Talk about an essential oil for all reasons. It turns out that across the globe, we depend on oil from Eucalyptus trees to treat a wide range of medical conditions, even the common cold, because of its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties.
Rich in the antiseptic cineole, Eucalyptus oil also has been used to treat a range of skin and other bacterial infections. And its antiseptic properties make it a popular active ingredient in mouthwash, toothpaste, and other dental hygiene products.
Relief from muscle pain
Since Eucalyptus has a cooling effect when applied to the skin, it is a powerful analgesic. Medical News Todayreferences a study in the American Journal of Medicine and Rehabilitation in which Eucalyptamint was applied on the anterior forearm skin of 10 subjects. The study concluded that Eucalyptamint “produced significant physiologic responses that may be beneficial for pain relief/and or useful to athletes as a passive form of warm-up.”
Because of its analgesic properties, Eucalyptus oil is a very desirable ingredient for several BIOTONE muscle and joint pain relieving massage products, including Polar Lotion, Muscle & Joint Relief Therapeutic Massage Creme and Gel and Sore Muscle Relieving Customizing Complex.
Fire & Ice Therapy Treatment
Rejuvenate mind and body with this circulation-boosting contrast therapy that features Eucalyptus oil. Help clients decrease pain and increase circulation to injury areas and restricted blood flow by utilizing alternating hot and cold packs. Learn to customize this effective therapy by incorporating essential oils, massage products, and techniques that will enhance your intended therapeutic goals.
Ingredients
• Polar Lotion (1 oz)
• Replenishing Light Massage Oil (2 oz)
• Eucalyptus Oil (10 Drops)
Supplies
• 2 -3 Hot Packs – Can be a Hydrocollator pack, hot water bottle, microwavable pack, or a Hotshotz
• 2 – 3 Cold Packs
• 2 hand towels
• Rubber Spa Bowl (optional for Replenishing Light Massage Oil & Eucalyptus mix
Instructions
1. Have the client supine on the massage table.
2. Perform a quick overall body stretch, including arms across the chest, knees up to the chest, hip circles, IT band stretch, and hamstrings stretch.
3. Do a full-body rock, including flexion-extension of the feet.
4. Place a hot pack under the client’s neck.
5. Place cold pack across the client’s chest.
6. While the hot and cold packs stay in place, gently massage the face, scalp, and neck—3 min.
7. Rotate the hot and cold Packs
8. While the hot and cold Packs stay in place, use the Replenishing Light Massage Oil to perform long hand to shoulder effleurage strokes on both arms. 3 min.
9. Using the second set of hot and cold Packs, place the hot pack on the abdomen and the cold pack
under the sacrum.
10. While the hot and cold packs stay in place, massage the client’s sternum, intercostal muscles, and thoracic cage, including gentle compressions.
11. Rotate the hot and cold packs.
12. While the hot and cold Packs stay in place, use the Replenishing Light Massage Oil to perform long foot to hip effleurage strokes on both legs. 3 min.
13. Remove the packs and have to client turn to a prone position.
14. Use the Replenishing Light Massage Oil to perform long effleurage strokes from the shoulder to the
sacrum, continuing the movement to the hips and legs. 5 – 10 min.
15. Use Polar Lotion on any areas of congestion or pain in combination with direct pressure.
16. Perform a gentle stretching.
Precautions
The use of hot and cold individually is a very safe and beneficial add-on to any therapy assuming proper precautions are taken. A few things any therapist utilizing thermal therapy should be aware of are:
• Do not apply heat to fresh injuries that are still hot, red, or inflamed.
• Never place a hot/cold pack or hot stones directly on the client’s skin. A towel or terrycloth cover should be placed between the pack and the client’s skin, and hot stones should always be moving and never left sitting on the client’s body.
• Cryotherapy (cold) should not be used on clients who have hypertension or ischemia.
Hypertension already causes vasoconstriction, and ischemic limbs already have a reduction in blood flow to tissues.
• It is important to monitor temperatures closely when working with the client with neuropathy as they will be unable to feel whether or not the temperature being applied is too hot or too cold. This puts them at risk for heat or ice burn