AROMATHERAPY

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

A-Z of Sports and Dance Injuries

ABDOMINAL WALL INJURIES

Injury to the muscles or tendons of the abdominal wall and lower abdominal area.

use the ice method for the first day. From the second day add 4 drops of rosemary on a hot compress and place over the affected area.

Repeat three times a day. Also massage the area gently using equal proportions of ginger and thyme - 1 drop per millitre of vegetable oil.

Likely Causes

High jump - Long jump - Contact sports - Stretching - Javelin - Discus Throwing-Weight lifting - Dance.

ACHILLES TENDINITIS

Inflammation of the ac hilles tendon. This limits movement and the area may be hot and painful.

For the first three days use a cold clay poultice to which yoy have added 3 drops each of chamomile and lavender.

Thereafter use a hot clay poultice to which you have added 3 drops of ginger and two drops of chamomile.

Also massage the area with a teaspoon of vegetable oil to which three drops of chamomile and two drops of lavender have been added.

The Cabbage method also helps.

Likely Causes

Running - Jogging - Jumping - Dance - Aerobics - Kicking

ANKLE AND HEEL CONTUSION

Brusing of the tissues and skin as a result of a direct blow to the area. There is pain and swelling.

Use the ice method at least three times a day for three days, and inbetween massage all over the foot and ankle, three times a day, with the following.

Likely Causes

Hockey - Football - Rugby

ANKLE SPRAIN

A slight tearing or stretching of the ligaments in the ankle. Use the ice metod, then massage the whole of the foot and ankle and the leg to calf muscle, using the following; 

Keep the ankle bandaged to prevent further damage.

Use Ice packs for three days (followed by the massage), three times a day, and if the pain continues begin to apply alnernate hot and cold flannels, to both of which you have added 4 drops of peppermint.

Use steaming hot lannel and ice-cold ones, and apply them alternatively several times .

Do this three times a day. The best thing of course is to rest the ankle, but dancers may not be able to do this and they should follow the alternate hot and cold flannel treatment every five minutes.

Likely Causes

Almost any sport or dance.

Reference: The Fragrant Pharmacy: Valerie Ann Worwood