While this article is not meant to replace good solid advice from your doctor for dealing with a major injury, there are a few steps you can take to alleviate pain and help the healing process involved with your sprained ankle.

This kinds of injury normally occurs whenever a persons ankle is rolled to far in one direction or the other and the persons tendons as well as their ligaments which provide support and keep it upright are stretched too far. The result is a painful injury that can lead to swelling and immobility. As with any injury, you should immediately ice the ankle. The ice constricts the blood vessels in the affected area, thus restricting blood flow. This restriction in blood flow help to control the swelling. The ice help to numb the pain as well. You should continue to ice the injury for 20 minutes several times a day.

If the injury is causing enough pain that it prevents you from walking, then you should see a doctor for some x-rays. The injury could be more significant than you thought. If the injury is just causing you minor discomfort then you may find further relief with an over the counter pain killer. One that is an ibuprofen product will help reduce some of the inflammation that may be causing the stiffness, and the ibuprofen will also help to numb the discomfort.

As your ligaments and tendons work to repair and strengthen themselves, you may want to take it easy for a while. Because they have been over stretched beyond their normal capability, they will not be as strong and the likelyhood that you might injure yourself again is increased when your body is regaining its strength. You can help your body recover by giving the injured ankle some additional support. You can by supportive ankle braces over the counter at many pharmacies or sporting goods stores. These fit tightly over the foot and ankle and offer some support to supplement the natural strength of your ankle, which may be diminished because of the injury. While it is ok to use these supports during the recovery phase, you may want to consult a doctor about prolonged use, as your body can grow to depend on the brace for support and never truly regain its own strength.

There is nothing wrong with trying to treat your injury at home. However, if you have already tried using ice and ibuprofen and you are still experiencing pain or having problems walking, then you should get to a doctor for a proper diagnosis. There are other problems, such as torn ligaments, tendons or small fractures that could also be the result of your injury and the only way you will know this is by having a professional assess the situation.

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