Our ankles are a critical part of the body that ensures movement. But this significant part of our body is quite fragile and prone to injury, especially among athletes. One wrong placement and you feel the sheering pain like you could have never imagined.
The usual response to a sprained ankle is to wrap it and grin away. But trust me, there are better ways to deal with and heal a sprained ankle that all of us should be aware of. So here we present a few effective hacks to help with an ankle sprain.
Ice Pack
Nothing beats the effects of ice on a sprained ankle. Compared to hot bandages or warm compress, ice packs work wonderfully to ease the pain and reduce the intensity of swelling within a few minutes. This process is quite critical to follow, especially for the first 48 hours post-injury, for the best benefits.
Take a small ice pack and place it on the injured ankle. Make sure to rest it for at least 20 to 30 minutes before removing it. Repeat every 3 hours until the swelling completely goes down. Staying on top of the swelling is the best way to overcome the sprain quickly.
Cannabis
The cannabis way of easing swelling and pain can be a safe and effective method while caring for a sprained ankle. Infused ointments, topicals, and sprays introduce the perfect composition of cannabinoids that can bind to receptors on the skin and provide instant relief.
Search where to find delta 8 thc spray online and shop for the best quality product from reputed brands. Make sure to go through the label to understand its potency before use and stay within the recommended dosage limits. The potent compounds of the product directly in contact with the affected area should instantly cater to the local pain and inflammation.
Compress
An effective way to ease the swelling would be to use a bandage or compress between the icing. It will also keep the pain in check and prevent the area from experiencing strain or further injury. You can shop for an elastic or crepe bandage from a pharmacy and wrap it around the ankle.
To provide good support, remember to cover some area around the injured region, like starting from toes and going till mid-calf. Remember not to tie it too tightly, or it could restrict the blood flow. For best benefits, keep the ankle elevated up to your heart level. It will encourage better blood flow and faster healing.
Epsom Salt
The Epsom salt soak is considerably one of the most effective and simplest home remedies of all time to heal a sprained ankle. The salt is a crystal of magnesium sulfate that is a powerful way to calm the nerves in the injured region and reduce pain. It also alleviates the sore muscles in the region to provide good relief.
Create a water bath with lukewarm water and add one cup of Epsom salt to it. You can procure the alt from a drugstore or nearby chemist. Dissolve the salt completely and soak the injured ankle in the mixture. Let it rest for at least 30 minutes. Repeat the process three times a day for three to four days to see excellent results.
Castor Oil
Castor oil is yet another powerful treatment for swelling and inflammation that has been useful for many centuries. The ricinoleic acid in the oil ensures excellent pain relief and anti-inflammation benefits.
Fold a cotton cloth a few times to create a thick pad. Dip it in castor oil and keep it on the ankle. Use a plastic wrap or bandage to secure the pad thoroughly. After a few minutes, place a hot water bag over the bandaged area and elevate the ankle. Remove the pack after about an hour and massage the remaining oil into the skin. Repeat the process twice or thrice a day for the best results.
Olive Oil
Just like castor oil, olive oil also carries beneficial phenolic compounds that can speed up the recovery of your ankle. You can follow the same process as castor oil using a soaked pad with heated olive oil. Alternatively, you can directly massage warm olive oil in the area for instant relief.
Olive oil packs also work wonders for pain relief. Create a pack with olive oil and egg yolk and apply the mixture to the affected area. Cover it with a bandage and leave it for two days to speed up healing.
Onion And Cabbage Wrap
Apart from enjoying a warm cup of soup with onion and cabbage to cope with pain, you can also use them directly on the affected area for relief from inflammation.
Chop onions into small pieces and tie them into a bundle with a muslin cloth. Then, wrap this cloth around the sprained area and leave it for two hours. Repeat the process a few times to reduce swelling.
Remove the outer leaf of the cabbage and slightly bruise it to let the juices out. Wrap it in foil and heat it mildly. Wrap the leaf around the affected area and secure it with a bandage. Remove after half-hour and repeat the treatment twice a day for two to three days.
Conclusion
An ankle sprain can be intensely painful to bear. So why not use these effective hacks to deal with it well and bid adieu to the discomfort?