(NaturalHealth365) Chronic pain, or pain lasting longer than three months, affects over a fifth of the U.S. population, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Are you one of the 50 million Americans looking for pain relief?  If so, you’ll want to learn more about the best essential oils to help you feel better.

Unfortunately, for too many pain sufferers, prescription drugs are the only option offered by conventionally-trained physicians.  And, to make matters worse, these drug ‘therapies’ can trigger nasty side effects like, constipation, nausea and a decreased respiratory rate.  Plus, let’s not forget, these problems can get even worse the longer you use these medications.

Fortunately, natural pain relief is possible – with the help of a qualified healthcare provider talking to you about an ‘anti-inflammatory lifestyle’ including the use of some nice smelling oils and health promoting remedies.

Backed by scientific research: Discover the best essential oils for natural pain relief

An essential oil is a fragrant and concentrated liquid distilled from a plant.  Aside from smelling amazing, various research studies have found that some can provide natural pain relief – whether applied topically or inhaled (such as via a diffuser). The most promising ones include:

1. Lavender essential oil, which may even offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits
2. Rosemary essential oil, which may help by acting on opioid receptors in the brain
3. Peppermint essential oil, whose active pain-relieving compounds include carvacrol, menthol, and limonene
4. Eucalyptus oil, which may help reduce swelling and inflammation associated with pain

The key with essential oils is that you get what you pay for.  Lower quality essential oil supplements often contain filler ingredients including alcohol – which can detract from their potency and purity.

Look for 100% organic essential oils and oil blends, therapeutic grade if possible.  A little bit goes a long way, so it’s really a good investment to get the good stuff.

You’re also urged to take care when using essential oils. While they are super safe (just compare them to prescription analgesics or heck, even ibuprofen or aspirin), certain ones may cause skin irritation and other mild side effects when used topically.

Before applying an essential oil, test it on a small patch of skin first, and consider diluting it with some high quality carrier oil, like organic coconut oil.

Beyond the essential oil: Try these three other supplements and techniques for natural pain relief

Essential oils are great and have so many different uses. But, if you’re looking for more help, try this:

1. Exercise. Regular exercise can ease certain forms of chronic pain, including arthritis.  And according to a 2014 study published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, exercise may even help by increasing your pain tolerance.  Just don’t overdo it, especially if you’re a beginner.
2. Therapeutic massage. Massage isn’t just a luxury!  Soft tissue mobilization enhances blood flow, reduces muscle spasms and tissue adhesions, and breaks up painful scar tissue – plus it can really ease the mind.
3. Meditation, guided imagery, and other mindfulness and relaxation exercises.  Box breathing or four-square breathing is a particularly effective and heavily researched method: with your eyes closed, breathe in deeply and fully to a count of four, hold for a count of four, breathe out fully for a count of four, and then hold at the bottom of your exhale for a count of four before breathing again. Repeat 10 times.

Simply put, natural pain relief is possible.  Stay tuned: as we continue to offer (in future articles) more tips and tricks for healthy supplementation plus other techniques that can improve your overall wellbeing.

Sources for this article include:

CDC.gov
MedicalNewsToday.com
MayoClinic.org
NIH.gov
Harvard.edu
MedicalNewsToday.com