Client details and reason for attending-
Miss A, girl aged 7, student, first attendance December 2005. The patient suffers frequently from high fever tonsillitis. At the time of attending first sign of sore throat.
Social History
Race: Asian, Indian, Kashmiri girl
Education: Primary student class 3
Family status: Elder daughter (she has another sibling 3 years younger to her)
Religion: Hindu
Hobbies/Interests: Non vegetarian food, watching television, reading books, playing tennis, swimming
Future Plans: Planning to go for tonsillitis removing operation. The family wanted to try aromatherapy before going for surgery.
Medical History
High Fever – since early childhood getting frequent fevers (every 2-3 months)
Tonsillitis – Quite prone to tonsillitis – cause of high fever
General Lifestyle – Good. Doing well in studies. Due to frequent fevers, the family gets concerned.
Detailed History of complaint –
First experienced high fever when only 3 months old. The doctors attending in initial period could not diagnose the fever due to tonsillitis. Recently it could be diagnosed. Fever remains for generally 5 days. Takes fever reducing medicines like Paracetamol (as and when needed) and antibiotic treatment – erythromycin for 5 days. Doctor advised removal of tonsils. Loses appetite and bitterness in mouth after antibiotic treatment. No other health problem.
Examination –
7 year old girl, normal height, frail build. Slightly sore throat (fearing that
fever will come now. Does not want to take antibiotic dose.) No other
health problem noticed.
Treatment Plan-
Aim of Treatment- To use Aromatherapy treatment as a preventive measure for fever and tonsillitis.
The child and mother are made to understand about aromatherapy and how to use it at the very first sign of soreness of throat. Treatment to include back, chest, throat and forehead (gentle) massage for prevention. To use essential oils in vaporizer when needed. Also to put essential oils in a tissue to be inhaled, example – when going to school etc.
Choice of essential oils with quantities-
Total 4 drops -
2 drops of Eucalyptus
2 drops of Tea Tree in 1 tablespoon of Sesame/ Almond/ Apricot base oil
Details of essential oils used;
Eucalyptus - Murtaceae family - There are different types of eucalyptus trees belonging to this family but only a small number of them produce interesting essential oils.
Precautions - Eucalyptus oil should be avoided along with homoeopathic medicine and if you wish so, do so at a time which leaves a two to three hours gap between them.
Properties of Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus )
Analgesic, antiseptic, anti -viral, balsamic, expectorant, decongestant
Particularly good for -.
Chest complaints, flu, colds and viruses.
Used for -Coughs , bronchitis, sore throat, sinusitis, skin infections, viral infections, herpes .
Scent - Sweet , menthol.
Tea Tree - (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Properties: Powerful antiseptic, anti fungal, anti- viral, expectorant, insecticide, anti -infectious bactericidal, diaphoretic, expectorant, immuno -stimulant, parasiticide .
Particularly good for - Colds, cold sores, infections (particularly skin )
Warning - No apparent warnings
Scent - Medicinal disinfectant
General Observation: A combination of top notes may not make a well balance scent to a perfumer, but a sharp intense smell is just what you need at that time to cut through mucus and blocked sinuses etc. A week later when one has recovered , then one may find that the same oils are too sharp and that they do nothing for you.
Details of how I conducted the treatment-
Firstly I made the child and the mother understand the treatment and techniques to be used like essential oils, their benefits – how to keep prepared oil safely, the potential hazards of essential oils –like keeping them away from eyes and mouth.( It should not go inside as very harmful.)
Techniques used
Massage
Steam Inhalation
Vaporiser
Tissue use with essential oils
Use of treatment oil at home
Made the child comfortable and secure.
Back, chest, neck massage-
Firm, soothing, effleurage steps over the back for relaxation. Rhythmic strokes on the chest to soothe the area, followed by gentle strokes down the neck; then large, gentle, circular movements on either side of the neck.
Forehead massage:
Stroke gently out from the centre of the brow to the temples with your thumbs (for fever prevention). With your thumbs, stroke from the forehead down the sides gently. Then place your palms on the forehead and hold for about a minute to create a feeling of security and calmness. Finally gentle static pressure on either side of the nose.
Gave the treatment oil for home use to be applied locally three times a day.
The first session lasted 1 hour and the client was called again the day after. The client felt comfortable after the treatment.
In the second session I made enquiries relating to health and found marked improvement as the child's throat pain had substantially reduced and had no fever. I repeated the first session massage treatment. The client felt relaxed after the session which lasted 30 minutes. Gave treatment oil for home use to be applied three times a day. The client was called after 2 days.
In the third session, I had a detailed talk with the child. Her throat had become clear. I asked the child to inform her mother at the very first stage of cough, fever etc for preventive measures to be taken. Gave treatment oil for home use to be applied two times for a day and later to be used when needed. Vaporizer use (also steam inhalation) with essential oils was explained to them. The session lasted 30 minutes.
Home Care Advice Offered-
a) Keep mouth clean by brushing, clean properly before going to bed at night.
b) To use aromatherapy 'treatment oil' as a preventive measure at home if the client feels the first sign of tonsillitis like sore throat etc.
c) Apply 'treatment oil' locally on chest, back, neck and forehead.
d) Consult an aromatherapist for treatment.
e) Consult a doctor if fever increases above 102 F.
Reassessment or feedback from client-
The client found aromatherapy to be a very pleasant treatment and her fever has not come since she started aromatherapy treatment. Although in this period they visited me a number of times for treatment as and when they saw first signs of sore throat. I gave the same treatment as explained before. The client and the family is very satisfied with the treatment.
I had at the very outset made it clear to the mother that never take unnecessary risks: show her to a doctor if the need arises ( e.g. very high temperature). But fortunately, in all these 3 years, only once a Paracetamol tablet for slight fever has been given to the child, no antibiotic has been used. The family is continuing treatment with me as and when required and are satisfied.
Assessment of the Outcome-
The case demonstrates that the symptoms of tonsillitis with fever in children can be alleviated by aromatherapy treatment which included massage, steam inhalation, vaporizer and tissue use with essential oils to the benefit of the client.
Aromatherapy played a valuable role in alleviating chronic case of tonsillitis which the child was having for the last 7 years. The family is continuing treatment with me as and when required .They are satisfied and very happy with the results .The girl is very happy that she does not have to take anti-biotic which she disliked immensely.
This case gave me immense confidence in therapeutic use of essential oils as an aromatherapist. |
