Heaven Scent: Delivering some perspective on Aromatherapy

From Vikki Wilesmith

There is mystique about aromatherapy, its origin and its use in treating many ailments of the body, mind and emotion. Aromatherapy, which involves the use of essential oils to treat various ailments, has been used by healers for thousands of years. Although its origins are difficult to trace, the use of aromatherapy goes back at least 4,000 years, possibly beginning with the ancient Egyptians, who were known to have used aromatic botanicals in many different ways. The Egyptians used a number of herbs and spices for soothing massage, medicine, cosmetics, and even in their embalming practices.

Centuries later, it was indeed Hippocrates who may have been the first high-profile advocate of aromatherapy. More than 2,000 years ago, the creator of the physician's creed that bears his name was an outspoken believer in the benefits of aromatic massage for both physical and emotional well-being. However, in some ways it is probably what the term does not say or imply that is of more importance and indeed interest when one attempts to explain and validate the fantastic therapeutic benefits that can be derived from the skilful and qualified use of Aromatherapy.

Still viewed by some of the less informed within the community with a degree of scepticism, in reality Aromatherapy is a much more contrived and deliberate science than many may realise. Probably the biggest misconception about the practice is that it’s “only about the smell”? Whilst there is no doubt that in isolation the “aromas” created by the specifically blended essential oils affect our senses and our moods, effects that remain registered in our sub conscious for life.  It is through the combined application of the essential oils through massage that we are able to truly receive the therapeutic benefits of an ancient art.

Put simply Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils extracted from Flowers, Herbs and Spices for the Therapeutic purpose of healing, beautifying, soothing and restoring balance to the body and mind. These oils are absorbed by the skin cells, hair follicles and sweat glands through the epidermis and into the blood stream. Airborne particles are also absorbed through the nasal passages.

There is a high degree of consensus that stress can be a precursor to many ailments, often these ailments can manifest themselves in both physical and emotional ways. Muscular pain, depression, headaches, sleep disturbances and even premature ageing can all be linked to stress. The therapeutic value of Aromatherapy in helping manage stress should not be underestimated.

Emotional tension, PMT, Menopause, Arthritic pain, depression and even constipation can be successfully treated and managed through massage and Aromatherapy. However given the forum and readership that I’m writing this for and that my own area of experience, interest and expertise is specifically in the use of Aromatherapy and Massage for pain management with the elderly, I hope this article we go some way toward demystifying and provide a greater insight into that.

Working, as I do, in a progressive and dynamic aged care facility has offered me the opportunity to integrate and develop the use of Massage and Aromatherapy into the daily care of many of our resident’s, my specific role is to provide therapeutic relief for pain in conjunction with the Doctor and Physiotherapist. 

Whilst I use Aromatherapy skills and techniques to assist in the management of a broad spectrum of health related conditions confronted by a diverse group of residents, it’s the area of pain management I would like to elaborate on here.

Understandably many residents in aged care facilities are often confronted with the challenge of coping with some form of acute or chronic pain issue on a day to day basis. More often than not, this pain will be managed with traditional drug based therapies, however whilst Aromatherapy in most cases will never be a replacement or a total alternative to existing conventional pain medication it certainly can complement the existing conventional pain management strategy in place for the resident. It can also offer a higher degree of comfort and well being between meds and in some, if not all cases a planned Aromatherapy strategy can be the precursor to a less aggressive conventional drug strategy. This is and should be serious consideration when one takes into account the often negative side effects of long term use of many pain medications, any therapy or process that can reduce the reliance on these should be considered and encouraged.

Aromatherapy administered with Massage can assist in relieving pain associated with sore joints and muscles, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and pain associated with constricted limbs from prolonged immobility due to wheel chair use or bed bound residents. It can also offer relief from the nagging phantom pain experienced by amputees. Regular massage will improve the resident’s skin integrity, improve circulation, remove toxins via the lymphatic system and stimulate the immune system.

We should also never forget or underestimate the positive and therapeutic benefits of touch to the elderly resident.

A planned Aromatherapy pain management regime will, like any other form of health intervention, begin with a consult with the patient. During the consult, it will be determined by the Aromatherapist the best course of administration with regard to types and blends required and the areas of the body that will receive massage therapy.

It needs to be emphasised that pain cannot be defined simply from a physiological / sensory standpoint but has important somatic, cognitive and physical aspects. There are also important psychological and emotional factors to consider in the perception, appraisal and treatment of pain. The intrinsic relationship between injury, pain and stress should also be considered, as should the postural, behavioural and social changes that the sensation of pain can create.

Once this has been established we, then have to schedule the regular administration of the therapy into the residents and the facilities routine. I currently have 62 residents undergoing some form of Massage / Aromatherapy.  It is important that each treatment is delivered with patience and care, respecting the dignity, privacy and rights of each resident.  An awareness that the massage and application of the oils is a process that cannot be rushed, and indeed the sense of communication and relationship between therapist and the resident during the treatment is in itself of therapeutic merit, particularly with the elderly. Consequently a high degree of organisation, patience and experience is required to ensure that the service is provided satisfactorily, however the positive reaction of residents from the therapy makes the job extremely rewarding. 

I would like to cover in much greater detail the uses and benefits of the available essential oils, their properties and their purpose. However the art of successful blending requires a complex knowledge of the chemical composition of the oils that gives each their unique therapeutic properties. What needs to be understood is that each essential oil has a different chemical constitution that benefits different ailments and conditions, such as anti inflammatory, anti Infectious, Antiseptic, Antiviral, Sedative and Antispasmodic just to mention a few. Choosing the correct oils and having the ability to create the right blends for individual clients and conditions is extremely important and in reality is the cornerstone of the Aroma Therapist’s armoury.

Suffice to say professional advice should always be sought when seeking the correct products and in reality the blending of the oils should only be carried out by a qualified Aroma Therapist to be certain you have the correct essential oil for the intended application.

The benefits of aromatherapy are numerous, and these benefits are increased substantially when combined with massage. Essential oils that are great for addressing pain are lavender, marjoram, and rosemary. In case of infection, add a little tea tree or eucalyptus essential oil to your rub or lotion for its antibacterial power. It should always be remembered that massage is more often than not an integral and vital component of the therapy and it is the combination of the massage and the oils that delivers the result.

Having said all this, it is worth mentioning and considering that in the grander scheme of things, one of the really important issues to consider here is the rights of the elderly to still have the choice when it comes to their health issues and treatment methods and regimes. All too often, it is easy to forget that prior to becoming residents under care many of these people had the freedom to make choices about how they conducted their affairs and more specifically how they managed their own health. Some may have embraced alternate medicine all their life are thrust into and environment where traditional western medicine is all that is available where that choice is no longer available. This is looming as a very real and important issue in aged care facilities, especially when one considers the much broader spectrum of racial and ethnic diversity we are now confronted with.

In the end, it is increasingly accepted that treating the elderly with the principles of Aromatherapy delivers measurable and identifiable therapeutic outcomes, however I like to think and believe that along with that, the personal nature of the treatment process also delivers a sense of value and respect to the elderly, something that always needs to be remembered and encouraged.