How to treat sprains

The first few days following a sprain should be devoted to healing and treating the injury. The best way to do this is to follow the RICE method: rest, ice, compression and elevation. Taking a time out from your daily activities will help to heal the injury and will prevent you from aggravating it any further. Applying ice for 10 to 15 minutes every two to three hours will re­duce swelling and pain. Com­pression is used to help limit inflammation. You can use an elastic bandage to do this, but be careful not to cut off blood flow to the area. Si­milarly, elevating the injured area will re­duce swelling, which not only relieves pain but also speeds up recovery.

Rehabilitating a sprain using physical therapy can significantly im­prove healing. For example, a physical therapist can help strengthen stabilizer muscles to enable your joints to move through their full range of motion. This will enable you to safely resume your activities as quickly as possible.

To learn more about sprains, consult a physical therapist.