Tag Archives: Bruising

Contusion – Homeopathy for a common sports-injury

One of the injuries most frequently acquired during sports is a contusion, so to speak bruising to the muscular tissue. While most such bruising is of little concern and will quickly resolve on by itself, more severe contusion that involves deeper lying tissue, may be a complication to athletes, causing them to have to refrain from any physical activity for quite a long time.

Damage to tissue beneath the skins surface may involve the crushing of muscles and connective tissue, and the rupturing of small, peripheral vessels, leading to the leakage of cellular fluids and blood into the surrounding tissue. The blue or blackish discoloration of the affected is a sign of such fluid leakage. The skin is usually not broken.

Contusions occur when an injury is produced by a direct, blunt, forceful impact to the body’s soft tissue, such as a blow, falling or jamming. At the located area there may be swelling and pain. There may be weakness and stiffness of the affected part. In some cases there may be the formation of a hematoma (blood collected at the point of impact that may be felt as a lump on the site of injury).

Complications to this type of injury are deep contusions impacting internal organs or bones.

Conventional 1st aid: RICE – Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate; Medication for pain relief.

Major 1st aid homeopathic remedies for contusion are:

Arnica: For all types of contusion. Great pain relief remedy

Bellis perennis: Follows well after Arnica. Rapid onset of healing.

Hamamelis: Indicated where Arnica fails to do something.

However there are other remedies for such injuries: Aconite, Calendula, Conium, Echinacea, Hypericum, Ledum, Rhus tox., Ruta, Symphytum to mention a few.

References:

  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (2016)Muscle Contusion (Bruise), Available at: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/ (Accessed: June 2016).
  • Boericke, W. (2004) Pocket manual of homeopathic materia medica and repertory New Delhi: B.Jain publishers Ltd.
  • Clarke, J. (1994) A Dictionary of practical materia medica New Delhi: B.Jain publishers Ltd.
  • Morgan, Lyle (1988) Homeopathic treatment of Sports Injuries, Rochester: Healing Arts Press.
  • Walker, Brad (2007) The Anatomy of Sports Injuries, Chichester: Lotus publishing.
  • WebMD LLC (2016)Contusions Treatment & Management, Available at:http://emedicine.medscape.com/ (Accessed: June 2016).

Treating ‘Tennis-elbow’ – a repetitive strain injury

The Tennis Elbow refers to an overuse injury, a repetitive straining of the muscles that attach to the bones of the arm at height of the elbow. Biologically this injury is termed lateral epicondylitis. The so called Golfer´s Elbow, is similar to the Tennis Elbow, however affects the inner area of the elbow joint, while the Tennis Elbow involves the outer area of the elbow. The Golfer´s Elbow is denoted as medial epicondylitis. It is the different swing movements that depict the focal point of trauma locality, and differentiate the Tennis- from the Golfer´s- elbow injury.

While overexertion is a frequent cause of this type of trauma, a direct impact to the area of the elbow may likewise promote this injury. Epicondylitis describes the irritation and inflammation that develops at the sides of the elbows epicondyles in the event of such physical trauma. Pain, swelling and tenderness may be symptoms experienced at the locality, and mobility of the affected arm is strongly restricted, as very painful.

None of these injuries have to be caused by playing tennis or golf. However athletes conducting physical activity using their arms in specific swing movements are more predisposed to such an injury. House or garden work can likewise be the cause of such trauma and can result in these injuries.

Conventional 1st aid measures to promote relief are the R.I.C.E.R recommendations. Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate the affected arm, and if there is no relief Refer to a doctor.

Some homeopathic remedies that may assist recovery from this type of injury are: Arnica, Belladonna, Bryonia, Rhus tox., Ruta

References:

  • Clarke, J. (1994) A Dictionary of practical materia medica New Delhi: B.Jain publishers Ltd.
  • Morgan, Lyle (1988) Homeopathic treatment of Sports Injuries, Rochester: Healing Arts Press.
  • Walker, Brad (2007) The Anatomy of Sports Injuries, Chichester: Lotus publishing.