Putting an end to pain: get natural advice for treating an ankle injury, bursitis, and arthritis.(ASK THE NATUROPATH: SUPPLEMENTS)

Q: I'm training for a triathlon and have chronic pain in my ankle. I'm also trying to conceive my second child and don't want to do anything that might interfere with fertility or harm the baby. Any suggestions?

--Denise J., Haleiwa, Hawaii

A: Ankle pain can be caused by various factors. In an athlete, repetitive stress can lead to tendon strains, ligament sprains, or small hairline fractures in one of the bones of the leg. Ultimately, the cause of ankle pain cannot be determined without a thorough physical examination. However, some factors for healing are important despite the cause of pain. You can maintain your cardiovascular and muscular fitness in other ways until you diagnose and treat the ankle pain. Try swimming, push-ups, and maybe Spinning. Completely avoid pounding the pavement.

In terms of diagnosing your problem, a musculoskeletal ultrasound is sensitive, inexpensive, and can be done in an office without radiation exposure. If the suspected problem is deep within one of the many joints in the ankle, an MRI may be necessary. Finally, an X-ray, bone scan, or CF scan could be used if hairline fractures are suspected; however, I would recommend these as a last resort due to the radiation. Please be sure you are not in early pregnancy before taking this test. A plain X-ray would be safe, and would confirm or refute the hairline fracture possibility.

If it is an unhealed fracture, take homeopathic symphytum (comfrey) 12C, three pellets twice daily for six weeks. Also, apply contrast hydrotherapy to the ankle at least once daily during this same period. This means placing your foot in hot water to cover the ankle for 30 seconds, then quickly switching to very cold water for 10 seconds, and then alternating the hot and cold dips several times in a row. Repeat at least three times per session and always end with the cold dip. Two buckets or tubs large enough to accommodate your foot, ice, and hot water are all you need for this highly effective, low-tech, therapy. Tendon and ligament injuries can respond well to a technique called prolotherapy, where the tendon or ligament is stimulated to regrow. (Visit getprolo.com to find a doctor who practices prolotherapy.) A complete tendon or ligament rupture is a surgical indication, however.

Q: I've been diagnosed with bursitis of the hip, which is painful. Now I'm also getting knee and shin pain. Help!

--Angela G., Chicago