More than a third of American adults use some form of complementary or alternative medicine, according to a recent government report. Natural remedies have an obvious appeal, but how do you know which ones to choose and whether the claims are backed by science? Today, New York Times “Really?” columnist Anahad O’Connor begins a weekly series exploring the claims and the science behind alternative remedies that you may want to consider for your family medicine cabinet.

The Remedy: Arnica

The Claim: It relieves pain.

Click here to read the full article:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/17/the-alternative-medicine-cabinet-arnica/?hp

NBC10 Philadelphia’s Dawn Timmeney

More and more people are turning to a homeopathic remedy for pain. They say the results are dramatic for bumps, bruises and all kinds of sports injuries.

Treating Shoulder Pain and Injuries With Homeopathy

Dr. Thaddeus Jacobs

With its shallow ball-and-socket joint surface and thin, albeit, very strong layer of muscles and tendons, the shoulder could be considered a natural wonder of engineering. It possesses the greatest range of motion of all the joints in the body, allowing us to position our hands in a multitude of ways. Its strong ‘rotator cuff’ muscles enable us to accomplish a great deal of work involving complex pushing, pulling and lifting motions.

With amazing capabilities come some unfortunate drawbacks. The shoulder’s flexibility-optimizing design requires smaller supportive muscles and thinner stabilizing ligamentous connective tissue. This leaves the shoulder joint particularly prone to injury. Sudden overstretch or overuse leads to sprains and strains. When this occurs either chronically or acutely, joint inflammation (synovitis) as well as bursitis and tendonitis often results. Also, when inflammation exists in and around the joint, one could wind up with a debilitating ‘frozen shoulder.’

As always, the first remedy to consider for all musculoskeletal pain and inflammation is Arnica. This is particularly true in cases of acute injuries or joint dislocation. Every home’s medicine chest or car’s glove box should stock this versatile remedy in order to be prepared to not only treat shoulders, but any number of other problems involving pain and injuries.

For acute injuries and pain, begin treatment with Arnica, taken every hour. If the problem steadily diminishes with Arnica, then continue using it for several days until the problem is completely resolved.

The shoulder’s complex structural make-up likely contributes to the wide variety of possible symptoms encountered with shoulder problems. This means that a greater number of homeopathic remedies must be considered when choosing a medicine. Among the many possible remedy choices, three main ones are discussed here.

Ruta graveolens is a classic ligament and tendon injury remedy either with or without bursitis. It is better with heat applications, with pain and stiffness following exposure to cold. Clear cases of ligament and tendon injury can be effectively treated using this remedy alone.

Thiosinaminum is the #1 remedy for frozen shoulder. Bryonia is also a good frozen shoulder remedy, especially when even slight movement causes pain. Bryonia is particularly well-suited for cases where extreme dryness is felt, ‘as if there were no fluid in the joint.’

The medicines discussed in this article effectively treat many shoulder problems. For greater success, readers should refer to articles on this site, such as “Effective Homeopathic Treatment of Sprains and Strains,” and other sources. When shoulder pain and dysfunction persist, it may be an indication that a more serious health issue exists. A health care professional should be consulted so that co-existing health problems are addressed and supportive therapies implemented.

Homeopathic remedies pose a significant advantage over most over-the-counter and prescription medications in the treatment of knee injuries and pain. The knee is notorious in its ability to heal at a drawn-out pace. Steroid injections and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, while potent in suppressing inflammation and pain, are known to greatly hinder cartilage and joint connective tissue repair. These drugs ultimately cause weakening of the joints and a higher likelihood of subsequent injury and arthritic changes. Armed with that information, sufferers should consider therapies that support a return of structural integrity as well as pain-free function. Homeopathy can be the ticket to fast-track recovery.

Because the knee joint is “boney” (i.e. not covered by thick muscle) and endures tremendous repetitive weight-bearing forces, it is particularly prone to trauma and injury. In particular, its hinge design is not conducive to twisting motions, and excessive torsion readily causes injury to ligaments and the boney cartilage surfaces. Structures often afflicted by damage and inflammation include the patella tendon (Jumper’s knee), bursae, collateral and capsule ligaments, femoral and meniscus cartilage, and the periostium bone sheath – from direct blows to the bones.

People familiar with homeopathic healing will not be surprised to read that Arnica is the first remedy to give for any acute injury to the joints. Mild to moderate pain should respond well to Arnica. Severe pain or trauma –such as a torn meniscus or cruciate ligament- will be treated better with a higher potency. Rhus tox very often will be a good remedy to give a day or two after the trauma and initial treatment with Arnica. With improvement, Rhus can be given to ensure healing momentum is maintained within the joint. Apis is particularly indicated when there is a significant amount of swelling, as in bursitis.

Ruta graveolens is a classic ligament and tendon injury remedy either with or without bursitis. It is better with heat applications. Pain and stiffness follows exposure to cold. Rhus tox is also a good remedy for conditions that are worse with cold and ameliorated with heat, but is better indicated when the pain is present upon initial movement and gets progressively better as the joint continues to move and limber up. As a course of treatment, Ruta may be taken morning and night along with the tissue salts, Calc carb, Calc phos and Silicea. After a couple weeks, substitute Ruta in the above regimen. Two week later, discontinue the tissue salts and take single daily dose of Ruta for a week or two.

Other remedies to consider include Bryonia, for severe pain with slightest movement, and Ledum, which is beneficial for dark bruising that is unresponsive to arnica. Ledum is well suited when injuries feel cold to touch and are alleviated by cold applications.

The medicines discussed above should cover most cases; however, some chronic knee pain sufferers may need to seek the care of a professional homeopath. Treatment utilizing homeopathy requires that we do not ignore the whole person. It is therefore important in cases of persistent knee pain and dysfunction to obtain a remedy and other therapies to addresses co-existing health problems and treats one’s entire constitution.

Stay Active with Hyland’s New Arnica-based Products!

Hyland’s new Arnica-based products provide natural pain relief for aches, pains, muscle soreness, bruising, and inflammation that may occur with regular activities or workouts.  These great new products also help speed your recovery from injuries, trauma and overexertion.

Key Benefits:
Speeds Recovery – Get back on your game and back on track more quickly.
Advance Defense - Use before your workout or a physical activity to minimize soreness and pain later.  Also use again after workouts to alleviate stiffness and strain.
Natural Pain Relief
Non Habit-Forming, Drug-Free, Safe
No Aspirin, Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen or Naproxen
No Salicylates, counterirritants, or Capsaicin

Hyland’s Arnica 30X Tablets – relieves the symptoms of muscle pain, soreness, bruising and swelling due to injuries and overexertion.  Our unique, quick-dissolving tablets melt quickly under the tongue.  The tablets are also perfect to dissolve in your water and take as you enjoy your workout or other activities.

Hyland’s Muscle Therapy Strips with Arnica – new, innovative quick-dissolving oral strips are easy-to-use and convenient for your on-the-go lifestyle.  The strips dissolve instantly on the tongue and come in handy, one-dose packages.  Use to reduce swelling, minimize bruising and ease muscle and joint soreness.

Hyland’s Muscle Therapy Gel with Arnica – The same great formula in the Muscle Therapy Strips is also offered in a topical gel for on-the-spot relief! It’s a quick-absorbing gel and odorless, so you can use and get on with your day!

Hyland’s products will get you going again in no time!

Key Benefits:

• Advance Defense- use before activity
• Speeds Recovery
• Natural Pain Relief
• Easy / pleasant to take quick dissolving tablets
• Non Habit-Forming, Drug-Free, Safe
• No Aspirin, Acetaminophen, Ibuprofin or Naproxen
• No Salicylates, counterirritants, Capsaicin or glucosamine/chondroitin.

Indications for Use: Temporarily relieves the symptoms of muscle pain, soreness, bruising and swelling due to injuries and over exertion.

Active Ingredients:

Arnica Montana 30X HPUS Joint & muscle soreness; pain; aches & pains; swelling; bruising; stiffness; inflammation; back ache; trauma & fatigue…

…in a base of Lactose (milk sugar), N.F.

Available in bottles of 50 quick dissolving tablets.

Key Benefits:

• Contains Arnica - the first natural remedy for swelling, bruising and trauma
• Feels great on the skin
• Absorbs Quickly - never greasy
• No salicylates, counterirritants, capsaicin or glucosamine chondroitin - 100% Natural

Indications for Use: Temporarily relieves the symptoms of muscle pain, soreness, bruising and swelling due to injuries and over exertion.

Active Ingredients:

Arnica Montana 2x HPUS - stiffness; pain; trauma; bruising
Hyperpicum Perforatum 3x HPUS - weakness in limbs; joint pain
Ruta Graveolens 3x HPUS - pain in limbs, joints & bones
Ledum Pal 3x HPUS - swelling; aches & pains; inflammation
Bellis Perennis 3x HPUS - muscular soreness; fatigue; sprains

Hyland’s Muscle Therapy Strips with Arnica

Key Benefits:

• Contains Arnica - the first natural remedy for swelling, brusing and trauma
• No Aspirin, Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen or Naproxen
• Convenient and portable / Individually wrapped quick dissolving strips

Indications for Use: Temporarily relieves the symptoms of muscle pain, soreness, bruising and swelling due to injuries and over exertion.

Active Ingredients:

Anica Montana 30x HPUS - stiffness; pain; trauma; bruising
Hyperpicum Perforatum 6x HPUS - weakness in limbs; joint pain
Ruta Graveolens 6x HPUS - pain in limbs, joints & bones
Ledum Pal 6x HPUS - swelling; aches & pains; inflammation
Bellis Perennis 6x HPUS - muscular soreness; fatigue; sprainsets.

By: Dr Lauri Grossman

What is a bruise?

You get kicked on the soccer field, drop something heavy on your toe, or bang your head on a low entryway. It might seem like nothing at the time, but all too often, you wake up the next day with a discolored bruise that is so tender to the touch, you want no one to come near. When this happens, you might reach for an ice pack or consider running to the medicine cabinet, but before you do, let’s talk about bruises and learn what causes the rainbow of colors that appears as days go by.

Bruises (or what medical doctors call “contusions”) occur when you get injured and break tiny blood vessels in the skin. These blood vessels or “capillaries”, leak into the surrounding tissue and as red blood cells gather, you can see discoloration in the area. What starts off as a red-purple injury becomes green or yellow as the body works to heal the region and metabolize or gobble up the mass of escaped red blood cells.

The tendency to bruise varies from one person to another. Despite all their falls, young children bruise less readily. They have resilient blood vessels that don’t break easily. Older people, especially those on certain medications, have delicate vessels; some find black and blue marks so frequently that they are forever wondering where the injuries come from and what it was they last bumped into. Medications that prevent blood clotting (like Coumadin) and prescription drugs that make blood vessels more fragile (like Prednisone) often contribute to the number of bruises one has.

After two to three weeks, most people find their bruises healed and their skin color returned to normal. Sometimes, however, the body will wall off the region instead of sending cells in to do the clean up work. When this occurs the blood pools and the area swells and becomes tender. If calcium is deposited, a bony condition called myositis ossificans can occur and the tissue becomes sensitive to touch and hard.

The natural chemicals found in Arnica help to heal or prevent these unwanted complications. Flavonoids decrease the permeability of the blood vessels and polysaccharideas stimulate the process by which helper-cells clean the tissue of unwanted debris.

When using Arnica, the best results occur when you match the severity of the injury with the strength of the homeopathic medicine. A lower potency is all you need when you bang your toe into a table or get a blow to the nose in a basketball game. For more minimal injury, topical Arnica is all you need for relief.

Remember that serious trauma and spontaneous bruising calls for a complete medical evaluation. Be sure to get checked for signs of internal injury and fracture. In addition, the word “RICE” can help to remind you of other valuable tips for bruising: REST, ICE, COMPRESS, ELEVATE. The application of a cold compress and elevating the body part reduces the blood flow to the area. This lessens the amount of bleeding in the skin and reduces that size of the bruise.

Even with the utmost caution, accidents will happen at home, on the field, in the gym, and in the workplace. However, with Arnica on hand and these tips in mind, you can speed the healing and prevent long-term disability that often accompanies bruises and physical trauma. So be sure to have a supply of Arnica in your kitchen cabinet, desk drawer, purse and gym bag. Then, you too will be able to experience the beneficial healing effects that Arnica has provided since mountain climbers discovered it centuries ago.