Sprain
From Wiki4CAM
Sprain is an injury to a ligament due to overuse or trauma. Ligaments are made up of strong and flexible fibrous tissue that connects two or more bones at a joint.[1][2][3] Sprains happen most often in the ankle. Sometimes when people fall and land on their hand, they sprain their wrist. A sprain to the thumb is common in skiing and other sports. The ligament can have tears in it, or it can be completely torn apart.
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Causes
Sprains can occur from fall, land on an arm, fall on the side of their foot or twist a knee.
Symptoms
Sprained ligaments swell rapidly and are painful. Generally the greater the pain, the more severe the injury. Symptoms include joint pain, muscle pain, swelling, joint stiffness, discoloration of the skin and especially bruising.
First aid
US's National Institute of Medicine has recommended the following things to follow as first aid.
- Apply ice immediately to help reduce swelling. Wrap the ice in cloth -- DO NOT place ice directly on the skin.
- Try NOT to move the affected area. To help you do this, bandage the affected area firmly, but not tightly. Use a splint if necessary.
- Keep the swollen joint elevated above the level of the heart, even while sleeping.
- Rest the affected joint for several days. [4]
The not-for-profit organisation Mayo Clinic's website recommend the following instructions for P.R.I.C.E. for first aid.
- Protect the injured limb from further injury by not using the joint. You can do this using anything from splints to crutches.
- Rest the injured limb. But don't avoid all activity. Even with an ankle sprain, you can usually still exercise other muscles to prevent deconditioning. For example, you can use an exercise bicycle, working both your arms and the uninjured leg while resting the injured ankle on another part of the bike. That way you still get three-limb exercise to keep up your cardiovascular conditioning.
- Ice the area. Use a cold pack, a slush bath or a compression sleeve filled with cold water to help limit swelling after an injury. Try to apply ice as soon as possible after the injury. If you use ice, be careful not to use it for too long, as this could cause tissue damage.
- Compress the area with an elastic wrap or bandage. Compressive wraps or sleeves made from elastic or neoprene are best.
- Elevate the injured limb whenever possible to help prevent or limit swelling. [5]
CAM therapies for sprain
Acupuncture
There is a study in which fifty cases of acute lumbar sprain were treated by the combination of acupuncture, cupping and kinesitherapy. It was published in the journal Journal of Acupuncture and Tuina Science. Forty-three cases were cured and 7 cases improved, the total effective rate being 100%. It was concluded that this therapy has an exact effect with a short course of treatment. [6] The main points for lumbar sprains include SI 3, GV 26, BL 40, GV 3, BL 25 and TE 3[citation needed]
Ayurveda and herbal remedies
Paste of dry ginger can be applied locally on the sprained part. Clove oil is useful for sprains and muscular cramps. A plaster can be made with this oil and applied on the affected parts. Another important herb is hyssop, which has been in use for a long in Ayurveda. It should be made into paste (whole herb) and applied externally. Other herbs useful for sprains include Licorice, marjoram (oil is also being used) and Turmeric. Oil massage therapies are generally used in Ayurveda. Mahanarayana taila and Praharini taila are two good oils. These oils can be warmed a little before application to provide better effects.[citation needed]
Homeopathy
Homeopathic remedies have long been used for sprains. Following remedies can be useful in sprains.
- Aconitum napellus: This remedy can be helpful when a person feels extremely fearful or agitated after being injured. It may help to soothe anxiety and panic and reduce the chance of shock.
- Arnica montana: This is the major remedy for new traumatic injuries—especially bruises, sprains, and concussions. Symptoms are worse from touch and motion. Arnica can be helpful for painful bruising and tissue-damage caused by surgery and dental work—given preventively before an anticipated injury, and used to treat the soreness afterward. It is also helpful in preventing shock.
- Bellis perennis: This remedy is useful for injuries to the trunk and deeper tissues—as from falls, car accidents, surgery, etc. —especially if a feeling of stiffness or coldness develops in the injured area. If Arnica has been given for an injury—especially a strain or bruise—but has not had much effect, Bellis perennis may be helpful.
- Calendula: This is a very helpful remedy for cuts and scrapes or other injuries with broken skin. Potentized Calendula can be taken internally, to prevent or combat infection if a cut or scrape becomes inflamed. Herbal calendula can be applied directly to wounds as an ointment, lotion, or diluted tincture.
- Hypericum: This remedy is indicated for injuries to body areas with many nerves, such as fingertips and toes, the genitals, the spine and tailbone, and the eyeballs. Shooting pains, a feeling of “jangled nerves,” and pains mixed with tingling and numbness are strong indications. People with concussions, nerve pain after surgeries and root-canals, or bites and puncture wounds may benefit from Hypericum.
- Ledum palustre: This remedy is indicated for injuries that lead to puffy swelling, especially when ice-packs or cold applications bring relief. Sprained ankles or knees, bashed noses, black eyes, or any kind of bruising injury that is painful and very swollen may respond to Ledum.
- Millefolium: Contusions or sprains that involve small broken blood-vessels and lead to bruiselike bleeding beneath the skin suggest the use of this remedy. It is often also useful for nosebleeds after injury, and for bleeding in other parts of the body (for instance, after childbirth or surgery).
- Ruta graveolens: This remedy is helpful for injuries to tendons, joints, and muscles, and has a special affinity to the coverings of the bones (the periosteum). Bone-bruises, barked shins, or any injury that leads to stiffness and aching may respond. Ruta is often useful after Arnica for sprains, pulled muscles, and connective tissue injuries.
- Symphytum: This remedy is best known for its healing effect on broken bones, and is also good for bone-bruises. It is valuable if blunt injury occurs to the eyeball (from a rock, a stick, a flying object, etc.) Any injury to the eye or eyeball should be examined by a doctor.
