[Some material from this article is excerpted from our book, Homeopathic Self-Care: The Quick and Easy Guide for the Whole Family, Prima Publishing, 1997]

Try It and You Will Be Convinced
Arnica montana has undoubtedly won more converts to homeopathy than any other medicine. Pop some Arnica pellets as soon as possible after a strain, sprain, or bruise and you will likely be singing its praises. The response is usually swift and impressive, whether or not you use a topical preparation or take it internally. Do remember not to apply Arnica, but rather take it internally, if there is an open cut or wound because a rash can occur in some sensitive individuals.

Once you've had success with Arnica, which, in our experience, is pretty much guaranteed, then you will want to venture further afield and try homeopathic self-care for other acute injuries. Once you are hooked, you'll definitely want a self-care kit. The medicines are a lot cheaper than buying them individually and last for life, unless, of course, you use them up, which you will do with Arnica once friends and family know how effective it is. For more longstanding sports injuries or ones that are not easily amenable to self-treatment, find a homeopath. The likelihood of your finding rapid relief and avoid having an acute sports injury become chronic, as well as for ongoing physical therapy and surgery, is generally quite high.

How and When to Take the Homeopathic Medicines for Sports Injuries

• Take three pellets of 30C every four hours until you see improvement.
• If you see no improvement after three doses, take a different medicine.
• After you first notice improvement, take another dose only if symptoms begin to return.
• Lower potencies (6X, 6C, 30X) may need to be taken more often (every hour).
• Higher potencies (200X, 200C, 1M) may need to be taken only once unless symptoms definitely return after being better.

Indications for The Most Common Medicines for Sports Injuries
Below we provide user-friendly information about what to take and when. The bolded information shows you the most common and important features of each medicine. In Homeopathic Self-Care, this information is illustrated with charts and icons. This format is not quite as thorough but should help you self-treat a number of acute sports injuries. Feel free to use your standard first-aid measures along with homeopathy. Just avoid liniments, mineral ice, and therapeutic ultrasound, which may prevent the homeopathy from working.

For chronic injuries, a much more extensive interview is needed along with periodic followups for at least six months. In this case, consult a professional homeopath.

Bruises
Most of the time Arnica is all you need to treat bruises. We include a few other medicines in the rare case that Arnica does not help considerably within twenty-four hours.

Arnica (Leopard's bane)
Key symptoms
The main medicine for any trauma resulting in bruising
Use this one first unless one of the others fits exactly

Mind
Wants to be left alone and refuses help
Says there is nothing wrong with him

Body
Black eyes
Wants to lie down, but the bed feels too hard

Worse
Touch
Lying on hard surfaces
Motion

Better
Lying down, especially with the head low

Bellis Perennis (English daisy)
Key Symptoms
Bruises to veins or deeper tissues, especially after surgery or having your blood drawn.
Ordinary bruises if Arnica fails

Mind
Restless

Body
Swelling sensitive to touch

Worse
Touch

Better
Cold applications
Motion

Ledum (Marsh tea)
Key Symptoms
Bruises that feel cold and are better from cold applications
Black eyes

Mind
Angry

Body
Bruises resulting from puncture wounds

Worse
Warmth or warm applications
Motion

Better
Cold applications

Phosphorus
Key Symptoms
Chronic tendency to bruise and bleed easily

Mind
Outgoing and friendly
Sympathetic
Desire for company

Body
Small wounds that break open and bleed easily

Worse
Cold

Better
Cold
Motion

Food and Drink
Great thirst for cold or carbonated drinks
Desire for salty, chocolate, ice cream, and spicy food

Ruta (Rue)
Key Symptoms
Bruises to the periosteum (the outer layer of bones) such as the shin

Mind
Dissatisfied

Body
Skin becomes irritated easily

Worse
Overexertion
Lying

Better
Warmth
Rubbing
Motion

Sulphuric Acid
Key Symptoms
If Arnica doesn't work for bruises that occur after blows or trauma
Large, bright red bruises and small ruptured capillaries

Mind
Very hurried

Body
Hemorrhage of black blood from any body opening

Worse
Cold or cold air

Better
Warmth

Food and Drink
Desires alcohol

Cuts and Scrapes
Just as surefire as Arnica is for bruises, equally effective is topical Calendula (Marigold) for skin abrasions ranging from a superficial scratch to an angry gash. Our second choice, which many folks also swear by, is Rescue Remedy Cream, which is Bach Flower preparation, although Calendula is all that we find necessary over 90% of the time.

Fractures
Arnica (Leopard's bane)

Keynotes
First medicine for any trauma or wound resulting in fracture
Reduces bleeding, bruising, pain and trauma
Sore, bruised feelings in the muscles as if beaten and bluish-black discoloration under the skin

Mind
Wants to be left alone
Insists that nothing is wrong
Tells the doctor to go away

Body
Want to lie down, but the bed feels too hard and they look for a softer spot
Compound fractures that bleed

Worse
Touch.
Lying on hard surfaces
Motion

Better
Lying down, especially with the head low

Eupatorium Perfoliatum (Boneset)
Key Symptoms
May relieve the pain after acute fractures
Sore and bruised, like their bones are broken

Mind
Very restless, but they would rather keep still because it hurts to move

Body
Deep aching in the bones

Worse
Cold air
Sight or smell of food

Better
Conversation
Perspiration

Food and Drink
Strong thirst for cold drinks
Desires cold foods and ice cream

Symphytum (Comfrey)
Keynotes
The main medicine to think of for fractures to use after the bruise soreness has resolved with Arnica
Stimulates union of the bone ends and should not be used until the bone is set properly
Fractures that are slow to heal

Body
Pains persist long after the injury
Phantom limb pain after amputation
Sensation of the rough end of bones poking into the flesh
After effects of fractures and injuries to the periosteum, the outermost covering of the bone

Worse
Injuries
Trauma from blunt instruments

Better
Warmth

Calcarea Phosphorica (Calcium phosphate)
Mind
Wants change
Dissatisfaction
Likes to travel

Physical
Stimulates the bone ends to unite

Worse
Change of weather
Lifting
Worse from cold, damp, especially melting snow

Better
Warm, dry weather
Lying down

Desires
Smoked meat

Head Injuries (Mild)
Arnica (Leopard's bane)
Key Symptoms
The main medicine for any serious head trauma, especially with bruising
Use this one first unless one of the others fits exactly
Shock

Mind
Refuses help
Says nothing is wrong with her

Body
Concussion and bleeding and bruising of the tissues and the brain
Black eyes
Sore, bruised feelings as if beaten
Bluish-black discoloration under the skin
Wants to lie down, but the bed feels too hard

Worse
Touch
Lying on hard surfaces
Motion

Better
Lying down, especially with the head low

Cicuta (Water hemlock)
Key Symptoms
Neurological problems after head injury, especially convulsions and mental retardation

Mind
Childish. Feels like a child
Excitable
Shrieking
Doesn't remember what has happened
Doesn't recognize anybody

Body
Very severe convulsions with twitching and jerking
Tremendous spasms with severe arching of the back

Worse
Cold
Touch
Jarring

Better
Heat

Food and Drink
Desire for inedible things like dirt and charcoal

Helleborus (Black hellebore)
Key Symptoms
Dullness and mental confusion after head injury or concussion
Stupefied or bewildered
Seems as if she is not really present

Mind
Slow to respond to the senses and in answering questions
Information has difficulty getting in and out
Indifferent to surroundings and loved ones
Staring
Anguish

Body
Headache with dullness of mind after head injury
Furrowed brow, especially when trying to think or concentrate
Roll the head from side to side or bore it into the pillow
Cold sweat

Worse
4 to 8 p.m.
Cold

Hypericum (St John's wort)
Key Symptoms
Head injury and concussion, especially if the spinal nerves are also involved
Injuries to the spinal cord and nervous system
Shooting pains

Mind
Dull and forgetful after head injury
Sad

Body
Dizziness, headache and convulsions after injury to the head or spine
Numbness and tingling

Worse
Jarring the injured area
Touch
Cold air
Fog, cold damp weather

Better
Rubbing the area
Lying on the abdomen
Bending backwards

Food and Drinks
Desire for wine, pickles and cold drinks

Natrum Sulphuricum (Sodium sulphate)
Key Symptoms
After effects of head injury, especially convulsions or headaches
Severe depression following a head injury

Mind
Overly sensitive to criticism or scorn

Body
Crushing pain in the occiput (back of head)
Headaches that are worse from noise, stooping, light, or eating
Headaches that are relieved by vomiting
Increased saliva with a headache
Scalp is so sensitive that it hurts to comb the hair

Worse
3 to 6 a.m.
Lying on the left side

Better
Lying on the right side with the legs curled up

Food and Drink
Desire for yogurt and sour foods

Sprains and Strains
Arnica (Leopard's bane)

Key Symptoms
The first medicine to give for any sprain or strain
Muscles feel sore and bruised
Shock after injuries
Injuries after overexertion

Mind
Refuses help
Says nothing is wrong with her

Body
Bluish-black discoloration under the skin
Wants to lie down, but the bed feels too hard

Worse
Touch

Better
Lying down, especially with the head low

Bryonia (Wild hops)
Key Symptoms
Injuries that are painful from even the slightest motion

Mind
Wants to go home

Body
Stiffness and shooting pains in joints when touched or moved

Worse
Light touch
9:00 p.m.

Better
Pressure
Lying on the affected side
Bandaging the injured area

Food and Drink
Very thirsty for large quantities of cold drinks

Ledum (Marsh tea)
Key Symptoms
Injured area is cold to the touch and feels better with ice or cold applications
He has a great desire to soak his feet in cold or icy water

Mind
Angry
Dissatisfied

Body
Body is cold but head and face are hot

Worse
Heat

Rhus Toxicodendron (Poison ivy)
Key Symptoms
Sprains and strains with stiffness and pain made better by moving, stretching, and flexing
Injuries to muscles and tendons after overexertion
Restless because he can't find a comfortable position

Mind
Active
Jovial

Body
Restless legs in bed
Cracking of the joints

Worse
Cold applications
Getting wet and chilled

Better
Warm applications
Hot bath or shower

Food and Drinks
Desire for cold milk

Ruta (Rue)
Key Symptoms
Injuries to flexor tendons, joints, cartilage, and periosteum
(outermost layer of bone)
Bruised, sore, aching feeling with restlessness
Intense pain, weariness, and heaviness in the tendons

Mind
Dissatisfied
Quarrelsome

Body
Stiffness throughout the body
Restlessness
Tennis elbow

Worse
Cold air
Lying down, except on the back

Better
Lying on the back
Rubbing

Tendinitis
Arnica (Leopard's bane)

Key Symptoms
Any injury to a tendon
Sore, painful, and bruised as if beaten
Tendinitis from overexertion
Shock after injuries

Mind
Refuses help
Says nothing is wrong with her

Body
Lack of strength in the hand when grasping something

Worse
Touch

Better
Letting the affected part hang down

Bryonia (Wild hops)
Key Symptoms
Tendinitis that is painful from even the slightest motion
Stiffness of the area is made worse by motion

Mind
Wants to go home

Body
Stiffness and shooting pains in joints when touched or moved

Worse
Light touch

Better
Pressure
Lying on the affected part
Bandaging the injured area

Food and Drink
Very thirsty for large quantities of cold drinks

Causticum (Potassium hydrate)
Key Symptoms
Contracted tendons
Sensation of the tendon being too short
Cramp in the Achilles tendon
Wants to stretch or bend the affected area

Mind
Cannot tolerate injustice
Afraid something will happen

Body
Hamstring under the knee seems too short

Worse
Drafts
Exertion
Grasping anything

Better
Gentle motion

Food and Drink
Desire for smoked meat and beer
Aversion to sweets

Rhus Toxicodendron (Poison ivy)
Key Symptoms
Tendinitis with stiffness and pain made better by moving, stretching, and flexing
Injuries to muscles and tendons after overexertion

Mind
Active
Jovial

Body
Restless legs in bed
Desire to stretch

Worse
Cold applications
Getting wet and chilled

Better
Warm applications
Hot bath or shower

Food and Drinks
Desire for cold milk

Ruta (Rue)
Key Symptoms
Injuries to flexor tendons, joints, cartilage, and periosteum
(outermost layer of bone)
Injuries to ankles and wrists
Bruised, sore, aching feeling with restlessness
Intense pain, weariness, and heaviness in the tendons

Mind
Dissatisfied
Quarrelsome

Body
Stiffness throughout the body
Restlessness
Tennis elbow

Worse
Cold air
Sitting
Better
Lying on the back
Rubbing

Don't Leave Home Without Your Homeopathic Kit
The best time to treat yourself for sports injuries is immediately or within a few hours, although you can still get results days, weeks, or even months later. Carrying a homeopathic kit in your car is the best way to have what you need when you need it. Homeopathic medicines only work when you have them at your fingertips. Speaking of fingers, let us give you a good example of when not having the right medicine on hand can delay the healing process. Just yesterday we both participated in an annual event that takes place here on Whidbey Island involving 500 or so volunteers from our local community. Each volunteer is assigned to a team which works together on repairing a home of someone in need of assistance. Gardening, plumbing, carpentry, roofing, splitting wood - you name it. In fact, one group of 13 yesterday painted an entire house in four hours including a lunch break! Bob was removing grass from the outside of a stubborn lawnmower blade which had not stopped rotating completely. It struck Bob's gloved left index finger, bruising, but fortunately, not cutting it. Nevertheless, his finger "throbbed like crazy." It sure was a good thing we had some Hypericum in the glove compartment or he wouldn't have been able to continue working all day. A dose of Ledum that night, alleviated the pain further. So, remember - no matter what sports activity or adventure you have planned - don't leave home without your kit. And, if you do, treat yourself as soon as you get home.

Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman and Robert Ullman are licensed naturopathic physicians board certified in homeopathy. They love to engage in outdoor activities such as hiking and kayaking and could write a book about how often they have used their home medicine kit during their adventures. Maybe they will. Their books so far include, Homeopathic Self-Care: The Quick and Easy Guide for the Whole Family, Ritalin-Free Kids, Rage-Free Kids Prozac Free, Whole Woman Homeopathy, The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine, and Mystics, Masters, Saints and Sages-Stories of Enlightenment. They teach and lecture internationally and practice at The Northwest Center for Homeopathic Medicine in Edmonds, Washington and Langley, Washington. For their schedule, see their website below. They treat patients by phone as well as in person and can be reached by telephone at 425-774-5599 or by fax at 425-670-0319. Their website is www.healthyhomeopathy.com.