Karen Reynolds Acupuncture

Homemade Remedies to Help Heal an Injury

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As a Licensed Acupuncturist and RN, I specialize in helping people heal from traumatic injuries. Typical injuries on a given day might be: rib fractures from a mountain bike wipe out, low back pain after lifting a heavy suitcase or neck pain following a motor vehicle accident. This blog is about safe and easy to make homemade remedies you can use to help heal after an injury.
Homemade hotpacks after injury

Nutrition, supplements and topical patches that help with healing after injury

Supplements & Nutrition for Healing Injuries

•Please temporarily cut grains out of your diet, especially gluten. Grains aggravate inflammation. When your body is healing from an accident, gluten is like gasoline being thrown on an already raging fire. This is the case irrespective of whether your are sensitive or allergic to gluten or not.

•As long as you have no allergies or medication conflicts, supplement orally with Turmeric capsules.
Start with 1,000mg/day by mouth. You can work up to 2,000mg/day x 30 days maximum. Then reduce dose back to 500-750mg/day.
•As long as you have no allergies or medication conflicts, supplement orally with Omega fish oils 1,000mg/day by mouth. Nordic Naturals is a quality brand you can find in health food stores.

Arnica Patches for Healing from Injuries

•Here is how to make topical night time Arnica patches. 
Before bed, liberally apply to Arnica ointment to the skin over your injury site. Do NOT apply to broken skin. Loosely tape small square of Suran or plastic wrap over site to maintain absorption while you sleep. This is far more effective that spot applications of topical Arnica.
NEVER place plastic wrap around full circumference of any limb(s) or your neck. Use only a small strip or square of the clear wrap. Loosely tape into place with bandage tape. If you have sensitive skin, you’ll want to buy paper bandage tape versus adhesive bandage tape.
If helpful, you can wear Arnica patches during the day too. Just make sure you change the patch at least once per day.
Cleanse skin at least once per day and allow to skin dry thoroughly before reapplication. Stop if irritation, discomfort or excess moisture noted.

Kinesiology Tape for Healing from Injuries

•Kinesiology tape (aka “K-tape”) is helpful for joint support for some injuries. Sporting goods stores and many drugstores carry an assortment of different kinds. You tube videos are execellent resources for wrapping directions of various joints.  Kinesiology tape should not be binding or tight, simply supportive.

Kinesiology Tape use after a traumatic injury

Kinesiology Tape can be used for support of joints after an injury

Do keep in mind you’ll need to remove that K-tape at some point. That being said: it may be wise to shave or use a depilatory product before application. That way it will be less painful later. If shaving, do your best not to nick the skin.

Do not apply K-tape over broken skin.

Topical Hot Packs for Healing from Injuries

For pain relief, better circulation and reducing inflammation, you can make the following topical hot packs

•Epsom Salts Topical Hot Packs

Epsom salts hot packs are soothing. These are ideal for pain, especially bone pain. The salts are used in full rock form. They are not dissolved.

Epsom salts hot packs are helpful for pain after a surgery or traumatic injury

Epsom salts hot packs are helpful for pain after a surgery or injury

Directions:

  • Place 1-2 cups Epsom salts into pillowcase. It is better not to buy salts with essentials oils in them or they will cake or solidify more.
  • Warm salts in microwave or to comfort level for your skin (perhaps 1 minute).
  • Apply to: painful or injured areas or lean against pack while seating or reclining.
  • Salts can be reused.
•Castor Oil Topical Hot Packs
Castor oil hot packs are more detoxifying. This style hot pack is  better on an injured area which is inflamed or perhaps red.

You can order The Palma Christi Castor Oil Pack Kits from Amazon or you make your own Castor Oil hot packs.

Directions:

  • Place liberal amount Castor oil onto washcloth.
  • Warm in microwave to comfort level for your skin (perhaps 1 minute).
  • Apply to:  Painful joints or Injured areas (but NOT to broken skin).
  • Do not re-use washcloths. Use a fresh cloth for each application.
Castor oil may stain so do use a towel to protect linens, clothing, furniture etc.
Thank you for reading and I hope you are feeling better soon!
  • Please leave any questions you may have here and I am happy to answer them.
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All content here is written personally by me in with the goal that it is be helpful to you. As long as you include the link for this blog entry to credit me as the author, it is fine to repost or share if you wish.

 For scheduling information and appointment availability, do please visit my website at: https://karenreynolds.wpengine.com/

Be well!

~Karen Reynolds, RN, MS, LAc

Statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. All information on this site is provided as education and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. No information on this site is intended to replace or delay the use of any conventional medical treatment.

 

 

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