Aromatherapy and Pain

The Effect of Aromatherapy on the Incidence and Severity of Post Procedure Pain and Discomfort in Patients

Effect of aromatherapy on pain and discomfort in patients who are receiving intramuscular stimulation therapy or trigger point injections for chronic pain.

The study will explore the effect of aromatherapy on pain and discomfort in patients who are receiving intramuscular stimulation therapy or trigger point injections for chronic pain. This will be a blinded study where patients will act as their own control over two treatment visits. On one visit patient will be exposed to either the aromatherapy or a placebo. On their second visit patients will be exposed to the other compound. The study will collect demographic data, pain intensity and affect, and catastrophizing information.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Have received at least one (1) prior IMS or trigger point injection treatment with researcher
• 18 years of age or older
• English language speaker
• has completed Pain Tracker (clinic standard of care) questionnaire prior to study visit
• any analgesic medication taken must be consistent for both sessions

Exclusion Criteria:

• Non-English language speaker
• Age <18
• Allergy to essential oils
• Asthmatic
• Patient unable to self-administer aromatherapy