Expert: R. Scott Malone L.Ac. - 7/29/2010

Question
Hi Scott,
I have a stress fracture of my Navicular bone in my foot. This happened in Jan of this year. I have seen an Orthopedic surgeon and worn a boot for several months. For the past 3 months I have worn a bone stimulator each night for ten hours, poor blood supply to facilitate healing.  The surgeon is talking about athrodesis  of my medial column, (fusing the bones).  Can acupuncture help healing?  I really don't want a club foot.

Answer
Hey David,

Acupuncture is great to facilitate healing. I work in conjunction with a chiropractor and massage therapist on accident cases and they heal quickly.

There is a saying that describes the relationship between qi, (bioenergy) and blood.
"blood is the mother of qi and qi is the commander of blood."

Qi is the commander of blood means that when you do acupuncture around your navicular bone and get the qi sensation, you also are commanding or bringing blood into the area.

More blood circulation = waste out and building blocks in.
I would also go to the local drug store and buy some Salonpas plasters.
Salonpas are sticky plasters about the size of a business card, found in the tiger balm, icyhot section.
Salonpas applied to the area, (as long as there is not an open wound), will increase circulation for 5 hours or so. Take them off, wash any residue off and let your skin breathe for an hour then reapply.

Also make sure you have the building blocks you need nutritionally. Standard Process makes one of the most bioavailable calcium supplements called calcifood. You can go to standardprocess.com and dig up a doctor to perscribe it to you, or send me an email dr@drkeppel.com and he can help you out.
I would take calcium and a multimineral to facilitate healing as magnesium is necessary as well for calcium uptake.
Make sure it's calcium phosphate, that's what you want for your bones. Other forms of calcium have to go through a lot of chemical hoops to become bioavailable for your bones.

I think between acupuncture, salonpas and a high quality calcium phosphate/mineral supplement, you should heal right up.

Feel free to update me, I'd be interested to know how it turns out for you.

R. Scott Malone L.Ac.