Hot and Cold Therapy + Essential Oils = Pain Relief

By Caryn Gehlmann

Pain, stiffness, and cramps are some of the issues that people try to treat using hot and cold therapy, because it works! Cold treatment is helpful in reducing inflammation by decreasing blood flow within 48 hours after an injury. Heat treatment, on the other hand, promotes blood flow and helps muscles relax which is helpful for chronic pain.

One of our most popular items is our Comfort Heart Pillow which works for both hot and cold therapy. This pillow is filled with Golden Flax and when warmed or chilled, these little gold seeds hold HOT or COLD temperature better than brown flax or any other pillow fill. Flax seeds move in the pillows to gently support and contour to your body. These seeds also provide a therapeutic weight that provides compression, acupressure, and comfort. (Tip — We’ve noticed having one pillow for heat therapy and another one in the freezer for cold therapy tends to extend the lifespan of the flax seeds.)

The fresh scent of Golden Flax blends beautifully with soothing essential oil blends which is why we have a gift set that allows you to choose an essential oil to use with your pillow. Essential oils are also a natural way to bring you some relief when you’re suffering from pain or discomfort. This combo — a warm pillow with a lovely smelling blend of essential oils — can also be just the thing when you’re just looking for a way to relax after a long day!

Hot and Cold Therapy + Soothing Essential Oils + e3’s Comfort Heart Pillow = The Perfect Equation for Pain Relief

But how can you apply essential oils when using this pillow, especially when you want to heat it? Great question! It’s the theme of this latest Q & A with Caryn. A customer wanted to know,  “What is the best way to use the oil with my pillow?  Should I apply the oil before or after heating the pillow?”

The answer I’m sharing for the Comfort Heart Pillow should also work for most pillows designed to be warmed in the microwave.

This video focused on essential oils with heat therapy but the same would hold true with cold therapy. Rather than putting the essential oil directly on the pillow, we recommend you put a few drops on a piece of tissue or toilet paper, or paper towel, and then place it under the flap.

If you’d like to get more recommendations on pain relief you’ll enjoy this blog, How Do Essential Oils for Pain Relief Work? If you’re interested in using the  Comfort Heart Pillow for emotional support then you’ll want to read, Heart-centered Aromatherapy Tips.

I look forward to hearing your questions about essential oils! e3’s team of clinical aromatherapists is available to provide trustworthy answers to questions about essential oils and their safe usage. It’s a good reminder that just because people distribute essential oils and have the best of intentions, doesn’t necessarily make them the best resource when you have health and safety issues you want to address.

If you’re looking for answers, a great place to start your search is on our e3 Guide section. And if you haven’t already done so, don’t forget that by signing up for our newsletter you get a 20% coupon to use on your next order.