Sprains, strains, flu, fatigue and depression. Injury and illness are among the most difficult events in the life of athletes, dancers, games players and indeed anyone who enjoys physical activity. Some of these problems require prompt medical attention, others need trained but less urgent care, and others will resolve with rest and common sense. Recovery can be frustratingly slow. Homoeopathic remedies can be used to help speed the process.
This practical book shows you how to use homoeopathic medicine in many cases of injury and illness. The author explains the basic principles of homoeopathy and describes how to choose and use the most appropriate remedy.
He then advises remedies for traumatic and overuse injuries. A wide variety of common injuries are covered on a regional basis, followed by a chapter on the common ailments that beset athletes and dancers, from pre-performance nerves to indigestion. Ninety remedies are then studied with particular attention to their relevance to the needs of physically active people. The overall discussion is supported by thirty-three detailed cases drawn from the authors own practice.
Homoeopathy has long been known as a holistic medicine, free of pharmaceutically active substances and working at all levels of the individual. There is advice on remedies to promote total recovery from injury, as well as to reduce susceptibility to injury in the first place.
'This is an excellent, well-written 322-page paperback written by an author who understands the rigours of sport and now practises as a non-medical professional homeopath.
Its safe, practical cookbook approach to injuries and medical conditions is sandwiched between a basic outline of homeopathy and a short but useful materia medica. The final section on the advanced uses of homeopathy highlights the authors preferred constitutional prescribing. Its credibility in this age of evidence-based medicine would be greatly enhanced by applying the science of sports psychology to many of his observations and statements. Although the last chapter on other complementary therapies seemed a little redundant, the three appendices with a remedy and general index make this one of the most useful sports homeopathy books I have seen so far.
The chapters on overuse injuries and susceptibility to injury are particularly well written, although homeopathic doctors should look to other more detailed texts if they want to understand more of allopathic sports medicine. However, allopathic sports physicians would do well to turn to this book as an introductory textbook to homeopathy. The author has also admirably met the needs of all those engaged in sport and dance in a book that is easy to read and understand.' - Homeopathic Journal
- Author: Emlyn Thomas
- ISBN: 9780906584484
- 322 pages
- Paperback
- Published in 1999
- Printed in United Kingdom
Reprinted with the permission of The Homeopathic Links Journal, Published 2003. Reviewed by Cor van der Meij, homeopath, The Netherlands.
Being a long distance runner myself, Emlyn Thomas's book on the homeopathic treatment of sports injuries was one to have, read and, not last, to use in practice. The book is based on a long period of practical experience with homeopathy, since 1976 as a physical education officer in the famous (British) Royal Air Force. The book is divided in two parts:
- an outline on theory and practice of homeopathy
- applying homeopathy in practice (i.e. sports injuries)
In both parts a lot of cases are discussed. Thomas is very clear in defining the power of homeopathy in (sports) injuries: 'A homeopathic remedy speeds the recovery of the patient at all levels (physical, mental, emotional and general state).' Furthermore he defines the limitations: 'Homeopathy can not mend a broken tendon, or a broken bone, but recovery will be faster and more complete by the right remedy.
Thomas emphasises the power of the right remedy on both the physical and the mental level. In an original way he describes the self-healing power of a living organism, calling it 'The healer within': 'When someone is ill or injured, his organism is "detuned" like a piano which has been damaged... the "tuner" for a living organism is within that same organism…’ Hahnemann called this the Vital Force.'
As in our daily practice Thomas divides sports injuries in acute and chronic conditions. There is also a paragraph on the 'Constitution'. Again the way Thomas describes this is almost poetic: 'We regard the constitution as the physiological canvas on which the psychological activities of life are painted and enacted. It is the physical carrier of the vital force and the fundamental basis for expression of all the wishes and intentions of the
individual. 'All the feelings of health, joy, harmony and love are expressed through the
constitution, as are those of envy, jealousy, anger, anxiety and disease. The
constitution carries the relics of past trauma, disease, grief and other influences,
often going back for a generation or more.'
Thomas is a true realist: 'Homeopathic remedies are not miraculous cure-ails. They cannot replace torn ligaments, repair a damaged meniscus, or regenerate deteriorated joints. For
some conditions, including many sports injuries, homeopathic medicine can only
accompany other medical care. 'For example, homeopathy can speed up the repair of a fracture as long as the bones have been set correctly. It can not replace corrective surgery when its need has been diagnosed'.
Then there is a chapter on homeopathic symptomatology, in which Thomas states that it is important to have a diagnosis from a regular sports medicine practitioner. This is followed by a description of the methodology in recognising homeopathic symptoms: location, sensation (and interpretation, together with observation, including some questions to ask), concomitants and modalities (including recognising the patterns and the causation or maintaining causes).
The following chapter is on 'Managing homeopathic treatment' in which attention is given to how to take the remedy, rules for prescribing, frequency, repeating, changing symptoms and if the remedy does not work.
The second part of the book starts with 'Traumatic injury and first aid', paying attention to inflammation and controlling bleeding, first aid remedies, head injuries, skin wounds, muscle tears, strains and sprains of tendons and ligaments, fractures and spinal injury.
The following chapter is on overuse injuries and conditions, in which Thomas also pays attention to 'Warm up and down', which is an actual theme of discussion. In 2002 two Australians, Herbert and Gabriel, published a survey study on this subject in the British Medical Journal, concluding that no evidence was found on the positive effects of stretching in relation to sports injuries.
Chapter 8 is on 'Local treatment for specific injuries', 9 on 'Treating common conditions' and 10 describes the main homeopathic remedies. Chapters 11, 12 and 13 are on 'Advanced uses of homeopathy' in which attention is paid on susceptibility to injury, enhanced performance and other complementary therapies and techniques.
Some final remarks:
1) Although Thomas mentions the most important remedies for a specific sports injury, you will sometimes notice that a particular remedy is missing. For example, for pain in the achilles tendon Calcarea carbonica, Colchicum, Ledum, Mercurius, Zincum and Ignatia (on exertion), can also be important remedies (Synthesis 8, Extremities, pain leg, tendo-achilles). So don't forget also to look in your repertory. Also it can be interesting to compare Thomas's solutions with those of Asa Hershoff in 'Homeopathy for Musculoskeletal Healing'.
2) On page 103 Thomas states that the achilles tendon has no sheath. In my best
opinion, this is not true, see e.g. the 'Merck Manual'.
In my opinion, this 322 page book is a must for all colleagues who are more than
superficial interested in applying homeopathy in cases of sports injuries.
