Pain Management and Aromatherapy

Many older people find themselves living with pain. However, it should be noted that pain is not an inherent part of ageing.

The reason pain is more prevalent is because of the increasing in age-related disorders – such as dementia, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis to name a few.

For instance, when a person has dementia, their declining brain function and abilities may mean they are less able to communicate to their carers that they are in pain.

If an older person is experiencing pain, then they, or a carer, should seek help to alleviate this pain.

For many, the first line of defence against pain are drug therapies in the form of painkillers. But there are also other alternative therapies that can be utilised to help with pain management.

One such therapy is aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is the use of extracted aromatic essences from plants, usually in the form of essential oils, are used to promote the health of body, mind and spirit.

A 2016 study found that there was a “significant positive effect of aromatherapy in reducing pain”.

In fact, the results indicated that aromatherapy should be considered a safe addition to current pain management procedures as no adverse effects were reported

The therapeutic effects of the essential oils and massage promote an overall sense of well-being and have psychological and physiological benefits including:

  • Reduced muscle tension and joint pain
  • Stimulation of the body’s natural immune responses
  • Increased oxygen and nutrient supply to body tissues
  • Reduced depression and uplifts mood
  • Relief of anxiety.

Most importantly the touch of massage, using aromatic essential oils, is something most people find very pleasurable.

Various studies have estimated that between 45-80% of residents in aged care facilities have substantial pain that is undertreated. And many of these residents could benefit with the introduction of aromatherapy by a carer or other aged care staff.

Aromacare has its own Pain Management Kit, which has been designed especially to be included in a person’s pain management plan.

This collection of aromatherapy products is specifically designed for use in health care facilities.  Carers and nurses will have everything at hand to provide aromatherapy to residents experiencing emotional or physical pain.

Aromatherapy for pain relief  

Arthritic & Rheumatic PainSore Joints Massage and Body Oil – The pure essential oils in this product have rubefacient, analgesic and anti-inflammatory therapeutic actions.

Muscle PainMuscle and Body Massage and Body Oil – The pure essential oils in this product have rubefacient, analgesic, anti-inflammatory therapeutic actions reducing muscle tension, spams and inducing muscle relaxation.

Emotional PainUplifting Massage and Body Oil and Stress Reduction Pure Essential Oil Blend – The pure essential oils used in these products reduce emotional distress and promote a general sense of well-being, calming and soothing of the mind, reducing nervous tension, uplifting the mood and reducing feelings of depression.

The pure essential oils used in these products reduce emotional distress and promote a general sense of well-being, calming and soothing of the mind, reducing nervous tension, uplifting the mood and reducing feelings of depression.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Age no barrier to new friendships

Age is proving no barrier for the unlikely friendships blooming at Braemar Village’s aged care home in Willagee, thanks to a new partnership with a local childcare centre. Residents at the not-for-profit home have been striking up friendships with youngsters from the Birra-Li Child Care centre next door, as part of an intergenerational partnership, which... Read More

“Culture of compliance”: GPs flag concerns over new quality standards

The Federal Government has launched its new Quality Standards for Aged Care, the first upgrade to residential aged care standards in 20 years. The new standards will apply to all residential aged care, home care, flexible care, and Commonwealth Home Support Programme services starting from 1 July 2019. “Culture of compliance rather than commitment”: RACGP... Read More

Can a Concussion Really Lead to Dementia?

It’s not just falls that occur later in life that can increase the risk of dementia, as there is also reason to believe that injuries sustained when younger can actually increase the chances of a person developing dementia symptoms. A new study has suggested that suffering a concussion in your teens or 20s may result... Read More
Advertisement