Bone Fractures

Symptoms

A fracture can occur in any bone in the body, including the vertebrae or the ribs, although it is most common in the extremities. Broken bones are called simple fractures when the skin is intact and compound fractures when the skin is broken. Compound fractures cause complications because open wounds are more susceptible to infection and substantial blood loss.

A fracture is obvious if a cracking sound occurs with injury, or when the affected part is deformed and immobile. If swelling, bruising and pain are marked after an injury, or if the injured part is difficult to move, a fracture should be considered. Fractured bones near joints are often mistaken for a bad sprain. Fractured ribs are particularly painful on breathing and coughing, but are no more painful than bruised ribs. If you are uncertain, an X-ray is often the only sure method of confirming a break. Immediate medical attention is recommended before the bone sets improperly. It usually takes between two weeks and six months to heal a fracture, depending on the age and health of the person afflicted and the severity of the injury.

Causes

A bone fracture is a break that results from an injury—often a fall or a traffic accident. Any bone disease will increase a predisposition for fractures, so much so that a mild injury causes multiple breaks. The older the individual, the more common this is, and it is often related to osteoporosis. Minerals are essential for bone strength, while protein added to the diet will provide tissues with flexibility. If either element is lacking, bones will become too soft or too
brittle to withstand injury. A poor diet will not provide the essential nutrients for bone
structure. Nutrient absorption is often hindered by digestive problems. Contributing to osteoporosis are hormonal imbalances and inadequate physical activity.

Nutrition

A diet rich in silica, particularly from raw oats, is essential for bone maintenance. Eat rolled oats as porridge or soak them overnight to make a Swiss muesli.

Include adequate quantities of calcium and phosphorus, which the body deposits among protein fibers to form new bone. Figs are an excellent healing food for broken bones. They contain phosphorus and calcium, and are also a good source of magnesium, which keeps calcium soluble and builds bones.

Fresh, raw, organic, green vegetables and whole grains should form the mainstay of the diet. They provide calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and silica, as well as enzymes for boosting metabolism. Eat some fresh fruit daily. Mangos, apricots, papayas and cantaloupe are excellent sources of vitamins A and C and potassium, all important for bone development and maintenance.

Fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel are good food for bones. Their oil is the best dietary source of vitamin D, needed for calcium absorption. They also contain magnesium, calcium and phosphorus. Eat nuts and seeds for boron, an important trace mineral for building strong bones.

Avoid red meats and sugar, which cause phosphorus-calcium imbalance. Vegetarians have denser, better-formed bones because their calcium comes from vegetables. Contrary to popular belief, milk alone does not build strong bones. It does not contain the magnesium needed to keep calcium soluble, so that its calcium tends to remain unused in the body, forming unwanted deposits.

Nutritional Supplements

Since the bones are composed of proteins and minerals, these are the most essential nutrients needed to heal a broken bone. Silica, calcium and magnesium are the most vital minerals. Silica is available in water-soluble vegetal silica capsules or in gel form, called silicea. Vitamins C and D promote the absorption of calcium. Vitamin C is also important for healthy bones. Green food supplements rich in chlorophyll are also recommended for their trace mineral supply.

Daily dosages:

Most Important

Silica, 1,000 mg

Calcium, 1,000-1,500 mg in divided doses

Magnesium, 500-750 mg in divided doses

Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 500 mg

Vitamin D, 400 IU

Chondroitin sulphate, 500 mg

Glucosamine sulphate, 500 mg

Boron, 10 mg

Helpful

Green food supplements, 1 tbsp.

Herbal Remedies

To reduce swelling, help absorb calcium and rebuild bones, herbal remedies provide effective results.

Horsetail baths help reduce chronic swellings around broken bones. The silica in horsetail is a great rebuilder of bones, aiding the body to absorb and use of calcium. Add 5 drops of horsetail oil to bath water.

Apply a comfrey tincture to the injured area, followed with herbal packs of sorrel or goldenrod.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is excellent after an injury to improve healing and combat pain. Choose one of the following remedies in a 6c strength, repeating hourly after the injury for up to six doses, then three times daily. Take 2 tablets under the tongue.

Symphytum, also known as knitbone, is recommended to promote bone healing and should be taken for two weeks. The pain is often described as prickly.

Bryonia is useful for repairing cracked ribs, if the pain is worse from minimal movement, even breathing, but improves while lying still.

Tissue Salts

Take 4 tablets half hourly or hourly after an injury, then three times daily under the tongue.

Calc phos is the main tissue salt for knitting fractures. The injury typically feels numb and achy.

Calc fluor is also useful if bone spurs develop during healing.

Use Silicea if healing is slow.

Ferr phos to reduce inflammation and pain.

External/Physical Therapies

Moderate exposure to sun activates vitamin D production, which is essential for calcium absorption and bone healing. Take a daily sun bath for thirty to sixty minutes.

Magnetic therapy helps relieve pain and speeds bone healing. (For more information, see Section 11, Other Natural Healing Methods.)

Available Brand Name Products

Nutritional Supplements

Efamol Fortify (Flora)

Magnesium Complex (Klaire Laboratories)

Calcium and Magnesium Citrate (Natural Factors)

Glucosamine Sulfate (Natural Factors)

Wild Salmon Oil (Natural Factors)

Designer Protein (Next Nutrition)

CS-Force (Prairie Naturals)

GS-Force (Prairie Naturals)

Osteo-Force (Prairie Naturals)

Osteo Formula (Quest Vitamins)

Other Nutritional Supplements

Bee Health Propolis Capsules (Inno-Vite)

Herbal Remedies

FloraSil (Flora)

Horsetail Leaves (Flora)

Salus Herbal Calcium/Magnesium Liquid (Flora)

Salus Horsetail Tincture (Flora)

Silica Extract 500 mg (Natural Factors)

Alfalfa Leaves (Nature's Herbs)

Chlorella, Better (Nature's Herbs)

Silica-Power (Nature's Herbs)

Ultra-Sil (Prairie Naturals)

Silica (Scandinavian Naturals)

Homeopathy

Bryonia (Nelsons Homeopathy)