Aromasticks

Aromastick Patient Information Sheet

Introduction

An initial assessment at The Christie showed that the majority of patients who used the Aromastick received some benefit from it.  The Aromastick has been supplied to support you in dealing with issues you are encountering.  To help us evaluate this further we would appreciate your feedback about your experiences of using the Aromastix.

Benefits

The Aromastick aims to give you a simple supportive method of utilising the proven benefits of essential oils through inhalation (Haze et al 2002; Dyer et al 2008).

It aims to help you cope with some of the side effects of your cancer treatment, to help you take back some control and promote relaxation.

Studies with essential oils (Stringer & Donald 2011) have shown that some oils have properties that may help to reduce anxiety, pain and nausea, as well as helping to improve sleep quality.  Moreover, they could also help reduce anxiety associated with smoking cessation.

The Aromastick contains specially selected blends of essential oils for the following issues:

·      anxiety

·      nausea

·      sleep problems

·      smoking.

You will be asked to select your preferred blend for that condition.

The Aromastick is for single person use only.

How to use

Place the Aromastick about six inches from your nose (either resting on your upper chest or in your hand) and then inhale using the “3 breaths to calm” technique, demonstrated by your therapist.  Your therapist may help you to gain the most from your Aromastick by showing you some additional relaxation techniques.  You could find a beneficial effect within the first minute of use, however, do not use the Aromastix for more than five minutes at a time.

For sleep problems, use the Aromastick as required before you go to sleep or on wakening during the night.

Clinical evaluation suggests that better results are obtained for anxiety and nausea if the Aromastick are used approximately every 2 to 3 hours when required.

Caution

Stop using the Aromastick and contact your nurse if you have any problems, particularly if you experience any of the following:

·      breathing difficulties

·      headache

·      nausea 

·      nose bleed

·      rash.

NB: Please discard the Aromastick when you no longer find it useful or six months from the date of issue.

Support and further information

Please let us know if you notice any changes in your well being. This information will be very helpful to us in both our evaluation work and in making important changes to treatments in the future.

Contacts

If you wish to know more about Aromasticks or have any questions, please contact the Complementary Therapy team on 0161 446 8236 or 0161 446 3524, Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00 pm.

‘3 Breaths to Calm©’ Technique Using the Aromastick

               Preparation

• Take a comfortable breath in………and as you exhale, let your eyes close and settle into the support of the chair/bed.
• Concentrate on the unpleasant feeling you want to change and give it permission to be there….. When you feel something coming up for you, you can just let me know by nodding you head or saying OK……. Notice which part of the body feels it most.

                                                

Identifying ‘how it works

If this feeling had a colour, what colour would it be?...... If it has a weight,  how  heavy or light is it? …….Is it warm or cold? Maybe it has a sense of energy or movement?....... If so, what direction is it moving in? …….Is there anything else you notice about it?

                  Changing The Feeling

·         What would be the total opposite of this feeling? (Please be selective as you won’t need the whole list!)…………What is  the opposite colour ……..the opposite weight …. the opposite temperature …… the opposite movement ……..  and the opposite of anything else…….

·         Draw a circle in your mind’s eye and imagine stepping into it.

Add  the opposite  colour  to the circle and notice the immediate changes .….Then add that opposite weight…. temperature…. movement  and the opposite of anything else

(Use the clients/patient’s exact words).

                                   

Checking The Results

·         Allowing all those changes to take effect, noticing the difference that A/B/C make etc and begin to breathe these changes gently into all parts of your body and mind. When you feel those positives changes, you can let me know by nodding your head or saying OK.

(You can tweak any further changes that need to be “added” to get a positive result whilst you are in the circle

                               

Anchoring The Changes

·         Take 3 comfortable, slow breaths of your chosen blend, bringing the aroma deeply into the body and locking all those positive changes into position. Noticing that each breath seems to increase the power of the one before.

·         When you are ready, step out of the circle and you can open your eyes and keep those changes

                                         

         If you have time, “Future Pace” (RECOMMENDED)

• Imagine a time in the future where you might re-experience those unpleasant feelings…… take some time to recreate them now…….. Let me know in the usual way when you are there. Good.
• You know what to do, imagine your circle and step into it, bringing all those powerful changes one by one into the space and notice how much more quickly those positive changes happen for you (mention some) and let me know in the usual way when you become more comfortable…… Good.
• Now you know what to do. Using the Aromastick, take 3 comfortable breaths to calm and notice how your body and mind know how to lock in those changes again.
• When you are ready, step out of the circle and you can open your eyes…. Take another 3 breaths – notice how the aroma just seems to “know” what to do immediately…. Now each and every time you use this aroma to change those unpleasant sensations, you are just going to get better at it,…….the changes will happen faster because human beings tend to get better and better with practice.
• It’s a good idea to ‘recharge’ the positive feelings associated with the aromastick by taking 3 comfortable breaths when you are experiencing happy feelings – like listening to a favourite song, laughing with friends, or just feeling content.