Although not everyone will experience them, broken bones are a common occurrence.
Bones are a highly dynamic organ system; old bone is continuously being replaced by new bone.
When faced with a broken bone, we can utilize our body's bone maintenance functions to optimize bone recovery.
At the Mindful Healing Clinic, we utilize naturopathic healing methods tohelp heal broken bones quicker.
What methods are available, and can they help heal your broken bones?
Before we talk about that, let's find out how your bones heal themselves in the first place.
How Do Your Bones Heal?
The moment a bone is fractured, the blood vessels in our bones cause clotting around the fracture, creating a temporary “plug”.
This is known as a hematoma, and if it's absent it could delay the early healing process of stable fractures.
A hematoma works by containing debris associated with the fracture and recruiting immune cells from surrounding tissue.
If blood is delayed in reaching the broken bone, chances of delayed healing increase by 46%.
The body's next reaction is for the immune system to cue inflammation at the site of fracture.
Inflammation is vital in many of the body's healing processes.
Once the broken bone is clotted and inflammed, the body will begin repairing the fracture site.
This is orchestrated by stem cells from surrounding tissues, blood, and bone marrow.
These cells begin to form new cartilage and bone.
Natural Support For Healing Broken Bones
When it comes to healing broken bones, your naturopathic doctor may not be the first person you think of.
And that's okay – when it comes to setting broken bones and getting you patched up, a medical doctor is your best bet.
However, there are natural support options available which could help your body heal faster in cases of broken bones.
1. Eat A Diet Rich In Calcium And Magnesium
A diet high in calcium and magnesium is known as a “bone-building” diet.
The skeleton is composed of calcium as an essential component.
Eating foods higher in calcium can help bones heal naturally, and since the metabolism of calcium and magnesium are closely related, consuming magnesium-rich foods help maximize the benefits of calcium-rich foods.
Foods high in calcium include leafy greens and dairy products, such as:
● Broccoli
● Spinach
● Kale
● Yogurt
● Milk
The above foods are also high in magnesium, but other foods high in magnesium include:
● Almonds
● Avocados
● Flaxseeds and chia seeds
● Black beans
You can also take calcium and magnesium supplements, though it's a good idea to consult with your naturopathic doctor before beginning any supplementation.
2. Supplement With Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency often plays a role in broken bones, and vitamin D absorbed directly from sunlight is important for bone growth.
Studies are still being performed to determine the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in healing broken bones, but in a recent placebo-controlled trial, the supplementation of vitamins D3 and calcium on elderly people with reduced bone mass who experienced a fracture had a positive influence on bone healing.
In addition to being absorbed through sunlight, vitamin D can also be found in fatty fish, cheese, and egg yolks, as well as supplemented.
3. Acupuncture
Acupuncture can be used to treat broken bones by focusing your body's energy on the break.
It can be used as a tool to help with pain management, and may possibly aid in the healing process.
In a recent study on bone fractures, acupuncture was found to aid in pain management while accelerating bone healing in certain cases.
Contact The Mindful Healing Clinic
You may not think of your naturopathic doctor when you think of broken bones, but we do have treatments which may help improve your body's ability to heal itself.
Naturopathic treatments are available for broken bones, depending on the specifications of your individual case.
If you have have broken a bone, contact me, Dr. Maria Cavallazzi, at the Mindful Healing Clinic.
During your initial appointment, you and I will sit down and talk about your broken bone, bone health, and any other health concerns you may have.
From there, we'll create a treatment plan based on your unique health needs.
Contact the Mindful Healing Clinic to book your FREE 15-minute introductory session today!
Until next time,
Dr. Maria Cavallazzi, N.D
Mindful Healing Integrative Naturopathy
251 Queen St S Unit 4,
Mississauga, ON L5M 1L7
- https://goo.gl/maps/KYspifT7J232
Dr. Maria Cavallazzi is a medical doctor from Colombia where she practiced as a family physician for 8 years until she moved to Canada 16 years ago.
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