Can Essential Oils Help With Nerve Pain?

The title alone of today's post from healthyfocus.org (see link below) may put you off reading it unless you have some sort of faith in alternative treatments for neuropathy. But consider this; medical science currently provides treatments which either don't work, or are limited, or have side effects worse that the nerve problem itself - is it not worth at least considering that there may be alternative treatments which may work for you? Believe me, I'm with the doubters but have studied neuropathy for long enough to realise that some things really do work for some and not for others and that includes non-chemical treatments. This article provides a good overview of the subject and gives helpful hints as to how to use the oils in question. It may be worth not dismissing out of hand - worth a read.

Essential Oils for Neuropathy
Wellness By Angela Deckard / June 12, 2015

Chances are, you either suffer from neuropathy yourself or may know someone with this disorder. Neuropathy is a painful condition that occurs when there is damage to the peripheral nervous system.

The peripheral nervous system connects the nerves from the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) to the rest of the body, including the internal organs, skin, muscles, hands, feet, legs, mouth, and face.

These are responsible for sending messages about physical sensations back to your brain. However, when these nerves have suffered significant damage or are destroyed, these nerves may no longer do their job, resulting in a disorder called neuropathy.

This means that you may not feel physical pain when something is hurting you or your brain may send pain signals when you have not suffered injury. There are three different nerve groups and neuropathy can affect one or all three:

Sensory nerves, connected to your skin, which receive messages such as pain, heat, or touch.
Motor nerves, connected to your muscles, which dictate how they move.
Autonomic nerves, connected to your internal organs, which control such functions as heart rate, blood pressure, bladder function, and digestion.

Despite the grim nature of this disorder, there are many treatments, such as the use of essential oils, which can alleviate these painful symptoms and make living with neuropathy more manageable.



Symptoms
 
The symptoms of neuropathy may limit a person’s activities and decrease their ability to live a normal life. These symptoms may include:

Tingling in the hands and feet, which may eventually extend to the arms and legs
Numbness in the hands and feet
​Sharp, stabbing pains or a burning sensation
​A decrease in motor function such as dropping things from your hands
Lack of coordination and falling down
​Extreme sensitivity to touch
​Muscle weakness or heavy feeling limbs

If the autonomic nerves are affected, you may experience the following symptoms:

Digestive and bladder problems
A heat intolerance or a change in sweating patterns
Change in blood pressure which may result in a feeling of being light headed or dizziness

Causes

Neuropathy is a common disorder that can occur due to a number of factors, which include:

Hereditary: People who have a family history of neuropathy have a higher risk of developing the disorder.
Diabetes: Diabetes is one of the #1 factors contributing to the development of neuropathy, affecting over half of diabetes sufferers. This is the result of unregulated blood sugar levels, obesity, and high blood pressure in the diabetes patients over the age of 40.
​Autoimmune diseases: Disorders affecting the immune system such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis are known to contribute to the development of neuropathy.
​Disease: Other diseases such as liver disease, kidney disease, hypothyroidism, and connective tissue disorders may lead to the development of neuropathy.​
​Alcoholism: People with severe alcoholism are at a higher risk for developing neuropathy as alcohol can have a toxic effect on nerve tissue.
Medications: Taking certain medications may result in developing neuropathy. These drugs may include medications that treat cancer, seizures, blood pressure, and blood pressure.
​Toxins: Exposure to insecticides, solvents, and toxic chemicals can result in nerve damage. Exposure to heavy metals such as mercury and led can also contribute to the disorder.
Infections: Certain viruses and bacterial infections can cause neuropathy, which include Lyme disease, herpes simplex, hepatitis C, leprosy, chicken pox, shingles, Epstein-Barr virus, and HIV.
​Vitamin deficiencies: Lacking vitamins E, B1, B6, and B12 may cause neuropathy. These vitamins are vital to nerve health and functioning.
Injury: Suffering physical injury is the most common way people damage their nerves. This may be the result of car accidents, falls, sports injuries, and fractures. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a form of neuropathy, which is the result of placing increased pressure on the nerves of the wrist from repeated motions such as typing.
Tumors: The development of tumors can create pressure on surrounding nerves, causing damage.


Treatment with Essential Oils

Many find that living with neuropathy isn’t really living at all. They may limit their activities because they are scared they may fall, injure themselves, or may simply find it too painful to participate in activities they once enjoyed.

Fortunately, there are natural and non-invasive treatments that can help control the symptoms of neuropathy, dramatically increasing the quality of life for those suffering from neuropathy.

Essential oils address many problems associated with neuropathy, such as pain management, circulation, energy, sleep disorders, stress, anxiety, depression, and overall mood.

Research has found that several essential oils are effective in alleviating the pains associated with nerve damage

Peppermint

Peppermint essential oil increases circulation and provides nervous system support. It is also a pain reliever, controls muscle spasms, improves respiration, and relieves flatulence. 

Black pepper

Black pepper is an antiviral essential oil that provides nervous system support, increases circulation and is a known pain reliever. This powerful essential oil also gives skin a healthy ruddy glow, aids in digestion and relieves flatulence.

Geranium Rose

Geranium rose provides circulatory support, increasing sluggish circulation. This antimicrobial essential oil is also a pain reliever, anti-inflammatory, balances hormones, stops bleeding, and can be used as an astringent.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus oil is an antiseptic, antimicrobial, and antibacterial, anti-inflammatory oil that offers a host of benefits such as relieving muscle spasms and improving respiration.

Rosemary

Rosemary increases circulation, relaxes muscle fibers, and removes lactic acid. This incredible essential oil is an antifungal, antimicrobial, anti-rheumatic that also suppresses muscle spasms, improves respiration, and is a mild pain reliever. 

Spruce

Spruce essential oil that improves circulation, stimulates the immune system, and promotes muscle repair. This essential oil relieves muscle spasms, helps clear cell receptor sites, and is an anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, and antiseptic.

Frankincense

Frankincense stimulates the immune systems and relaxes the muscles. This essential oil also is an antiseptic that improves respiration, clears up mucus, and works as antidepressant and sedative. 

Blue Tansy

Blue tansy is an anti-inflammatory and a pain reliever. It also relieves itch, helps clear cell receptor sites and clears excess debris from soft tissues to help improve oxygenation.

Lavender

Lavender is a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory. This hardworking essential oil is also an antidepressant and helps to reduce the damaging effects of stress on the body.

Rosewood

Rosewood is a pain reliever and increase immune system function. Rosewood essential oil an anti-inflammatory and an antibacterial that works overtime to increase mood by working as an antidepressant and stress reliever.

Roman Chamomile

Roman chamomile is a pain reliever that soothes achy muscles. This essential oil is also mood booster and promotes relaxation.
Helichrysum

Helichrysum essential oil is an anti-inflammatory that is a known pain reliever. It also helps to relieve muscle spasms and helps to calm the nerves.

How to Use Essential Oils

There are many ways you can apply essential oils to help relieve the symptoms of neuropathy:

Massage: Mix 10 to 12 drops of essential oil with one ounce of carrier oil. The most recommended carrier oil for this method is coconut oil as it is clear, and light, and does not oxidize. Massage the mixture onto the effected area.
Bath: Mix 4 to 8 drops of essential oil with one teaspoon of carrier oil. Once again, coconut oil is the recommended carrier oil. To relieve achy muscles, add Epsom salt. Fill the tub with warm water and immerse yourself for duration of 15 minutes, making sure to massage the affected areas.
Compress: Fill a container with water. Use warm water to inspire relaxation and increase circulation or use water to energize and relieve inflammation. Add 3 to 5 drops of essential to the container and then stir. Soak a washcloth in the container of water, wring, then apply to the affected area.

Some recommended oils are listed in the table below. These are reasonably priced oils that are good brands who make therapeutic grade oil.

 http://healthyfocus.org/essential-oils-for-neuropathy/