Anti-Inflammatory Homework

Why Do Ice

Ice helps to reduce inflammation and this with irritated tissue ice can be applied but do pay attention to what it feels like. It should feel helpful, a bit like a burn under a cold tap.

Why Do Heat

Heat is applied to muscle which is tight. Although it should always feel “comforting” we are actually using it for the bio-chemical effect. What do we mean by that? Well, muscle contraction is like a ratchet, by its effect of shortening the muscle, a mechanical ratchet – but in fact the ratchet action is a bio-chemical process and it is on this bio-chemical process that the heat works, like applying a Bunsen burner to a test tube in your school chemistry lab to speed up a chemical reaction. Thus by applying heat to the muscle you are speeding up the ‘unzipping’ of the muscle ratchet system and relaxing the muscle. The muscle should feel soothed whilst the heat is applied but also feel more comfortable after application as well. It may take a few turns to improve things, and you can apply heat as often as you like (with breaks between applications) as long as the muscle is liking the process.

First 24 hours

1. Every hour or two ice pack, applied to the area for 10 minutes, with such as a tea towel between ice pack (bag of frozen peas) and the skin, so you don’t burn.

After the Ice Pack

1. Rub in anti-inflammatory gel of choice, gently apply to tender area.
2. Homeopathy – Arnica, tablets, 1 tablet every 4 hours dissolve in your mouth, NOT to be taken with food but in between meals.

Or even better; a tablet that contains all of the following in, the same dose as above.

Arnica (Bruising)

Rhus tox (Superficial soft tissue damage)

Ruta Grave tablet (Deep seated tissue damage)

After 24 hours

1. Contrast Bathing

START and FINISH with cold packs and alternate with heat for 5-7 mins, each application. Heat is Hot Water Bottle with tap hot water not kettle. Use a tea towel between pack and skin, so you don’t burn.

Homeopathy

1. Keep on for 3 days of 1 tablet every 4 hours then change to 1 tablet each end of the day until the pain goes (tablet dissolves in the mouth, NOT with food)
2. After the contrast bathing rub in anti-inflammatory gel. Provided skin is not broken.