Rest
Ice
Compression and
Elevation

"RICE"


With a serious sprain herbal compresses are valuable. If the skin is intact a compress or poultice of Arnica should be employed. Buy Arnica flowers. Make an infusion, i.e. steep the flowers in water brought to the boil. Soak a cloth in the solute. Apply the soaked flower to the sprained part and wrap tightly with the soaked cloth. Bind the compress/poultice in plastic (to keep your sofa dry). Leave the application on for one to several hours. Repeat quite often, e.g. several times a day. Note that Arnica can cause skin irritation.

If there are abrasions, if the skin is not intact, you might try using Calendula flowers and/or Plantain herb. (Plantain you can get from your lawn - providing it hasn’t been sprayed with chemicals. Plantain is the common "rib grass". Use the leaves: crush them and apply the juice, or make a poultice as described above.)
Both Calendula and Plantain are vulneraries, wound healers, as is Arnica.


With sprains and strains Arnica should also be taken homeopathically internally. Arnica 30C can be repeated as required. For a serious injury you might also benefit by taking Arnica 200C a few times - three times at one hour interval - then continue with the lower potency of 30C.

If there is bruising I have found the Chinese ointment "Tieh Ta Yoa Gin" peerless both in releaving discomfort and in speeding up resolution of the bruise.
Arnica is also indicated for bruises - an ointment topically, externally, and homeopathic Arnica 30C internally.



Michael Vertolli’s sprain/strain formula: may help speed recover from injury.


glucosamine sulphate    500 mg

aqueous silica extract: SISU    one dose

calcium ascorbate         500 mg

grape seed extract          50 mg