All-natural First Aid Tips

It can happen to anyone. One minute you’re outside enjoying the summer sunshine, the next, ouch! A sprain or strain, insect bite, sunburn, or other minor injury can put you on the sidelines if you don’t know how to handle them. Follow these tips to care for common summer ailments naturally. Remember, if your symptoms are severe or don’t respond to self-care, contact me, acupuncture may be able to help.

What to do for sprains and strains?

Remember R.I.C.E. for the first 24 to 48 hours:

Rest: Stay off the injured limb.

Ice: Apply an ice pack, 20 minutes at a time, up to 8 times a day.

Compression: Wrap area with a bandage to reduce swelling.

Elevation: Rest the injured ankle, knee, elbow, or wrist on a pillow above the level of the heart. Use arnica cream to reduce bruising and pain.

Take your vitamins: Vitamins C, E, and zinc help to reduce inflammation.

Get acupuncture: If you have ongoing pain from a muscle injury or trauma, consider acupuncture treatment to relieve pain, reduce inflammation and speed healing. Don’t wait it out, getting treatment as soon as possible can help speed healing and get you back to your normal self, fast!

How to help insect bites & other itchy skin problems:

Mosquito and wasp bites: Run water over the affected area. Apply apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, or witch hazel to the area. For the next few days, try applying lavender or cinnamon oil to the bite.

Bee stings: Remove the stinger with tweezers. Apply arnica cream to reduce pain and discomfort.

Poison ivy: Minimize the rash by washing the area thoroughly with soap and cold water as quickly as possible. Try the homeopathic remedy Rhus toxicodendron to relieve the itching.

Sunburn: Apply a towel soaked in cool water to the affected area for 20 minutes as soon as you notice the burn. Spread aloe vera gel, preferably fresh from the plant, directly on the burned area to relieve pain, speed healing, and prevent scarring. Try a baking soda paste or plain yogurt compress to soothe the skin.

How can acupuncture help?

Did you know that one of the mechanisms on how acupuncture can help heal is by mediating the histamine response? Yep! Histamine is a chemical produced in cells in your body as a part of the natural inflammatory response to allergens, infections, or even injury. However, high, chronic levels can cause adverse health issues. Common histamine response symptoms include: hives, itchy skin, flushing, heart palpitations, nausea, headaches, and even trouble breathing. A recent study found that acupuncture can not only reduce the histamine response but also showed it can help prevent histamine-induced itch. Even more reason to get acupuncture regularly as a part of your health care prevention plan!

If you suffer from chronic or complex conditions and not finding relief with standard therapies. Give our office a call today at (425) 686-4498 to set-up your initial consultation to learn more about how we can help.

Dr. Ellie Heintze, ND, LAc, is a naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist in Bothell, WA at her practice Starting Point Acupuncture. She specializes in chronic and complex cases and commonly treats neuropathy, fibromyalgia, migraines, autoimmune, and infertility cases. Dr. Ellie Heintze is also the author of the book, A Starting Point Guide to Going Gluten-Free  and Keep Calm and Zen Out available on Amazon.

Sources:

https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(05)02051-8/fulltext

https://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Sprains_Strains/default.asp#strain_g

Rapaport Karlson, Amy. “Natural first-aid kit: get fast relief from 14 common ailments with these effective remedies.” Natural Health. April 2003. FindArticles.com. 11 May. 2008.

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The information contained within this newsletter is only used to educate and inform. This newsletter is not a substitute for the advice of a licensed and registered health care provider. Seek prompt attention for emergencies. Consult a health care provider for specific health concerns, and before starting a diet, cleanse or exercise routine.