Treating Arthritis Symptoms With Aromatherapy By Buffy Hall, RN

Did you know that the word “arthritis” actually refers to over
100 different diseases affecting areas in and around joints of
the body? Actually, arthritis also can also affect other parts
of the body besides the joints. The skin, liver, heart and
kidneys are all vulnerable to certain types of arthritis. It
causes pain, loss of movement and joint swelling.

I have a intense and personal interest in this subject since I
was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis twenty two years ago.
But to be honest, I consider myself far luckier than many
arthritis sufferers. I am fairly mobile and reasonably
energetic, have minimal joint deformity and swelling, and most
days I experience no real pain at all. It is mostly due to a
combination of my medication regimen and my aromatherapy, that
I am in such good shape for someone with a chronic illness.

I haven’t always been this stable though. I’ve had several
periods in my life where I was largely disabled. The RA led to
the onset of fibromyalgia and I was forced to leave a career in
nursing at age 33 because of the constant pain. The more I
worked, the worse it got until it was finally impossible for me
to work the long hours anymore.

Instead I made a choice to concentrate my energy levels on
being a stay at home mom to my two small children. I quit work,
the daily stress level dramatically lowered and I got better.
Today my son and daughter are 17 and 20 and a triumph of what
was the best decision that I ever made. You WAHMs and WAHDs
know what I mean.

As an arthritic, I am not unique. I share the daily "What body
part isn't working well today" experience with over 66 million
people nationwide.

According to Arthritis Today magazine:

*In 2005, 1 in 3 adults and 300,000 children are affected by
arthritis
*Arthritis is one of the most prevalent chronic health problems

and the nation’s leading cause of disability among Americans
over age 15
*More than 7 million Americans need help with daily activities
such as bathing, dressing and walking
*Arthritis results in 39 million physician visits,half million
hospitalizations and costs the US economy more than $86.2
billion a year!
*Half of Americans with arthritis don’t think anything can be
done to help them

Common Types of Arthritis

Osteoarthritis - a degenerative joint disease that is the most
prevalent form of arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - an autoimmune disease that is one of the
most serious and disabling types, affecting mostly women.

Juvenile Arthritis - a general term for all types of arthritis,
including rheumatoid and lupus, that occur in children.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (Lupus) - a serious disorder that
can inflame and damage joints and other connective tissues.

Fibromyalgia - in which widespread pain affects the muscles and
attachments to the bone, causes extreme fatigue and sleep
problems.

Aromatherapy is a natural holistic approach to health and
wellness using plant derived scents that I use daily as a way
to control the stresses in my life. All forms of arthritis are
exacerbated or worsened by stress. Controlling that aspect of
my life, even just a little, has made a world of difference in
my overall condition.

The traditional method of healing called aromatherapy is
finally beginning to be considered a science and is gaining
ground among doctors willing to combine conventional medicine
with alternative therapies. This current switch among health
professionals is called “integrative medicine”. It is a move
away from the traditional approach that focuses only on the
disease and prescription drugs to an approach that looks more
at the individual who has the disease, and gives them a more
active role in their treatment. This integrative approach has
proved to be a virtual lifesaver for me and one that I strongly
encourage other arthritis sufferers to try.

Some of the most effective essential oils for treatment of
arthritis symptoms are Lavender, Juniper, Thyme, Rosemary,
Benzoe, Eucalyptus, Chamomile, Peppermint, Camphor, Ginger,
Black Pepper and Lemon.

For the best relief from arthritis symptoms you can add the
essential oils to the bath, massage them into your skin, or
apply them in a compress. For application directly to the skin
however, essential oils should be blended with a carrier oil
like almond, jojoba, apricot or even coconut oil to avoid skin
irritation. You can also use aloe vera gel mixed with witch
hazel for a clean, nonsticky absorbable rub.

Aromatherapy is a natural, safe and economical option to deal
with the pain, stiffness, stress, anxiety and depression that
often goes hand in hand with an arthritis diagnosis. The best
thing of all though, is that aromatherapy has no negative side
effects as so many of the conventional treatments and
medications do. It is also an excellent way to improve your
general outlook, your attitude and the quality of your life.

When you have arthritis, it can be a struggle to maintain your
independence in your daily activities. With aromatherapy you
have powerful tools to use for that purpose.

Aromatherapy should be used in addition to proper diet,
medications and mild exercise to manage your arthritic
condition. There is no magic bullet or cure yet for arthritis
but with aromatherapy, there is a way for you to take back some
control over your life and health. Aromatherapy is not intended
to replace proven medical treatments or a medication regimen.


About the Author: Buffy Hall, RN Ret. worked as an RN for 12 years before retiring due to complications from rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia. She is a long time student of natural healing and alternative therapies and practices many of them in the management of her own chronic illness. You can contact her anytime at blogstuff@bodybubbles.com

Source: www.isnare.com