Aromatherapy
By Anne Allen DSM, DCA, SMTO
Introduction
The client, Fiona, was single, 46 years old and shared a
home with her sister. She had a quiet assertive manner.
Fiona was fit with outdoor activities such as hill walking,
swimming and has recently taken up cycling. Fiona was a
vegan and well aware of the need for balance in her diet.
In the past Fiona had suffered from mild depression, but
not for some years now. Since I had given her massages in
the past, she contacted me and asked that I resume, as her
work situation had become stressful.
Consultation
Fiona had a slight frame, slim but with good muscle tone,
particularly in her legs. She had small patches of psoriasis
on her elbows, knees and at the base of her spine. She had
been unable to pursue her hobby of hill walking because
of an ankle injury and since she found this a great way
of concentrating her mind and switching off from work; this
had contributed in raising her stress levels.
She told me about her history of mild depression but was
not forthcoming about the details of it. She used St. John’s
Wort on a regular basis. Recently her sleep pattern had
begun to be broken as she found herself waking early with
work related thoughts.
Apart from mild P.M.T, which usually involved mood swings,
her lifestyle ensured that she was healthy with a good well
balanced diet and plenty of exercise.
Fiona held a senior position in the office and had plenty
of experience, which had led to more and more work being
placed on her shoulders. Although she had no difficulty
in dealing with the tasks given, she found it stressful
that her remit constantly changed and had discussed this
with her manager who didn’t “see a problem”
and did not think any stress was involved. She felt therefore
that she had to find her own ways of dealing with the stress
she was feeling.
Treatment Plan
We agreed that the main aims of the treatment should be
to bring about balance in the nervous system to aid stress
relief and restoration of sleep patterns. We would also
help her to relax and treat any symptoms of P.M.T. as they
arose. She felt her ankle was now recovered and did not
need treatment.
Treatments were at two weekly intervals
Treatment 1
I performed a back; neck and shoulder massage using 8mls
of Sweet almond with 2mls of jojoba because the client had
a history of psoriasis. The essential oils I used were 1
drop of bergamot (citrus bergamia), 3 drops of lavender
(lavandula augustifolia) and 2 drops of frankincense (boswelia
carteri) as these are uplifting and balancing while lavender
would aid sleep (this was an evening appointment). The client
enjoyed the massage and was delighted with the aroma of
the oils.
I advised her that lavender oil diluted in a teaspoon of
coconut oil in her bath would aid sleep or alternatively
a drop on her pillow would work as well. Since her ankle
was no longer giving her a problem I recommended that she
resumed hill walking. (Sometimes clients prefer to dilute
bath oils in milk so the bath is not slippery).
Treatment 2
Fiona arrived looking tired but feeling positive. She was
less stressed because she had slept better and felt she
had a way of dealing with the situation though the situation
itself had not changed.
I performed a back, neck and shoulder massage using 5 drops
of geranium (pelargonium graveolens) and 1 drop of rose
(rosa damascena) as these oils give balance are strengthening
and are a tonic to the nervous system.
As the client has a few days off, she is going hill walking
and asked for a suitable foot lotion. I used 30mls base
lotion with 6 drops of peppermint (mentha piperata) and
6 drops of lavender as these oils would be analgesic, antiseptic,
tonic and deodorising to soothe and refresh her feet. She
felt great after the massage.
Treatment 3
Fiona had benefited from her holiday and was feeling rested.
She had been on a fairly long cycle ride and as this was
a new hobby, she was not yet confident and tended to hold
her shoulders rigidly Fiona requested a massage to ease
her aches and pains.
I used 8mls Sweet almond and 2mls jojoba with a 3% dilution
of 3 drops of sweet marjoram (marjorama origanium) and 3
drops of black pepper (piper nigrum). I used these oils
primarily for their anti spasmodic and analgesic properties
to ease muscular aches and pains, but also the sweet marjoram
is balancing to the nervous system so would also address
the priority of our treatment plan. The massage covered
her back, neck and shoulders. After her treatment, she felt
great and we discussed how trying to keep this feeling when
stressed would help her cope. As usual I suggested an increase
in drinking water and also gave some postural advice.
Treatment 4
Fiona’s work situation had not improved and although
massage was helping her to cope with it, she feet she might
have to take steps to resolve the situation.
I performed a lengthy back, neck and shoulder massage using
the same carrier as before with a 3% dilution of 2 drops
of clary sage (salvia sclarea), 3 drops of lavender and
1 drop of jasmine (jasminum officinale). The first 2 oils
would calm and relax and jasmine would restore confidence,
to help with decision making. I recommended through inhalation
from a tissue of a cephalic oil such as basil or rosemary
in the work place itself, to aid positive thinking. After
the massage and relaxation, she felt much better. We discussed
gentle exercises that she could do to maintain the situation.
Treatment 5
Fiona was looking more rested. She had made a decision to
take time off from work and had been to see her doctor.
The doctor was sympathetic and offered her anti-depressants.
Fiona turned these down telling him that she preferred to
use St. John’s Wort and continue with aromatherapy
massage. He agreed this was a far better way to deal with
stress. Her outlook was very positive as she saw this as
a decisive step in dealing with her problems and in no way
allowing them to overcome her. She intended to use this
time to distance herself from her work to restore her health
and fitness completely and to re-assess her options and
to force her superior also to re-assess the situation.
Since her period was due I used 8mls of sweet almond with
2mls of evening primrose and a 3% blend of 3 drops of geranium
(hormonally balancing), 2 drops of lavender (to relax and
aid sleep) and 1 drop of rose (increase confidence and tonic
to the nervous system) and performed a back, neck and shoulders
massage. Again she benefited from the aromas, saying she
felt clearer and uplifted. This time I suggested some breathing
techniques and we made the next appointment.
Treatment 6
Fiona was making good use of the time away from the work
place to pursue her hobbies and studies. She felt her treatment
was helping her to be positive. Fiona was using oils at
home, such as basil to clear her thinking and lavender because
it was her favourite oil and gave her very positive associations.
She had a head cold and we decided that an immuno-stimulant
massage would be appropriate. I used 8mls of sweet almond
and 2mls of jojoba in a blend with bergamot (2 drops), black
pepper (2 drops) and rosemary (2 drops) because the bergamot
would be uplifting and the other two would boost the immune
system.
Fiona requested the foot lotion again as she found it very
useful when she was hill walking. She felt invigorated after
the massage.
Treatment 7
The doctor has seen Fiona again and was pleased with her
progress and attitude but had recommended that she did not
return to work in the meantime and she was happy to comply
with this.
Fiona was suffering from mild P.M.T so I opted for sweet
almond and evening primrose in a blend with 2 drops each
of bergamot, geranium and lavender to be uplifting, relaxing
and hormonally balancing for a back, neck and shoulders
massage. We discussed other relaxation techniques. She felt
wonderful after the massage and took some of the blend home
to use on herself.
Treatment 8
Fiona felt much more restored and balanced. She requested
the same oils as in the previous treatment so I kept the
blend the same but substituted the evening primrose with
jojoba. Fiona intends using lavender and bergamot for relaxation
and sweet marjoram for any aches and pains. I reminded her
not to use the same oils all the time. Fiona enjoyed the
massage and we agreed to leave the next appointment until
a month’s time.
Treatment 9
Fiona looked very well as she has spent a lot of time outdoors
walking, cycling and gardening. She was not feeling stressed
at all and would like a leg massage as she had been doing
so much exercise. I performed a leg massage using a blend
of sweet almond and wheat germ (also good for psoriasis)
with 2 drops of juniper (juniperus communis), 3 drops of
lavender and 1 drop of jasmine to relieve muscular aches
and pains and relax muscles. She was delighted how she felt
after the massage.
Treatment 10
Fiona obviously had a good month as she arrived looking
relaxed and pleased with the outcome of her latest visit
to the doctor. They were working towards her returning to
work next month. We had decided to continue with massages,
which will be uplifting and promote feelings of confidence
and objectivity in preparation for her return to work. I
performed a back, neck and shoulder massage, using a blend
of 2 drops of bergamot, 2 drops of lavender and 2 drops
of patchouli (pogostemon cablin). Again Fiona enjoyed her
massage.
Conclusion
Fiona made an appointment with her Human Resources Manager
to discuss her work situation. She was hoping that it could
be resolved before she returned to work. Her psoriasis had
also improved in response to stress reduction. She felt
confident and it was encouraging to see how she had empowered
herself to deal with a stressful time and how aromatherapy
had played a significant part in this. Fiona also felt that
if the situation at work starts to become overwhelming she
would book in for another treatment.
About the Author
Anne Allen DSM, DCA, SMTO
Anne Allen qualified in Swedish Massage in 1998 from the
Western School of Massage and Clinical Aromatherapy with
the Lothian School of Aromatherapy in December 2000. Ann
currently works as a full time teacher and is a practising
therapist from home on a part-time basis. Anne really enjoys
developing lotions and potions for clients.
Anne can be contacted by phone on 0141 882 2140 or by
Email anne.allen1@btinternet.com
