Sprains

Description

A sprain is a traumatic injury to the tendons, muscles, or ligaments around a joint, characterized by pain, swelling, and discoloration of the skin over the joint. The duration and severity of the symptoms vary depending on the extent of the damages.

Types, Signs and Symptoms

There are three types of sprains including:

Grade 1: Sprains are mild, without any ligament tears, and only moderate tenderness and swelling occur around the affected area.

Grade 2: Injuries involve partial tearing from the ligaments, accompanied by obvious inflammation, bruising, and difficulty trying to use the appendage.

Grade 3: Sprains involve a complete rip of the tendon, pronounced inflammation, extreme skin discoloration with hemorrhaging underneath, joint immobility and extreme pain.

Muscles spasms commonly occur in all three, sprain grades. Pain typically increases when attempts are made to move the involved joint.

Natural Cures:

Aromatherapy: Make a cold compress with camphor, lavender, eucalyptus, or rosemary and apply to the affected area.

Diet plan: Eat a natural, whole foods diet with plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grain products.

Instant Relief: For all levels of injuries, alternate applying ice and moist heat to the affected area. Raise and immobilize the joint, by propping it up on a pile of pillows. When the sprain no longer hurts, and after all swelling, discoloration, and spasms are gone, begin light mobilization exercises.

Herbs: Combine equal parts tinctures of horsetail, nettle, and willow bark and take one teaspoon of mixture three times a day.

Homeopathy: Useful homeopathic remedies are Arnica, Arnica lotion, and Ruta grav.

Liquid Therapy: Consume plenty of fresh, organic vegetable juices, such as beet, radish, and garlic.

Topical Treatment: Diethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) applied topically as an ointment is useful.

Treatment:

Grade 1: Sprains can be treated with supportive flexible bandages, tape, or healing splints. Immobilization and elevation is key, followed by moderate exercise.

Grade 2: Sprains must be immobilized for a minimum of three weeks, and require physical therapy and rehabilitation. Seek immediate medical attention.

Grade 3: Injuries require casts and, in some instances, surgery. X-rays will also usually be necessary to rule out fractures. Seek immediate medical attention.

Alternative Professional Care

If your symptoms persist despite following the above steps, seek the help of the qualified health professional. The following professional care therapies have all demonstrated an ability to be helpful for treating sport injuries: Acupressure, Acupuncture, Applied Kinesiology, Biofeedback Training, Bodywork, Chiropractic, Craniosacral Therapy, Power Medicine (Gentle Beam Generator), Permanent magnetic Field Treatment, Naturopathic Medicine, Neural Treatment, Osteopathy, Phototherapy, Reflexology, and Rolfing. (See Glossary for descriptions of