Aromathrapy Case Study

Aromatherapy Case Study

Introduction

The client X was single, 46 years old and shared a home with her sister. She had a quiet assertive manner. Client X was fit with outdoor activities such as hill walking, swimming and has recently taken up cycling. Client X was a vegetarian and well aware of the need for balance in her diet.

In the past Client X had suffered from mild depression, but not for some years now, she came to Keighley College Salon, as her work situation had become stressful.

Consultation

Client X had a slight frame, slim but with good muscle tone, particularly in her legs. She had small patches of psoriasis on her elbows, knees and at the base of her spine. She had been unable to pursue her hobby of hill walking because of an ankle injury and since she found this a great way of concentrating her mind and switching off from work; this had contributed in raising her stress levels.

She told me about her history of mild depression but was not forthcoming about the details of it. She used St. John’s Wort on a regular basis. Recently her sleep pattern had begun to be broken as she found herself waking early with work related thoughts.
Apart from mild P.M.T, which usually involved mood swings, her lifestyle ensured that she was healthy with a good well balanced diet and plenty of exercise.

Password

Confirm Password

I agree to the terms of service and privacy policy

Client X held a senior position in the office and had plenty of experience, which had led to more and more work being placed on her shoulders. Although she had no difficulty in dealing with the tasks given, she found it stressful that her remit constantly changed and had discussed this with her manager who didn’t “see a problem” and did not think any stress was involved. She felt therefore that she had to find her own ways of dealing with the stress she was feeling.

Treatment Plan

We agreed that the main aims of the treatment should be to ...

This is a preview of the whole essay

Treatment Plan

We agreed that the main aims of the treatment should be to bring about balance in the nervous system to aid stress relief and restoration of sleep patterns. We would also help her to relax and treat any symptoms of P.M.T. as they arose. She felt her ankle was now recovered and did not need treatment

Treatments were at one weekly intervals

Treatment 1

I performed a back; neck and shoulder massage using 8mls of Sweet almond with 2mls of jojoba because the client had a history of psoriasis. The essential oils I used were 1 drop of bergamot (citrus bergamia), 3 drops of lavender (lavandula augustifolia) and 2 drops of frankincense (boswelia carteri) as these are uplifting and balancing while lavender would aid sleep. The client enjoyed the massage and was delighted with the aroma of the oils.

I advised her that lavender oil diluted in a teaspoon of coconut oil in her bath would aid sleep or alternatively a drop on her pillow would work as well. Since her ankle was no longer giving her a problem I recommended that she resumed hill walking. (Sometimes clients prefer to dilute bath oils in milk so the bath is not slippery)

Treatment 2

Client X arrived looking tired but feeling positive. She was less stressed because she had slept better and felt she had a way of dealing with the situation though the situation itself had not changed.

I performed a back, neck and shoulder massage using 5 drops of geranium (pelargonium graveolens) and 1 drop of rose (rosa damascena) as these oils give balance are strengthening and are a tonic to the nervous system.

As the client has a few days off, she is going hill walking and asked for a suitable foot lotion. I advised 30mls base lotion with 6 drops of peppermint (mentha piperata) and 6 drops of lavender as these oils would be analgesic, antiseptic, tonic and deodorising to soothe and refresh her feet. She felt great after the massage.

Treatment 3

Client X had benefited from her holiday and was feeling rested. She had been on a fairly long cycle ride and as this was a new hobby, she was not yet confident and tended to hold her shoulders rigidly Client X requested a massage to ease her aches and pains.

I used 8mls Sweet almond and 2mls jojoba with a 3% dilution of 3 drops of sweet marjoram (marjorama origanium) and 3 drops of black pepper (piper nigrum). I used these oils primarily for their anti spasmodic and analgesic properties to ease muscular aches and pains, but also the sweet marjoram is balancing to the nervous system so would also address the priority of our treatment plan. The massage covered her back, neck and shoulders. After her treatment, she felt great and we discussed how trying to keep this feeling when stressed would help her cope. As usual I suggested an increase in drinking water and also gave some postural advice.

Treatment 4

Client X’s work situation had not improved and although massage was helping her to cope with it, she feet she might have to take steps to resolve the situation.

I performed a lengthy back, neck and shoulder massage using the same carrier as before with a 3% dilution of 2 drops of clary sage (salvia sclarea), 3 drops of lavender and 1 drop of jasmine (jasminum officinale). The first 2 oils would calm and relax and jasmine would restore confidence, to help with decision making. I recommended through inhalation from a tissue of a cephalic oil such as basil or rosemary in the work place itself, to aid positive thinking. After the massage and relaxation, she felt much better. We discussed gentle exercises that she could do to maintain the situation.

Conclusion

Client X made an appointment with her Human Resources Manager to discuss her work situation. She was hoping that it could be resolved before she returned to work. Her psoriasis had also improved in response to stress reduction. She felt confident and it was encouraging to see how she had empowered herself to deal with a stressful time and how aromatherapy had played a significant part in this. Client X also felt that if the situation at work starts to become overwhelming she would book in for another treatment.