QuestionDear John,
I do an aromatherapy massage. Got a friend who got a bulging disk and was driving 6 hours with one break. Today he can't reach his toes and in pain when sitting down. I read that it's possible to massage w gentle pressure. I wonder if hot stones would help and what aromatherapy oils would be the best?
Best Regards
Magdalena
AnswerHi Magdalena
Beautiful name!
Yes massage with gentle pressure will always be beneficial. My wife and I swear by aromatherapy and it's benefits. Hot stones are another step in the healing process, unfortunately I cannot answer the question effectively without knowing more about your client.
In the event a client came to me with the symptoms you describe, the first is to find out how he came about knowing it is in fact a bulging disk? Did he have an MRI done, Xray? Reason I ask is I have had clients self diagnose their symptoms. This leads to our scope of practice and ethics standards.
For example if he indeed had an MRI done or an XRay and was referred by his physician to provide gentle muscle stretching techniques, we are following our scope of practice. However when a client suggests he thinks or feels like this can be the problem and wants us to alleviate the pain, in my opinion I would offer energy therapeutics like Reiki or Aromatherapy and tell him to seek a professional before I do any tissue manipulation.
Why the hesitation? I believe when we have the intention for healing that is what we create. I respect this fully and completely. I also listen to my intuitive feelings about a client just so I know that I can provide the most effective solution to what they are seeking.
But because of our profession, most people cross over medical with therapeutic services. The result is a spill over of clients who do not care for the current medical system and prefer the do it yourself approach. For example a client who's occupation requires many hours of sitting and driving. After enough abuse to his/her body they come to us to help them with their lifestyle choices. (which is fine)
In the event a client does self diagnose a bulging disk and in fact it's a herniated disk, massage is a contraindication. If it is a compressed/slipped disk depending on when the first pain began and it's level of discomfort, performing massage during this time is you guessed it a contraindication.
I realize this may sound a bit paranoid, but we represent a branch of the healing arts, with that we have the responsibility to help even if it means refusing massage treatment.
Aromatherapy in this moment in time is your greatest asset because the healing is done through a biologic process not tissue manipulation.
Please forgive the lecture, but I can only answer you from the information given.
To your success
John Nickolas
