Home Treatment for Sprained Ankles
First Aid and Natural Remedies to Encourage Speedy Healing
Ankle sprains are among the most common injuries. Find out which natural remedies and home treatments can help the healing process and ease discomfort.
Although it can be a sports injury, an ankle sprain often happens while walking on uneven surfaces. Usually the foot twists inward and the outer area of the ankle is sprained. This causes pressure or possibly tearing of the outer ligaments that support the ankle joint.
For the First Two Days Following the Sprain
- Lift ankle so that the leg is straight in front of you on the sofa or on a chair. Place an ice pack, or ice in a plastic bag wrapped in a clean dish towel on the raised ankle.
- Take one dose of homeopathic remedy, Arnica 30C, and one of Ruta Grav 30C every 4 hours. This will help with pain relief and reduce ankle swelling and bruising. Chamomile tea will also reduce ankle pain. Drink it half an hour before or after taking homeopathic remedies.
- After 20 minutes, remove the ice pack. To further control swelling, and to support the ankle, use an elastic bandage. The ankle should be at a 90-degree angle to the foot, with a large pad of soft cloth over it, for example, a folded pillow case, beneath the bandage. To test that it is not too tight, you should be able to place two fingers comfortably under the bandage. If toes feel numb or become blue, loosen the bandage.
- Wait 40 minutes and replace the ice pack over the bandage for another 20 minutes. Use the ice pack for 20 minutes in each hour until bedtime. Remove bandage before sleeping.
- Raise the ankle above the level of your heart for 3 hours each day to decrease ankle swelling. Lie flat on the bed and place pillows beneath the calf so that the knee is bent and the lower leg is raised and level.
After the Second Day
- Fill two large basins or buckets with water. One should be very cold and one hot, but no more than 39 degrees C. Into the hot water put 4 drops of Sweet Marjoram Essential Oil. (Avoid if pregnant.) Agitate the water and place the sprained ankle in hot water for 30 seconds and then in the cold for 30 seconds. Continue for 5 minutes twice a day for the next two days. Always end the water therapy with a cold water dip.
- After drying the sprained ankle, gently spread a layer of aloe vera gel over it, before bandaging.
- Try walking with a stick or with crutches.
One Week after the Ankle Sprain
- Rotate and flex the foot gently for a few minutes during the day.
- You should be able to walk without crutches, but with an ankle guard or ankle brace.
- If the ankle continues to be painful or you cannot walk, contact your doctor.
It can take up to 6 weeks for a sprained ankle to heal completely. There are specific rehabilitation exercises which can help.
Reference: Healing Remedies (C. Norman Shealy. Element Books 1998)
The copyright of the article Home Treatment for Sprained Ankles in Common Patient Ailments is owned by Elaine Walker. Permission to republish Home Treatment for Sprained Ankles must be granted by the author in writing.
