Eating healthy, exercising, drinking plenty of water, and getting enough sleep are the pillars of a pain-free life. I did all these things to stay fit and vibrant at the age of forty-seven. But one day in late January, I woke up to a nightmare.
A sharp, debilitating pain shot through my back and down my leg. I couldn’t stand up straight; I was hunched over like a little old lady. I made my way to my basement gym and tried the elliptical, thinking I could work through it. I couldn’t. I tried to stretch, but it only made the agony worse.
Only 24 hours earlier, I was someone who could get up from the floor without using my hands. Now, I was grunting and groaning, barely able to make it back upstairs. I called out of work, took some Motrin, and prayed I would wake up from this nightmare.
The Four-Month Struggle
The pain didn’t end. My daughter eventually had to drive me to the emergency room. I was in so much pain I needed a wheelchair just to get from the car to the entrance. After three hours in the waiting room, I finally saw a doctor who ordered an X-ray. I cried the entire time; it hurt to lay down, stand, or sit. There was no escape.
An MRI the next day confirmed the culprit: a herniated disc at the L5-S1. I was so fortunate to have a surgeon who believed I was strong enough to heal naturally. He told me it was common and should heal on its own, but those next four months were the most painful, debilitating thing I had ever gone through.
I lived with a constant, crushing fear: Would I ever walk normally again? Would I ever go back to the gym, walk around a store, or drive without pain? I tried everything. Physical Therapy left me more bent over. Chiropractic care offered only fleeting relief. I even tried an epidural steroid shot—a “true tease” that let me walk for ten days before the pain came roaring back. I was prescribed Gabapentin, but it just made me forgetful and tired without touching the pain. It felt like surgery was my only option left.
The Turning Point
My oldest daughter, Jessica, was my savior. She sat through every appointment and listened to my endless whining. Jessica has used essential oils for years; she has done extensive reading on the topic and uses them for her own ailments. It was a true blessing that her study of one particular oil could help me.
One day, she asked me to try Frankincense. I knew the name from the Bible, but after researching it online, I learned it is often used for nerve regeneration. Since my L5-S1 disc was crushing my nerve, I figured I had nothing to lose.
I started on a Saturday. I diluted two drops of Frankincense (I used doTERRA) in a capful of grapeseed oil and rubbed it on my back, down my leg, and on the bottoms of my feet. After two days, I began taking two drops in a veggie capsule orally with water.
By Tuesday, I was walking the dog in an upright position.
The Science Behind the Relief
While my experience felt like a miracle, there is actually significant research behind why this worked. Frankincense (also known as Boswellia) is well-documented for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. According to WebMD, Frankincense can help inhibit the production of inflammation-causing chemicals in the body. By reducing the inflammation around my L5-S1 disc, the pressure on my nerve finally began to lift.
Within a month, I was back to walking 5 to 6 miles a day. I was touching my toes and getting up from the floor with no hands again. I was off all pharmacy drugs and back to my strong self. Between my daughter’s knowledge and my surgeon’s belief in my body’s ability to heal, I was able to avoid “going under the knife.”
6 Years Later: The Greatest Reward (2026)
It has been six years since that “miracle month.” I am happy to report that the results weren’t just a fluke. When I look back at those four months of agony, I am amazed that I am sitting here today—hitting the gym every day and sleeping great.
The timing of my healing was a blessing in more ways than one. Shortly after I recovered in May of 2020, my first grandchild was born. Since then, I’ve been blessed with two more. Today, I have three grandsons who are the center of my world.
Because I found a way to heal, I don’t have to watch them from the sidelines. I can run and play with them. I can pick them up, swing them around, and go on long walks outside. I am doing burpees and jumping on boxes—maintaining the active lifestyle I once thought was gone forever. I am grateful and feel so incredibly blessed.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor or a medical professional. This post reflects my personal journey and experience with essential oils. What worked for my body may work differently for yours. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting new supplements or stopping prescribed medications, especially when considering the internal use of essential oils.