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Alternative Medicine: Summer Sprains and Strains
Category: RICES
Jun 21, 2007
Summer starts today, a time to experience a variety of outdoor activities. While excellent for the mind, body and spirit, this increased activity level raises the risk for sprain or strain injuries.
There are a few ways to help prevent sprains and strains and make the most of the sunshine and warm weather:
- Maintain a healthy weight and exercise regularly.
- Wear shoes that fit well, and replace them if they start to show wear.
- Warm up and stretch before all exercise, including hiking and biking.
If summer activities cause a sprain or a strain injury, early treatment is essential. Those who take the "tough it out" approach may end up with a chronic injury that affects their activity level for months or years to come. Initially, it is important to follow the principles of rest, ice, elevation, and compression to control inflammation and pain. If the pain and swelling increase or do not improve within a few days, it may be necessary to see a physician for further evaluation. More severe sprains or strains may require advanced interventions such as casting, crutches or surgery.
Mild-to-moderate strains and sprains usually can be addressed with aggressive but conservative treatment. As a naturopathic physician, I often prescribe inflammation modulating and soft tissue supportive natural medicine to stimulate recovery from injury. This can be achieved through specific botanical medicine or nutrient supplementation. Additionally, physical medicine treatments such as hydrotherapy, therapeutic exercise or soft tissue sports massage may help to stimulate healthy tissue repair and restore function.