Sports persons, particularly athletes and basketball players, are often affected by sprained ankles. Ankle sprain usually occurs when the foot is planted wrongly on uneven ground or due to unusual twisting of the joint while running, walking or performing any other activity.
Ankle sprain can be severe, mild or moderate. Severe sprain, especially when there is popping sound on the injury, needs immediate medical attention.
If you are a regular sports person, knowing home remedies for reducing pain will help you to get back on your feet quickly.
The very first thing you should do when you encounter this type of injury is to avoid putting pressure on it and immediately sit down and relax. Do not continue standing on it. Now lift up the sprained ankle above the level of your heart. This will help to keep the fluid build-up down and will reduce swelling and pain.
Now fill up a plastic bag with ice, wrap the injury with a towel and place the bag on the sprained ankle. Leave the ice pack on the injured ankle for 20-30 minutes. After a gap of half an hour, repeat the same process. Repeat this several times for two-three days depending on the swelling. You can also soak your feet in cold water. After the cold water compresses the swelling, immediately massage the foot with coconut oil and garlic oil, mixing them in equal proportion. Use elastic bandage to wrap the ankle rest of the time.
Wrap the ankle with a layer of cabbage after blanching it in boiling water. This is an effective way to reduce pain.Grate onion and wrap around the injury. The juice of the onion helps to reduce swelling and pain.
Another effective way to avoid discoloration and swelling is to massage a mixture of camphor oil and sunflower oil on the affected area.If severe pain persists, seek doctor’s advice. You may probably need an X-ray. It is better to make sure the bone is not broken.Use crutches to avoid pressure on the ankle. Keep your foot elevated while resting or sleeping to reduce swelling.
For reducing inflammation and pain you may need to take some painkiller and vitamins along with these home remedies. For reducing pain, you can take acetaminophen with doctor’s advice. Naproxen, aspirin and ibuprofen reduces swelling, inflammation and pain.
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