| Aromatherapy, or the use of essential oils, is an | | | | often not completely effective and come with a |
| ancient healing treatment that has been in use since | | | | whole host of side effects, everything from stomach |
| the dawn of recorded history. Hippocrates, said to be | | | | upset to long term dependency. However, with the |
| the "Father of Medicine" used them widely. The | | | | use of essential oils and massage therapy, patience |
| active constituents are scent extracts from the plant | | | | can often find a chemical free way to treat the pain |
| which are often called plant essences or medicinal | | | | and swelling, and this method is often more effective |
| odors. | | | | as well. |
| Essential oils work throughout the body; by smelling | | | | The immediate treatment that is recommended for |
| the vapors, internal use, bathing and external | | | | whiplash is the application of ice for 10-15 minutes on |
| application to the skin. Evidence exists that these | | | | the area and then 10-15 minutes without it, to |
| methods of healing have been in use for more than | | | | prevent frost bite on the skin. After the first 72 |
| six thousand years, as mentioned in scriptures and | | | | hours of ice, sufferers can switch to heat to help |
| ancient texts of nearly every culture on earth. Since | | | | loosen muscles. In addition to this, massage with |
| the 1920's, the use of essentials has seen a | | | | essential oils such as eucalyptus, rosemary, or |
| resurgence in it's use for medicinal purposes. In more | | | | lavender can also provide great relief. Those who |
| recent years, many countries have initiated studies to | | | | suffer with whiplash can also find blends of essential |
| prove the comprehensive effectiveness of these | | | | oils specifically designed to treat muscle injuries. |
| plant essences, both when used as the primary | | | | Of course, if someone has had any type of accident, |
| medical treatment and as a complimentary treatment. | | | | they should always be examined by a doctor to |
| In developed and enlightened countries such as | | | | ensure that there isn't something more serious going |
| Australia, Canada and the United States, modern | | | | on. But once cleared by a physician, whiplash |
| medicine is recognizing the use of aromatherapy | | | | sufferers can find near complete relief of the pain |
| massage as a complimentary therapy. The fact is | | | | from the use of massage and essential oils, without |
| that by ignoring this ancient form of medicine for so | | | | all of the side effects that accompany chemical |
| long, modern medicine has done a great disservice to | | | | anti-inflammatory medication or narcotic pain killers. |
| patients. But in these developed countries, patients | | | | Before using any type of essential oils or |
| are finding the comfort and healing through essential | | | | aromatherapy, be sure to consult a qualified |
| oils that modern medicine can't provide. | | | | aromatherapist to avoid any harmful interactions of |
| Whiplash is one such example of a condition that is | | | | oils or irritation to skin. |
| greatly aided by the use of essential oils. The | | | | Remember that your health is most important, and |
| treatment for this often painful condition is painkillers | | | | health from nature is always best. |
| and anti-inflammatory drugs. These treatments are | | | | |