Aromatherapy, Massage and Insomnia

Lavender Massage blend can help you relax and have better quality sleep

Insomnia can impact our wellbeing and the quality of our lives. The frustration of not being able to get a good nights sleep can make the situation even worse. 


Insomnia can have many different causes:

• stress

• anxiety

• fear of insomnia

• physical illness

• pain

• working unusual hours

• too much caffeine

Its symptoms vary depending on the person, but can go from simply just being tired to tension headaches, drowsiness, irritability and can even lead to more anxiety.

While a lifestyle changes is often a good cure for insomnia, it is not always appropriate or practical. Aromatherapy and Massage can help you go to sleep faster and stay asleep longer. The calming, soothing, balancing and anxiety reducing benefits of essential oils make Aromatherapy very effective for treating insomnia.

Lavender and Roman Chamomile are the most commonly used essential oils used for relieving insomnia. You can simply add a drop or two on your pillow or use them in a diffuser in your bedroom. While these oils are recommended for easing insomnia, it is important to 'follow your nose' and make your essential oil selection based on how you are feeling.

Combined with Massage, Aromatherapy can be even more effective. Massage has long been known to enhance relaxation and improve sleep patterns. One of the most important brain chemicals our brain produces to make us sleep is serotonin. When we suffer from insomnia, most of the time it is because our body is lacking that precious hormone. 

Massage has been proven to have a positive action on the nervous system and helps the brain to produce serotonin. Therefore, in addition to relieving tension headaches and relaxing your muscles, Massage may assist to restore hormonal balance and help you sleep better and longer. Furthermore, while Massage alone is an effective method for relaxation, studies suggest that massage with essential oils may result in improved sleep quality, a more stable mood, increased mental capacity and reduced anxiety.

Clinical studies have found that participants who received Massage with lavender essential oil felt less anxious and more positive than participants who received massage alone. 

Sleep plays a vital role in good health and wellbeing throughout your life. Getting enough sleep at the right times can help protect your mental health, physical health, quality of life and safety. If you think you may not be getting enough sleep or are suffering with insomnia try using essential oils in your bedroom or book a regular Massage treatment with essential oils, it will help you to get that good nights sleep that your mind and body needs. 

Have a Stress Less day, 

Nicola

Juvenile Arthritis and Massage for Children

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Juvenile Arthritis

Arthritis isn’t just one disorder. It’s a complicated set of musculoskeletal disorders made up from over 100 different diseases or conditions that destroy joints, bones, muscles, cartilage and other connective tissues. The symptoms cause pain, limit movement, and can halt an otherwise active person’s life.

In the US, almost 300,000 of those affected by arthritis are kids. Juvenile arthritis (JA) is a broad way to describe a variety of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions that can develop in children ages 16 and younger. We don’t know yet why it strikes, and it can appear in many different ways.

July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness month, and I’m taking this opportunity to learn more and share more about JA. Here are five things I didn’t know, and I bet you don’t know them either.

Children Can Be Diagnosed With Arthritis

When we hear the word arthritis we often think of adults with stiff joints, not children and teenagers. Stiff joints, pain, and swelling for more than 6 weeks are associated with arthritis. Eyes, skin, and the gastrointestinal tract can also be affected in children. It is an autoimmune disorder, meaning the body is attacking itself instead of a foreign body such as a virus. If your child or teen seems to always have a tummy ache and complains of joint pain it could be a good idea to visit your doctor for a chat.

There is No Known Cause

Parents of children with a JA diagnosis will ask the question, “What caused this?” Unfortunately the answer is usually, “We don’t know for sure.” Researchers are looking at genetic and environmental factors which may contribute to the development of JA, but they have found no specific cause. There isn’t one single blood test to diagnose. Studies are trying to determine if siblings of children with JA will also develop symptoms.

Common Signs of Juvenile Arthritis

Complaints of painful knees, hands, feet, neck, or jaw common symptoms. This pain is common first thing in the morning or upon waking from naps. Arthritis pain tends to appear slowly, not suddenly like an injury.

Stiffness in the joints is another sign of arthritis. Usually the stiffness will be worse in the morning but improve with movement throughout the day. Some children may stop doing certain things. Has your toddler stopped using utensils to eat when he has been wielding a fork for months? See if you can determine if he’s in pain or just exploring with his fingers.

Swelling of a joint or joints is a strong sign a child might need an evaluation. The joint may be hot to the touch, as well. Often a child with JA will develop fevers with fatigue but no other symptoms of illness.

Treatments for Juvenile Arthritis

Even though there is no cure for JA, doctors will have a treatment plan for each patient. Treatments may include medication, physical therapy, nutrition, and eye care. One patient may respond well with medication while others may do better with movement or physical therapy. The whole family will work together in an effort to maintain normalcy for the patient. Adjustments to schedules may happen, but there’s no need to quit living life altogether.

Massage as a Treatment

We all know massage feels great on sore muscles, but can it help with the stiffness of arthritis? Maybe! We know massage can have a positive effect on blood pressure and anxiety. A study at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey looked at people with osteoarthritis of the knee. The people who received a Swedish (or relaxation) massage twice a week for 8 weeks reported improvement in pain levels and function.

Massage for children and teens can be beneficial in many ways. Regular massage helps manage painful symptoms and can help improve self-awareness, self-image, and self-confidence. Parents can even work with a massage therapist to learn soothing techniques to apply at home. Massage for arthritis is usually gentle and soothing with a warm touch, perfect for use by any parent trying to help his or her child.  If you have any questions or would like to schedule a massage for your child (or yourself!) you can always contact me Stress Less Bodyworks

With this list of signs you may learn how to spot the signs of something more serious than a case of the childhood “I don’t want-tos.” Chronic pain is no fun, but it can be harder to deal with if no one knows it’s happening. Juvenile arthritis is a real issue with real symptoms. If spotted and treated early, it doesn’t have to mean an end to the active life your child deserves.

Be Well and Stress Less,

Nicola