recipe for Leg Pain

You will need lavender, wintergreen, rosemary essential oils, water, a large bowl, a towel, and a diffuser for this mixture.

Oil Mixture for Direct Application:

• Add several drops of lavender, wintergreen, and rosemary essential oils to a large bowl of warm water.
• Completely submerge towel into water mixture until fully soaked.
• Drain towel and place on pain location until the temperature of the towel cools.
• Continue this process until the pain has subsided.

Oil Mixture for Aromatherapy:

• Add two to four drops of eucalyptus oil to your diffuser.
• Inhale nightly while sleeping.

 

Recipe for Bone Discomfort

You will need yarrow, wintergreen, and eucalyptus essential oils, a carrier oil of your choice, and a diffuser for this mixture.

For your carrier oil, you can choose from oils such as olive, jojoba, grape seed, evening primrose, and many more.

Oil Mixture for Direct Application:

• Add one tablespoon of your carrier oil.
• Add two drops of yarrow and wintergreen essential oils to the carrier oil.
• Mix this oil combination well, and gently massage a small amount into the place of your pain.

Oil Mixture for Aromatherapy:

• Add two to four drops of the eucalyptus oil to your diffuser.
• Inhale daily for up to thirty minutes, until your pain has subsided.

 

Recipe for TMJ Pain Relief

You will need peppermint, frankincense, and lavender essential oils, along with a carrier oil of your choice for this mixture.

For your carrier oil, you can choose from oils such as olive, jojoba, grape seed, evening primrose, and many more.

Oil Mixture for Direct Application:

• Add one tablespoon of your carrier oil.
• Add one drop of peppermint, frankincense, and lavender oil to the carrier oil.
• Mix this oil combination well, and gently apply a small amount to the place of your pain.

 

Precautions

The proper use of essential oils has been known to strengthen immunity and aid in effective health recovery.

Essential oils are potent direct components of plants that are taken from different parts of the plant’s body.

Less is definitely more when using essential oils.

One drop of peppermint oil can make 26 to 28 cups of peppermint tea.

Using more than the recommended dosage of essential oils can damage your health because they are highly concentrated.

The price of essential oils is quite high, and the price tag can be a telltale sign of whether or not the essential oil is of good quality.

Lower-quality oils can be found in stores at much lower prices.

Along with lower price tags come reduced oil quality.

Not only is the quality of the essential oil-less, but these oils come diluted with other oils.

In order to achieve the high-quality oils desired for best use, they must be made without chemicals and other inorganic modifications.

It is important to consult with a skilled specialist on the use of essential oils.

Essential oils are rapidly absorbed through the skin.

As the small molecules found in the oil penetrate the skin’s surface, the oil’s valuable benefits are immediately reaped.

Diluting essential oils with a base oil is suggested.

Diffusion of the oil into the atmosphere is another way to use essential oils safely, without overconsumption.

Some conclude that aromatherapy is better consumed this way than internally.

Studies show that the consumption via inhalation of essential oils allows them to absorb into your bloodstream.

There is a plethora of advice about the use of essential oils, and it isn’t always the most accurate.

Always proceed with caution when purchasing essential oils.

Make sure you read each product label found on the packaging. You want 100% organic essential oils.

If the essential oil is diluted with a base oil, you should know this upon purchasing the product.

Using prediluted essential oils may decrease largely the healing benefits you may receive.

Avoid chemically-altered oils at all costs.

Purchasing chemically-altered oils in the hopes of naturally treating pain completely defeats the purpose of using an organic remedy.