Sprains

Sprains are usually the result of an injury to one or more of the ligaments that support a joint, most commonly the knee or ankle. They are marked by varying degrees of pain and swelling. Sprains should not be ignored, for that may prolong the pain, there may be functional impairments, and there is always the risk of a repeat injury.

Ice packs

An emergency measure to be applied as soon as possible in order to bring down the swelling, which is caused by blood released by the injured ligament.

- Half fill a plastic bag with ice. Add a little salt to the ice to make it melt faster, then wrap the bag in a towel and place it on the sprain for 15-minute periods. There is, of course, no need to use a thermometer, but ice treatments should bring the skin's temperature down to about 25° C

Immobilization

It is essential to immobilize a sprain both so as not to aggravate the injury, and also because immobility has an analgesic (pain-killing) effect.

- The best solution is a support bandage, such as those made by UniChem@, Boots or Elastoplast@. It is sometimes necessary to put a plaster cast on more serious sprains

Acupuncture

This treatment is beneficial both soon after the accident to relieve the pain, and later on to encourage healing.

Treatment Schedule: two sessions per week for two or three weeks.

Mesotherapy

This can be used instead of acupuncture treatment, or as a complement to it.

- Minute quantities of various remedies can be delivered through intradermic micro-injections directly to the site or the injured ligament

Treatment Schedule: two or three sessions at weekly or ten-day intervals.

Magnets(magnet therapy)

The disadvantage of magnets is that their effectiveness is somewhat unpredictable. However, they are so simple and harmless to use that they are worth a try.

- Attach two or three small magnets to the affected area with adhesive tape or plasters and keep them on overnight

Homeopathy

Arnica can be used systematically in all its forms, whether as tablets, or a gel to be rubbed on, or as a topical mother tincture.

- Four 5c tablets every half-hour, four or five times immediately after the injury, then two or three doses per day over the next few days

Arnica montana

- Vegetable origin: the leopard's bane plant
- The specific homeopathic remedy for injuries of various kinds

• For pain relief, you could also try Rheuma-Heel@ (Heel), containing Bryonia D4, Rhus toxicodendron D6, Arnica D4..
  -Available in packs containing 50 and 250 tablets
  -One tablet to be dissolved under the tongue three times daily
• A constitutional homeopathic remedy is also in order here, combined with hysiotherapy to help strengthen the ligaments. Professional homeopaths often prescribe Calcarea fluorica and Natrum carbonicum

Herbal remedies

Horsetail and meadowsweet

Both of these herbs should be obtained in a whole fresh-plant suspension (this formulation's cold stabilization process restores the full natural erapeutic effect of the plant). Ask your herbalist make up a 60ml bottle of either one of these herbal remedies, and take half a teaspoonful in a little water twice a day

Trace elements for tendons and ligaments

Kown to most people as fluoride, the lement added to water or toothpaste help prevent tooth decay, fluorine is also the fundamental constituent of bones, tendons, and ligaments. It can thus be helpful in preventing repeated sprains.

Dietary sources of fluorine

Fluorine is found principally in plants and table water, tea ++, seaweed, salt­water fish, cereals, vegetables (such as asparagus, carrots, celery, cabbage, spinach, radishes, salsify or oyster­plant, and tomatoes). leafy greens (endive, lettuce, and watercress), cherries, and beer.

• Fluorine treatment: this is available in various brands and formats, such as Organic Minerals (Colloidals) which contains 70+ trace minerals:
  - Available in 946ml bottles
  -Take 1-3 caps just before breakfast and/or evening meal
  - Children 1 teaspoon daily for each 20lbs of body weight

Or Maximol (Ionized colloidals):

- Available in 500ml bottles
- Take 1/2 capful once or twice daily on an empty stomach.