| Our nerves course throughout our bodies carrying | | | | excruciating. A number of essential oils can help relieve |
| information to the Central core (central nervous | | | | the pain and irritation, decrease swelling and |
| system) as well as carry information away by way of | | | | inflammation and give the back time to heal. Essential |
| motor neurons. When there is impingement or disease | | | | oils can detoxify, relax, and decrease swelling in |
| anywhere along their paths-there can be pain | | | | muscle tissue. A muscle responds to pain with a reflex |
| (neuralgia) and inflammation (neuritis) and this can lead | | | | contraction. |
| to nerve destruction (neuropathy). Sciatica is a | | | | This causes blood flow to the area to be impeded. |
| particularly painful inflammation of the sciatic nerve that | | | | Less oxygen and glucose and the decrease in |
| runs down the leg from the sacral area. | | | | circulation means that removal of toxins and waste |
| There can be lots of causes of sciatica including | | | | products is slowed. Inflammation, muscular soreness |
| lumbar disc disease, bony encroachment, and | | | | and pain are the results.o Helichrysum, peppermint, |
| inflammation of the nerves caused by a viral | | | | nutmeg, thyme, spruce, wintergreen/birch, basil, |
| infection-shingles. Nerve irritation can also be caused | | | | rosemary, clove, tarragon.o Blends-Aroma Siez, |
| by damage to the discs between the vertebrae. | | | | PanAway, Relieve It, Aroma Lifeo Compress-warm if |
| Damage to the disc can come from simple "wear and | | | | there is no inflammation; cold if there is inflammation, 1-2 |
| tear" of the outer ring of the disc or from traumatic | | | | times daily as needed.o Specifically for Muscle-basil, |
| injury, or both. | | | | marjoram, lavender, Relieve It, PanAwayo Specifically |
| As a result, the central softer portion of the disc | | | | for spasms-Aroma Siez with Ortho Ease or Ortho |
| ruptures or herniates out through the outer ring of the | | | | Sport massage oilso Topically, dilute 50-50, 6-10 drops |
| disc and can cause pressure on either the spinal cord | | | | on location twice a day or as neededo Raindrop |
| or the nerves. This rupture is what causes the | | | | technique 2-3 times a week in acute situations, and 2-3 |
| commonly recognized "sciatica" pain that shoots down | | | | times monthly in chronic conditions. (Raindrop technique |
| the leg. Sciatica can be preceded by a history of | | | | uses 9 essential oils "feathered" into the spine with a |
| localized low-back aching or it can follow a "popping" | | | | light touch) |
| sensation and be accompanied by numbness and | | | | I have found helichrysum followed by peppermint to be |
| tingling. | | | | particularly helpful in relieving the pain of sciatica. |
| The pain commonly increases with movements at the | | | | Another essential oil I would highly recommend is Palo |
| waist and can increase with coughing or sneezing. In | | | | Santo (meaning "holy wood"). This oil comes from |
| more severe instances, sciatica can be accompanied | | | | South America and has pain relieving qualities as well |
| by incontinence of the bladder and/or bowels. | | | | as anti-inflammatory properties. |
| Western medicine Treatments range from medical | | | | This oil has high levels of limonene -up to 65% making |
| management to surgery. With unrelenting pain, severe | | | | it an excellent anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic oil. |
| impairment of function, or incontinence (which can | | | | It has been used to heal fractures and get people out |
| indicate spinal cord irritation), surgery may be | | | | of wheel chairs. Using a combination of Palo Santo |
| necessary. | | | | & Frankincense for pain & for bone |
| Essential Oils Can Help with Sciatic Pain | | | | rejuvenation (including Idaho Balsam Fir) will shorten |
| When there is pressure and pain, the person may not | | | | recuperation time. |
| be able to stand up or walk straight and pain may be | | | | |