Herbal & homeopathic remedies for sprains & strains

Sprains and Strains
HEALTH HERBS & NUTRITION - REMEDIES - SPRAINS AND STRAINS

· General Description · Sprains · Strains · Herbal & Homeopathic Remedies · Helpful Dietary Habits · Dos and Don'ts

Sprains and strains are types of minor injuries to the soft tissues and connective tissues of the musculoskeletal system, that often result from sports or exercise, but can easily result from any physical activity. Difference between a Sprain and a Strain A sprain is a stretch and/or tear of a ligament (a band of fibrous tissue that connects two or more bones at a joint), most often in the ankle, knee, elbow, or wrist. One or more ligaments can be injured at the same time. The severity of the injury will depend on the extent of injury (whether a tear is partial or complete) and the number of ligaments involved. Although, sprains usually refer to injuries to ligaments, they also sometimes refer to other connective tissues, such as tendons and the capsules surrounding joints. A strain is an injury to either a muscle or a tendon (fibrous cords of tissue that connect muscle to bone), commonly occurring in the muscles that support the calf, thigh, groin, and shoulder. Basically, strains usually refer to injuries to muscles or to the areas where muscles become tendons. Depending on the severity of the injury, a strain may be a simple overstretch of the muscle or tendon, or it can result from a partial or complete tear. Sprains and strains may occur together, and occasionally are quite severe, requiring immobilization of the body part in a rigid cast for weeks, and leading to weeks of rehabilitation, and sometimes even surgery.

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Usual sites of Sprains Although sprains can occur in both the upper and lower parts of the body, the most common site is the ankle. More than 25,000 individuals sprain an ankle each day in the United States. The ankle joint is supported by several lateral (outside) ligaments and medial (inside) ligaments. Most ankle sprains happen when the foot turns inward as a person runs, turns, falls, or lands on the ankle after a jump. This type of sprain is called an inversion injury. The knee is another common site for a sprain. A blow to the knee or a fall is often the cause; sudden twisting can also result in a sprain.

Sprains frequently occur at the wrist, typically when people fall and land on an outstretched hand. A sprain to the thumb is common in skiing and other sports. This injury often occurs when a ligament near the base of the thumb (the ulnar collateral ligament of the metacarpo-phalangeal joint) is torn.

Symptoms & Diagnosis of Sprains The usual signs and symptoms include: Pain at the time of injury Swelling Bruising Instability Loss of the ability to move and use the joint (called functional ability). Mild or minimal sprains with no tear of the ligament usually produce mild tenderness and some swelling. In general, a grade I or mild sprain is caused by overstretching or slight tearing of the ligaments with no joint instability. A person with a mild sprain usually experiences minimal pain, swelling, and little or no loss of functional ability. Bruising is absent or slight, and the person is usually able to put weight on the affected joint. Moderate sprains, in which the ligament has been partially ruptured, produce obvious swelling, bruising, significant tenderness (moderate pain), and difficulty walking. A grade II or moderate sprain is caused by further, but still incomplete, tearing of the ligament. A person with a moderate sprain usually has more difficulty putting weight on the affected joint and experiences some loss of function. An x ray may be needed to help the health care provider determine if a fracture is causing the pain and swelling. Magnetic resonance imaging is occasionally used to help differentiate between a significant partial injury and a complete tear in a ligament, or can be recommended to rule out other injuries. Severe sprains, as when the ligament is completely torn from the bone (called avulsion), make walking impossible and produce marked swelling, internal bleeding and joint instability. People who sustain a grade III or severe sprain are unable to put weight on the joint. An x ray is usually taken to rule out a broken bone. When to See a Doctor for a Sprain You have severe pain and cannot put any weight on the injured joint. The injured area looks crooked or has lumps and bumps (other than swelling) that you do not see on the uninjured joint. You have pain, swelling, or redness over a bony part of your foot. You see redness or red streaks spreading out from the injury. You cannot move the injured joint. Your limb buckles or gives way when you try to use the joint. You cannot walk more than four steps without significant pain. You have numbness in any part of the injured area. You injure an area that has been injured several times before. You are in doubt about the seriousness of the injury or how to care for it. Doctors closely observe an injured site and ask questions to obtain information to diagnose the severity of a sprain.

Causes of Sprains

Sprains generally result from a twisting force applied to a joint while it is bearing weight, which causes the ligament to stretch beyond its natural limit. A sprain can result from sudden, unexpected movements like a fall, a sudden twist, or a blow to the body that forces a joint out of its normal position and stretches or tears the ligament supporting that joint. Typically, sprains occur when people fall and land on an outstretched arm, slide into a baseball base, land on the side of their foot, or twist a knee with the foot planted firmly on the ground.

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Usual sites of Strains There are three common sites for a strain: One of them is the back and the hamstring muscle (located in the back of the thigh) - Contact sports such as soccer, football, hockey, boxing, and wrestling put people at risk for these strains Gymnastics, tennis, rowing, golf, and other sports that require extensive gripping can increase the risk of hand and forearm strains Elbow strains sometimes occur in people who participate in racquet sports, throwing, and contact sports. Symptoms & Diagnosis of Strains Typically, people with a strain experience: Pain Limited motion Muscle spasms Possible muscle weakness Muscle stiffness, tenderness, or soreness Possible localized swelling, cramping, or inflammation Warmth over the involved muscle Some loss of muscle function (usually with a minor or moderate strain) Patients typically have pain in the injured area and general weakness of the muscle when they attempt to move it. Severe strains that partially or completely tear the muscle or tendon are often very painful and disabling. Causes of Strains A strain is caused by twisting or pulling a muscle or tendon. Muscle strains occur when the weight load on a muscle is greater than the weakest part of the muscle can bear. Strains can be acute or chronic. An acute strain is associated with a recent trauma or injury; it also can occur after improperly lifting heavy objects or overstressing the muscles. Chronic strains are usually the result of overuse: prolonged, repetitive movement of the muscles and tendons.

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Many herbal and homeopathic remedies have been formulated with specific ingredients to heal from the inside out – helping to facilitate strengthening of injured ligaments. Arnica is a highly respected ingredient in homeopathic medicine and has powerful anti-inflammatory and tissue healing properties. Filipendula almaria is another herb that has been used for centuries by herbalists to treat pain with modern research citing this herb as nature’s aspirin! Homeopathic ingredients such as Magnesium phosphoricum and Symphytum officinale can also greatly assist the body in recovering from sports injuries  and sprains – with no harsh side effects. Arnica D6 is a highly respected ingredient in homeopathic medicine and has powerful anti-inflammatory and tissue healing properties. It is used extensively to treat shock, injury and for post-operative care, and also helps to control bleeding. It is often prescribed to help joint and muscle pain and fever. Although this herb is potentially toxic in its raw state (and is therefore only used externally), homeopathic manufacturing methods ensure that Arnica is safe to use internally. Peppermint Essential Oil - Peppermint has many therapeutic uses and may be used for a wide variety of conditions including respiratory and digestive conditions as well as musculo-skeletal pain. Used in massage, peppermint has strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and also assists in promoting blood flow to the affected areas. On the emotional level, the aroma of peppermint oil will relax and refresh the mind as well as the body, helping to uplift the spirits and restore courage and mental focus. Filipendula almaria: also known as Meadowsweet, is an herb which has been used for centuries by herbalists to treat fever and pain. Modern science reveals that this herb contains salicylates - a natural chemical similar to the pharmaceutical aspirin. Unlike, aspirin, however, Meadowsweet has pain relieving and anti-inflammatory properties without side effects such as stomach ulcers and the risk of Raynaud's Disease, associated with the use of pharmaceutical aspirin. Ginger Essential Oil - Obtained from the root of the ginger plant, ginger, like peppermint, is a highly versatile medicinal plant with thousands of years of therapeutic history. The oil is warming and toning and has particular application to all musculo-skeletal conditions, soothing pains and aches and also helps to reduce fever. Inhalation of ginger also helps to boost tired spirits and strengthen resolve. Magnesium phosphoricum D6 is a biochemic tissue salt found naturally occurring in the body. It is known as the 'homeopathic aspirin' due to its unique pain killing and curative properties and is also an effective muscle relaxant, preventing and treating spasms and cramps and promoting relaxation. Symphytum officinale also called comfrey, contains allantoin - a chemical which encourages bone, cartilage and muscle cells to grow. This explains why comfrey is called 'knitbone' by traditional healers, helping to heal wounds and injuries of all kinds.