Regan Hicks-Goldstein, Ed.D.

 

Hello. Let me introduce myself by first saying that if people had told me a year ago

that I would be researching the benefits of essential oils and aromatherapy, I would

have looked at them and told them that they were absolutely crazy. 

 

I followed an incredible educational and career path that led me to a wonderful job

that I absolutely love. My life has been like a fairy tale. I went to Albright College in

Reading, PA, where I received a Bachelor's in English and later pursued my Master's

in Counseling from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. I spent years as a

teacher, counselor, and administrator before deciding that I wanted to continue my education and go for that doctorate. I'm happy to say that I did get my doctorate from Delaware State University in Dover, Delaware. However, during my doctoral journey, I noticed that my joints hurt all the time. Actually, my whole body hurt. I could barely get out of bed some mornings. I just figured I was stressed and exhausted from studying too much and working too much.

 

Everyone knows I love shoes. I really love stillettoes. The higher, the better.

So, when I noticed that I was wearing flats because my legs hurt,

I knew I had to do something. After months and months of

medical tests and seeing countless doctors, I found my team of the best doctors imaginable.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy. Those are

just big words for "I hurt all over my body." I went through different medications that

seemed to give me some relief, but because I'm known as the Research Queen, I started reading

and reading and reading and was not comfortable with all of the side-effects listed.  Humira, Lyrica, Cymbalta, oh my!!!  If they work for you, please don't listen to me. Go for it. I still have to take an occasional pain killer because the pain gets too much to bear. However, if you know anything about opioids, you know that they are no joke. So, that brings me to aromatherapy.

 

Have you ever noticed that you just feel better when a Lavender candle is burning or you take a bath in beautiful, aromatic bath salts?  How about walking through a Rose garden? How about waking up to the smell of Gardenias  coming through your window on a beautiful summer day? Do you have some fragrances that delight you and others that are intolerable? How many times have you been in a room and the person next to you has on perfume or after shave that just doesn't agree with you, and it changes your mood and demeanor? Wild, huh? Well, these are some of the reasons I started experimenting with different essential oils. They are incredible. They delight us as well as heal and nourish our minds, bodies and spirits. We just have to find the right ones for what we are experiencing at the moment. That's what I have done, and I want to share my journey with others.

 

What about my pain, you ask?  I still have episodes that require my doctor's attention, and I still have some really bad days, but I have found ways of coping with those difficult times. I literally have turned my bathroom into a spa. I turn the lights down, light my Lavender candle, soak in my Gardenia sea salts, turn on some soothing music, and totally let myself be consumed by total relaxation. No cell phones allowed, by the way. After my bath, I put my favorite Lavender Vanilla lotion on, and I'm ready for the day that awaits me or ready for my bed for a wonderful night's sleep.

 

Well, I think I've written enough for now. I'm going to the spa. I mean, I'm going to take a bath. Until next time.........