Ankle Sprain Treatments

Upon spraining your ankle you will feel acute and localized pain on the side of the injured ankle. Depending on the severity of the injury mild to heavy swelling will occur and may be accompanied by bruising and discolouration of the skin. The injury will be painful to the touch and it may be quite difficult to put weight on your ankle. Under these circumstances it is best to listen to your body and try to immobilize your ankle as much as possible.

The RICE (Rest Ice Compression Elevation) method has long been a tried and true treatment for sprains. The best way to heal is to reduce swelling and rest the ankle, the RICE method facilitates this as well as a quicker healing time.

Our cold compression wraps allow you to actively treat yourself using the RICE method. They work because they interupt and slow nerve and cell function in the damaged area. Once blood vessels are damaged they can no longer carry oxygenated blood to the damaged tissue and therefore cells begin to break-down. The deep cold provided by our cold compression wraps slows cell function thereby reducing cellular break-down. Furthermore, because the cold wraps serve to numb the nerves the wraps also reduce pain! Furthermore, our wraps keep the ice off the skin preventing frostbite and keep the cold in the area that you need it. You want to ice in 20 minute intervals with at least 45 minutes between each interval. Within a week or two it may prove useful to see your doctor about passive and more active stretching and strengthening for your injured ankle. For athletes, therapies will most likely be sports specific, and should be left to physical therapists.

When it comes time for more aggressive rehabilitation, stretching and activity, heat therapy warms the muscles in the injured area which increases range of motion and allows for a safer more thorough stretch.

It should be stressed here that in the initial stages of a sprain you should avoid treatments that will increase swelling such as hot showers, heat rubs, hot packs and consuming alcohol. During the initial phases of rehab the ankle should not be moved in any direction that mimics the direction in which the injury occured.

Ultrasound

For more detailed information on how ultrasound is helping heal ankle sprains and many other injuries see our About Ultrasound section. Essentially, with regards to ankle joint sprains, ultrasound therapy provides stimulation to deep joint tissue. It has been found to aid distended connective tissue, which is important for stretching, thereby increasing range of motion for safer and more effective rehabilitation.

Doctor's Orders

While it is true that ankle sprains seldom require a doctor's attention it may be apparent that your injury is severe enough to warrant a visit to him or her. If you have substantial and continual pain even after a week or any other cause for concern a visit to the doctor is an order. Doctors may prescribe medications, crutches, braces and in severe cases the ankle be placed in a full cast for several weeks. For full ruptures or recurring injuries, including "ankle instability", surgery may be required, however the vast majority of sprains do not require surgery.

A Black Body Radiant Energy Kit is one of the most helpful tools for an injured ankle. Through the absorption of radiant energy, tissues are safely and gently heated - increasing blood flow within the treated area. Your body's natural response to this increased temperature is to try to maintain a condition of homeostasis - a balanced environment or state of equilibrium throughout the body. To do this, your body responds with a rapid increase in blood flow to the area (this is known as vasodilation), increasing the supply of nutrients to injured cells and flushing out toxins (including lactic acid, commonly found in trigger points) to promote healing. Our Thermotex Platinum Pain Relief Device provides effective, non-invasive, non-addictive pain relief with no side effects.

If you suffer from mild inflammation or pain after certain activities or movements use ultrasound therapy when you complete the activity and then rest and elevate your area of injury. Limit the application of ultrasound to a couple of treatments per day (the manual will recommend treatment frequency depending upon the injury). In between ultrasound treatments, maximize your pain relief and injury recovery by using the Thermotex Personal Therapy System. Proven Performance, Proven Relief - only found at MendMeShop.com. If you have been given a treatment plan by your health professional, make sure you adhere to it to ensure pain free living. In general, people who are committed to their therapies and exercises will have the best medical outcomes.