Homeopathy for Trauma

By Dr. George Strom, NMD, Chom.

From simple scratches to devastating injuries, trauma is the most common medical condition. Homeopathy greatly assists our body to deal with any trauma. The effects of homeopathy in injury are dramatic; reducing pain, swelling, bruising and risk of infection, while accelerating healing and preventing long-term residual effects, such as arthritis.

Trauma can result in physical misalignments, tensions, scarring, or tissue damage on a microscopic level. From the seed of these kinds of imbalances, progressive disability and malfunction develop over many years. Injury also leaves a deep imprint in the tissues, cells, and nerves. Because of this type of cellular memory, the body and mind may function as though the injury is happening right now, not years ago. There is also an energetic imprint left by trauma, creating deep patterns that affect psychological as well as physical function. Such maladaptive patterns can only be healed by a medicine, which can reach these depths, i.e., potentized homeopathic remedies.

For the skeptic or the veteran, there is no more dramatic evidence of homeopathy's effectiveness than its use in injury. It not only has no parallel in treating acute trauma, but also is unique in its ability to improve chronic conditions or poor health resulting from past injuries.

Bleeding: Homeopathy can help the body to stop excess bleeding, whether due to injury or any of the numerous causes of hemorrhage.

Bruises: Homeopathy works extremely well for bruises. Taken immediately, it can prevent or negate discoloration and swelling.

Burns: Apart from well-known first aid treatments for burns, internal homeopathic remedies can quickly alleviate pain and accelerate healing.

Punctures, Bites: Several easy-to-use remedies can rapidly relieve pain, swelling, and inflammation, while preventing infection.

Sprains: Mild to severe injuries of ligaments and joints are perfect candidates for homeopathic remedies and should be part of every first aid kit, travel pack, athlete's gear, and emergency ward dispensary.

The following illustrations were borrowd with the generous author's permission from Dr. Luc's book "The People's Repertory."

Main remedies for trauma

Arnica is called the sports remedy for its great indications in sport traumas when there is a typical sore, bruised feeling "as if truck drove over me." Pains are made worse by the slightest touch and better from cold applications. Arnica is indicated in any blunt trauma where the skin is not open (use Calendula when the skin is broken as it will speed healing faster, and Arnica may actually be harmful in this situation). Arnica is especially useful to absorb blood under the skin (hematomas). It should be given to any acute stroke victim as it absorbs internal bleeding very quickly.

Aconitum stands for the 4 Fs: Fast-Fever-Fulminant-Fright. For shock and fear immediately after injury. Use for pain and fever after injury or surgery; high fevers with hot, dry skin; injury to eye or retina; fear of imminent death; restless; startled.

Bellis Perennis is also called a "gardener's remedy" as it is a deeper-working Arnica, indicated in all kind of traumas where Arnica does not completely heal, and it follows well after Arnica. Main remedy after major surgery. Swelling, intense soreness, aching, much bruising. It is a very specific remedy for tennis elbow, the great fear of tennis players.

Bryonia is better known for headaches or other acute pain syndromes, which are made worse from the slightest movement. There is improvement of the pain with strong pressure or lying on the painful side as it prevents the motion of the part. It is a great remedy for whiplash and broken bones.

Calendula is known for great healing qualities for cuts and abrasions. It should be used after an operation where the skin is broken, as it acts both as an antiseptic and as a healing agent. Calendula will control bleeding from open wounds but remember: use only Calendula on open wounds, never Arnica. Calendula is also used for second and third degree burns. It is available in cream form like Arnica, but the action of these remedies is speedier and deeper when the pellets are dissolved in water and taken orally. Actually, you can do both: topical application and internal.

Hypericum is a great painkiller in any trauma that involves nerve endings, e.g., slipped discs in sciatica and neck, or crushed fingers. Hypericum is for sharp, shooting nerve pains, so it can be used in toothaches, or after insect or animal bites with such pains.

Ledum acts like a combination of Arnica and Hypericum. Often it will completely relieve traumas after initial use of Arnica. It is the number one remedy for black eyes and for bruises when they have turned violet-blue-black. Ledum is great for all kinds of insect bites. Dr. Luc suggested Ledum as a powerful remedy for bedsores.

Rhus-Tox is a good remedy for poison ivy. It is the best remedy for any sprain or strain affecting the ligaments anywhere in the body. All symptoms responding to Rhus-tox are better with heat (such as a hot shower) and continued movement; they are worse when beginning to move and worse from resting. The sensation of stiffness in the joints (in Arnica it is in the muscles). Together with Arnica (for sore muscles), it will bring great relief to athletes who overexert themselves. Do not take hot baths while on rhus-tox, it will stop the healing actions.

Ruta graveolens combines characteristics of Arnica and Rhus-tox. It is mainly indicated when there is a deeper trauma to the soft tissues so that periosteum (the membrane surrounding the bone) has been affected. A classic example of this is its great effectiveness for tennis elbow (like Bellis perennis), where the trauma is close to the bone. It is indicated in any trauma of the knee. It is number one remedy for the injuries to the Achilles tendon.

Phosphorus has numerous uses including bleeding disorders (bright red blood, without a tendency to clot), nose bleeds, bleeding after surgery, tooth extraction, etc. It stops the bleeding rapidly. It should be taken before any surgical intervention, as close to surgery time as possible, and again afterwards if bleeding is a problem.

Silicea has a remarkable power to push splinters to the surface and has been called the " homeopathic surgical knife."

Symphytum is a great remedy to accelerate healing of fractures after the bone has been set. It is called a bone knit. In fact, it is so effective that you should make sure the broken bone is aligned correctly before starting the remedy.

How to take remedies

Remedies will work much better and much faster if you take them in water. Putting them in water makes them reach more nerve endings and act more profoundly. It is best to use filtered water. Take one pellet and put it in clean plastic cup. Add 4 oz of water and let the pellet dissolve. Stir with a clean plastic teaspoon. Take one teaspoon or tablespoon as needed - as often as every 15 to 30 minutes in acute case such as high fever and accidents. One cup is good for 24 hours. Be sure to slow down to one dose every hour or two as the symptoms improve, and when you are completely well, stop the remedy. If you still need the remedy the next day, make another cup with a new pellet. If you don't see any improvement by the time you finish a cup, you probably chose the wrong remedy. Stop when you feel completely well. Do not overdo. If you are taking two remedies for the same problem, dissolve each one in a separate cup (labeling it so you always use the same cup for the same remedy) and take at least 15 or more minutes apart. More serious problems usually require the stronger potencies. Please seek the advice of a professional homeopathic practitioner.

References:

Two drawings were included in the article from and by generous consent of Dr. Luc De Schepper.

"The People's Repertory" by Luc De Schepper, M.D., PhD

"Homeopathic Remedies" by Asa Hershoff, ND

"Musculoskeletal diseases and Homeopathy" by Luc De Schepper, MD., PhD

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