Nearly all of us have, at some point broken or fractured a bone, or someone in our family has. Obviously this requires immediate medical attention, but there are remedies you can take to assist in the long term healing of such injuries, and also to help with the initial shock and pain of sustaining an injury.
Bone breaks and fractures can benefit from the usual soft tissue trauma remedy, Arnica, in either 30c or 200c. Give a dose as soon as possible. Arnica is reputed to help with bruising and pain associated with a break, in fact it can be so effective that often the nursing staff won’t believe there could be a break, the person appears to be coping so well with the pain from such an injury. This was my experience when my son, then aged 5, fractured his elbow. Arnica was so effective they nearly didn’t x-ray him!
Once an x-ray has confirmed a break or fracture, and more importantly, when the bone has been set back in the correct position, Symphytum 30c can be used to help the bone knit back together. Again this can be a very effective and fast acting remedy and it is vital that the bone is set correctly before giving this remedy to avoid improper healing – I cannot emphasise this point enough!
I gave my son Symphytum and Arnica 30c twice daily for a week, it was all that was required.
Compound Fractures, whern the bone has broken through the skin, calls for Calendula. Once it has been reset Symphytum can carry on the healing. Calendula can be stopped when the skin has healed and the open wound is no longer at risk from infection. A dose of 30c once or twice a day for a week is usually all that is required.
Rib Damage: Broken ribs can’t be set easily so I would avoid Symphytum here and opt for Bryonia and Arnica instead. Bryonia is a big remedy for ribs, where there is intense pain and the slightest movement is agony.
Support Remedies: Tissue Salts (Cell Salts) Calcium Phosphorica (Calc-P) and Calcium Fluoride (Calc-F) in 6x or 9x potency can be taken daily for prolonged periods.
Great for weak and brittle bones that break easily, or for general bone support in times of growth, or menopause, when the bones can start to become depleted.(osteoporosis / osteogenesis)
What to do when the bone has healed but it’s still painful
Once Symphytum has completed its action, Ruta can be a handy remedy to use if you experience pain after damaging a bone. Ruta is also useful for old fractures that play up from time to time. Again the use of the 2 tissue salts Calc-P and Calc-F can be used to support bone repair.
How long can I take a remedy for?
As long as there is a need for a remedy, where the symptoms match and are helped by the remedy then it is appropriate to use it. I’ve used 30c potencies given every couple of hours in the early and acute stages, it is wise to wait for a symptom or pain to return before repeating, the remedy may have done its job and no longer be indicated.
i would not advise taking remedies over a long period of time. If the pain persists then it would be wise to consult a qualified homeopath. There are many homeopathic remedies indicated for musculoskeletal injuries and healing. The ones mentioned here are just the ones most commonly used.
Useful First Aid Trauma Remedies:
Arnica – Muscle and soft tissue damage, bruising and shock. Extreme fear is a common reaction to a sudden injury and Arnica is well indicated for this. Injuries where the slightest movement causes pain. Try Arnica
Symphytum – Fractures, broken bones, slow healing. Pain from past breakages indicates Symphytum, remembering the rule of making sure the bones have been set before using this remedy.
Ruta – Joint, cartilage and tendon injuries. Useful for dislocations and strains. Pain, made worse or not eased by movement of the affected parts
Rhus Tox – Similar to Ruta but the pain needing Rhus Tox is eased after movement.
Calendula – External wounds, skin damage, burns, natural antiseptic and reputed to help heal skin damage and cuts
Hypericum – Where nerve damage has occurred. Whiplash and shooting nerve pains indicate Hypericum. Spinal injuries where nerves are involved.
Bryonia – Fractures where slightest movement is agony, and fractures anywhere, but affinity to the ribs especially. Also good for dislocations along with Ruta.
Bellis Perennis – A deeper acting Arnica, for deep soft tissue trauma and damage. Affinities to the abdomen, pelvis and breast.