The following statement comes from a well-known sports medicine book that has gone through five printings. "In spite of the widespread use of NSAIDs there is no convincing evidence as to
their effectiveness in the treatment of acute soft tissue injuries." (Bruckner, P. Clinical Sports Medicine. New York City, NY: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1995, pp. 105-109.)

This is a true statement, but definitely not strong enough. More appropriate would be something like, --In spite of the widespread use of NSAIDs there is substantial evidence that they hamper soft tissue healing.--

NSAIDs have been shown to delay and hamper the healing in all the soft tissues, including muscles, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. Anti-inflammatories can delay healing and delay it significantly, even in muscles with their tremendous blood supply.  (Quoted on a medical sports injury and rehabilitation site, from Greene, J. Cost-conscious prescribing of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for adults with arthritis. Archives of Internal Medicine. 1992; 152:1995-2002.)

This research is not new.  I've been reading it since the early 1990's.   So why are so many medical practitioners still recommending liberal doses of "vitamin I" and the like?

I'm not a medical practitioner, so I can't really answer this question.  But I admit that it burns me up to hear the medical community constantly criticize the holistic health community for not being "scientific" enough, for not having enough research to back our methods, while they ignore copious research that contradicts their habitual clinical practices...

O.k., I'm not going to go on about this!  What I really want to say is that taking NSAIDs is not helpful to the healing of soft tissue injuries.  Yes, these medications sometimes decrease pain, which has a value of its own.  But if they decrease pain in the short-term at the expense of the long-term health of your tissues, is this really a good bargain?

Happily, you do not have to choose between managing the discomforts of soft tissue injury and your long-term health and stability.  There are a lot of natural substances which possess scientifically demonstrated efficacy--as well as years of clinically proven usefulness--in modulating inflammation during various phases of soft tissue healing.  These substances can help manage pain as well as restore function.  

Some key herbs which help with pain management in the actue phase of an injury (12-72 hours) include Hops (Humulus lupulus), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officianlis), Ginger (Zingiber officinalis), and Boswellia (Boswellia serrata).   Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata) and Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) are helpful in dealing with muscle spasm often associated with acute musculoskeletal injury.  (In our modern Western context, particular components of these plants are often extracted or concentrated.  This is a controversial practice among herbalists, and I have mixed feelings about it myself, but I have seen plenty of evidence to suggest that products containing such standardized extracts work very well for acute injuries.)  I am not a Chinese herbalist, but I know that the Chinese pharmacopia includes numerous plants which are extremely effective in reducing pain associated with injuries and promoting healing.

Nutrients that can help with swelling during the acute phase of an injury include proteases such as trypsin, chymotrypsin and pancreatin, bromelain, papain, and chymopapain.  Calcium and magnesium can assist with releasing muscle spasm, and quercetin is useful in balancing inflammation as well as reducing swelling and relaxing muscles.

Popular homeopathic remedies like arnica can also do a lot to modulate inflammation, reduce swelling, and diminish pain during the acute phase of an injury.

You can find formulas containing these ingredients at the Co-ops.  I also carry several at the office.

I'll write soon about nutrients which can help during the sub-acute and chronic phases of soft tissue injury healing.  In the meantime, as spring arrives and we dive into new physical activities--gardening, raking, bicycling, running--take good care of yourself.  Stretch, rest frequently, drink lots of water.  And if you do injure yourself, don't reach for the vitamin I!