question about arnica and pregnancy.

[thischickknits]

So I really pulled a muscle in my neck/shoulder area. I bought some arnica cream to rub into my shoulder. So, I used it three times and it felt so good.

Well I was chatting with a gal online and she told me that I shouldn't be taking it. So we looked around and we found conflicting opinions. Some say it can be attributed to miscarriage and some say topically it is okay.

It is a homeopathic cream.

[holothuroidea]

You might want to try something else before you continue using the arnica. I use Mineral Ice (found in any drug store) for sore/strained muscles, it's always worked wonderfully for me.

If you're concerned about "100% Natural," my mom always used pure aloe (from a plant in our living room) for neck area muscle pains. I've never tried it but it worked for her. She'd halve the leaf of the plant and cut off the spikey parts, and put it directly on her neck (gooey side down) covered by a hot-damp washcloth. If you don't have an aloe plant, get one! They are amazing!

Most sources say not to use arnica during pregnancy. If arnica is the only thing that works for you and you are in terrible pain, I would imagine that, just like anything, it can be used in moderation without causing any harm if you don't have a history of miscarriage.

[JorgieGirl]

I used an arnica gel for the pain of my costochondritis during my pregnancy. My mw said it was fine, so I went with her opinion. Taking arnica capsules on a regular basis I'd be more concerned about.

Follow your mama instincts.

[ColoradoMama]

This is the first I've heard not to use arnica during pregnancy. When I fell down the stairs during my third pregnancy, my m/w said it was fine and that I could definitely use it. It worked great.

[holothuroidea]

I'm glad to hear that others have used it without problems.

But.. if you find out something else that works for you with NO risk, why not give it a shot? Right?

[thischickknits]

yeah, i stopped taking it.

i am not an alarmist by no means, but I like to play cautious.

what would be good to take for a pulled muscle? I mean I could take tylenol if I wanted, but I hate takin it.

[clutterbug]

My midwife just recommended arnica to me for my sore hip. I have been taking the little pellets maybe once a day for a couple of weeks...however, I am pretty far along, so I'm not sure if the "rules" change depending on what trimester you're in.

[holothuroidea]

Originally Posted by thischickknits

yeah, i stopped taking it.

i am not an alarmist by no means, but I like to play cautious.

what would be good to take for a pulled muscle? I mean I could take tylenol if I wanted, but I hate takin it.

I don't like taking tylenol either!

Mineral Ice is pretty amazing stuff. Instant relief! It's just a menthol gel but it works so well. I've used it for pulled muscles, ankle sprains, charlie horses... you name it.

Rubbing alcohol (isopropanol, 70%) works pretty well too, and its probably already in your medicine cabinet. That'll dry out your skin, though.

[aprilibarra]

i heard menthol and camphor can cause miscarriage. i've had several mw's reccommend arnica homeopathic in the 2nd and 3rd tri's. you can do epsom salt soak as well, on a hot towel.

[superfastreader]

Originally Posted by aprilibarra

i heard menthol and camphor can cause miscarriage. i've had several mw's reccommend arnica homeopathic in the 2nd and 3rd tri's. you can do epsom salt soak as well, on a hot towel.

my chiro told me to stop using icy hot & switch to arnica gel. i was under the impression that it was perfectly safe topically, but not advised orally during preg.

[thischickknits]

Originally Posted by superfastreader

my chiro told me to stop using icy hot & switch to arnica gel. i was under the impression that it was perfectly safe topically, but not advised orally during preg.

See, that's the whole thing. There are SO many conflicting reports. They say that taking it orally bad, but topically is okay. Then another source says topically is not good. I called the midwife and she said it was okay.

The muscle is getting better. I had my husband use some lotion and just really massage the area last night. I really helped. I have been doing some water therapy. Standing under the shower with warm water and stretching my neck . It feels better, just healing slowly.

[3cuties]

Gentle massage, gentle stretches, warm and cold packs and tylenol.

[laurata]

Herbal arnica taken internally during pregnancy is probably not a great idea. Homeopathic pellets or arnica applied topically should be just fine.