Question:
I have broken my ankle and am in a lot of pain. Do you have any strategies as to what I can do?

Answer:

Sorry to hear about the ankle.

A fracture or break is a split in the bone. Normally you\'ll want to ice it straight away. It swells to immobilise the area. Pain reminds you to not use the area. They are important signals from your body. The first thing to do is ice the area. Don\'t put the ice on directly. Place it through a thin cloth or thin piece of clothing.

If there is a cast the best cast or splint is removable to allow the area to be accessed.

A healing cream with herbs and oils externally on the area can be useful. Calendula and arnica are two common herbs in healing creams.

When you can handle it as the pain lowers you can start getting two buckets and put one foot in a cold bucket for as long as tolerated and then place the foot in a very warm bucket. Cold to hot. Get the circulation in and out. Ciriculation enhancing herbs like cayenne, garlic, turmeric will also get blood flowing to your extremeties. Also, ginkgo biloba.

Peppermint tea is a relaxant and will help relax you. Chamamile to a point too.

Nervine herbs will help relax you too. Valerian, lavender. You can put a couple of drops of lavender in the bucket if you want.

Also be conscious of your diet as it builds new blood, and hence new body cells. Eat your greens to build your blood. You can juice fast if you\'d like to help the body have the resources to build. Carrots and dark leafy greens will build the body. Beens, bok choy, beet greens, chard, collards, dandelion greens, kale are all high in calcium. As is soy milk.

When it heals be conscious to keep mobility in the area by stretching or yoga, to start bringing strength back in the area.