Homeopathy for Sports Healing

Homeopathy is used by recreational and top sports athletes all over the world.

From strains and sprains, to muscle cramps and even concussions, homeopathy can help your body heal from these injuries.

Probably one of the most commonly used remedies and a remedy that is always easily accessible in my house, purse and car is Arnica! For minor injuries, I use it most commonly in a 30C potency.

Arnica is the #1 remedy for trauma and bruising. It is indicated in any physical trauma, soft tissue or muscle. Arnica is essential in any sprain, but is also the first remedy to think of in any type of head injury or head trauma. It can be used for sore muscles when there has been overexertion and it helps to localize the bleeding, decreasing bruising and also lowering swelling locally. The mental emotional picture that can sometimes accompany an Arnica picture is that of not wanting to be touched or helped. The person may say he is well, even though he is not.

Bellis Perennis is a great remedy whenever there is soft tissue trauma, especially in the abdominal region. There is a desire for cold application to the area. An example could be a softball to the stomach, a direct blow to the quad muscles or anything that may traumatize deep soft tissue (including surgeries). Bellis can have a tendency to abortive qualities so be mindful of this and do not use in pregnancy. A 200C potency is best indicated in deep soft tissue traumas.

I call Calendula the “super skin healer” it has antiseptic qualities and is a super healer. It can be used in potency form or tincture form-always dilute in a 1:4 ratio anytime there is a wound, abrasion or lesion. Calendula is used to prevent infection, speed healing and prevent scarring. Drop a pellet of Calendula 30C into water and use to bathe a skin abrasion or use for any topical healing. It is important to note that Calendula promotes granulation of tissue, so make sure the wound is cleaned properly otherwise you may be sealing in dirt and bacteria. For deeper wound cleaning, hypericum tincture in a 1:4 dilution ration is great for wounds that look infected. It doesn’t promote granulation like Calendula, but helps to clean out the infection. For deeper wounds and lacerations-start with Hypericum to clean wound and follow up with Calendula to promote granulation.

Hypericum in a 200C potency helps with wounds in areas dense in nerves: genitals, toes, fingers, tongue, spine. It is essential in any crushing injury to the extremities (finger caught between 2 bowling balls, weight dropped on toe). The pain will have a shooting sensation, moving it the direction outward.

Hypericum is the first remedy to think of in any injury to the coccyx such as winter sports or any slip and fall.

Ruta is the remedy for specific for injuries to the tendons, from strains or twisting of joints, which result in a stiff bruised pain, especially sprains of the wrist, hands and ankles, also neck pains and stiffness. It is used in acute bursitis (inflammation of sacs of synovial fluid in the joints) and tendonitis, often with a build-up of fluid. There can be extreme stiffness and bruised pain in the muscles and tendons. This is often the remedy used for Tennis elbow. It is best taken in a 6C potency daily for up to 2-3 weeks as needed.

Muscle cramps are common among many running sports such as soccer and football. 1 pellet of Cuprum Metallicum 30C in a water bottle and have 1-2 sips during the game. Be sure to label the bottle as a remedy bottle so you don’t have more than one or two sips per game.

Unfortunately, concussion injuries are more and more common among athletes these days. I have seen homeopathy work wonders when someone presents with a concussion in my office. (NB-concussion should be treated by many different modalities. It is very important to be seen by a medical doctor as well as a Chiropractor, Osteopath, and Registered Massage therapist).

As discussed earlier, Arnica is always the first remedy given following a concussion. The person may deny medical treatment and “say he is well.” They may be in and out of consciousness, they may have convulsions, their face may be hot and their body cold. There may be localized bruising, swelling and inflammation and possibly a hematoma. Arnica will work to minimize all of these.

Natrum Suphuricum is the remedy indicated when there are personality changes after the head injury. There can be confusion and irritability, photophobia, vertigo, chronic headache, seizures after the head injury, tinnitus post injury and depression and suicidal thoughts. I have seen this remedy affect many people whose entire lives have been changed by a head trauma.