In any accident or injury, your first responsibility is to apply the proper first-aid measures and to get medical help if necessary. However, homeopathic treatment can complement the standard treatment measures and help to reduce pain and speed healing so that you can get back to training as soon as possible.
Arnica is used first in all injury, for shock, pain, swelling and bleeding. Symptoms include soreness and bruised feeling, shock (person may insist they are fine when obviously they are not). It is used in early sprains to prevent bruising and minimize swelling.
Arnica can help to reduce muscle soreness after a particularly hard work out. However, I don’t recommend it be taken before and after every run as your body needs to build the ability to recover.
Rhus tox is a remedy which can follow Arnica for sprains. It is also used for plantar fasciitis. The key symptoms that would indicate Rhus tox would be increased pain on first movement, followed by improvement after continued movement.
Traumeel gel is a gel which contains homeopathic remedies such as Arnica, Hypericum and other first aid remedies. It is useful for blows, bruises and sprains, but not for broken skin. It is not intended for long term use and is most effective when used only for new injuries.
Muscle cramping is a common problem of runners and other athletes. First be sure you are drinking enough fluids – dehydration is a common cause of cramping. Be sure to hydrate well (but not excessively) every day, but in particular the day before your long run. For muscle cramping during your runs, try Calc phos 6X Tissue Salts. For muscle cramping at night which is better by heat and pressure consider Mag phos 6X Tissue Salts. I usually suggest Tissue Salts be taken in a 6X potency, 4 times per day (one tablet dissolved under the tongue, not while eating or drinking) for up to 10 days. I have had a patient who took them this way for 10 days and then before each run for a couple more weeks.
How to take homeopathic remedies
Homeopathic remedies come in various strengths (called potencies), from 6C to 50M. Unless you are an experienced prescriber, I suggest you use a potency no higher than 30C.
The number of doses of a remedy given depends on the potency you have chosen and the degree of seriousness of the injury. Note – one dose is considered to be one pellet dissolved under the tongue. It is not necessary to take more than one pellet per dose. For babies and small children (or anyone who might inhale the pellet), you can put the pellet in water and put 1 tsp in the person’s mouth. For a very serious injury (such as a head injury, second or third-degree burns), you might give one dose every 5 to 30 minutes initially.
If your condition begins to improve, do not give any further doses of the remedy. Start giving the remedy again only if the symptoms begin to relapse or there is no further improvement. If you have given several doses of a remedy and there is no improvement on any level, stop giving the remedy and re-evaluate the symptoms or seek help from your homeopath.
When to see a professional homeopath
If you have tried a few different remedies and the injury is worsening, or if you have recurring injuries (such as repeated strains or sprains) you might want to consult a professional homeopath. With recurring injuries, there may be an underlying susceptibility which can best be treated professionally.
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• There are no harmful side effects
• They are safe to use in all cases, and equally effective in babies, old people and pregnant women
• Because of the degree of dilution, they will not show up in any drug testing procedures, so there is no need to check whether any of the ingredients are on a banned list
• They cost less than prescription medicines
• Unlike conventional medicines, they can be kept for later use, with often only a few tablets from a bottle being needed for each episode of treatment
• They are NOT tested on animals – all homeopathic medicines are tested through systematic trials with healthy human volunteers
• They work with rather than against the body’s own repair mechanisms
• They have been used effectively, in all parts of the world, for over 200 years
• They appear to speed up the healing process and get you back to training and performing more quickly
• An increasing amount of high-quality scientific research demonstrates that homeopathic medicines really do work
Reference: This table was adapted from an article Homeopathy in Sport: Can less really be more when it comes to treating sports injuries? by Jim Rogers, a homeopath and ultra runner in the U.K.
I knew I wanted to study homeopathy before I began to study Bowen. However, I needed to wait until my youngest child was in school so that I would have the large blocks of time required to study homeopathy. I wanted to find a hands on type of treatment that I could learn that would complement my future homeopathic practice.
Bowen has been called the homeopathy of body work. That is because it uses only a small stimulation over specific points to set up a healing response within the body. Homeopathic remedies are made from substances that are diluted and shaken many times, leaving only the energy of the original substance. It is thought that the remedy gives the body a small impetus that sets up a healing response.
In homeopathy remedies are repeated when the action of the remedy has stopped or slowed down. We do not give a remedy when a person’s symptoms are still improving. A Bowen treatment consists of short series of moves followed by a pause to let the body integrate the work. If there is a reaction (such as heat) we wait for the reaction to slow down or complete before moving on to the next series of moves.
The concept of Less is More applies to both homeopathy and Bowen, in that the aim is to give a gentle stimulation to the body which allows the healing to begin but does not cause an aggravation of symptoms. This is why sometimes a Bowen therapist will stop after only a short time, because the patient’s body has indicated the treatment is enough for that day. In homeopathy, we try to match the energy of the patient to the potency of the remedy so that the remedy provides a gentle stimulation to the body to begin healing.
Bowen and homeopathy both treat the whole body, and improvements can be noted on the physical, mental and emotional levels. Changes after a Bowen treatment can be observed for up to 5 days after the treatment. This is why it is recommended that no other body work or treatment be done for at least 7 days after and 5 days before a Bowen treatment. Depending on the nature of the complaint, the healing initiated by homeopathic remedies can continue for some time. Homeopathic medicines will work through or in spite of many conventional medicines, which makes them safe to use with all patients.
As a Homeopath who also does Bowen I can help to choose which therapy suits my patients best. I usually do not begin both Homeopathy and Bowen at the same time, except in acute injuries where a well prescribed homeopathic remedy can help to speed up the healing. If I have a patient who is doing well on a homeopathic remedy and an acute complaint arises I can use a Bowen treatment to relieve the symptoms without interfering with the homeopathic remedy healing. As a practitioner I love being able to do the intense, thoughtful work of homeopathy along with the hands-on, moving around of Bowen.
Note: This blog post has also been published in the March 2012 edition of SNAP Dartmouth.
Homeopathy is a complete system of medicine. Homeopaths treat a wide variety of acute and chronic conditions, from ear infections to excema to auto-immune disorders to depression and anxiety.
Homeopaths study basic sciences (anatomy, physiology, pathology and some nutrition), but then go on to study at least 2000 hours of homeopathy. While a person’s diagnosis is important to understand the course of a disease or illness, because homeopathy looks more at each person’s unique experience of their health condition a homeopathic education does not generally focus on diagnosis.
Homeopaths work with you in conjunction with your family doctor.
If you want to change your diet or want to take supplements, or if you are very interested in confirming a diagnosis of your condition, you probably want to see a naturopathic doctor. A homeopath might help you to follow a basic healthy eating plan, but is less likely to prescribe diet for specific health conditions. This is because from a homeopathic point of view if your system is balanced you should be able to tolerate most foods. At times it may be necessary to restrict certain food items temporarily to allow your body the chance to heal. However, a homeopathic remedy is needed to correct the imbalance that led to your symptoms in the first place. One benchmark for improved health would be your digestive system being able to tolerate more foods as you heal.
Homeopathic remedies are safe for all ages and health conditions and are non-toxic. The remedies are made by diluting and shaking a substance many times (called potentization). Most homeopaths include the remedies in the cost of the consultation fee, or have a minimal charge.
The first appointment for homeopathy is 2 hours and involves a comprehensive history and case taking. Many patients remark that they have never felt so listened to by another health professional.
Most times you would go to see a homeopath because you would like to improve some aspect of your health. This can be a long-standing chronic complaint or an acute ailment, and can be on the mental, emotional or physical level.
Homeopaths are also interested in working with patients who want to improve their overall health and wellness and who do not have any current complaints. As an example, some families bring their children to a homeopath for ‘healthy & happy children’ check ups. In these appointments the homeopath is establishing a relationship with the children and getting to know their ‘constitutional’ remedy picture. This can be helpful for when acute complaints arise.
In my practice of homeopathy and the Bowen technique I offer free 15 minute consults (phone or in person). These are helpful if you don’t know whether homeopathy or Bowen are the right treatment methods for you, or if you would like to meet me before beginning treatment. If I don’t think what I do is appropriate for your complaints I will be happy to refer you to the appropriate professional.
Here is a book for all of you avid gardeners who are interested in treating your gardens with non-toxic and non-harmful methods. Homeopathy for Farm and Garden The Homeopathic Treatment of Plants 2nd revised edition was written by Vaikunthanath Das Kaviraj and is attracting a lot of attention. I had the chance to browse through it at a recent conference in Toronto and it is clearly written and beautifully presented.
After Hurricane Juan a colleague of mine treated many of her shrubs and bushes with homeopathic remedies to counteract the shock they had sustained.
This book is available from Naryana Publishers
Homeopathic remedies can be very helpful during the grieving process, both in the initial stages and during the longer term consequences of a loss or bereavement. This article contains a list of homeopathic remedies commonly prescribed for grief reactions, along with some practical suggestions for remaining well after a grief. I have also included a personal story of my attempts to soften the grieving process for myself and my family.
Rescue remedy is a Bach Flower preparation that is diluted in a similar way to homeopathic remedies, but is not shaken or sucussed between dilutions. Rescue remedy can be used to comfort and to soothe, and I find it useful if I am in a setting where I am not able to take a case, but I want to be able to provide some measure of comfort to a person. I prefer the liquid form, as you can have the person place 2 or 3 drops into a bottle of water and sip. Like homeopathic remedies it is safe and non-toxic.
Grief remedies
The three most common remedies for grief are Ignatia, Nat mur and Phosphoric Acid.
Ignatia indications would be tearful, uncontrollable weeping, weeping when alone, body feels cramped and numb, can also have difficulty crying. It can be in initial stages after a loss. (I found this remedy to be particularly helpful for certain members of my family.)
Nat mur can be expressed as difficulty crying, feeling lonely and withdrawn, dwells on past hurts and disappointments, worse from consolation. There can be headaches or herpes outbreaks after grief A person needing Nat mur in a grief situation might push others away and have a wall around them. The feeling inside is that if they begin to express their sorrow it will be like floodgates opening, so they try to keep it all inside. I have seen Nat mur be indicated both in the initial stages and also from prolonged grieving.
Another strategy for healing from a grief is to find something you love to do, and dedicate some aspect of this to the person you are grieving for. For example, you could plant a garden or enter a race or do something creative in their memory.
A few years ago my best friend passed away. 
As part of my coping strategy, I hooked a rug called Coastal Girls and made each of the women someone who was special to me. I surrounded myself with the women who have supported me, including my best friend and my sister. This rug was designed by Deanne Fitzpatrick.
Last year our family suffered a devastating loss of my sister’s 18 year old son Brennan. Some of the younger members of our family got beautiful tattoos in his memory. To help with my own healing process I designed and hooked a rug in his memory.
When our children were growing up my sister and I frequently rented a cottage and took our 5 boys on a beach holiday. We spent many enjoyable hours beach-combing in the Green Bay area of Nova Scotia. This rug has many elements of our beach walks – starfish, sand dollars, nautilus shell, the wild roses and of course the sand and the waves. The writing inside is a verse from a poem called The Tide (author unknown), and talks about whenever a joy has passed something beautiful remains. Brennan was a joy to our family and to his many friends. Completing this rug has been a way for me to express my grief and also my love for my nephew.
Some important notes about potency and dosage
Homeopathic remedies come in various strengths (called potencies), from 6C to 50M and higher. Unless you are an experienced prescriber, I suggest you use a potency no higher than 30C.
The number of doses of a remedy given depend on the potency you have chosen and the degree of distress of the individual. Note – one dose is considered to be one pellet dissolved under the tongue. It is not necessary to take more than one pellet per dose. For babies and small children (or anyone who might inhale the pellet), you can dissolve the pellet in water and put 1 tsp. in the infant’s mouth.
Stop on improvement – repeat as needed
If the person’s condition begins to improve, do not give any further doses of the remedy. Start giving the remedy again only if the symptoms begin to relapse or there is no further improvement. If you have given several doses of the remedy (between 3 and 6 doses) and there is no improvement on any level, stop giving the remedy. It is probably not the correct remedy and you need to re-evaluate or seek help from your homeopath.
Recently a colleague asked me for suggestions for remedies that might help with her body’s responses to international travel. She experiences sleep disturbance, a weak feeling in her body and feelings of disorientation for several days upon arrival. She has tried one of the combination homeopathic remedies for jet lag, but found it did not help her symptoms and in fact made her feel worse.
Cocculus Indicus is one of the most common remedies indicated for the woozy, disoriented feeling when you travel to a destination many time zones away. I recommended to my friend that she take Cocculus indicus in a 30C potency, one pellet every 12 hours, starting up to 2 days before her flight. Depending on how she is feeling, she can continue this for up to 3 days after she arrives.
A common symptom long distance travellers experience is swelling of the feet and ankles. In addition to wearing socks and footwear that are not binding, getting up to move around the cabin frequently can be helpful. Urtica Urens tincture can also be helpful to combat postural oedema. I suggest patients take 5 drops every 6 hours starting 24 hours before and throughout the airline journey. It can be continued for the first day or so after arrival if necessary.
Note: Urtica urens tincture is not recommended if you suffer from hepatic disease or seizures or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. In that case you could take Urtica Urens 30C 3 doses per day starting 24 hours prior, during travel and for a day or so following. Because homeopathic remedies are diluted and succussed many times they are non-toxic and safe for use for everyone.
Some people suffer from a fear of heights and/or claustrophobia when travelling on an aircraft. Argentum nitricum 30C can help with the feelings of anxiety related to the fears of being in a confined space. Take one dose a few hours before departure and then every 2 to 4 hours depending on the degree of anxiety experienced.
For the fear of descending, or an extreme reaction to the sudden drops from air pockets or turbulence, consider Borax 30C. One or two doses an hour or two before landing, or every 2 hours if on a very turbulent flight should be helpful.
Hopefully the above will help you to have an enjoyable journey and leave you feeling refreshed and ready to enjoy your destination.
A Family Guide – Coping with Chemotherapy Using Homeopathy by Laura Fenton. This book is designed as a resource for patients and their families. It is clearly laid out according to the common side effects that might be experienced during chemotherapy and gives suggestions for homeopathic remedies which can help to alleviate the side effects. I have used this extensively in my practice and also with friends and family and have found it to be very helpful. My sister’s oncologist was very supportive and enthusiastic about her taking remedies to ease her suffering during the chemotherapy process.
I keep an extra copy on hand for my work with patients and their families. Available from Minimum Price Homeopathic Books. www.minimum.com
I was driving back from a workshop with Deanne Fitzpatrick yesterday, looking at the clouds and thinking about rug hooking. I spotted a cloud that was an unusual colour and when I got closer I realized it was a patch of blue sky! You know we’ve had a cloudy/rainy spring when it is difficult to recognize the patches of blue.
I always come away from Deanne’s inspired and re-charged on every level. While driving I was thinking about various women in my life whose qualities I aspire to. (I don’t need their lives, just their qualities.) This includes Deanne and also homeopath Miranda Castro. I concluded that some of the qualities which they have and which I aspire to are generosity of spirit, absolute integrity to learn their craft and a strong sense of who they are in the world.
My decision to move to my own office space is part of my process to having my practice reflect more about who I am as a person as well as a homeopath and Bowen therapist. When I arrived home and was looking at the pillow I had started hooking for my new office, along with the wool I had purchased to work with other projects I was struck by two things.
The first was the inscription to me that Deanne had put in her new book Inspired Rug Hooking. It said every loop is healing, and it is true that pulling loops in rug hooking is very healing for me. I hope that the work I do can be healing for others in the way that rug hooking is healing for me.
The second was the bookmark she had enclosed, which was written from her Dear Diary section of her website. It was a little story about how sometimes she reveals too much of herself, which can make her vulnerable, but also opens up the cracks of her imagination. She goes on to say that while doing this sometimes causes her to lose sleep, she does “not let it stop me from being myself and using my blessings to show the world who I am”.
So this is my other hope, that by moving to my new office and bringing more of myself into my work that I can also be “using my blessings to show the world who I am” and through this can help others.
Warmly,
Meryl
Insomnia can have many causes and specific symptoms, but here are three possible remedies you can try at home to resolve a bout of insomnia. Of course, if insomnia is severe or prolonged, or recurs frequently it is time to consult a professional homeopath. Many cases of insomnia respond positively to homeopathic treatment.
Kali Phos is a helpful remedy for simple insomnia that follows a period of excitement, intense work or mental strain, when the individual feels worn out but cannot sleep. The insomnia can be accompanied by an empty feeling in the pit of the stomach which is only temporarily relieved by eating.
Nux vomica can be useful for insomnia after coffee, over-work and mental strain. The individual feels angry, irritable and impatient. There can be waking too early or late or at 3 a.m. The person may feel sleepy on going to bed, but then can’t sleep or wakes too early with anxious thoughts which prevent falling back to sleep.
Natrum muriaticum is often indicated for sleeplessness after a significant loss such as a grief. The individual may not have mourned and has held in their tears. They may want to be alone, are more tearful than Nux vomica. The sleeplessness may be accompanied by anxious, vivid dreams.
For home prescribing, I suggest a 30C potency. For insomnia try taking one dose of the indicated remedy 3 to 4 hours before bed and then one more dose at bedtime. Up to 4 to 6 doses can be taken every 4 to 6 hours, but if the symptoms have not resolved, stop taking the remedy and try another. Homeopathic remedies should be taken on a clean mouth 5 to 10 minutes from eating or drinking, one pellet dissolved under the tongue.
