Broken bones are some of the most common personal injuries that medical professionals come across when treating accident victims either at the scene or when they enter the hospital. These injuries can be painful and take months to heal. Not only that, depending on the victim’s age, older people can find that the healing process can be extended by weeks, even months.
Bones healing is a process of time, circulation, and health. It takes 3 to 4 months to recreate the solid, stable bone in most cases, but some bones have more blood supply so they heal faster. Toe bones have less mass and more circulation thus they heal faster. Wrist bones, on the other hand, can take longer.
The outer layer of the bone is made of hardened mineral deposits, whereas the inner layer is porous and bloody with a soft substance called “marrow.” The red marrow makes red blood cells, while the yellow marrow is used to store fat.
Bones continually undergo changes in a process called “bone remodeling.” Osteoclast cells break down old bone and osteoblast cells trigger new bone cells to form. As soon as a bone breaks, the osteoblasts begin mending the bone, sometimes even when they are out of alignment.
But this process is long and painful leaving many (especially older) patients wondering how they can speed the process as well as create a more complete healing process. Well, natural healing advocates say that they may have the answer.
Broken Bones and Natural Healing
If they are set properly and the person is careful not to put any strain on the area, the bone will eventually knit itself. Though there are no drugs in conventional medicine to help this process along, there are many things that believers in natural healing swear hurries the process along and helps in more complete healing.
- Stop smoking – There are tons of reasons to stop smoking, but when it comes to bone healing, the science is pretty solid on this issue. Smoking slows the blood flow to the bones, thereby slowing the healing process.
- Stop drinking alcohol – Another fairly obvious one that slows the formation of the osteoblasts.
- Stop drinking caffeine – This is a hard one to do for Puget Sound residents, but by eliminating caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea, and soft drinks, you can seriously curb calcium excretion. Since your body needs all the calcium it can get to heal your bones, it is wise to minimize ALL sources of calcium loss.
- Healthy Foods – Bones need protein to build, so it’s wise to add proteins to your diet. One major source of protein for bone patients is milk, because it also adds much needed calcium to the mix. Other proteins that are good are:
- Meat
- Fish
- Soy
- Nuts
- Beans
- Calcium Supplements – Most doctors recommend at least at 800-1200 milligrams of calcium a day for adults. There is little research connecting the addition of calcium to the diet to the increased speed of bone healing, however, taking the recommended daily amount can’t hurt.
- Vitamin C – Vitamin C is probably the largest contributor to the formation of collagen, the main component in connective tissue. Adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet contribute greatly to collagen creation. ,
- Vitamin D – This aids in calcium absorption with 2,000 to 4,000 IU daily dose. Sitting in the sun for less than 30 minutes creates about 10,000 IU, however, it is processed differently. Be sure to take in that much while healing bones and take it in tandem with Omega 3 supplements to aid absorption.
- Vitamin K – This can be found in course leafy greens such as kale and collard greens, also aids bone repair.
- Arnica – This flowering plant some people say has a remarkable ability to reduce bruising and swelling from trauma. They recommend using it immediately after the break, to reduce swelling and vascular congestion. Be aware that you should ONLY take it in small amounts, follow the directions explicitly, and only purchase it at certified vitamin supplement stores and pharmacies.
- Ultrasound bone growth stimulators – These machines were approved by the FDA, and treatments are available to speed certain types of broken bones with the use of electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and magnets. It increase blood flow to the area. It can be expensive and may not be recommended for all patients.
- Deep tissue massage – When massage and techniques like cranio-sacral massage are delivered by a professional certified in injury massage, it has proven to increase blood flow and aid in the healing process.
Puget Sound Personal Injury Lawyer
Broken bones in a car accident can keep a person out of work, from doing their normal activities, and depending on the severity, can seriously hamper a person’s quality of life for an extended period of time. Along with pain and suffering, the victim has the opportunity to collect lost wages and damages.
Phillips Law Firm is a Seattle law firm with a substantial track record of success Personal Injury Litigation. We take the time to fully assess the injured party’s case in order to assure that the victim receives the compensation they deserve. Call our Personal Injury Attorneys today for a free consultation.