Therapist Mummy

This week I've been reminded of the benefits of being a therapist Mum. Usually I'm so busy keeping them apart, trying to get that work/personal life balance and then every so often they start to blur....take it when my elder son starts asking me for a massage. Gone are the days of lying him on a changing mat & singing him songs, now I have to do it like my clients & let him lie down with a towel (he is 5 now, so of course he wants it like everyone else) We even have to have a little discussion about oils & let him choose which one he would like to use.

This week it again blurred as I spotted a lovely big red spot on my younger sons' back. Recognising that type of spot from last year & that little fluid bit inside the angry red swelling I'm figuring its chickenpox, however I'm obviously not diagnosing as only a medical professional can do that (However therapist aside, authority of Mum is figuring it is chickenpox).

So, aside from the school run and getting my youngest ready for Nanny's, I'm also diving into my aromatherapy box to choose a few oils. Well, we've gone for a bit of white thyme for an immune boost, roman chamomile to help soothe the itching and helichrysum to help prevent any scarring in a lovely cooling aloe vera gel. Bags packed, including the chamomile hydrolat & a pot of mummys medicine, we're again back on track & ready to face the day!

So far, so good, we're two days in & my little boy doesnt seem to distraught at the spots, if anything he was worse before they appeared! So, we now just wait for it to take its course & wait to see what the next little therapist Mum challenge will be....

Time to reconsider aromatherapy?

If someone says 'Aromatherapy' to you, what do you think of?

Flowery aromas, smelly oils, massage are all common answers, but what about the chemical properties and the variety of ways to apply oils for a therapeutic effect? You probably won't want to know anything about the chemicals, but could be interested in the benefits these give you. The problem with aromatherapy is that in some cases it is just a smelly massage, however if you know what you're looking for, aromatherapy can be so much more.

Sometimes called 'clinical aromatherapy' this wording is used to demonstrate the treatment can offer more than just massage. Some aromatherapists also call themselves 'aromatologists'; this is an even more advanced form of aromatherapy which covers more ways of using the essential oils. In both cases, you'll know that you you won't be just getting a smelly massage if you are looking for something more.

To move away from the basic beliefs about essential oils it is necessary to touch on what is in them. Essential oils are chemically complex structures, which is why essential oils often have many attributes. Take High Altitude Lavender (Lavender Angustifolia); it contains mainly alcohols and esters, two of a variety of chemicals found in aromatherapy oils. These chemicals help to make the essential oil gentle in its action, anti-inflammatory, balancing to the nervous system and emmengagogic (i.e. helps to regulate periods), along with other properties. Interestingly, people always mention Lavender for sleep but because it balances the nervous system it can be a sedative in small doses and a stimulant in larger doses.

It is because the essential oils are chemically complex that they can be seen as more than just smelly oils. Rather than just being put in a base oil for a massage, these oils can be placed in creams, diffusers, compresses, bath bases and various other means in order to create a therapeutic product. Indeed, it is because of this that essential oils can be found in copious products in the shops. You can find them in bubble baths, shampoos, shower gels, but more surprisingly, also take a look at pharmaceutical products, such as a vapour rub. It will probably contain Eucalyptus globulus and Thyme (Thymus vulgaris). These are essential oils that together produce an expectorant, immuno-stimulating, decongestant blend. If you placed 3 drops of each of these oils into an oil burner (taking appropriate safety precautions if using a lighted candle) then the oils evaporate into the air, resulting in inhalation of the product and encouraging these properties. Alternatively, you can contact a trained aromatherapist who can blend the oils into a cream or produce a vapour stick for you to inhale – but why would you want to? In this case, the price of a consultation and blend wouldn't be worth it when you can just pop to the shop and buy a mass produced pot in the shops.

However, if you have another problem, one that doesn't have an off the shelf answer, then maybe it is worth seeing an aromatherapist. An aromatherapist can provide a bespoke product, tailored just for you and in a way that is the easiest for you to use; there's no point giving you a cream if you'd prefer an oil. Aromatherapists, like all complementary therapists, have to be very careful about what they can say they may be able to help with. This is a legal minefield, as laws are designed to protect the public from being misled about possible results or providing false hope. This means that if you contact a therapist, they will probably say they can produce a product but cannot guarantee its efficacy. If you visit an aromatherapist with a particular problem than following a full consultation the aromatherapist will discuss suitable options and suggest a treatment plan.

So, why would use an aromatherapist and not try to do it yourself? Well, if its a complex issue, the aromatherapist will have the required knowledge about the oils which will save you hours of trawling through books and internet sites. They should be using therapeutic grade essential oils – as tools of their trade, aromatherapists should not be buying the cheapest, but rather the highest quality oils . This ensures that the blends should provide the best possible expected outcome and will not have been adulterated. Adulterated oils either do not have the expected response (at best) and can provide adverse reactions if used. Even if you have sensitive skin, using the correct chemicals and quality of oils means that the essential oils can still be used after a patch test on the skin. If needed, a massage can be provided, which can be useful if relaxation is needed or a particular area of the body is being treated.

In the case of a chronic condition it is likely that numerous visits may be needed and it can take longer to see any results. In this instance the aromatherapist should regularly review any progress and amend the blends as needed. For an acute problem, a couple of treatments may be enough, so the cost may not be as much as you think it might be.

So, the next time you've got a problem and you're looking for a more natural approach perhaps its time to reconsider an aromatherapy treatment and the possible benefits that it can provide. Why not experience an individual solution for your individual problem?