Welcome to the Family Chiropractic & Massage blog! Here, we will discuss anything and everything that has to do with chiropractic care and wellness. We will share helpful information and hopefully answer any questions you have through our articles. We are a chiropractic clinic that began in 1997 and has since grown to locations in North Charleston, Summerville, and Moncks Corner, South Carolina. We are dedicated to providing tailored care and treatment with traditional and new techniques to help our patients reach their wellness goals. We treat a variety of conditions including neck pain, back pain, injuries, sciatica, scoliosis, and more. Besides chiropractic care, we also offer physiotherapeutic care, rehabilitative care, and massage therapy. Our licensed massage therapist offers all types of massage from deep tissue to compression massage and more. We are strong believers in natural healing! Check out our website to find out more information about the services and care we offer, and contact us today to schedule an appointment with our experienced doctors!
In our last post, we discussed some superfoods and their benefits. A superfood refers to foods that offer maximum nutritional benefits, usually with minimal calories. There are many healthy foods out there to choose from, but some can truly benefit the body more than others. We talked about a variety of superfoods, their benefits, and how to incorporate them into your diet! If you are interested in learning more, check out our last post!
Today, we’ll be talking about essential oils and their benefits! Essential oils are compounds extracted from plants that are often used in aromatherapy and other forms of alternative medicine. These powerful botanical essences can be used in a variety of ways and can treat a variety of conditions. They can be a great alternative to over the counter medications. If you are interested in learning more about essential oils, their benefits, and how to use them, you’re in the right place! Let’s get started.
Plants contain phytochemicals containing properties that not only benefit the plant, but can benefit humans, too. Essential oils are concentrated hydrophobic liquids containing chemical compounds from plants. To put it simply, the oils are made from steaming or pressing parts of a plant, such as the flowers, bark, leaves, or fruit. This captures the compounds that produce a fragrance, capturing the plant’s scent and flavor, or “essence”. The aromatic chemicals are then combined with a carrier oil, which is used to dilute the essential oil and help them be easily “carried” into the skin. Most carrier oils are unscented and do not interfere with the essential oil’s therapeutic properties. Some types of carrier oils include coconut oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, argan oil, and grape seed oil.
Essential oils are often used in aromatherapy, which is a holistic treatment that uses natural plant extracts, like essential oils, to promote health and well being. Essential oils can be used via smell or by being applied topically to the skin. They can also be added to baths or topical creams. The natural chemicals within essential oils can interact with your body in a variety of ways. Studies have shown that essential oils can reduce anxiety and pain, improve mood, improve sleep, reduce nausea and inflammation, and relieve headaches. Before using, we recommend talking with your primary care doctor to rule out any potential side effects. Also keep in mind that children and the elderly can be more sensitive to essential oils, so you may need to dilute them more before using. All essential oils should be diluted with a carrier oil before being applied to the skin. Because they have a variety of health benefits, essential oils have grown in popularity over the past few years. There are over 90 types of essential oils, and each one has its own benefits. Let’s take a closer look at some of them.
Lavender
Lavender essential oil is derived from the plant of the same name, which belongs to the mint family. It is one of the most popular oils and is incredibly versatile, because it can be used for a variety of reasons. One of the most common uses of lavender oil is to relieve stress. Its sweet, floral scent is known for creating a calming and relaxing atmosphere. In fact, lavender essential oil has been found to be effective when it comes to reducing anxiety, restlessness, agitation, and other depressive symptoms. It has also been found to help with allergies, eczema, nausea, and menstrual cramps. Lavender oil can be used by inhaling it via a diffuser or spray, applied topically to the wrists, behind the ears, or on the neck, or it can be sprayed onto a blanket or pillow. It can also be added to bathwater for a relaxing scent.
Peppermint
Peppermint oil is derived from the leaves of the peppermint plant, an herb that is a cross between a watermint and spearmint. The main chemical components of this oil are menthol and menthone, which have a sharp, cool, and refreshing odor. This aromatic herb is used for a variety of purposes, including the treatment of headaches, muscle aches, joint pain, nausea, and other digestive issues such as indigestion and heartburn. Peppermint oil is mainly promoted for topical use, which means it can be applied directly to the skin. It can be applied to the temples, forehead, and on the back of the neck. It can also be inhaled via a diffuser or spray, or applied intranasally, which means a few droplets are placed inside the nose. Essential oils are not meant to be taken orally, so if you want to add peppermint to a food or drink, be sure to use a peppermint extract that is meant for ingestion.
Orange
Orange essential oil is derived from the rind of a sweet orange, a citrus fruit. Sometimes the leaves and flowers of the orange plant can be used as well. Orange oil is known for its bright, uplifting, and refreshing aroma. It is used for a variety of reasons, including to lift one’s mood or reduce stress, reduce pain and inflammation, treat acne and other skin conditions, and relieve an upset stomach. Orange oil can be used by sprinkling a few drops in bathwater or on your shower floor, putting a few drops on your neck or wrists, inhaling via diffuser or spray, or by adding a few drops to lotions or creams. You can also gently massage some oil into your abdomen to improve digestion and ease or prevent cramps. Keep in mind that some citrus oils can cause photosensitivity, so be sure to stay out of direct sunlight after applying them.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus oil is derived from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree, which is an evergreen tree native to Australia. It is a well known ingredient in a variety of products, including ones that relieve symptoms of coughs, colds, and congestion, and ones that aim to relieve muscle and joint pain. Eucalyptus oil can be used to treat all of these things, as well as to promote calmness and relaxation, fight inflammation, and promote healing. Putting a few drops of eucalyptus oil into your bathwater or on your shower floor is great for creating a soothing and fresh aroma that can clear up stuffy noses and congestion. You can also apply some to your chest and neck, or to areas where you are experiencing muscle or joint pain.
Tea Tree
Tea tree oil is made from steaming the leaves of the Australian tea tree. It is known as an antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant, and is used to fight infections and boost immunity. It can also treat conditions and symptoms that affect the skin, nails, and hair. This includes treatment for itchy or dry skin, oily skin, acne, psoriasis, and eczema. You can mix a few drops of tea tree oil with a moisturizer or cream and apply to affected areas, or add a few drops to bathwater. Be careful not to apply the oil around the eye area, as it can lead to irritation.
These are just a few of the types of essential oils out there– As mentioned previously, there are over 90 types! You can also mix different types of essential oils together to suit your needs. It is important to research essential oils to find ones that work best for you, and always speak with your medical provider first. Essential oils can help promote wellness and get your body functioning at its optimal best! We hope you found this article informative, and we encourage you to reach out to us if you have any further questions or concerns. It would be a pleasure to assist you. Here at Family Chiropractic & Massage, we offer chiropractic care as well as massage services and heat and cold therapy. We have doctors who have studied various chiropractic techniques to render care to patients with different types of conditions. As people vary, so do the techniques chosen to help each patient get well. We use evidence-based treatment methods to help patients get better faster. If you are suffering from any type of back pain, contact us today to set up an appointment so we can assess your needs and create an effective treatment plan. One of our experienced doctors would love to help get you on the right track to living a healthy, pain-free life! Thank you for reading, and we hope you’ll check back for more articles about chiropractic care and all it has to offer!
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