You may not find any adults who have not experienced back pain at some point or often. Low back pain, in particular, is a common health concern among those who work long hours sitting.
Back pain can be a sudden, sharp pain or an excruciating, nagging ache that lasts a couple of days. Some people get severe back pain accompanied by stiffness and immobility. Unfortunately, those with serious spine problems experience chronic back pain.
The causes of backaches are many, such as aging, an injured backbone, being overweight or frequently sitting, arthritis, bone cancer, a slipped disc, strained muscles, and backbones, erosion of the backbone, a calcium deficiency, or other chronic diseases affecting the backbone.
Here are some of the common types of backaches:
- Fibrositis
- Spondylosis
- Lumbago (lower back pain)
- Arthritis
- Injuries to the spinal cord
- The curvature of the spine (scoliosis)
- Slipped discs
- Sciatica (legs and low back pain)
- Kidney issues
- General tension/weakness
The treatments for back pain are done according to their causes. Ayurvedic massages, oil therapies, aromatherapy, and cold or hot compresses are some of the natural remedies for alleviating pain.
Essential oil-based treatments are effective in reducing backaches.
In this post, you will read about the best essential oils for back pain that are worth trying. Fortunately, EOs are natural and safe without any side effects, unlike prescription medicines.
9 Best Essential Oils That Can Help Relieve Back Pain
If you are suffering from backaches, you are certainly aware of the difficulties of living with tormenting pain. It is just nasty, bothersome pain that pulls you back from your work and deprives you of a pleasant life.
There are many natural remedies you can try for pain relief like pain medications. Of all the natural remedies, essential oils are great options for severe pain relief including nerve pain.
Pure essential oils can help reduce inflammation, muscle spasms, as well as muscle pain, and soreness.
Do not use undiluted EOs for topical use or consumption. Always dilute them in a carrier oil like coconut oil, olive oil, or sweet almond oil. You can even add diluted essential oils to your diet.
There are many EOs to choose from; I have handpicked 9 of the most effective ones that can relieve backaches.
1. Ginger Oil
Gingerol, the substance that gives ginger its pungent taste and smell, is an active pain relief compound found in ginger oil.
Ginger essential oil has long been used to treat backaches and inflammation in the spinal cord with natural remedies.
A few studies have reported the effectiveness of ginger rhizomes as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent that can relieve chronic pain, including backaches, muscle soreness, and joint pain.
These study reports further suggest that even the prolonged usage of ginger oil does not produce any adverse effects on health.
Ginger oil pain blend: It is best when mixed with chamomile oil. Blend 5 drops of ginger and 3 drops of chamomile in 10 ml of jojoba oil. Gently massage the oil blend on the back; preferably, you can get a hot compress on your back 15 minutes after the oil massage.
2. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is known for its numerous health and therapeutic benefits. It is the most precious of all essential oils.
It is an old folklore natural medicine for stress relief, sedation, and pain relief.
The lavender essential oil contains analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that are useful for relieving pain.
One of the 2004 studies tested the efficacy of lavender and acupressure in treating acute lower back pain. The study results showed that patients who used both acupressure and lavender together had the best results in relieving pain.
Lavender oil blend: Make an oil blend consisting of lavender oil (4 drops), rosemary oil (5 drops), juniper oil (6 drops), and 1 ounce of almond oil. Massage the back with the oil blend three times a day for one week.
3. Chamomile Oil
Chamomile essential oil is a time-tested and proven natural remedy for fighting inflammation, pain, and swelling. This oil is loaded with terpenoids and flavonoids, which are beneficial for reducing pain and improving blood circulation.
According to one of the research reports by Molecular Medicine Reports, chamomile oil is expected to remove discomfort from pains, injuries, and spasms.
Chamomile oil blend: Make an oil blend consisting of chamomile oil (5 drops), cinnamon oil (3 drops), and coconut oil (15 ml). Thoroughly blend the oils and massage the inflamed and painful areas of the back twice daily until the pain is fully relieved.
4. Eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus essential oil produces a cooling, warming, and soothing effect on the skin and muscles. The strong anti-inflammatory properties in eucalyptus oil help reduce pain and swelling.
When the strong anti-inflammatory properties in eucalyptus oil are combined with analgesic properties present in other oils, it effectively relieves stiffness and pain.
According to a research report published in the African Journals Online, eucalyptus oil has proven to have the ability to reduce pain because of its strong anti-inflammatory properties.
Eucalyptus oil blend: Blend Eucalyptus oil (4 drops), lavender oil (3 drops), peppermint oil (3 drops), and 2 tablespoons of almond oil. Apply these blended oils to the strained and inflamed back to relieve pain. Repeat the application twice a day.
5. Rosemary Oil
Traditionally, rosemary essential oil is extensively used in natural remedies for wounds, eczema, colic, and dysmenorrhea. It is also an oil chiefly used to alleviate pain and inflammation.
A study in the Psychosomatic Medicine Journal has shown the effectiveness of rosemary oil aromatherapy for pain relief.
Animal studies suggest that this oil’s analgesic, antinociceptive, and anti-inflammatory elements are good for alleviating back pain.
Rosemary oil aromatherapy: Use a diffuser or directly inhale the scent of rosemary oil to relax the mind and the sensory nerves that produce pain sensations.
6. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint essential oil is known for its cooling effect and refreshing smell. It contains a menthol substance that creates a cooling sensation on the skin and soothes the painful areas of the body.
Menthol, also found in peppermint, has analgesic and antinociceptive properties that help relieve pain.
Peppermint is efficient in blocking the pain signals to the brain to some extent, which helps reduce the pain’s severity.
Peppermint oil blend: Make an oil blend consisting of peppermint oil (6 drops), eucalyptus oil (4 drops), marjoram oil (4 drops), and olive oil (1 ounce). Massage the oil mixture on the aching back to relieve the pain, and repeat the treatment twice a day.
7. Frankincense Oil
Frankincense is a popularly used traditional remedy for muscle and lowers back pain.
Going by some of the recent study findings, this oil has proven its ability to alleviate pain and suppress inflammation. This oil has analgesic and soothing properties that help lessen the pain.
Frankincense essential oil is a key ingredient in many traditional recipes for treating rheumatism and joint pain.
Frankincense oil blend: Make a blend of frankincense oil (4 drops), lavender (3 drops), and 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Massage your back twice daily with this oil blend to relieve pain and stiffness.
8. Thyme oil
Thyme oil is a potent therapeutic oil with analgesic and anti-inflammatory ingredients that can effectively reduce pain and inflammation. This oil is commonly used in several herbal remedies for pain relief.
Some studies have also demonstrated the efficacy of thyme oil as an antinociceptive to block pain signals in the brain.
This oil also produces excellent muscle-relaxing results that help relieve pain in the back and spine.
Thyme oil blend: You can make a mixture of thyme oil (5 drops), peppermint oil (4 drops), lavender oil (3 drops), and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. To relieve back pain, apply the oil blend to the back twice daily.
9. Clary Sage Oil
Clary sage essential oil possesses immense therapeutic value. Some of the properties in this oil, such as soothing, antispasmodic, astringent, and nervine, can be beneficial for alleviating back pain.
Many natural remedies for back pain contain clary sage oil as an important ingredient.
Clary oil bath therapy: Having a Clary Sage oil bath is best for relieving back pain. Fill your bathtub with warm water and add 30 drops of Clary sage oil to it; then soak your body in the water for 20 minutes.
Other Essential Oils For Lower Back Pain
Besides the 9 essential oils for back aches we have discussed, many other essential oils also have pain-relieving substances.
- Anise
- Peruvian Balsam
- Yarrow
- Cypress
- Clove
- Fennel
- Niaouli
- Geranium
- Nutmeg
- Thyme
- Chamomile
- Camphor
- Vetiver
- Marjoram
- Angelica
- Benzoin
- Juniper
- Oregano
- Sage
The Final Thought
Back pain is extremely inconvenient and annoying for anyone. Most of the regular pain medications have their side effects; they are expensive too.
It is worth using essential oils to get relief from back pain. It is soothing and comforting to the body without side effects.
The use of essential oils may not give you a complete and permanent solution to your aching back. But they can certainly reduce the severity of the pain and make you feel at ease.
It would be best if you kept learning more about your health problems so you could come up with new ways to prevent back pain.
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