Living with chronic pain at any age can be a barrier to living a full and youthful life. As we age, we can expect to experience an increase in joint, muscle and nerve pain, especially if our lifestyle becomes less active – and it is hard to push through pain to maintain that activity! We must keep moving, since chronic pain has been linked to restrictions in mobility and daily activities, dependence on opioids, anxiety and depression, and poor perceived health or reduced quality of life.

I want to share my experience with my chronic knee and shoulder pain and hope that my story can support you to live your fullest life at any age.

As a teenager I played competitive tennis on asphalt courts, so sore knees and shoulders are an expected part of my aging story. Already diagnosed with bursitis in both shoulders, and having had right knee surgery 20 years ago, I am accustomed to reaching for my essential oils and Deep Blue Rub to manage the pain, especially in the cold winter months. Last year at the age of 62, I experienced severe knee inflammation and pain in my left knee, completely out of the blue – with no apparent cause - which prevented me from being able to walk. I was expecting to hear yet another knee surgery was required, and it appeared that we were potentially facing a knee replacement. During the four months of tests, punctures and procedures and referrals to specialists to evaluate the possibility of synovial sarcoma, a rare cancer in the soft tissue lining of the knee, I was also prescribed painkillers by my doctor, and I relied on these for a period. However, the disorientation, nausea and fatigue I experienced, prevented me from living a normal life, I decided to make my own painkillers using essential oils. I reached out to a good friend who is a PhD and she gave me the following recommendation:

In a veggie capsule, 2 drops of Copaiba, 2 drops of Frankincense, 1 drop of Marjoram, 1 drop Lemongrass, 1 drop Lavender, 1 drop Thyme and fill the capsule up with olive oil (this helps to sooth and improve absorption in the stomach). Within 2 days I was off the medications and able to function.

My number one topical support has always been Deep Blue. doTERRA Deep Blue ®  Soothing Blend is used to soothe joints and muscles. It contains Wintergreen, Camphor, Peppermint, Blue Tansy, Blue Chamomile, Helichrysum, and other oils known for their soothing effect on the skin. I simply apply the Deep Blue Stick and Rub to my knee several times a day and take hot baths with a couple of drops Deep Blue pure oil.

For additional internal joint support, I also take Deep Blue Polyphenol Complex ®

With my daily nutritional LifeLong Vitality supplements which I have been taking since 2014, with significant improvement in managing my arthritis in my fingers. I added the Bone Nutrient Lifetime Complex which provides calcium and vitamin D to support healthy bone density.*

• Exercise A safe, well-rounded exercise program can reduce joint pain and stiffness and increase flexibility, muscle strength, and endurance. I benefit from yoga, simple stretching and balance exercises as well as low-impact activities such as walking, cycling and swimming.

• Weight control  Managing our weight is an important part of reducing the stress on my knee joints, reducing pain, preventing additional injury, and increasing mobility. For help with weight control, we really recommend starting the MetaPWR Program, learn more about that program here, which I started three months ago with significant weight loss, improved brain function and more energy.

• Food Consider an inflammatory diet which can support the body to reduce inflammation, which is a cause osteoarthritis.

• Natural supplements and essential oils Essential oils and natural supplements can support different systems in the body to keep it healthy and happy.

• Complementary therapy Some research shows that complementary approaches, such as massage and acupuncture, may help relieve osteoarthritis pain.

More information about chronic pain:

A recent study reports that chronic pain affects more than 20 percent of Americans. With a part of the people who are experiencing chronic pain the cause is arthritis. The majority of people suffering from chronic pain are dealing with arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis among adults. It is also one of the most common causes of physical disability among adults.

But what is osteoarthritis exactly? Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that happens when the tissues that cushion the ends of the bones within the joints break down over time. These changes usually develop slowly and worsen gradually, and can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling. Anyone can get osteoarthritis, but it is more common as people age. Women are more likely than men to have osteoarthritis, especially after age 50. Other factors that may make it more likely to develop osteoarthritis include:

• Overweight or obesity

• History of injury or surgery to a joint

• Overuse from repetitive movements of the joint

• Joints that do not form correctly

• Family history of osteoarthritis

I am blessed because my story has a happy ending. All the test results came back negative for any tumor, and actually we approached my knee with a rehabilitation plan, ahead of any decisions on surgery. It is likely that at some point I may still require a new knee, but with weekly physical therapy, exercise and manual therapy I have regained and improved the movement and strength in both my knees. (I swear by massage) I continue to use my essential oil ‘friends’ to support my recovery, and I am back to all my yoga and normal youthful lifestyle routines.