Back pain can be very painful and disabling.

However, it is quite possible to relieve your back with the essential oils as long as you know what's causing the pain. Back pain can have many different causes: posture problems, strained muscles, lumbago, osteoarthritis, rheumatism or arthritis. Here is a selection of essential oils to use according to the nature of your back pain.

Essential oils for back pain massage

Gaultheria oil: an anti-inflammatory for the back. 

If there's one essential oil that's a must for back pain relief, it's Wintergreen. Its high content of methyl salicylate, a molecule related to aspirin, gives it exceptional properties for relieving muscle and joint pain. Highly effective against pain and inflammation, essential oil of Wintergreen is ideal for soothing the suffering associated with tendonitis, osteoarthritis, arthritis and rheumatism.

With its antispasmodic and rubefacient properties, it's also a popular oil with sports enthusiasts. It helps ease muscular contractions after intense effort.

How to use it
Gaultheria essential oil is used for massage after dilution in a vegetable oil, without exceeding a 10% concentration of EO. Sportsmen and women can thus use a massage oil after exercise or a competition, combining the relaxing effect of Wintergreen essential oil with the repairing effect of Arnica oily macerate.

• 2 drops of wintergreen oil combined with 10 drops of St. John's wort macerate, an anti-inflammatory for the skin. articulationsIt also provides effective relief for both lower back and neck pain. You can then massage the painful area 2 to 3 times a day.

Gaultheria essential oil should not be ingested or used by pregnant or breast-feeding women and children under 6, nor by people allergic to aspirin or salicylates. Not to be used by people on anticoagulant therapy. Do not expose to the sun after using St. John's wort macerate.

Oil fromLemon Eucalyptus

Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil is characterized by the presence of large quantities of citronnellal. This monoterpene aldehyde combines a powerful anti-inflammatory action with pain-relieving properties that are particularly effective for those suffering from articulations. Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil is recommended above all to relieve pain caused by rheumatism, osteoarthritis or arthritis.

These anti-rheumatic properties are reinforced by citronnellal's muscle-relaxing effect. An added bonus when you consider that lower back or neck pain generally leads to muscle tension! This rubefacient oil can also be used by athletes. Due to its high concentration of active ingredients, Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil is not recommended for pure application to the skin.

How do I use it?

• To obtain an effective massage oil for use on painful areas up to 4 times a day, dilute 2 drops of essential oil in a tablespoon of oily macerate ofarnica. It is advisable to carry out a skin tolerance test before use.

Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil should not be given to children under 3 years of age, or to women under 3 months of age who are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Lavandin Abrial essential oil

Whether back pain is caused by joints or poor posture, it's common for it to be accompanied by muscle stiffness or pulled muscles. Lavandin Abrial essential oil is the natural product to use for deep muscle relaxation and back pain relief. Derived from a hybrid of Fine Lavender and Lavender Aspic, Lavandin Abrial combines nerve and muscle relaxing properties with an anti-inflammatory action.

Rich in camphor, it's a natural product for both regular sports enthusiasts and those suffering from torticollis, lumbago, rheumatism or arthritis.

How do I use it?

• Lavandin Abrial essential oil should be massaged up to 4 times a day, diluted in an vegetable oil or a Arnica oily macerate. The correct ratio is 4 drops of EO to one tablespoon of vegetable oil. 

This essential oil must not be used pure. It is also forbidden for children under 6 and for pregnant and breast-feeding women.

Combining different essential oils

Combating back pain often requires action on several fronts: acting against pain and inflammation, but also relaxing the aching area. That's why we've created a massage oil recipe combining several essential oils with complementary properties that act synergistically against muscular pain.

How do I use it?

Take a bottle fitted with a dropper and place :

• 30 ml of arnica oily macerate
• 20 drops essential oil of Wintergreen
• 20 drops Lavandin Abrial
• 20 drops ofLemon Eucalyptus

Mix the different components of this massage oil well by shaking the bottle. You can then massage the painful area with 10 drops 2 to 6 times a day, depending on the intensity of the pain.

How to use?
Mix 25 drops of Arnica oily macerate, one drop of Lemon Eucalyptus essential oil, one drop of Roman Chamomile essential oil and one drop of Noble Laurel essential oil in a dropper bottle.

You can massage the sore area with 6 drops of this massage oil up to 3 times a day, without exceeding 5 days of treatment. This synergy can also be applied to children over 3 years of age.