Can Essential Oils Help Relieve Back Pain & Other Back Pain Questions

There are many causes of lower back pain, including muscle strain, ligament sprains, and spinal conditions such as a lumbar herniated disc or degenerative disc disease (DDD). It is also possible to have back discomfort or muscle spasms from chronic stress or health conditions like arthritis. No matter the reason, they may require some type of back pain treatment. Thankfully, not everyone has to have surgery or take medications to feel better.

Innovations in technology and discoveries in wellness offer remedies such as heat therapy, ice therapy, and laser treatment for back pain. Some people are curious as to whether essential oils can help to reduce their symptoms. Learn below whether aromatherapy can really help, as well as which therapies can make a difference in your quality of life.

“Essential Oils Relieve All Types of Back Pain”  

There is no debating that commonly used essential oils such as lavender, rosemary, and ylang-ylang smell wonderful. When used with a personal diffuser or included in a body lotion, they can help to enhance feelings of calm, relaxation, and wellness. While they are beneficial for helping to make you feel more energized or soothe your mind, they are not proven to relieve all types of back discomfort. Some conditions may need special treatments or therapies to heal the muscle, fix a joint injury, or reduce spasms.

What essential oils can do, says Healthline, is help to relieve uncomfortable symptoms and help you cope with your chronic pain, acute injury, or back condition. Here are a few of the essential oils you may be interested in using through topical application or aromatherapy:

• Peppermint oil: Delicious-smelling peppermint oil contains menthol, which has been used to treat pain on many parts of the body. Combine a few drops of it with an unscented lotion or a carrier oil like coconut oil or olive oil. Rubbing it on your back can create a numbing sensation, which may help you feel better when dealing with aching or muscle spasms.
• Wintergreen oil: Since wintergreen oil contains analgesic properties, rubbing it on your back can create a pain-relieving effect similar to using aspirin. Do not ingest wintergreen oil—put it in a topical solution like a lotion or an oil instead. Do not use wintergreen if you take blood thinning medications, since using it can potentially increase your bleeding risk.
• Ginger oil: Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties. If you are using ginger essential oils, you will want to combine a few drops of them with carrier oils. While it can help you to feel more happy and energized, a study published by the National Institute of Health says ginger may also help to reduce swelling and discomfort for people with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
• Lavender oil: Lavender is readily available at most stores and shops. It is also one of the more popular essential oils for its inviting and comforting smell. According to scientific research, it is possible to use lavender oil for muscle pain. It is possible, then, that these benefits may transfer to the lower back muscles. If it does not provide relief to the area, it may help to calm your mind, which can ease tension throughout the body.

If you do not find relief from essential oils, be sure to talk to a doctor. They can help you find the underlying reason for your lower back pain, which will help them find the right treatment options. A variety of other at-home therapies may also work better for you.

“All Back Pain Requires Plenty of Rest”

If you experience a minor muscle strain or ligament sprain, a few days of rest may help. Keeping the pressure and weight off your back muscles will allow the strain to heal so you can get back to your normal activities. Lower back pain that is caused by lifestyle factors like chronic stress or menstrual cramps may not be helped by staying still. In these cases, physical activity may be the answer for relieving strain and tension.

Find the right activity for you. If you have a diagnosed back condition and are new to any of these workouts, talk to your doctor before you begin. You should also stop an activity and talk to your provider if you experience any new pain. Some of the most popular exercises for lower back pain include:

• Stretching: Stretching can help to reduce tension in your muscles while helping them to become more mobile and limber. Certain stretches can also help to increase the level of nutrients, oxygen, and blood flow in the lower back. Try one of these simple stretches for lumbar pain, including the knee-to-chest stretch, trunk rotation, and cat-cow stretch.
• Yoga: One of the benefits of yoga is that it combines cardiovascular activity with stretching. Find a yoga routine especially for lower back pain on your favorite online workout app. You may also want to try one of these favorite yoga poses for back pain, including the downward-facing dog, sphinx pose, and extended triangle.
• Swimming: This is a gentle, low-impact activity that you can do any time of year. Enjoy your laps or water aerobics outdoors in the spring and summer. When it gets cooler outside, you can shift your exercises to an indoor pool. Work out with friends or use a workout as a relaxing, solitary activity to help you unwind after a busy week. Whatever type of swimming you choose, you can help yourself to stretch and heal your back muscles while they are supported by the buoyancy of water.
• Walking: When you are experiencing intense aching or pain, try a short walk around the block. You can also take a stroll in your yard. In some cases, just a few minutes of activity can help to loosen up your muscles and reduce aching or shooting discomfort. When you feel better, you can try walking farther or for a longer period of time.

If you rest for a short time and are still having pain, talk to a doctor about what you are feeling. He or she can help you start some form of treatment, so you can start to feel better as soon as possible. When you do not exercise, your back and abdominal muscles can become weak. This will only worsen your pain, spasms, and general discomfort.

“TENS Devices Work Alone for Back Pain”

A TENS or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation device is one of the more popular back treatments available today. It uses a low-voltage electric current to try to relieve pain, instead of drug-based alternatives such as pain-relieving medicines and anti-inflammatory medications. The current is transmitted through a small-battery operated device that you can place on your lower back. It may also be used to relieve spasms or discomfort on other parts of your body.

While some people will feel relief from using a TENS device, it does not work for everyone. Furthermore, there is little scientific research to explain how TENS works—or even to support it is a reliable back pain treatment option. One theory is that it stimulates certain nerve mechanisms in the spine to help eliminate the pain sensation. It is also possible that it stimulates the nerves to produce natural painkillers known as endorphins. However, it has never been proven to be much more effective than a placebo.

Still, some may like how it feels or think that it provides a feeling of numbness for chronic pain. If you are interested in a TENS device or have found relief from one in the past, try combining it with other remedies like heat therapy or OTC medications. It may also be helpful for relieving discomfort after stretching, a workout, or physical therapy.

When you have recurring lower back pain, you may also want to try a laser therapy belt instead. Our Curavi™ laser light therapy belts utilize photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), often referred to as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), to penetrate the skin and modulate pain and inflammation in the lower back. This non-invasive technology is the basis for our innovative and effective device that will work to temporarily relieve symptoms such as aches and stiffness, with no known side effects.

“Chronic, Persistent Back Pain Requires Surgery”

Some causes of chronic or persistent back pain may require surgery. These include a serious spinal cord condition known as cauda equina syndrome, along with degenerative spinal conditions like ruptured spinal discs and spondylolisthesis. While stabilizing or decompressing the spine may be necessary for certain people, most patients will have other options.

There are many possibilities out there for treating these types of symptoms without a surgical procedure. Some of the treatments also have no known side effects and may not require the use of medication. Try various remedies and therapies to learn what is right for you. When you overwork your back, you may need a day or two of rest.

When looking at other lower back pain treatment options, acute injuries or swelling can be treated with ice or cold therapy, while heat therapy can help with chronic spasms or discomfort. You may also find success with the help of an ultrasound device, alternative medicines like acupuncture, or one of our laser therapy belts.

Easing Your Back Pain with Laser Therapy

Now that you know more about easing your back pain with laser therapy, it is time to discover which product is right for you. We have different levels of output (mW) for every lifestyle and preference. Choose from three separate levels of coverage for your needs:

• CuraviUltra™ Belt: Convenient and economical, the CuraviUltra™ belt provides great coverage, with 420 mW total output of pure laser light. Breathable Laserflex™ technology adjusts to your body shape, while the non-pharmaceutical treatment will help to ease your symptoms without the use of invasive procedures.
• CuraviPlus™ Belt: With up to 800 mW of total output, the excellent coverage provided by the CuraviPlus™ is not only powerful, but also affordable. It helps to relieve aching, pain, and stiffness with medical-grade laser diodes in a convenient 30-minute session.
• CuraviPro™ Belt: This premier device offers professional-grade coverage, with 1,000 mW total output. As the pure laser light modulates the inflammatory process for fast relief, the CuraviPro™ belt will also help to stimulate an increase in local blood circulation. Relax and calm your muscles even further with a gentle heating sensation that complements the laser light therapy. In addition to a drug-free and painless treatment, you will also have the peace of mind of knowing that no adverse effects have been reported concerning our belts.