| Rest the injury initially, and then re-introduce | | | | Chop a few onions and wrap them in a muslin cloth. |
| movement so you don't lose too much muscle | | | | Now place it on the sprain-affected area. |
| strength. | | | | Many who suffer from a sprain benefit immediately |
| Ice packs or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a | | | | from the application of ice. Ice cubes placed in plastic |
| towel should be applied to your ankle to reduce | | | | storage bags can provide relief, along with packs |
| swelling and bruising. You could also immerse your | | | | formed with wet towels and ice. If ice is not readily |
| ankle in ice. You should not apply ice directly to your | | | | available, a frozen package of vegetables or a blue |
| skin as it can give you an "ice burn" - place a cloth | | | | chemical freezer bag used for coolers can also be |
| between the ice and skin. | | | | used. For maximum effectiveness, the ice should be |
| Compress your ankle by bandaging it to support the | | | | kept on the sprain for several minutes at a time, so |
| injury and help decrease swelling. | | | | some form of elastic bandage or tape may help to |
| Elevate your ankle by resting your foot above the | | | | secure it. Ice helps to reduce the swelling around the |
| level of your heart and keep it supported. | | | | sprain and reduce the chance of additional muscle |
| The examination should check that the nerves or | | | | strain. |
| arteries to the foot have not been injured, and also | | | | The dried flower heads of the Arnica plant contain |
| check that the knee or the rest of the leg is not | | | | chemical compounds that help heal sprains and relieve |
| involved. | | | | muscle pain. You could look for Arnica tincture, cream |
| The doctor will handle and move the foot and ankle | | | | or ointment in health food stores. Apply directly to |
| to determine what bony areas are involved. | | | | the injured area. |
| From 48 hours after the sprain, you should begin the | | | | Sprains occur because of excessive stretching or |
| second stage of treatment by gently beginning to | | | | tearing of a ligament, which is one of those tough |
| use the injured area again. It is important to start | | | | bands of elastic-like tissue attached to a joint. |
| moving the joint again early, to reduce the amount | | | | Compression. An elastic compression wrap will help |
| of scarring that will form in the damaged area. | | | | decrease swelling and should be worn for the first 24 |
| Rehabilitation of the joint using exercise to | | | | to 36 hours. Compression wraps do not offer |
| strengthen the ligament and surrounding muscles is | | | | protection, and a protective brace should also be |
| also important to prevent the injury recurring. | | | | worn if you try to bear weight on your injured ankle. |
| You can expect to get well soon from the agonizing | | | | Don't apply the wrap too tightly. Loosen the bandage |
| sprain by making pineapple part of your staple diet | | | | if it gets too tight. Signs that the bandage is too tight |
| and that too in good quantity. The contents in | | | | include numbness, tingling, increased pain, coolness, or |
| pineapple have bromelain, an enzyme which quickens | | | | swelling in the area below the bandage. See |
| the healing process. The side effects of bromelain | | | | instructions on how to wrap an ankle with an elastic |
| causes dermatitis, so if your skin itches due to the | | | | bandage. |
| pineapple diet, stop it immediately. | | | | Read about hair loss treatment, hair loss cure. |
