No one wants pain, and ongoing pain is very debilitating. Having some good pain-relief strategies available are important! Aromatherapist Maria Mitchell recommends dealing with pain on several fronts at the same time for best results. That is tackling it from the inside, outside, chemically and mechanically. Here is Maria's helpful advice...

Working from the inside

• Reduce foods that cause inflammation such as processed foods, trans fats, sugars, and gluten
• Use herbs and nutrients that are analgesic and reduce inflammation. Herbs such as turmeric, boswellia and ginger. Nutrients to use are the anti-inflammatory Omega 3 from fish oil, and Magnesium which assists with cramping pain, with muscle fatigue and also helps the nervous system that is under stress

Working from the outside

• Adding Epsom salts to a bath is another way to get magnesium to tired muscles, add some Lavender and Sandalwood essential oils for their pain relieving, anti-inflammatory and calming effects.
• Arnica cream with added essential oils works well applied directly to the area of pain. Add a total 1 ml of essential oils to each 10gm of cream. My 3 favourite oils to use for pain are Kunzea, Sandalwood, Black Pepper. It’s easy to modify and personalise a blend of oils to suit you!
• Join me in my Healthy Ways for Pain Relief Workshop to understand a multi-faceted approach to pain relief.

Working chemically

• Herbs, nutrients and essential oils are all natural remedies but it is their chemical structure that gives them pain-relieving properties. Working with these remedies is working chemically in an effective yet gentle way for your body. Natural remedies applied to your skin may need frequent re-application for ongoing effectiveness.

Working mechanically

• After an injury your body can seize up in order to protect the injured area and prevent further injury and pain. This initial response will be counterproductive over time and gentle exercise can help to increase circulation and relax the muscles. Exercises such as walking, yoga and stretching, with a gradual increase in intensity, can help relieve pain by gently increasing circulation and relaxing muscles.

Using any one of these methods will help relieve pain, using all of them results in a more effective treatment!

Maria Mitchell - Aromatherapist and Herbalist

Maria Mitchell is a fully qualified Aromatherapist and Herbalist whose passion has led her into teaching, and writing about the healing power of Aromatherapy. You can learn more about Maria here Join Maria in her Healthy Ways for Pain Relief Workshop and learn a multifaceted approach to pain relief for yourself and your family – and much much more.