AROMATHERAPY

A-Z of Dance and Sports Injuries - 5

Groin Strain

Competitive sports- Contact sports- Dance (male)

An injury to the muscles or tendons in the lower abdominal area.

Use the ice method over the tender area and afterwards use the following oil to massage gently all over the lower abdominal area, the thights and groin, but taking care to avoid the genitals.

Hand ContusionContact sports-Falls

Bruising of the skin and underlying tissue. Place the hand in a bowl of ice and leave it there for ten minutes. Do this three times a day over a fourty-eight hour period. Also massage as often as possible - the whole of the hand and fingers with the following

Hand Ganglion

Hand Sprain

See Foot Sprain

Head Injuries

A blow or jar to the head should always be checked by a doctor. Until then, keep the head up, apply ice and 2 drops of neat lavender to the area.

Hip Strain

Contact sports- Dancers-Aerobics-Running

Injury to the muscles and tendons that join the hip joint to the thigh bone. Rest and take a cold sitz bath three times a day.

Apply ice to the area and massage allover both hips and thighs using the following

Knee Cartilage Injury

Contact sports- Football-Rugby-Dancers-aerobics-Jumping

Damage to the cartilage in the knee. Apply ice to reduce swelling and inflammation. The knee should be bandaged to prevent further injury and keep elevated when the patient is sitting.

Use the ice method three times a day, alternating with hot flannels, and then massage the area with the following

Knee Synovitis (Water on the knee)

Contact sports-Dancers-Aerobics

Massage four times a day with the following

The Fragrant Pharmacy: Valerie Ann Worwood

A-Z of Sports and Dance Injuries - 4

Face Contusion

Contact sports-Fencing-baseball

Brusing of the skin and underlying tissue on the face. Apply an ice pack over the injured area immediately and at least three times day for fifteen minutes. Afterwards, massage the whole facial area with the following oil: 

Finger Strain

Contact sports-Catching-Throwing-Gymnastics

Over-stretching of the ligaments between the finger joints. Place the fingers in a bed of ice for at least ten minutes then massage over the whole hand with the following.

Foot Bursitis

Dance-Aerobics-Competitive sports

The soft sacs of the pad of the foot filled with fluid are known as bursa and can become inflamed. This condition develops over a period of time and treatments should be started as soon as it is suspects.

Soak the foot in a cold foot bath three times a dday. Afterwards, massage the whole of the foot with the following oil:

Foot Contusion

Dance-Aerobics-Blows to the Foot

Brusing of the skin and underlying tissue. Treat as for foot bursitis, massage with this oil:

Foot Ganglion (Synovial Cyst)

Aerobics-Athletics-Competitive sports

A small hard movable nodule in between or on top of a tendon or joint. This develops slowly and can sometimes be dispersed by massage.

Apply a hot compress which has had 1 drop of thyme oil added. massage the area quite firmly with the following oil:

The Fragrant Pharmacy: Valerie Ann Worwood

A-Z of Sports and Dance Injuries-3

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

A nerve disorder in the hands and arms. Massage both hands, arms and shoulders twice a day with:

Chest Muscle Strain

Strain and injury to the muscles in the chest area,

Use the ice method four to six times a day and after fourty-eight hours us the heat method. Twice a day throughout , massage with the following oil:

Contact sports-Weight lifting-Dance-(male)

Ear Injury

Use the Ice method to relieve discomfort, followed by the use of topical analgesic ointment:

Combine lanolin and rosewater in a bain-marie and when the mixture is cold add the essential oils and mix well:

Elbow Contusions

Contact sports, Falls, Blows

Bruising of the skin and underlying tissues of the elbow. Apply the ice method for three days, four to six times a day, and after each session massage gently using the following oil:

Elbow Strain

Contact sports.

Caused by overstretching the ligaments in the elbow joint. Rest the elbow in an ice pack, keeping it there for fifteen minutes, three times a day.

Between times, massage with the following oil.

Elbow Tendinitis (Tennis Elbow)

Tennis-Ball Games-Throwing

Inflammation of the muscles, tendons, bursa or tissues of the elbow area which often causes pain in the arm as well. in cases such as this heat is usually the best answer.

Apply this to the area three times a day and afterwards massage the whole arm from the wrist to the shoulder gently with the following oil:

The Fragrant Pharmacy: Valerie Ann Worwood

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.

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.

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.

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.

Protect the damaged area.

LIKELY CAUSES

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

Reference: The Fragrant Pharmacy: Valerie Ann Worwood