Janelle complained of pain in the chest around the breastbone and ribs. She had taken a heavy blow, full in the chest, from a soccer ball during a game about 10 days before. The pain had subsided somewhat over the period since the incident but was still troubling her.
She had pain while breathing and with movements such as getting dressed, showering and turning over in bed. Getting to sleep and staying asleep was difficult as she was restless and found it difficult to get into a comfortable position. Janelle would wake up with pain and need to move or turn
over, which increased the pain. Lying still helped for a while, but after sleep she would wake with stiffness and pain. This would reduce after getting out of bed and moving about, but after a day at work she felt tired and sore and even breathing caused pain.
Janelle remarked that directing the hot shower on her chest seemed to ease the pain for a while and applying heat packs also helped. The pain was much worse in the cold weather, especially at night. In particular, the recent cold, rainy weather had increased her discomfort significantly. She had tried an anti-inflammatory medication with limited success. Janelle also remarked that she loved playing sport and was liable to become irritable if she did not get her regular ‘activity fix’. The injury she sustained had curtailed her usual participation in sport and she was feeling a bit down because of this.
The indicated homeopathic medicine was prescribed to be taken daily for seven days or until relief was felt. If she felt relief she was to then use the medicine as needed (for pain) and report back in a week.
Janelle came in for a follow-up four weeks later. She apologised for not returning after the first week, but was feeling so well and was so busy at work that she had forgotten to check in. She told me that after three doses of the medicine the pain and stiffness had almost completely gone and she did not need to take any more. She was back playing soccer without pain and her sleep patterns had returned to normal.
DENNIS RYAN, professional homeopath, Qld