The Top 5 Reasons you need Webster Technique during your pregnancy!
September 13, 2023
When it comes to natural and alternative healing there are lots of options. Chiropractic is a great way to improve joint functioning, and clearing out any dysfunction at the spine will improve the nervous systems ability to send messages (and ability to then heal- function well). What about when you go home?
When you pull a muscle, or get whiplash, or you repeatedly stress a muscle those injuries are called a muscle strain. A mild to moderate strain will take from 2-8 weeks to heal under conservative treatment, with a risk of re-injury during the year following the injury (the risk varies based on the original injury, the greater the injury- the greater the risk of re-injury).
Similarly injuries to a ligament is called a sprain, and takes much longer to heal. Ligaments primarily attach bones to bones, innately have more strength, and have very little blood flow. Depending on the extent of the stretch or tear of the ligament it may take months to heal.
In both of these cases there’s a delicate balance while in the healing phase. When you have a brand new injury it was common knowledge to “ice right away” the reasoning behind this was “the injured area is swollen, let’s fix the swelling.” The swelling isn’t the problem, in fact the inflammatory mechanisms is to bring more blood and healing cells to the injury to help heal the injury and clear out damaged tissue. When you have a new injury, wait 48 hours after a minor injury before icing, then apply ice for 20 minutes, rest 20 minutes, and alternate with heat for 20 minutes (rest 20 minutes between each application).
Home Care Options
Bracing
What about bracing? Bracing can be helpful, but you may want to get checked out first. Braces, bandages, taping can all be helpful as a reminder to be careful with the injury, it prevents you from moving your joint beyond it’s normal limits. However, recent research also shows that with less movement in a joint there will be less blood flow, in the case of a ligament injury that means slower healing, pain for longer, and a greater chance for re-injury.
Muscle therapy
Gentle massage and trigger point therapy can be beneficial in healing muscles, encouraging relaxation of muscles, increasing blood flow to the injury. You can even do this yourself at home, or ask a trusted friend, many times these muscles will be sore and that they’re injured, don’t use pressure that causes you pain. Seeing a therapist trained in clinical massage therapy can bring relief as well.
Topical therapy
My hands down favorite recommendation topically is arnica oil, it’s great for healing sprains, strains, bruises, swelling, sore muscles and joints. When looking for a topical arnica oil, be sure to find one that is a blend with another oil, do not want to use arnica oil alone topically. Arnica is derived from a flower, usually the extracts are taken from the flowers and roots, and is toxic to be ingested or when it enters through open wounds. Arnica in a homeopathic formula can be used for healing during and after childbirth.
If you’ve got an injury that isn’t improving give us a call and we’ll get you on the track to recovery! Centrally located in the Wicker Park- Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago.