Massage Professionals Article Archive

by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.

Neuromuscular therapy (NMT) is the application of static pressure and applied stretching techniques to specific myofascial points for pain relief. Additionally, NMT employs soft tissue manipulation to balance the musculoskeletal and central nervous systems. To relieve pain, NMT directly addresses the following pain-causing elements:

1. Ischemia: The lack of oxygen due to reduced blood supply that can cause pain.

2. Nerve Compression or Entrapment: Pressure on a nerve by soft tissue, cartilage or bone.

3. Postural Distortion: Imbalance of the muscular system resulting from the movement of the body off the longitudinal and horizontal planes.

4. Biomechanical Dysfunction: Imbalance of the musculoskeletal system resulting in faulty movement patterns.

Lumbar Muscle Spasms
Lumbar muscle spasms are involuntary contractions typically occurring as a result of a muscle strain. Strains in the lumbar region are commonly due to exercising excessively or performing a movement beyond a muscle’s range of motion. Sudden movements that claim a majority of lumbar sprains, include:

• Unexpected jarring, such as an automobile accident
• Quick twisting, such as a vigorous tennis backhand stroke
• Excessive muscle loading, such as picking up a heavy object

The body’s response to a muscular strain is to protect the involved muscle from further injury. This protection is accomplished through contraction of its fatigued fibers to prevent any further stretching. Unfortunately, a chain of pain-causing events can follow a muscle sprain:

1. The contraction of strained muscles typically restricts adequate blood flow to the area, causing ischemia and lactic acid accumulation. Lactic acid accumulation itself can initiate muscle spasms.

2. Depending upon the muscle’s location, its contraction can put pressure on a nearby nerve. Termed nerve entrapment or compression, muscles squeezing a nerve can illicit intense radiating pain.

3. A muscle strain can disrupt the body’s musculoskeletal balance. Postural distortion is the body’s mechanical method of protecting and compensating for an injury. Unfortunately, this distortion off the body’s midpoint sets the individual up for a perpetuation of muscle strains, contractions and even more pain.

4. When an injury continues to disrupt body function, the individual may adapt their movement patterns in an effort to minimize pain. This adaptation solidifies a musculoskeletal imbalance and can transform a simple strain into whole body pain and dysfunction.

Muscle spasms can also occur as a reflex phenomenon caused by injured ligaments, infections, tumors or chronic disc problems.

Lumbar Disc Problems
Many disc abnormalities are actually a result of the aging process. Although pain from a herniated disc may come on suddenly, its cause generally occurs gradually, sometimes taking years to develop. Starting in young adulthood, discs naturally begin to dry up. The most likely location for changes to begin is the lower lumbar region, at the disc between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae. Medical professionals speculate that this disc is most vulnerable due to the stress accentuated by the spine’s lumbar curve.

As a result of the degeneration associated with aging, the disc slowly loses its ability to bounce back. In the first stage of anatomic abnormality, the soft interior of the disc bulges outward. This bulging disc presses against the ligament holding it in place. The pressure on the involved ligaments can pull on and therefore strain nearby muscles, resulting in lumbar muscle spasms. Additional pain can ensue because the pressured ligament can impinge neighboring nerves. A worsening of this condition leads to disc herniation, where the inner core of the disc extrudes back into the spinal canal.

Breaking the Cycle
Fortunately, massage therapists practicing NMT have the tools to break the chain of events that can follow a lumbar sprain. NMT uses trigger points to identify and release pain referral patterns that are typical of lumbar sprains in the following ways:

• The application of static pressure on a trigger point disperses any built-up lactic acid, allowing the affected muscle to accept a clean supply of oxygen and blood flow. This circulation can release entrapped nerves and stop a muscle’s spasm.
• Because NMT involves postural evaluation, the practitioner can identify and treat the muscular source of a painful spasm pattern.
• Additionally, NMT involves muscle fiber stretching to correct the imbalances fostered by unintentional muscular contraction.

In our society, lumbar spasms are one of the most encountered conditions prompting healthcare visits. As endorsed by the American Academy of Pain Management, including NMT in a massage therapy session can save your clients from the intense and unremitting pain of lumbar muscle spasms.

Recommended Study:
Neuromuscular Therapy

References:

www.bucklandmassage.com, What is Neuromuscular Therapy?, Buckland Massage and Neuromuscular Center, May 2004.

www.findarticles.com, Muscle Spasms and Cramps, Richard Robinson, Gale Research, 1999.

www.massagetherapy101.com, Neuromuscular Therapy, massagetherapy101.com, 2006.

www.spine-health.com, Neuromuscular Massage Therapy, spine-health.com, 2006.

by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.

Every healthcare provider likely works with clients trying to manage dysmenorrhea. The Merck Manuals Online Dictionary, defines dysmenorrhea as the pelvic pain experienced during a menstrual period and is otherwise known as menstrual cramps. More than one in every two women suffers painful menstrual periods each month, and about one in four are so badly affected that they have to take time off from work or school. Fortunately, massage therapists have access to methods capable of reducing the agony associated with dysmenorrhea.

Identifying Type
Understanding the distinction between the types of dysmenorrhea can assist a bodyworker's treatment plan. While a massage therapist is not equipped to make this distinction, determining a client's medical history can reveal the reasons behind their pain or can encourage a client to seek a physician's care.

Primary dysmenorrhea has no identifiable cause and may affect more than 50% of all women, usually starting during adolescence. In 5 to 15% of those with primary dysmenorrhea, the pain is severe enough to interfere with daily activities and result in absence from work or school. The pain occurs only during menstrual cycles in which an egg is released, and likely results from prostaglandins released during menstruation. Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances that serve three primary functions: they cause the uterus to contract, reduce blood supply to the uterus and increase the sensitivity of nerve endings in the uterus to pain. Women with primary dysmenorrhea have measurably higher levels of prostaglandins.

Secondary dysmenorrhea indicates that a physical condition is responsible for menstrual pain. Some of the reasons a person may have secondary dysmenorrhea include endometriosis, fibroids, adenomyosis, pelvic congestion syndrome and pelvic infection. In a few women, the pain results from passage of menstrual blood through a narrow cervix (cervical stenosis). A narrow cervix may be genetic, or result from polyp removal or cervical treatment (for dysplasia or cancer of the cervix). Abdominal pain due to other disorders, such as inflammation of the fallopian tubes or abnormal bands of fibrous tissue between structures in the abdomen, may be worse during a menstrual period. If an increase in pain or a sudden change in the menstrual cycle occurs, a woman should consult a physician.

The Menstrual Experience
The experience of menstrual cramps can be different for all women. Some simply feel a passing discomfort with menstruation, while others could be doubled over in pain by it. Typically, the pain comes in cramp-like spasms, originating in either the lower abdomen or the lower back. The pain can remain centered in the body, radiate up the spine or down the legs; it may be accompanied by dizziness, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea in some women. These associated symptoms indicate clarification of etiology by a physician.

Mild primary dysmenorrhea typically causes women to experience pain a few hours before their periods start, and then eases once their menstrual flow begins. Occasionally, the pain continues into the second and even third day of their periods.

Prostaglandin's Curse and Blessing
The hormone responsible for causing so many women pain has a critical role in preserving the perpetuation of our species. Each month the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) builds up in preparation for a possible pregnancy. If a pregnancy occurs, the fertilized egg attaches itself to the lining to be nourished as it develops into a baby. If the egg is not fertilized, the lining is not needed. Prostaglandins are then released, triggering the muscles of the uterus to contract and squeeze the lining out, resulting in menstruation. During childbirth, prostaglandins are released to contract the uterine muscles for pushing out the baby.

Relief
Altering the prostaglandin levels represents a chemically-induced way of relieving menstrual cramps. However, bodyworkers have other tools to provide dysmenorrhea relief:

1. Hydrotherapy - The use of heat has a long history of relieving menstrual cramps. Warmth increases circulation, thus reducing muscular tension. A warm bath or hot pack on the abdomen can bring enormous relief. An all-natural fiber hot pack using moist heat (such as the Therapac or Body Shawl) is a top choice by bodyworkers to reduce menstrual pain.

2. Acupressure - According to Alexis Phillips, a medical massage instructor and supervisor of the Peter Ling Clinic of the Swedish Institute in New York City, "the foot contains acupressure points that are believed to be connected along internal energy pathways to the pelvic area." Phillips advises to feel for sensitive spots during menstruation in the depressions above either side of the heel and along the Achilles tendon. Traditionally, massage over the Kidney, Liver and Spleen meridians will balance hormone production. Acupressure on the foot and calf, specifically on tender spots found on the three mentioned hormone-related meridians, has the effect of reducing muscular tension and increasing uterine blood circulation.

3. Abdominal Massage - In addition to many Asian bodywork styles, abdominal massage is also part of many Swedish massage routines. Abdominal massage is a direct technique to increase uterine circulation, thus reducing localized muscular tension. A 2005 Korean study involved administration of abdominal meridian massage for 5 minutes per day during 6 days from the fifth day before menstruation to the first day of menstruation. Their results demonstrated that abdominal massage was a very effective treatment for dysmenorrhea.

4. Aromatherapy - Many women experience menstrual cramp relief with the use of aromatherapy. Certain essential oils are known to have relaxing effects on the mind and on cramping muscles. Some of the essential oils reputed for this specific use include rosemary, lavender, chamomile (German and Roman), cypress, clary sage, rose otto, ginger and marjoram. Blended with carrier oil, a therapist's chosen essential oils can be gently applied to the abdomen, hips and lower back for immediate uterine cramp relief.

In conclusion, massage therapists have a myriad of options available to them to deliver pain relief to over half of their female clientele. Whether using heat therapy, acupressure, abdominal massage, aromatherapy or any variation, bodyworkers can reduce uterine spasms without hormone therapy or surgery.

Earn continuing education credit for this article contained in our Women & Massage - Menstruation Through Menopause series. Click here to enroll.

Recommended Study:
Reflexology
Shiatsu Anma
Swedish Massage
Aromatherapy Essentials

References:

Kim J.S., et al, The effects of abdominal meridian massage on menstrual cramps and dysmenorrhea in full-time employed women, Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi, December, 2005.

Lark, Susan M., MD, The Estrogen Decision Self Help Book, Celestial Arts, Berkeley, CA, 1999.

Kirchheimer, Sid, Prevention Magazine Editors, The Doctors Book of Home Remedies, Rodale Press, Inc., 1995.

www.merck.com, Dysmenorrhea, Merck & Co., Inc., 2006.

www.premenstrualsyndrome.com, Cramps, premenstrualsyndrome.com, 2006.

by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.

Spa Benefits
Being a spa massage therapist can literally cut your responsibility in half. In general, spas handle a majority of administrative tasks associated with any profession, including:

• Advertising
• Booking
• Accounting
• Billing
• Collection
• Supplying linens and equipment

Additional benefits beyond administration include:

• Unlimited access to the spa’s facilities
• Discounts on services or products for you and your family
• Working in a health-minded environment
• Having a steady supply of new clientele
• Opportunities to attend lectures without being charged
• Medical, dental, disability and vacation benefits
• Other financial benefits of being a regular employee

Challenges
Despite the many benefits associated with being a spa employee, there are also many challenges massage therapists must contend with. While bodyworkers pride themselves on their unique healing approaches, spa managers seek team players capable of conforming to the business's standards.

Six potentially challenging qualities desired by a spa employer include:

1. The ability to focus on customer service well beyond what is typically required of an independent massage therapist. Since clients seeking bodywork at a spa wish to be catered to, providing attentive customer service is imperative to customer satisfaction.

2. The maturity to remain flexible in the face of guests who reschedule and cancel. This is part and parcel of the spa experience, as most guests are on vacation and not necessarily conscious of this consideration. Allowing a last minute cancellation to upset you can throw off your focus and affect your next session. In these instances it is important to step back and appreciate the big picture of your employment at a spa.

3. A willingness to support retail sales of the spa’s products. Being able to include salesmanship in your contact with clients will augment the spa’s profits beyond what is generated from its massage services.

4. Presenting yourself in a polished, professional manner. This includes the way you dress and groom yourself for work, as well as how you communicate with guests. Each spa will have its own style and interpretation of professional presentation.

5. The ability to work within a set time frame, including the performance of an intake interview. As the spa setting does not offer flexibility beyond the allotted amount of time per session, it is crucial for spa therapists to maintain temporal boundaries. This requires a bodyworker to be very direct when steering an intake interview. Important information about a client’s health is used to avoid contraindications and provide the most therapeutic session; however, a spa requires this be done in a shortened amount of time. This awareness ties into representing the spa you work for with high standards of customer service in mind, as a discussion that lasts too long will cut into a paying customer’s session.

6. The stamina to perform massages back-to-back, seeing up to eight guests in a row. The volume supplied by a spa demands a massage professional be able to maintain physical strength and agility for a full shift. Several factors contribute to accomplishing this feat. In addition to being physically fit, bodyworkers can utilize proper body mechanics to prevent injury, maintain personal tools to prevent the absorption of a client's negative energy and learn to center themselves quickly between clients.

Providing high quality bodywork while delivering quality customer service places a massage therapist at an advantage within a spa environment. The ability to work within the parameters of the spa industry may deliver incredible opportunities. Using your skills to deliver massage therapy within the continually evolving spa industry allows you to potentially reap the monetary rewards of a full massage schedule.

Recommended Study:
Ethics Practice Management

References:

Capellini, Steve, LMT, The Realities of Spa Employment, Massage and Bodywork, April/May 2005.

Stevens, Ralph, BS, LMT, NCTMB, Spa Issues and a Request, Massage Today, July 2005.

by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.

Although traditionally associated with romance, love, cupid and candy, the weeks leading up to and following February 14th are often loaded with negative feelings. In fact, a European study concluded that one in ten people experience some level of depression on Valentine’s Day.

Some massage therapists may participate in the unique market surrounding Valentine’s Day by offering specialized packages that may include couple’s massage and special aromatherapy treatments. While all of the attention to love and romance conjures up good feelings for many, it can also cause feelings of exclusion, anxiety, loneliness and depression in others. Because this holiday can cause such polarized feelings in each individual, therapists are best prepared when aware of the range of potential emotions.

As professionals in the healthcare industry, bodyworkers are well aware of the benefit their services can give people experiencing depression. Decades of research indicate massage helps reduce stress, anxiety and depression by altering body chemistry. By increasing the release of endorphins, dopamine and serotonin, bodywork enhances mood and general health. Through reducing the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline, massage assists the body in a quicker recovery from stress, depression and pain. Additionally, massage’s ability to increase relaxation, boost the immune system and stabilize blood sugar levels makes it a logical choice for a person suffering from depression.

Including essential oils in a massage therapy session is a valuable supplemental treatment for depression. Studies demonstrate that the smells of certain oils elicit positive emotions via the limbic system, the area of the brain responsible for memories and emotions. Essential oils used for depression vary but typically include one of the following:

• Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
• Orange (Citrus aurantium)
• Sandalwood (Santalum album)
• Lemon (Citrus limonis)
• Jasmine (Jasminum spp.)
• Sage (Salvia officinalis)
• Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
• Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

Properly paired with a client’s state of mind and personal preferences, aromatherapy can help relieve their depression and minimize any negativity around Valentine’s Day. Prior to using an essential oil with a client, always check for sensitivity and scent aversion.

People schedule massages for many different reasons; it feels good, helps relieve pain or stiffness, maintains health and vitality, enhances relaxation or because it helps a particular health condition. However, some people seek treatment primarily for the practitioner’s company. While that last motivation for bodywork appears innocent enough, it places the therapist in a challenging position. When a person with the Valentine’s Day Blues seeks a massage treatment to ease their loneliness, the therapist must be vigilant about his or her professional boundaries.

The elevated level of trust and intimacy involved in bodywork is typically a launching pad to developing a close rapport between client and practitioner. Although this connection is a natural part of healing, certain circumstances can transform it into an ethical dilemma. Elements of transference or counter-transference can easily emerge with a client vulnerable with the Valentine’s Day Blues considering there is a chance that the therapist is the only person in a client’s life who physically touches them. Being aware of this possibility allows massage therapists to develop a plan for maintaining the boundaries of the client/practitioner relationship. For example, a client feeling lonely and sad may try to prolong a session, behave inappropriately during the massage or attempt to move beyond client status. A therapist who is prepared for these ethical breeches can quickly and respectfully thwart their advancement.

Valentine’s Day is supposed to be a joyful holiday. While many people revel in the romance of the holiday, a sizable percentage of people have the opposite reaction. Awareness of the Valentine’s Day Blues can spur bodyworkers to develop their compassion towards the depressed, offer aromatherapy to help relieve client depression and brush up on their skills for maintaining a professional and ethical client/practitioner relationship.

Recommended Study:
Aromatherapy Essentials
Ethics: Therapeutic Relationships

References:

www.cmha.bc.ca, Valentine’s Day Blues, Canadian Mental Health Association, February 2006.

www.hbcprotocols.com, Tips for Dealing with Valentine’s Depression, Layla Chapman, HBC Protocols, February 2006.

www.mayoclinic.com, Valentine’s Day: Coping Tips for those who feel excluded, Daniel Hall-Flavin, MD, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2007.

www.medicalnewstoday.com, Feeling SAD this Valentine’s Day?, MediLexicon International Ltd., January 2005.

www.onlinedatingmagazine.com, Study Confirms Existence of Valentine’s Day Blues, Online Dating Magazine, April 2004.

www.psychcentral.com, Valentine’s Day: A Time to Celebrate Many Kinds of Love, Marie Hartwell-Walker, EdD, Psych Central, 2007.

www.stresshelp.tripod.com, Massage, its role in management of stress, anxiety and depression, S. Jackson, 2001.

www.umm.edu, Depression, A.D.A.M., Inc., 2007.

by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.

Defining each condition is an essential first step for every healthcare professional:

1. Swelling is a more general term, encompassing both edema and lymphedema. According to WebMD, “swelling is an increase in the size or a change in the shape of an area of the body. Swelling can be caused by collection of body fluid, tissue growth, or abnormal movement or position of tissue.”

2. Edema is a slightly more specific term, limiting the cause of swelling to fluid accumulation. According to Barron’s Dictionary of Medical Terms, edema is “an abnormal collection of fluid in spaces between cells, especially just under the skin or in a given cavity or organ.”

3. Lymphedema is even more specific, describing the fluid that has accumulated as lymphatic fluid. According to the Society for Vascular Surgery, “Lymphedema occurs when lymphatic fluid builds up in the soft tissues of your body, usually in an arm or leg.”

Why Edema Can Occur
When a blood vessel’s outward force is greater than the inward force, osmosis causes fluid to move out of the capillaries. Any condition resulting in increased outward force results in edema. Examples of this outward force are:

• After standing a long time, edema may accumulate in the lower extremities because gravity causes blood to pool in the leg’s veins. This pooling increases the capillary hydrostatic pressure, which increases the blood vessel’s outward force.

• Protein deficient malnutrition causes a decrease in capillary osmotic pressure. This pressure drop reduces the inward force, changing the relationship of forces and resulting in a greater net outward force. Once again, the greater outward force draws fluid out of the blood vessel, resulting in edema.

About Lymphedema
Clinically, lymphedema is classified as either primary or secondary. Primary lymphedema is due to congenital malformations in the lymphatic system such as defective valves or vessels. Secondary or acquired lymphedema is more common and is due to problems with the lymphatic system occurring after birth. Some of the common causes of secondary lymphedema are:

• Lymph node or vessel removal surgery (e.g., cancer surgery)
• Radiation therapy
• Cancer metastasis to lymph vessels and nodes
• Scarring of lymph vessels and nodes following infections
• Trauma
• In developing countries, a parasitic infestation known as filariasis causes lymphedema

Today’s cancer treatments have resulted in improvements in radiation and surgical techniques (such as removing smaller samples of lymph nodes). This improvement means that lymphedema is less common now than in the past. Aside from medicine’s technological advances, lymphedema develops in approximately one in four breast cancer patients who have a mastectomy with lymph-node dissection. This risk doubles for patients who also receive radiation treatments to the underarm area.

Lymphedema Symptoms
The first signs of lymphedema can be a change in a patient’s arms or legs or other affected area. Initially, skin will remain soft, but if the problem continues, the limb may become hot and red and the skin hard and stiff. The lymph fluid that collects in the tissues can be very uncomfortable, but pain is not always present. Early symptoms of lymphedema may include:

• A feeling of tightness and decreased flexibility
• Tight fitting of jewelry, clothing or footwear
• Weakness, pain, aching or heaviness in the arm, legs, or feet
• Skin that looks shiny, has fewer folds and feels taut
• Difficulty moving a limb or bending at a joint due to swelling and skin tightness
• Pitting (small indentations left on the skin after pressing on the swollen area)
• Swelling of only one foot or arm
• If the leg is involved, swelling usually begins at the foot, then progresses upward toward the ankle, calf and knee

When to Refer Out
Clients should be encouraged to contact their physician if they have lymphedema in combination with any of the following:

• Previous mastectomy
• Previous lower abdominal surgery
• Previous radiation treatments
• The affected limb becomes red, painful or hot
• The affected limb develops open sores or areas of broken skin
• Fever accompanies any swelling

Additionally, it is suggested that a bodyworker seek permission from the client’s physician prior to performing bodywork if the client has:

• A history of cancer - to make certain massage won’t spread it.
• Full body edema - is usually due to chronic cardiac, kidney, or liver problems and massage may place too much stress on that person’s circulatory system.

How Bodyworkers can Participate in Lymphedema Treatment
Lymphedema can only be managed, not cured. A number of interventions are used for managing lymphedema, including patient education, skin care, compression bandaging, compression garments, compression pumps, exercises and manual lymphatic drainage massage.

Manual lymphatic drainage is a specialized massage technique to help clear edema by facilitating lymph flow through lymph vessel collaterals and collecting ducts. Since the pressure is very low in lymph vessels, lymph drainage techniques are generally administered in a very gentle manner. Stretching of the skin, superficial fascia, and the lymphatic vessels is performed in the direction of lymph flow, and followed by a gentle release.

Differentiation
The basic strokes used in traditional massage styles (e.g., petrissage, effleurage, tapotement, vibration and friction) are generally applied with more pressure than manual lymph drainage techniques. Many massage therapy publications list edema as an indication for these strokes. This is correct as long as edema is being addressed, not lymphedema.

When edema occurs, the lymphatic system is overloaded, yet remains intact. Conventional massage therapy is beneficial for many forms of edema. Consult with a senior practitioner or the client’s physician if you are unsure of your client’s candidacy for massage.

Alternatively, lymphedema is always caused by mechanical insufficiency of the lymphatic system, which is unable to appropriately respond to an increase in lymphatic fluid loads. When applied appropriately to lymphedema, lymph drainage massage increases the activity of lymph vessels and moves interstitial fluid. Lymph drainage massage exerts little pressure on the skin and does not cause any increase in local arterial blood flow. This narrow function makes it ideal for preventing the additional outward force on blood vessels that typically occurs with the enhanced circulation of traditional massage therapy. Increasing the circulation of a mechanically insufficient lymph system can easily increase the swelling.

When working with clients with lymphedema, traditional massage therapy is insufficient and could even exacerbate the problem. Contributing to a client’s lymphedema management requires extra vigilance on the part of the bodyworker as the benefits of understanding lymphedema and mastering lymphatic drainage massage far outweigh the required effort.

Recommended Study:
Lymphatic Drainage Massage

References:

Premkumar, Kalyani, Edema and Lymphedema, Massage and Bodywork, December/January 2005.

Rothenbert, Mikel A., MD, Charles F. Chapman, Barron’s Dictionary of Medical Terms, Barron’s Educational Series, Inc., p.140, 1989.

Zuther, Joachim, MT, PT, Traditional Massage Therapy in the Treatment and Management of Lymphedema, Massage Today, June 2002.

www.cancerpage.com, Lymphedema, Rachael Myers Lowe, cancerpage.com, June 2003.

www.vascularweb.com, Lymphedema, VascularWeb, 2006.

www.webmd.com, Swelling, Healthwise, 2006.

by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.

The head louse is a wingless parasitic insect that lives among human hair, feeding on extremely small amounts of blood drawn from the scalp. Although they are not dangerous and do not spread disease, lice are contagious and their bites typically cause the scalp to become itchy and inflamed. Persistent scratching may lead to skin irritation or infection.

Some important facts about head lice include:

• Lice can only live 24 hours off of a human host.
• Daily shampooing will not protect against head lice.
• Head lice do not jump or fly; they are spread from person to person by direct contact or sharing of recently infested items.

Treatment
The most effective way to control head lice is through diligence and mechanical controls, which typically involve removing lice from hair one by one with a nit comb. A pesticide-laden lice shampoo followed by fastidious nit combing is the most common treatment recommendation.

Some experts believe the greatest harm associated with head lice results from the well-intentioned but misguided use of caustic or toxic substances (pesticide shampoos) to eliminate the lice. As published in the June 2006 edition of Archives of Disease in Childhood, researchers found that 80 percent of lice were resistant to the chemicals in commonly used lice shampoos. The head louse’s resistance to pesticides is just one reason why alternative treatments for lice are sought, the other being the forethought to spare children from exposure to caustic chemical preparations.

Effective Alternative Treatment
When it comes to head lice, the essential oils used in aromatherapy are proving to be one of alternative medicine’s best kept secrets. When applied to the hair, oil coats the exoskeleton of adult lice, basically preventing them from getting oxygen and ultimately suffocating them. A study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health found that lice submerged in olive oil for two hours died but those submerged for only one hour recovered. To effectively coat the lice, thoroughly saturate the head with olive oil mixed with essential oils. After a minimum of two hours, the oil can be washed out and the remnants removed with a nit comb. To account for the life cycle of the head louse, this process may be repeated every four days to kill emerging lice before they mature and can lay new eggs.

*Note: synthetic oils, such as kerosene or motor oil, are dangerous and should never be used.

When using essential oils, perform a skin test to determine a person’s sensitivity to the oils you plan on using. If the skin test uncovers any irritation, choose a different treatment. If irritation is experienced during treatment, shampoo the mixture out immediately. Various sources have touted the use of the following essential oils for the treatment of head lice:

• Tea Tree
• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Lemon
• Geranium
• Ylang ylang

The Proof
In addition to countless reports from moms and healthcare practitioners everywhere, scientific research confirms the superiority of essential oils in treating head lice:

• In a study published in the March 2004 edition of Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Irish researchers investigated tea tree essential oil’s ability to kill head lice. The results concluded that the insecticidal activity of tea tree oil made it an ideal ingredient in fighting lice infestation.

• In 2002, Israeli researchers conducted a clinical study comparing a natural remedy with a known pesticide spray to halt head lice infestation. The natural remedy used was a commercial preparation with the following ingredients: coconut oil, anise oil and ylang ylang oil. Of 940 children with lice, treatment was successful with the natural remedy in 92.3 percent of subjects, while treatment was successful with the pesticide spray in 92.2 percent of subjects. Researchers concluded that the natural remedy using essential oils was just as effective in controlling louse infestations as a pesticide, and it caused no serious side effects.

• In a 1996 study, researchers in Iceland looked into the use of essential oils of aniseed, cinnamon leaf, red thyme, tea tree, peppermint, nutmeg, rosemary and pine to treat lice. This study found all of these oils except rosemary and pine to be effective against head lice when applied in an alcoholic solution, followed by a rinse the next morning with an essential oil/vinegar/water mixture.

At least one of ten children will contract head lice before they reach the sixth grade. As these pests become increasingly resistant to chemical pesticide solutions, alternative treatments must be sought. In addition to the scientific support, people who have persevered through a louse infestation are grateful for the wonders of essential oils. Being prepared for a personal plight against these critters, advising clients how to best handle them or playing a role in preventing their transmission can all benefit from an education in aromatherapy.

Recommended Study:
Aromatherapy Essentials

References:

Cleary, BJ, Gilmer JF, et al., Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by Tea Tree oil, The Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, March 2004.

Main, Emily, It’s Okay to Nit Pick, The Green Guide, August 1, 2006.

Mumcuoglu KY, Miller J, The in vivo pediculicidal efficacy of a natural remedy, The Israel Medical Association Journal, October 2002.

Veal, L., The potential effectiveness of essential oils as a treatment for headlice, Pediculus humanus capitis, Complementary Therapies in Nursing and Midwifery, August 1996.

Wormwood, Valerie Ann, The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, New World Library, Novato, CA, 1991.

www.alt-medicine.allinfo-about.com, Natural Head Lice Treatments, Anne Helmenstein, PhD, All Info About Ltd., 2006.

www.dhope.org, Head Lice Facts, Department of Health Promotion and Education, 2006.

www.headlice.org, Factoids, The National Pediculosis Association, Inc., 2006.

www.hsph.harvard.edu, Head Lice Information, Richard J. Pollack, PhD, Harvard School of Public Health, 2006.

www.kidshealth.org, Infections: Head Lice, Nemours Foundation, 2006.