How can essential oils help with joint pain and mobility?

Many people prefer to only use over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medication as a last resort and if you suffer from mobility problems which means you need to use aids such as stair lifts at home or mobility scooters to get around, then something you can try is essential oils.

There are essential oils for joint pain and pain relief, and they have been used for centuries to treat a variety of symptoms. Nowadays essential oils are used in aromatherapy, which is a practice which uses oils to engage your sense of smell and promote a balanced physiological response.

There are lots of benefits for people who use essential oils, and this guide takes a look at how essential oils can help you or a loved one who is suffering from mobility issues.

What are the benefits of essential oils for joint pain and mobility issues?

If you suffer from arthritis, knee pain, stiffness, swelling, tenderness, mobility issues or any other form of joint pain, then there’s evidence that says certain oils can have pain-relieving effects on your body.

One study found that some essential oils have anti-inflammatory properties and that they have anti-arthritic effects. In fact, the researchers discovered that treatment with turmeric essential oil was 95 to 100 per cent effective at preventing joint swelling in animals with induced arthritis.

That is why inhaling the scent or applying diluted oil to the affected area of your body is believed to help with rheumatoid arthritis and reduce pain and inflammation.

Jo Murch from Massage and Me told us how essential oils work and explained the benefits of the oils: “Essential oils are natural essences taken from plants, flowers, berries and roots to treat the body and mind. Once extracted from the plant, they are concentrated into oil form to then be diluted and used for specific ailments.

“Essential oils can be extremely powerful in relieving tension and pain, especially when used with massage on a targeted area. For example, vetiver can be used to relieve muscle stiffness, muscular aches and pains and also arthritis to ease mobility. Lavender and black pepper can also be highly effective.

“I would always encourage my clients to use essential oils to treat ailments, but it's very important to follow a guide on how to use them or to seek help from a trained aromatherapist who can advise how to dilute your oils, which oils are most effective for your ailments, and the different methods you can use for your oils - e.g., inhaling, massaging, using in a bath etc. It's important to remember that a little goes a long way with essential oils, they are amazingly powerful! I dilute mine with a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil so that they are not too strong for my clients.”

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What essential oils are good for joint pain and mobility issues?

There are lots of essential oils which are great at reducing inflammation and can help with pain relief and here we have listed just a few of the essential oils you can try.

Lavender essential oil

Lavender essential oil has been found to help reduce stress and anxiety, but it also boasts anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving characteristics. This can therefore help people with mobility problems and people with inflammation around their joints.

Ginger essential oil

It has been revealed that ginger contains an anti-inflammatory component and using ginger essential oil can help to lower swelling, inflammation, discomfort, and stiffness in muscles and joints. This means that it is commonly used by masseuses as it can relieve pain and increase movement.

Rosemary essential oil

Rosemary is known for boasting pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties and that’s why using drops of an essential oil such as this is great for people suffering from sore joints. Using rosemary essential oil can help you to regain some movement in your joints.

Eucalyptus essential oil

Eucalyptus essential oil can relieve joint and muscular discomfort as its soothing and cooling properties combine to help reduce inflammation. The Eucalyptus essential oil also helps to lower tension and offers pain relief.

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What else can essential oils be used for?

Essential oils can help reduce chronic pain and can be used by people suffering from mobility problems, but they have lots of other benefits and are used to help other issues. Here we look at what else essential oils are used for:

• Dementia – essential oils are believed to help improve your sleep and decrease anxiety as well as improve cognitive function for dementia patients. Lavender, Melissa, Rosemary, Lemon and Sweet Orange oils have previously been used on dementia patients.
• High blood pressure and circulation problems - poor circulation can cause problems such as swollen legs and feet. Some of the essential oils which are believed to help with high blood pressure and circulation problems are Black Pepper, Ginger, Juniper, Marjoram, Rosemary, Clary Sage, and Lavender.
• Memory and mood – aromatherapy oils can help to improve your memory. Scientists have found that oils such as Rosemary, Basil, Peppermint, Black Pepper and Lemon can all increase alertness, improve memory and lift your mood.
• Sleep problems – it is common for people to suffer from some form of sleep problem, but a few drops of an essential oil can help you to get a better night’s sleep. Lavender, Marjoram, Chamomile, Orange, Ylang Ylang or Sandalwood are all essential oils which are believed to help you sleep.

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This article looks at how essential oils can help you with any joint pain you are suffering from and how they can help people with any mobility issues.

If you suffer from mobility issues and are looking for aids to help you around the house, you can take a look at the different stairlift models we have available and check out the different stairlift prices that are available on our website.

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