Are you an athlete? Are your kids athletes? If so, you probably know a thing or two about sprains, fractures, and ligament/tendon injuries. Athletics comes at a cost sometimes. Here’s the facts: In the big 5 sports (baseball, soccer, football, basketball, hockey), the most common injuries are:

• Knee ligament tears
• Shoulder tears and dislocations
• Elbow ligament tears (especially in baseball)
• Ankle injuries
• Injures to fingers, wrists and hands
• Broken collarbones
• Concussions/Head Injuries

There’s pressure today for kids to overperform, in the hopes of landing a competitive amateur spot, a college scholarship, sponsorship, or even a shot at the professional level. Alongside accidents during playing time, overuse is the most common cause of injury. Conventional treatment is RICE – rest, ice, compression, elevation. RICE is very important to the healing process. As for medication, it’s either Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatories (Ibuprofen, Naproxyn, Diclofenac) or steroid injections. But what about keeping these tissues strong in the first place? That’s where herbals can help! There are some fantastic plant medicines to help with the musculoskeletal system, not just for sports injuries but for the day-to-day aches and sores that come with reaching for the top cupboard, painting, washing the car, squatting to put things on the bottom shelves. From topical salves and oils, to internal tinctures and teas, herbal medicine offers healing, pain relief, and overall support to strengthen tissues and help prevent injury. If you or your kids are active, keep a salve or oil on hand for when injuries flare up. Contact The Herbal Clinic and Academy and ask how I can help! If you have any questions about this article, please leave a comment below or contact me directly at info@theherbalclinicandacademy.ca