Firts i really like to thanks dr nancy malik for sharing this wonderful info
SPORTS INJURIES
Most of the sports injuries are of
traumatic type such as bruise, muscle strain, ligament sprain,
fractures, etc. Others include muscle soreness, muscle cramps,
stiffness, cuts and abrasions. The effect of these injuries is two-fold.
One the cells that made up soft tissues gets damaged and the second is
fatigue and weakness. Sometimes fear can also lead to injuries. The body
response to traumatic injuries is inflammation. Inflammation is
characterised by pain, swelling, heat, redness and loss of function.
“The process of inflammation is a necessary response to injury which,
through a range of complex processes, allows the renewal and healing of
damaged tissue” [1]. A study after the Los Angeles Marathon found that
one in seven runners came down with an upper respiratory infection after
taking part in the race, compared with just two out of 100 runners who
didn’t compete [2]. The most commonly found upper respiratory infections
are tonsil, pharyngitis, sinus, otitis media, cold and rhinitis.
WHICH SPORTS PERSONS USES HOMEOPATHY?
1. FOOTBALL
German Soccer stars uses homeopathy [3,4]
24 out of 26 doctors (92.3%) who work
for the Bundesliga’s first- and second-division sides prescribed
homeopathic cures for 76% of the football clubs.
“The success stories are impressive,”
said Peter Billigmann, a sports doctor and the head of the Koblenz
Institute for Performance Diagnostics and Sports Medicine that carried
out the study, in an interview with the Spiegel news magazine.
“Homeopathic substances don’t have any side effects, and we’re on the
safe side where doping is concerned.”
Professor Billigmam called traumeel, the diclofenac of homeopathy and recommends its topical use [15].
He obtined impressive results from
giving a combination of Echinacea compositum
Cosmoplex®,Engystol®,Lymphomyosot® and Gripp-Heel® for one month, three
times a year (January,April and October) to athletes [16]
“I am a doctor that uses homeopathy and
not a homeopath. I am open to all techniques. I consider that there is
only one medicine comprising various techniques. We doctors have to know
how to use the entire arsenal. As a sports doctor, I quickly discovered
that except for anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants, I was very
limited in the care of athletes. I therefore tried to find something
else. I began to use homeopathy, first occasionally, and then more and
more.
At first, the athletes were surprised
and some of them even wary. So I explained how and why homeopathy acts.
The greatest value in sports? Its speed of action. I can use it directly
on the soccer field, within seconds of the trauma, and note the results
almost immediately. For example, in traumatology with Arnica, and
without any adverse reactions on the stomach or liver. I also use
homeopathy to treat ORL, stress or dermatology problems.
The players are highly trained.
Therefore, they are a population at risk with a slightly defective
immune system. We have to protect their health, accompany them in their
performance by limiting the risks to a maximum. This involves emphasis
on prevention, taking into account the personality of each player. I try
to get to know them as well as possible, on all levels. I now know that
this approach is that of homeopathy. Abroad, I have often been told
that France is ahead in sports medicine. Homeopathy has certainly
contributed to this” [11]
“Homeopathy can provide a preventive and
curative action, as well as stimulate the body’s natural defences; and
speeds up recovery. There is no risk of doping which produces a high
level of acceptability among athletes” [20]
-Jean-Marcel Ferret, doctor to the French soccer team from 1993 to 2004, the period which included their World Cup win
David Beckham used homeopathy for a broken foot just prior to the 2002 World Cup [5].
“I support what they do, and I know that
homeopathic medicines are used by many celebrities and their entire
families. Following homeopathy has helped me immensely and boosted my
confidence thereby improving my performance.” [21]
-Marko Pantelic, Serbian Football Player
2. SPRINT
“My health is my top priority, from eating a balanced diet to the types of medicine I use.
Training six times a week is incredibly demanding and it’s more
important than ever to keep my body in the best possible condition.Homeopathy offers me a positive and natural way to prevent sporting ailments such as exertion, muscular pain and aching joints, without any residual effects on my performance.
I use remedies such as Ruta grav, which helps treat sprained ligaments, Gelsemium for pre-race jitters, Arnica for bruising and Bellis perennis to treat exertion.
They all offer athletes a natural alternative to traditional and sometimes harmful medicines.” [6]
-James Ellington, British Olympic sprinter and 2nd fastest sprinter in UK
“I am a fan of arnica and recommend all
the Athletes in my Street Athletics programme have it in their kit bag
to help with sprains and strains.” [7]
-Linford Christie, 1992 Barcelona Olympic 100m sprint Champion
Jim Rogers and Neil Ridsdale holds the record for the fastest time on the Yorkshire Wolds Way, ran the 79 miles from Filey to Hessle in an incredible 13 hours and 23 minutes.
Jim said, “Several trials of homeopathy
have considered the effects on sports injuries, such as ankle sprains,
muscle strains and muscle soreness after exercise, while others have
homed in on the kinds of health problems many athletes are prone to,
including upper respiratory tract infections, influenza, hay fever and
cramps.” [8].
3. LAWN TENNIS
“I use homeopathy to treat everything from early signs of coughs and colds to sports injuries, for myself and my family.
I embrace homeopathy as a way of life, visit my homeopath every few
months and use a whole host of remedies. Homeopathy has worked wonders
for me personally and I cannot deny its effectiveness.As a mother to three teenagers, I have raised my children on homeopathy, using remedies whenever they have been unwell as well as for their general wellbeing.
Taking a leaf out of their mother’s book, my children have even been known to lecture the school doctor on the benefits of homeopathy as opposed to traditional medicines such as antibiotics.” [9]
Annabel used homeopathy for her left ovarian cyst in 2003.
“I’d grown up believing diseases were out there waiting to get us.
When I saw Hilery Dorrian (a homeopath), I was astonished to see my
ideas of health turned on their head. She explained to me that
homeopathy treats the real causes of illness in the body, not just the
symptoms – as conventional medicine does. The whole concept made so much
sense to me. It was a huge turning point.“Hilery didn’t perform a physical examination. Instead, she asked me about my background, my personality, my emotions, what made me stressed – even my parents’ health. She constructed a picture of me and gave me a remedy made up exactly to treat my left ovary.”
After taking the prescribed pillules, her cyst gradually became less painful; the throbbing stopped; and she never went back to her GP. She is convinced that the homeopathic remedies she took enhanced and perhaps speeded up the healing process.
“And at home we all rely on homeopathic medicine. When I or one of the children [Amber, Charlie, 13, and Lily, 11] have a cold, we take pulsatilla [a native British flower]. And I always have handy some arnica for bruises, calendula for cuts and grazes, belladonna [not poisonous at this level of dilution] for a throbbing head, and nux vomica [a tree extract that contains traces of strychnine], which I take after the occasional over-indulgence. It gets rid of that ‘uhhh’ feeling in the morning.”
When the family went to Thailand for a wedding, Amber suffered severe food poisoning. “I gave her arsenicum album, which worked very quickly. She went from throwing up all night to dancing at the party.”
Annabel’s husband, Mel Coleman, a 46-year-old former yachtsman and now businessman, is also a convert.
“I’m passionate about homeopathy,” she says. “I sing its praises at dinner parties where I find my audience is one half sceptical and one half increasingly curious.”
And she backs the notion that homeopathy might be useful at Wimbledon. “I’ve used gelsemium in the past to calm my nerves before presenting Wimbledon, but it’s possible it may also work for Andy Murray. However, homeopathic remedies are designed to help with specific symptoms and Andy’s may be different to mine.” [18]
- Annabel Croft
More Tennis Superstars scoring with Homeopathy: Martina Navratilova, Boris Becker (Olympic Player) [5]
4. SKATING
“When I fall on the ice, I treat my bruises with arnica tablets or cream, which seems to help” [10].
More Skating Superstars scoring with Homeopathy: Elvis Stojko (figure skating) [5].
5. RUGBY
“On the field, with the slightest trauma, I prescribe Arnica. I always have tubes and doses on me.
During the preparation of athletes,
homeopathy has a special place in the treatment of stress. Finally, it
is complementary to other treatments in the lesions of tendons.
In our practice of sports medicine, we
have to be quickly effective. Without being a homeopathic physician,
homeopathy is part of my therapeutic arsenal. I know where it can be
used and how.” [11]
- Dr. Philippe Lageyre, sports doctor, he accompanies the rugby teams
Rugby player Will Greenwood (UK) also uses homeopathy [12]
6. JAVELIN THROW
- Kate Schmidt (USA), two-time javelin Olympic bronze medalist uses homeopathy [13]
7. CRICKET
Zaheer Khan used arnica for “tightening of quadriceps” [14]
8. GOLF
Jose Maria Olazabal (Spain) used homeopathy for rheumatoid arthritis in multiple joints [5, pp. 91]
More Golf Superstars scoring with Homeopathy: Nancy Lopez [5]
9. EQUESTRIAN
Sonja Johnson, Member of the Australian Equestrian Team, silver
medalist at Beijing Olympics 2008, supported the use of homoeopathy.3 days before she was due in Hong Kong she rang a homoeopath for advice about her horse’s hoof abscess which was not responding to orthodox treatment. After homoeopathic treatment her horse was well enough to compete, and won the silver medal for the Aussie Equestrian team.
She said, “I was first introduced to the advantages of homoeopathy in life and particularly sport and sport horses when based in England in 1997.
We all want to keep ourselves and our equine partners in as good a shape as possible to perform the job at hand.
Non-homoeopathic medicines have their place; however with the drug testing of athletes being so stringent these days, anything that can give you a therapeutic benefit while being within the rules is a huge bonus.
My Witch’s kit (Helios Homoeopathic Kit for Accidents and Emergencies), as we affectionately call it in the family, is always in the float and provides me with great amusement as I watch the sceptics become believers after they benefit from its use.” [19]
9. More Sports Superstars: Scoring with Homeopathy [5]
Paul O’Neill (New York Yankee), Kelly
Slater (surfing), Arnie Kander (Strength and Conditioning Coach, NBA
Detroit Pistons), David Moncoutié (cyclist), Pat Riley (basketball
coach, Miami Heat), , Hermann Maier (skiing), Misty Hyman (swimming),
Marie-Hélène Prémont (mountain biking)
WHY SPORTS PERSONS USES HOMEOPATHY?
Homeopathic medicines speed up the
healing process and get the sportsperson back to training and performing
more quickly. The most commonly used homeopathic medicines are Arnica
Montana, Ruta Graveolens, Rhus Tox, Hypericum, Ledum Pal, Calendula,
Symphytum, Bellis Perennis, Bryonia and Strontium Carbonicum.
About traumeel, Dr. Peithner AG said,
“It is the best documented homeopathic drug whose effect could be
demonstrated in comparative studies already” [17]
RESEARCH PAPERS
PAIN
Efficacy and safety of a homeopathic gel Spiroflor SRL in the treatment of acute low back pain (2001) FULL TEXT // SRL is equally effective as Cremor Capsici Compositus FNA but has better safety profile
A trial of Traumeel for a range of
sports injuries again found it superior to placebo on measures of
maximum muscle force, time to resumption of training, pain severity and
overall evaluation by patients and doctors Biological Therapy 1992;
10(41):290-300
INFLAMMATION
Arnica 5c reduces pain and inflammation,
improves blood circulation and prevents blood clotting (1988) Cahiers
de Biotherapie (French) meaning Papers Biotherapy (English) 98.77
FIBROMYALGIA (Pain and Inflammation in muscles) (earlier called as fibrostis)
PHARYNGITIS (Inflammation of the mucous membranes of nose & throat)
Homeopathic & antibiotic treatment strategies in recurrent acute rhinopharyngitis (2005) // Inflammation of the mucous membranes of nose & throat
OTITIS MEDIA (inflammation of middle ear)
Homeopathic treatment of otitis media (2001) // significant decrease in symptoms at 24 and 64 hours after treatment in favour of homeopathy (P<0.05)
Homeopathy in acute otitis media
(2001) FULL TEXT // Resolution rates were 2.4 times faster than in
placebo controls. Compared to conventional treatment the homeopathic
approach was 14% cheaper
Homoeopathic treatment of otitis media
(1997) FULL TEXT // duration of pain of 2 days in homeopathy-group
& 3 days in conventional group. 70.7 % & 56.5% of children
receiving homeopathy & conventional respectively did not have
another ear infection the next year
BRUISE
Effect of Homeopathic Arnica Montana on Bruising (2006) FULL TEXT
SPRAIN
Traumeel for Sprains (1989) FULL TEXT
FATIGUE
MUSCLE SORENESS
Effects of the Arnica 30X on 1995 Oslo marathon runners (1998) // reduces muscle soreness
MUSCLE CRAMPS
A trial comparing two homeopathic drugs
against placebo for muscular cramps found the homeopathic preparations
to be therapeutically superior Allgemeine Homeopathische Zeitung 1976;
221: 26-31
ACHILLES TENDINOPATHY
Rhus Tox, Traumeel, etc for treatment of Achilles Tendinopathy (1986) FULL TEXT
TENDON INJURY
Traumeel S ointment for tendon injuries (2005) // traumeel superior to diclofenac gel
MUSCU-SKELETON INJURIES
COLD
RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS
Euphorbium, Pulsitilla & Luffa for viral infection of respiratory tract, Influenza A virus & rhino virus (2001) FULL TEXT
Homeopathic therapy in respiratory tract diseases.Evaluation of a clinical study in 258 patients (1997)
Gripp-Heel (Aconitum 4X, Bryonia 3X, Eupatorium 2X, Lachesis 11X, Phosphorous 4X) for respiratory viral infections (2006) FULL TEXT
Cost-benefit evaluation of homeopathic versus conventional therapy in respiratory diseases (2009) FULL TEXT // treatment by homeopathy costs 50% less
The effectiveness of homeopathy in
medical primary care in upper and lower respiratory tract complaints,
Asian Journal of Homeopathy, 01 Feb 2008, pp. 3-19
SINUS
Homoeopathic Sinusitis Medication (1995) FULL TEXT
Homeopathic treatment of patients with chronic sinusitis (2009) FULL TEXT
Sinfrontal (Cinnabaris 4X, Ferrum Phos 3X, etc) in the treatment of maxillary sinus (sinus + tooth pain) (2009) // ENT & respiratory tract infections
RHINITIS
Homeopathy Vs Placebo in allergic rhinitis (2000) FULL TEXT
Usefulness of 13 homeopathic medicines in the management of acute rhinitis (2010) FULLTEXT // Nux-Vomica, Merc, Belladonna
Comparing Luffa compositum-Heel nasal spray with cromolyn sodium spray in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (1999) FULL TEXT
TONSILS
http://www.vasezdravlje.com/izdanje/clanak/1874/ (2006) FULL TEXT
Arnica montana 30C for post-tonsillectomy analgesia (2007) // pain after tonsils removal
RESEARCH REVIEW of 93 RCT
The research evidence base for homeopathy
(2003) FULL TEXT // 50 of the 93 studies favours homeopathy in 8
medical conditions including pain, sprains and upper respiratory
infections.
CONCLUSIONS
The evidence of benefit of homeopathic medicines as a leading sports medicine all throughout the world is well established in the above 41 research studies published in peer-reviewed international medical journals. Peak performance should be considered in everyone’s lifestyle, not just in sports persons. What are you waiting for?
References1. Peak Performance, PP 214, page 1
2. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 1990; 30(3):316-28
3. German Soccer Stars uses homeopathic medicine
4. Professionals rely on Natural Medicine
5. Homeopathic Revolution: Why Famous People and Cultural Heroes Choose Homeopathy,p.89-90.
6. Homeopathic healing: The stars who swear by alternative medicine
7. Homeopathy Awareness Week
8. Homeopathy in Sport
9. Homeopathy Works. We should know, we use it
10. Closer magazine, 24-30 January 2009, p73
11. Homeopathy in Medicine
12. Homeopathy Awareness Week
13. Nelson goes for gold in Homeopathy Awareness Week
14. Zaheer Khan takes to homeopathy
15. DZS (2009) Individuell trainieren – Prof.Dr. P. Billigmann im Interview zum Thema Fussball
16. Medical tribune (2004) Professor Billigmann stärkt Sportler homöopathisch
17. Performance improvement with homeopathy
18. Annabel Croft: Why I have come to rely on homeopathic medicine
19. Olympic success helped with homeopathy
20. A champion’s appraoch to sports medicine
21. Serbian Footballer Steps Forward in Supporting Homeopathy
read more about Dr Nancy and her work on her blog
http://drnancymalik.wordpress.com/