AROMATHERAPY

A-Z of Sports and Dance Injuries - 2

ARM STRAIN

A strain or injury to the muscles or tendons of the upper or lower arm. Use the ice method followed by massage of the area with the following formula.

Ginger	20 drops
Blackpepper	5 drops
Nutmeg	5 drops
Diluted in vegetable Oil	30 ml

LIKELY CAUSES

Contact sports- Throwing - Weight Lifting - Dance (male)

BACK: Slipped or ruptured Disc

A break in the ligaments surrounding a vertebral disc. This should be treated by a doctor, but intermittent additional care can be as follows.

During th first three days use ice packs over the painful area to reduce inflammation. Afterwars apply the following oil gently to the area.

Rosemary	10 drops
Peppermint	10 drops
Eucalyptus	5 drops
Ginger	5 drops
Diluted in vegetable oil	30ml

Depending on the type of injury, after the initial three-day period it may prove a more effective method of pain control to move on to alternate hot and cold compress (or flannel) treatment.

Put 2 drops each of basil and peppermint essential oil on the compresses, followed by gentle massage oil treatment three times a day for as long as required.

LIKELY CAUSES

Tennis - Bowling - Gymnastics - Weight Lifting - Dance

BACK STRAIN, GENERAL

Follow the treatment as for slipped disc, but during the acute stage hold against the painful area an ice bag wrapped in a towel for at least ten minutes, have a break and start again.

LIKELY CAUSES

Contact sports - Lifting sports - Dance - Gymnastics 

BREAST CONTUSION

Bruising of the breast, pain in the breast. Massage the area using the ice method four times a day and afterwards gently smooth the following oil over the damaged area.

Chamomile	5 drops
Geranium	10 drops
Cypress	10 drops
Hyssop	5 drops
Diluted in vegetable Oil	30ml

After two days, hot compresses or flannels with 2 drops of chamomile added can be used. Afterwards apply the massage oil. If you are a woman, wear a protective and supportive bra.

LIKELY CAUSES

Contact sports and Dance

BUTTOCK CONTUSION

Brusing of the buttock skin and tissue caused by a fall or direct blow. Use the ice method four to six times a day and after three days transfer to hot compresses.

After each application, use the following oil, gently massaged into the effected area.

Cypress	10 drops
Geranium	5 drops
Hyssop	5 drops
Rosemary	10 drops
Diluted in vegetable oil	30 ml

Protect the damaged area.

LIKELY CAUSES

Contact sports -Dance - Falls - Horse Riding - Ice Skating - High Jump

Reference: The Fragrant Pharmacy: Valerie Ann Worwood