| Did you know that over 50% of those diagnosed with | | | | levels of serotonin in the brain. |
| fibromyalgia suffer from constant headaches or | | | | The mineral magnesium is also found in low levels in |
| migraines? It is one of the most frequent complaints | | | | both migraine sufferers and people with fibromyalgia. |
| from those who literally "hurt all over." People with | | | | Studies support that these low magnesium levels may |
| fibromyalgia tend to suffer three kinds of | | | | actually be a cause for migraine headaches and |
| headaches-muscle tension headaches, migraines and | | | | fibromyalgia. |
| combination headaches. There have been some | | | | So How Can Essential Oils Help? |
| interesting theories as to why people with fibromyalgia | | | | Since sleep is a problem, it is important to address this |
| suffer from so many headaches. Many of these | | | | naturally and not with pharmaceutical chemicals which |
| theories rest on the idea that the same dysfunction | | | | actually cause other problems in the body to worsen. |
| that causes fibromyalgia also causes migraine | | | | Lavender has long been known for its sleep inducing |
| headaches. | | | | ability primarily due to its esters and alcohols. A |
| Migraine and tension headaches may affect people | | | | wonderful sleep inducer is Roman chamomile which is |
| with fibromyalgia because of the disordered sleep that | | | | also high in esters. Combining the two in a warm bath |
| fibromyalgia often causes including sleep apnea. | | | | before bed may be very relaxing. Relieving pain in |
| Studies have shown that both migraine sufferers and | | | | muscles is also a key. Marjoram, also high in esters |
| people with fibromyalgia both have sleep apnea and | | | | and alcohols is excellent in relaxing tight painful muscles. |
| other sleep-related disorders. This may be the reason | | | | I recommend layering marjoram and peppermint on |
| why so many people with the syndrome suffer from | | | | painful muscles to relax them. The menthol in the |
| morning headaches. | | | | peppermint gives that icy-hot feeling. Valerian is |
| A large percentage of people with fibromyalgia also | | | | another favorite in inducing sleep-just make sure to put |
| suffer from temporal mandibular joint disorder. This | | | | in on the soles of the feet-the fragrances is |
| disorder causes muscle and joint pain in the face, jaw, | | | | reminiscent of "dirty socks." |
| and neck, and often causes severe migraine | | | | Dealing with one's anxiety levels is also key. You can |
| headaches. | | | | use rose, frankincense, clary sage, orange, bergamot, |
| A widely held theory is that migraines are caused by | | | | grapefruit, ylang ylang, sandalwood, neroli, sweet |
| the same factors as those causing fibromyalgia. | | | | marjoram, tangerine, lavender, geranium, or jasmine. |
| Recent studies on people with migraine headaches | | | | Find the fragrance that best suits the individual not only |
| show low-levels of serotonin in their brains. Serotonin is | | | | physically but also emotionally and spiritually. |
| a neurotransmitter that helps to communicate pain | | | | Since fibromyalgia is an inflammatory process, I |
| signals to different parts of the brain. People who don't | | | | recommend using anti-inflammatory oils. Those that |
| have enough serotonin aren't able to communicate | | | | are highest in this quality are actually from the rain |
| pain signals effectively, resulting in increased, and even | | | | forests of South America. Copiaba and Ocotea have |
| severe, pain. Fibromyalgia has also been linked to low | | | | shown to be excellent in this regard. |