Illustration depicting hands receiving an essential oil massage for arthritis relief, with copaiba and deep blue oils in the background.

Hand Arthritis? Discover the Soothing Power of Copaiba and Deep Blue Oils

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Explore how a massage-like technique using essential oils could bring relief to your hands, potentially easing arthritis symptoms."

Hand arthritis can make everyday tasks a challenge, causing pain, inflammation, and stiffness that can significantly impact your quality of life. Finding effective ways to manage these symptoms is crucial. While conventional treatments exist, many individuals are increasingly turning to complementary therapies to find relief and improve their well-being. This article explores a promising approach: the use of Copaiba and Deep Blue essential oils in a massage-like technique.

The study, published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, investigated the effects of the AromaTouch Hand Technique (ATHT), a method that combines gentle touch with the application of essential oils. The ATHT was administered to individuals with hand arthritis to assess its impact on pain levels, hand function, and overall mobility.

This article will guide you through the study's findings, providing insights into how this simple, yet potentially effective, technique could offer a natural way to support your hand health. We'll explore the roles of Copaiba and Deep Blue oils, the methodology used in the research, and the encouraging results that suggest a new avenue for managing hand arthritis symptoms.

Unveiling the Secrets: How Copaiba and Deep Blue Oils Might Help

Illustration depicting hands receiving an essential oil massage for arthritis relief, with copaiba and deep blue oils in the background.

The study focused on the potential benefits of the AromaTouch Hand Technique (ATHT), a gentle, massage-like approach, paired with essential oils known for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Copaiba oil, derived from the Copaifera tree, is rich in beta-caryophyllene (BCP), a compound that interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system, potentially reducing inflammation and pain. Deep Blue oil, a blend of essential oils including wintergreen, peppermint, blue tansy, and others, is known for its soothing effects, attributed to components like menthol and methyl salicylate.

The research involved participants with various forms of hand arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Over a period of five days, participants received the ATHT, either with a preparation of Copaiba and Deep Blue oils or a placebo (coconut oil). The researchers then evaluated changes in several key areas, including finger and thumb joint flexibility, hand function, and pain levels. The results showed significant improvements in the group receiving the essential oil blend.

Increased Flexibility: Participants using the essential oil preparation showed a significant increase in the range of motion in their finger and thumb joints.
Reduced Pain: The essential oil group experienced a notable decrease in pain scores, suggesting the oils' effectiveness in pain management.
Enhanced Hand Function: Participants in the essential oil group showed improvements in their ability to perform everyday tasks, like lacing shoes.

These findings suggest that the ATHT, when combined with Copaiba and Deep Blue oils, may offer a complementary approach to managing hand arthritis. The combination of gentle touch and the oils' properties could provide a pathway to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and improve hand function, leading to a better quality of life for those affected.

A Promising Path Forward

The study's results provide a foundation for further exploration into the benefits of the AromaTouch Hand Technique with Copaiba and Deep Blue oils. While this research offers promising insights, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional for a comprehensive arthritis management plan. As research continues, individuals with hand arthritis may find this complementary approach a valuable addition to their wellness routine, potentially easing discomfort and enhancing their ability to enjoy daily activities.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.10.004, Alternate LINK

Title: Effects Of A Massage-Like Essential Oil Application Procedure Using Copaiba And Deep Blue Oils In Individuals With Hand Arthritis

Subject: Complementary and alternative medicine

Journal: Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Tyler Bahr, Kathryn Allred, Devin Martinez, Damian Rodriguez, Paul Winterton

Published: 2018-11-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is the AromaTouch Hand Technique (ATHT) and how does it work to potentially alleviate hand arthritis symptoms?

The AromaTouch Hand Technique (ATHT) is a gentle, massage-like approach that combines touch with the application of specific essential oils. In the context of hand arthritis, the ATHT involves applying Copaiba and Deep Blue oils to the hands using a specific technique. Copaiba oil is believed to reduce inflammation and pain through its interaction with the endocannabinoid system, due to its high beta-caryophyllene (BCP) content. Deep Blue oil, a blend of oils such as wintergreen and peppermint, provides soothing effects via components like menthol and methyl salicylate. The combination of these oils, along with gentle massage, aims to increase flexibility, reduce pain, and enhance hand function.

Can you elaborate on the specific components of Deep Blue oil and how each contributes to soothing arthritic hands?

Deep Blue oil is a blend of several essential oils, each with properties that contribute to its soothing effect. Wintergreen contains methyl salicylate, which has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. Peppermint provides a cooling sensation due to its menthol content, which can help alleviate pain. Blue tansy is included for its anti-inflammatory benefits. These components, working synergistically, may help to reduce pain and inflammation associated with hand arthritis. However, the precise mechanism and efficacy can vary among individuals, and further research is needed to fully understand the interactions and long-term effects.

What were the key findings of the study regarding the use of Copaiba and Deep Blue oils with the AromaTouch Hand Technique (ATHT) for individuals with hand arthritis?

The study showed promising results for individuals with hand arthritis using the AromaTouch Hand Technique (ATHT) with Copaiba and Deep Blue oils. Key findings included: Increased Flexibility, where participants experienced a significant increase in the range of motion in their finger and thumb joints. Reduced Pain, where the essential oil group experienced a notable decrease in pain scores. Enhanced Hand Function, where participants in the essential oil group showed improvements in their ability to perform everyday tasks. These findings suggest that the ATHT, combined with Copaiba and Deep Blue oils, may offer a complementary approach to managing hand arthritis symptoms.

The study mentions a placebo group using coconut oil. Why was coconut oil chosen, and what does this comparison reveal about the efficacy of Copaiba and Deep Blue oils?

Coconut oil was likely chosen as a placebo due to its neutral properties and lack of inherent anti-inflammatory or analgesic effects relevant to arthritis symptoms. It serves as a control to isolate the specific effects of Copaiba and Deep Blue oils. By comparing the outcomes of the group receiving the AromaTouch Hand Technique (ATHT) with Copaiba and Deep Blue oils to the group receiving ATHT with coconut oil, researchers could more confidently attribute any observed improvements to the active essential oils rather than the massage technique alone or a general placebo effect. The fact that the essential oil group showed significant improvements in flexibility, pain reduction, and hand function compared to the coconut oil group suggests that Copaiba and Deep Blue oils have specific therapeutic benefits for managing hand arthritis symptoms.

Given that the study showed positive results, what are the next steps in researching the AromaTouch Hand Technique (ATHT) with Copaiba and Deep Blue oils for hand arthritis, and what broader implications might this approach have?

The positive results from the study pave the way for several next steps in researching the AromaTouch Hand Technique (ATHT) with Copaiba and Deep Blue oils for hand arthritis. Larger-scale, longer-term studies are needed to confirm the findings and assess the sustained benefits. Future research could investigate the optimal dosage and frequency of application, as well as explore the effectiveness of this approach for different types and severities of hand arthritis. Additionally, studies could compare ATHT with Copaiba and Deep Blue oils to other conventional treatments to determine its relative efficacy and potential as an adjunct therapy. Broader implications of this approach include offering a natural, non-invasive option for managing hand arthritis symptoms, potentially reducing reliance on pharmacological interventions. If further research supports its effectiveness, ATHT with Copaiba and Deep Blue oils could become a valuable addition to comprehensive arthritis management plans, improving the quality of life for individuals affected by this condition.