Category: Clinical Corner

Excerpt from pain mechanisms and causes for poor sleep

Pain:

Perception and Interpretation:

The processed pain signals are then relayed from the thalamus to the somatosensory cortex, which is responsible for the conscious perception of pain. The somatosensory cortex interprets the signals, allowing individuals to perceive and localize the pain.

Single Oils:

Helichrysum, Poplar Balsam

Blends:

Trauma Relief, Alpha 

Sustained Inhalation for 3 to 15 breathing cycles

Body Awareness (especially areas that are compromised, degenerating, or in pain)

Sleep

The stages of sleep can be broadly categorized into two main types: non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. These stages cycle throughout the night in a pattern known as the sleep architecture. Here is an excerpt from sleep mechanisms

Excerpt: Sleep Mechanisms

Stage N3 (NREM 3): Also referred to as deep sleep or slow-wave sleep (SWS), this stage is characterized by the presence of slow brainwaves called delta waves. It is the deepest and most restorative stage of sleep, crucial for physical restoration, growth, and repair. Blood pressure drops, breathing slows down, and the body’s energy is replenished during this stage.

Rapid Eye Movement (REM) Sleep:

Single Oils: Bergamot, Mugwort

Blends: Delta

Sustained Inhalation for 3-15 breathing cycles

Spinal Awareness

Limb Awareness

Sore Throat

A common condition that is characterized by pain, discomfort, or irritation in the throat. Sore throats can be caused by a variety of factors, including viral or bacterial infections, allergies, dry air, smoking, and acid reflux.

Symptoms 

– Pain or discomfort in the throat, especially when swallowing.

– Redness or swelling in the throat.

– Hoarseness or loss of voice.

– Swollen glands in the neck.

– Coughing.

– Fever or chills.

– Headache or body aches.

Causes

– Viral infections

– Bacterial infections

– Stagnant Lymph

– Grief

– Allergies

– Exposure to dry air, smoke, pollution, or other irritants can cause sore throats.

– Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), can cause irritation and inflammation in the throat.

– Yelling, talking loudly, or singing for long periods of time can strain the vocal cords and cause a sore throat.

– Breathing through the mouth can cause the throat to become dry and irritated, leading to a sore throat.

– Postnasal drip

Treatment 

Application: massage, diffuser, chakras, sustained inhalation

Single Oils: Bay Laurel, Ginger, turmeric

* Thyme Thuyanol , Thyme Linalool, or Thyme Geraniol taken internally can be very helpful (1-3 drops in water)

Fear Response

The fear response is a complex physiological and psychological reaction to a perceived threat or danger. It involves a coordinated response from various parts of the body and brain. Here are some of the components that make up the fear response:

Perception of threat: 

The fear response begins with the perception of a potential threat. This can come from an external source, such as a loud noise or a dangerous animal, or from an internal source, such as a negative thought or memory.

Activation of the sympathetic nervous system: 

When a threat is perceived, the body’s sympathetic nervous system is activated, which triggers the release of adrenaline and other stress hormones into the bloodstream. This prepares the body for action, such as fight or flight.

Increased heart rate and respiration: 

The release of adrenaline and other stress hormones causes an increase in heart rate and respiration, which allows the body to deliver more oxygen to the muscles and brain.

Constriction of blood vessels: 

The sympathetic nervous system also causes the blood vessels to constrict, which redirects blood flow to the vital organs and muscles.

Heightened sensory awareness: 

The fear response can also enhance sensory awareness, allowing a person to better detect potential threats.

Emotional response: 

The fear response is often accompanied by a strong emotional reaction, such as anxiety, panic, or terror.

Activation of the amygdala: 

The amygdala, a small almond-shaped structure in the brain, plays a key role in the fear response. It processes incoming sensory information and sends signals to other parts of the brain to trigger the appropriate response.

Types of Fear

There are many different types of fear, and they can be classified in various ways. Here are some of the most common types of fear:

Specific phobias: 

These are intense and irrational fears of specific objects or situations, such as heights, spiders, or flying.

Social anxiety: 

This is a fear of social situations, such as public speaking or meeting new people.

Panic disorder: 

This is characterized by sudden and intense attacks of fear or panic, often accompanied by physical symptoms such as sweating, shaking, and heart palpitations.

Generalized anxiety disorder: 

This is a chronic and excessive worry or fear about a variety of everyday situations.

Fear based on past experiences:

This can occur after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, and is characterized by intrusive memories, avoidance of triggers, and heightened arousal.

Existential fear: 

This is a fear of death, meaninglessness, or the unknown.

Fear of failure: 

This is a fear of not succeeding or not living up to one’s own or others’ expectations.

Fear of rejection: 

This is a fear of being rejected, criticized, or judged by others.

Fear of the unknown:

This is a fear of uncertainty or the unknown, such as the future or new experiences.

Therapeutic Approach

Essential oils can be used to reduce the stages of the fear response. This approach reduces tension in the body, brings emotional and mental stability, and deepens sleep including processing that happens during dreaming. Reducing the fear triggers increases cognitive function while improving a sense of well-being.

Therapeutic Goals:

Decrease the initial emotional response to fear stimuli:

This is done with the use of the essential oil Benzoin which creates space for one to process the situation which allows for different responses to evolve.

Decrease agitation in the amygdala:

The use of the essential oil Bacopa helps to undo the emotional imprints from the past which allows for a more “present” response.

Reduction of tension in the smooth muscle of the gut, fatigue in the cardiac muscle, and hyper reactivity of the adrenals:

Deepening the breath, reducing tension in the spine, and calming the body are all targets in this phase of treatment which is done with the essential oil known as Inula.

Treatment of all nine types of fear responses:

This aspect targets all nine aspects since there is significant overlapping of symptoms and tendencies. Blends have been developed to reduce the agitation in the body’s systems which are inhaled sequentially to produce a deep level of relaxation. Sleep is usually induced by this process which allows for a “brain reboot” producing relief from the triggers which induce the fear response.