| I think just about everyone has experienced the pain | | | | Ice down the area to help reduce Swelling it is |
| of a sprained ankle at sometime in their lives, most | | | | common practice to ice down the area for 15 to 20 |
| of us more than once. Most people that are active or | | | | minutes each hour for the first 48 hours. Use a bag |
| athletic will experience the pain of a sprained ankle at | | | | of ice and place a towel between the ice and the |
| some point. When I was a medic with a rifle | | | | skin. |
| company in the Army National Guard it was a | | | | After 48 hours you may want to use heat such as |
| common injury. When I played football or basketball | | | | warm wet towels in place of the ice. |
| or even baseball in high school I suffered a few | | | | Depending on the severity of the sprain the |
| sprain ankles also. | | | | caregiver may give you an elastic bandage or a splint |
| So what exactly is a sprained ankle? According to | | | | or both to place on the ankle. Follow the direction |
| the Micromedex files at the hospital where I work a | | | | given as this may aid in a quicker recovery. |
| sprained ankle is "when the ligaments in the ankle are | | | | You should also elevate the affected ankle above |
| stretched or torn." I had thought that torn ligaments | | | | your heart whenever possible. This will help reduce |
| was a separate and more severe injury than a sprain. | | | | the swelling |
| As a medic with the Army National Guard and as a | | | | By doing these things and following the RICE protocol |
| corpsman in the Navy, as well as a Personal trainer I | | | | you will aid in the healing of your sprain and therefore |
| would still feel that a torn ligament was different and | | | | heal more quickly. |
| more severe than a sprain. That is however what | | | | Some people believe strongly in the use of |
| the Micromedex says. | | | | supplements and herbs so below is a short list of a |
| I do agree though that the cause of the sprained | | | | few supplements that have been used in the |
| ankle or torn ligaments can and often is the exact | | | | treatment of ankle sprains. |
| same. That is they are both usually caused when | | | | Herbs such as Boswellia (Boswellia serrata) have been |
| there is a sudden injury to your ankle. On the | | | | used for many years, but it has not had any double |
| baseball diamond it could come sliding into base or | | | | blind studies done on it for effectiveness in ankle |
| having your foot "turn" as you step on base. Just | | | | sprains. |
| walking down the street you could slip in a hole and | | | | Capsaicin Cream (Capsicum frutescens) can be |
| twist the ankle. A football player could have his legs | | | | applied to the ankle injury to help deaden the pain. |
| "taken out from under him" by a tackler and twist | | | | This is actually made from Cayenne Pepper and is |
| the ankle or the knee. Any type of trauma that | | | | said to be irritating for the first few applications then |
| twists or causes the ankle to bend in an unusual way | | | | the irritation stops. If you use this be sure to wash |
| can cause a sprain. | | | | your hands thoroughly to keep any of the substance |
| If you do have an ankle injury you may need X-Rays | | | | out of your eyes. |
| do make sure you do not have broken bones. If | | | | Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is another herb that has |
| there are no broken bones the ankle should heal in | | | | been used for many years but has never had any |
| about 4-6 weeks. Depending on the severity of the | | | | scientific studies done for effectiveness. |
| sprain you may have weakness for 6 to 18 months, | | | | Willow (Salix alba) an herb that has been used for |
| though I have had sprains many times and with | | | | many years for ankle sprains but has not been |
| proper treatment and therapy even 6 months | | | | studied in a controlled environment for effectiveness. |
| sounds like a long period unless the ligaments are | | | | Supplements such as DMSO, D-Phenylalanine, |
| indeed torn. | | | | Glucosamine sulfate, Niacinamide, Vitamin A and |
| You will likely experience considerable pain with an | | | | Vitamin C have also been used in the treatment of |
| ankle sprain, but most caregivers will suggest using | | | | ankle sprains. |
| Tylenol or another NSAID to relieve the pain. The | | | | Acupuncture and acupressure as well as massage and |
| Acronym RICE is usually how a sprain is treated. | | | | physical therapy have all been used in the treatment |
| Rice stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and | | | | of ankle sprains. |
| Elevation. | | | | Disclaimer: Nothing in this article should be construed |
| Rest the affected ankle for at least 24 hours if | | | | in any way as medical advice. If you have an injury |
| possible | | | | or illness you should see a healthcare provider. |