Homeopathic Remedies for Sports Injuries

More and more athletes are embracing homeopathy as not only the most ethical way to treat and prevent injuries (you’ll never fail a drug test due to arnica), but the most effective. “Homeopathy can be effective in treating almost anything short of what needs surgery,” says Kate Schmidt, a two-time Olympic medalist in javelin throwing.

What does an individual gain from suffering with pain? Whether they are young, old or in-between, athletic, out-of-shape, passive or aggressive, the body wants to heal, and with the right stimulus, it can. Homeopathy works with the immune system toward physical, mental and emotional freedom and balance.

So, what can athletes (or the rest of the population suffering from similar complaints) expect from homeopathy? Efficient safe healing and often prevention from bruises, muscle aches, muscle spasms, leg cramps, sprains, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis, and a lot more “itis-es”.

And it doesn’t stop there. Sports injuries are not only caused by accidents, training errors or equipment. Sometimes mental attitudes can push one beyond what the body is prepared to do. Sometimes a performance anxiety single, like gelsemium, before a game or competition, will help keep the mind better tuned to what the body needs to prevent injury, heighten performance, and maintain the mental balance to know when to stop.

After the game, everyone should be going for the Arnica. It will minimize any bruising, muscle strain or trauma. It is also recommended to take Arnica before a big workout to minimize muscle aches and bruising.

On Track…

Homeopathic Remedies for Sports Injuries

Homeopathy comes through with flying colors in the sports arena. The relief of tired, achy, overused and injured muscles and joints overrides the complexity of how this 200-year-old form of medicine works. It is effective in treating everyone from the noblest weekend warriors to professional athletes. The mechanism of action in homeopathy seems wildly opposite to conventional medicine; however. As a complementary treatment it succeeds in preventing and treating a myriad of sports conditions naturally.

Overexertion, Sprains & Strains

Arnica Montana: is the number one remedy to consider with any type of injury. It helps to reduce swelling, promote healing and ease pain. Take it immediately for the shock which results from injury and when there is bruising and swelling. Arnica may be used to prevent sore muscles from intense training or competition by taking a couple of pellets before the event.

Rhus tox: Used in homeopathic form, Rhus tox is nicknamed the ‘rusty gate’ remedy. It is effective for joints that are stiff from injury or overexertion such as from golf, running or baseball. It is particularly useful when muscles or joints are worse first thing in the morning, with cold, damp weather, but feel better after gentle motion and with warm applications.

Bryonia: earned the name ‘The Grumpy Bear’ remedy because it helps people who do not want to be bothered or move in any way. It has a keynote symptom of pain that worsens with the slightest movement. This remedy, derived from wild hops, relieves pain that is ameliorated by pressure, or by lying on the painful side. When someone is exhibiting these particular symptoms, and this type of pain pattern, Bryonia is very effective in reducing the discomfort.

Calc phos 6x: As a cellular building block, Calc phos aids many conditions involving structural stress and growth. Derived from a mineral containing phosphorous and calcium, primary constituents in bone, it plays an important role in bone repair after fractures (non-union) and during grown periods.

*Tutti Gould, DC ND, Homeopath, is one of Canada’s leading homeopathic trainers and speakers.

Arnica for Childbirth

The What, When, Why of Arnica for Childbirth
Let the professionals fill you in on the great benefits to baby and mom.

The why is rather obvious. The less bruising, bleeding, afterpain and trauma, the sooner you can start having fun with the baby, and the happier the baby will be, too. If a c-section becomes necessary, that’s all the more reason to use Arnica. In technical terms, Arnica is generally recommended to reduce the fatigue, bruising, and trauma of labor; to control bleeding, prevent hemorrhaging, and minimize the strain on soft tissues. After childbirth, it eases afterpains, assists in the contraction of the uterus and relieves retention of urine after long labor. For more details, see the materia medica listings on this website.

Who says so?
• Midwife MJ Hanafin, who has delivered more than 150 babies and taught many many midwives to deliver babies holistically, touts Arnica frequently in her teaching manuals. “No woman or baby should be without the trauma minimizing support of Arnica during childbirth…”

• In her book, Homeopathy for Pregnancy through Baby’s First Year, homeopathic doctor Miranda Castro suggests Arnica for labor as it “helps the muscles to do their work and minimizes physical stress and strain on soft tissues.”

• Otherwise, you can ask any homeopathic practitioner or any mom that has reaped its benefits, like this one who wrote to 1-800-Homeopathy:

“In June I gave birth to my son. During labor I took Arnica 30X every three hours or so. After I had him I had so much energy. The bleeding was minimal, and I began to clean our newly purchased home the next day. I have never had such a quick recovery time as I did with him – my third child. I felt great!!! - Maria G. ”

When to take Arnica?

Anytime you feel a ‘bruised soreness’ during pregnancy or anytime you fall or injure yourself, it is fine to take Arnica, but during and after labor, you can really find the benefits. Here are some professional insights:

• Rosemary Tayler. In her book, Homeopathy for Pregnancy & Childbirth, Rosemary Tayler suggests the mother take a dose of Arnica 200C when the water breaks, “for fatigue during the last stages of labor and for the prevention of bruising during birth. It also minimizes cervical swelling…. lessens the possibility of hemorrhage. The remedy may be repeated in liquid doses if bleeding is excessive.” For caesarians she suggests Arnica 200C, “it will minimize shock, trauma, pain, bruising, infection and hemorrhage.”

Then again after childbirth to, “help the uterus contract smoothly and quickly, to prevent infection, to minimize pain after birth and to improve muscle control.”

For the newborn, she recommends: “arnica is well indicated for a newborn who has been bruised during a normal birth or a forceps delivery. … One crushed sugar pill of Arnica 30C on the baby’s tongue will restore calmeness and reduce pain, bruising, stress and trauma.”

• Miranda Castro…

• Richard Moskowitz…