How to treat a torn ligament
At some point in life, if one is adventurous, hasty, or both, accidents can happen. One of the most common injuries (thanks to GMO foods, toxic food additives, fluoridated water, and other heinous criminal actions perpetrated against an unsuspecting population) is torn ligaments. Ligaments are those fibrous cartilage bands of tissue that attach the tendons of the muscles to the bones. Since these joints are not as elastic as skin or muscle, if they are stretched too far they break; sometimes completely away from the bone.
The problem with a ligament tear is that the ligaments, being cartilage, don’t get a lot of blood to help them heal. They grow very slowly; much slower than bone or muscle. If the ligament in question has become detached from its anchor point in the bone, surgery is required to reattach it. A long convalescence then ensures that the ligament is never as strong again. Commonly known as a sprain, an overstretch or tear of the fibrous/cartilage ligament is quite painful and usually involves bruising and swelling in the area.
Beyond reattachment, ligament repair requires rest of the joint in question; usually at least six weeks of it. It can take up to six months to fully heal, while a broken bone or strained muscle would take only a few weeks. Pain relief is also often needed after a ligament tear, and the most common medication given is Tylenol with codeine, Percocet, Darvon-N, or other narcotic pain relievers. For those who refuse drugs, pain relief can be obtained by applying topical capsaicin cream and ice packs to the area several times daily.
Treatments that can speed healing are somewhat complicated but very effective: a poultice of comfrey leaves several times a day and a nightly application of castor oil. The poultice is made with gauze and comfrey leaf tea: boil the tea and place the wet leaves on the gauze and apply it to the injured area for about 40 minutes. Use a heat pack on top. Topical DMSO can also be applied first to help the medication go in faster. This poultice should be applied four times a day for at least the first two weeks.
The castor oil pack is used at night, for four nights a week. First make alternating hot and cold compresses, always ending with cold, then apply a colorless natural fiber (cotton, linen or wool) that has castor oil. Cover it with plastic wrap and then an old rag or towel (be sure to secure everything so the castor oil packet doesn’t move…if you get castor oil on your sheets or furniture it won’t come off) and it will have a terrible smell when it dries). turns rancid). Then place an old garment over the area and further protect the furniture with an old towel. Take the pack off in the morning and wash the area well.
These natural treatments may seem like a lot of work, and they are, but they will speed healing and also help reduce the pain of a torn ligament quickly. For those who have never suffered such an injury, think of the worst ‘charlie horse’ spasm you have ever had, multiply it at least ten times and you will have an idea of the pain that comes with a torn ligament. Of course, it’s best never to have a torn ligament, but if you do have one, these methods will help you get over it much faster.
©2011 Dr. Valerie Olmsted All rights reserved