Giving Health a Sporting Chance
As the country goes Olympic mad this summer, homeopathy will be called on by those looking for a holistic way to sprint back to good health following minor injuries.
Homeopathy Awareness Week, from June 14th to 21st, will be marking the hosting of the prestigious event with a sports theme, highlighting the use of homeopathic medicines (known as remedies) in sports-related ailments such as bruising, sprained joints and muscular strain.
Well known sports personalities are among the six million users of homeopathy in the UK, including soccer star David Beckham, tennis stars Boris Becker and Martina Navratilova, and rugby player Will Greenwood.
Homeopathic remedies have long been used to treat simple sports-related problems, the most well known being Arnica, traditionally used for bruising and muscular soreness. Ruta is commonly used in sprains and strains, either as a cream or in tablet form.
Research studies have suggested that Arnica can have an anti-inflammatory effect and reduce bruising, and a placebo-controlled trial concluded that a cream containing a combination of homeopathic remedies was effective for treating sprained ankles.
All over the UK, homeopaths registered with the Society will be putting on events such as open clinic days and free advice sessions at health shops, as well as free talks and workshops on homeopathic medicine.
Homeopathy is a holistic medicine which uses specially prepared, highly diluted substances (given mainly in tablet form) with the aim of triggering the body's own healing mechanisms. Treatment is individualised, with prescriptions being chosen according to the patient’s specific set of symptoms.
One major advantage of homeopathic medicines is that they are non-toxic due to their method of preparation which involves a process of serial dilution and succussion (vigorous shaking).
While underlying chronic symptoms are best seen by a qualified professional homeopath registered with the Society of Homeopaths, minor injuries and ailments can be treated at home using over the counter remedies.
www.homeopathy-soh.org