Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Alternatives and ALCHEMISTS oils anyone?

I was just wondering if anyone has had any relief from massaging oils into their skin. I was at the health food store today and came across them and there is quite the selection and they are a bit costly. I don't want to buy them if they don't work. Any info. would be appreciated.

I am trying to heal myself these days more naturally due to all the side effects from meds.

Thanks! Shari

Hi Shari............and little freind :)

I'll introduce myself in a nutshell - My name is Michael 27, living with AS for almost 6 years. I have been taking Naprosyn off and on - the disease has progressed - meaning I've become stiffer - however my flare-ups and pain have reduced - But living a great life!
I am a Natural Med Junkie - I've been off Naprosyn for over 1 year - simply by choosing a different lifestyle and basically using food and supplement to keep me going and well. I've chosen a lifestyle free from the Meds because A) they bother my stomach and B) I don't like the side effects C) I don't beleive in them and without beleif - nothing will work.

I've tried many of the externally applied oils that you speak of, they can expensive - but can also be effective. You will not be cured instantly - nor will you summersault over lamposts - but it will feel great - especially If someone special apply it on right! Hey who doesn't like a massage? I think that is the healing portion more so than the oil itself. There are lots a similar oils you can buy from pharmacies everywhere wich mentally will do the same thing - make you feel good. the Result, Shari feels good - pain doesn't seems so bad. Well it works for me.

If your interested in other natural ways of helping cope with AS - I have some suggestions that work for me - many people will disagree - but hey I beleive in them and they seem to work for me!! the bottom line is that I beleive!

Reply if your interested or ignore if I'm a bore

Michael

hi shari. I´m physical therapist. My opinion is that you should keep you money. There is not any oil that will stop your pain. May be you can find some oil that with massage makes you feel better. But i tell you that the oil is no more than 20% of the effect, and massage the 80%. If you feel that massage is good for you, ok, do it,m but don´t spend your money in expensive oils.

But you ought to know that this will not cure you at all. It´s just a treatment that could make you feel less pain.

Whe we have a flare, we have pain that comes from our joints inflamation, and pain that comes from the muscles. the muscles are more tense as a protection reaction (they make the joints move less, and then, you feel less pain from the joints), but if this strain is kept for some time, the the muscle starts to give pain.

Then, the massage is going to improve your muscle pain, but that is all (in some cases, the muscle pain may be 50% of the pain that the patient is suffering, and to quit this may be a great improvement). This may be useful for you, or not. It depends if you have a lot of muscular pain or not.

PS:How are you?. I read in a past post that you were a little bit desperated.
i hope you´d be better now.

Thank you Michael and Sergio for responding to my post.

I am an Occupational Therapist and understand how AS destroys the body. I know that there is no oil that can cure me, but I do know that some work better for inflammation and pain - I just don't know which ones or if anyone has tried a particular brand name of one that worked well. I follow the LSD and take some supplements, which I believe help a bit.

I am fed up with meds due to the side-effects. NSAIDS are causing erosions of my stomach lining and Enbrel caused me to have chronic infections. My last doc recommended a drug that causes infertility and miscarriages, and I don't want to rule that out since I am married and at childbearing age.

Now, I am at the point of using more natural supplements and pain meds vs. NSAIDS and anti-TNF drugs. I am frustrated but still optimistic at the same time - if that makes any sense.

Thanks again! Shari

Hi Shari,

I'm with you regarding the Mds vs herbs - It's true that we must be carefull of the products we purchase. Often the naturals may come from an unreleiable source. Here are some of the items I currently take and I swear by them.

I take my herbs to maintain my health not to correct my AS that is the main difference.

Greens + - I take this in small powdered doses on a daily bases - full of nutrients we lack from our veggies and foods. Sam Graci product If you haven't heard of him I would suggest a gander - he is a fantastic doctor who really puts things into perspective.

Antioxidants - I use a supplement calle "Cell shield" it's a combo supplement providing fantacstic antioxidant source - Focus' on the attack of Free Radicals. 1-2 capsuils daily

EFA Plus - I take this capsul 1-2 daily basically its your essential Fatty acids - all the good ones!

European Chicken Cartlige - This is a replacement for Glycosomine with Condroitant - This tablet contains collegen II unlike thy Glycosomine and is more effective with its process in being absorbed into the bone.


So I take these three items daily along with and excellent diet - I avoid starches with depriving lifes finest. Plenty of raw fruits and veggies - Lot's of fish/Chicken - avoid red meat - Stock up on anti oxidants - Lemon, Berries. Lots of raw Garlic Salads. Eat beans - Do not fry any thing! Use water and veggies to cook - avoid added salt. Water - It's basically my only drink - I add fresh lemon in the morning. Avoid sugar, Caffine, smoking.


So this Is my basic regime - I would reccomend it to anyone - however I don't know if it's fit for everyone. Some herbs have medicinal capabilities and can be harmfull to some people - Keep track of any problems while takeing herbs - stop them if your not feeling well. I take them as preventive maintenance - minimal amounts per day.

Hi Shari,

Aromatherapy became my hobby many years ago when conventional docs failed to adequately treat my pain. I use my oils to treat my achilles tendonitis when it flares. I herniated a disk in my back 5 years ago and got wonderful relief from the muscle spasms in my back using my oils. I firmly believe that the oils can heal. Maybe not something as intense as AS but they can certainly help to relieve inflammation. They can help to relax muscles. Part of the intensity of pain is in how well we psychologically deal with it. Stress increases the level of pain that we feel. The oils can help relieve some of the emotional stress. I get wonderful results from them and even made my husband a believer too. Now when his back hurts he asks me to make my favorite oil and rub it in. He always gets relief.

You need to be careful in what you choose. There are some bad ones out there. My favorite brand of essential oil is Aura Cacia. Some of them can be expensive but the oils for a basic kit are really not because they can last quite a while. They do expire though. You also have to remember that they are potent chemicals. You can overdose yourself and get really sick. I prefer not to buy the ones that are already prepared just because I can't control the strength of it. Feel free to pm me if you are interested in hearing more. I can recommend books and a formula or two.

Christina

welcome aboard michael :-)

there has been discussion on this before in the alternatives forum - if anyone feels like searching..

Mr_Bones, I am definitley interested in hearing what is working for you. Anything natural, to me is better than meds.

Hi Shari

I am an aromatherapist and have therefore studied and worked with essential oils for years. As mentioned by others they are not likely to cure you but they do work on several levels. Essential oil molecules are small enough to be asorbed through the skin and into the blood stream - they also through your sense of smell have an effect on the limbic system of your brain and in that can be relaxing and bring a feeling of wellbeing.As mentioned by other posts as well when applied through a massage or in a bath taking time to have a treatment or to relax has healing benefits that cannot always be measured. Es.Oils are mostly distilled and are very potent. they should be diluted in a carrier oil ( sweetalmond / grape seed) or a lotion. Some oils should not be used unless you are aware of their specific properties - unfortunately with the popularity of Aromatherapy ,many oils are available to the public that can have fairly serious side effects. You need to find a reliable source and a store that has an aromtherapist in attendence so they could help you find some oils to benefit you and help you with their correct usage.

best regards

Kylie

Yes! warm sesame or coconut or olive are said to be most nourishing... they penetrate the layers of skin right to the bones. Be careful as to what kind of herbs or fragrances are added to those oils since everything penetrates to the bones. Warmed (either under the tap or in a warm water bath on the stove) works best.
Spoke with a friend today who recently had carpal tunnel surgery. The occupational therapist has her massaging her hand from the center of the palm to the finger tips with warm oil each morning to keep it flexible. The OT said anyone who has arthritis or joint problems should be doing this every day. I think before bed could be good as well. . .that is what I am starting to do since hearing this.