Ouch. I fell again!

I fell in the garden today. It was easy to do; leaves covered the steps and I missed one. Down I went onto the gravel, onto my left knee and right hand. I will be sore for a while. I sometimes wondered why I used to make “a big deal” out of falls like that when I was a kid. My sisters did not. It wasn’t just my streak of drama; it was my hypermobility.

Those of us who are hypermobile tend to fall more. And because we are too loose, we tend to injure ourselves more when we do and it takes longer to heal. Here is my protocol when I injure myself like that:

1) Ice immediately and frequently all the affected areas. As my wrist went down, it jarred my loose shoulder. In a more typical body that might not be a deal. For me it can mean months of pain.

2) Take arnica homeopathic 30c. Take several doses for two-three days.

3) Put arnica gel on all affected areas several times over the next few days.

4) Tomorrow I will begin taking my anti-inflam tincture, filled with good things like white willow bark and birch polypore. I make one every year for the inflammatory events of winter.

Being stronger makes a huge difference. When I began lifting weights at age 35, I began to fall less and recover faster. I do recommend that you work with a strengths-training coach who has experience with people like us. I have used several and only a few have been great with me. Look for someone who gets that less weight is better for us and that moving slowly helps us build strength without damage. If they are encouraging you to lift a lot or lift quickly, I would find someone else.

This information is not intended to take the place of personalized medical counseling, diagnosis and/or treatment by a trained physician. Herbs and other botanicals are presently classified by the Food and Drug Administration as foods, not as medicines.