How to quickly reduce swelling and relieve pain after spraining your ankle? Apply cold compress in time

A sprained ankle is not a serious illness and you don't need to go to the hospital, but it will affect your daily life. You can use compresses and massage to quickly reduce swelling and relieve pain. Of course, not all sprains are not worth taking seriously. In serious cases, you must seek medical attention promptly and rest quietly.

1. Cold compress

In the first 24-48 hours after the injury, quickly soak the foot and ankle in cold water, or wrap ice cubes in a towel and apply it to the swollen area for about 30 minutes each time, every 3-4 hours. The role of cold compress at this time is, first, to relieve pain, and second, if there are ruptured capillaries, it can promote vasoconstriction and minimize bleeding.

2. Hot compress

After 48 hours, you should switch to applying a hot towel or hot water bottle to your feet. If conditions permit, you can use heat therapy equipment such as infrared. Because the acute phase has passed, the current goal is to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, so that the blood circulation in the swollen area is smooth, while promoting the absorption of tissue exudate, so that the inflammation gradually subsides.

3. Local massage

During the first two days after spraining your ankle, when cold compresses are needed, you should never massage your ankle, as this will aggravate the rupture of capillaries, increase bleeding, and make the injury more serious. Wait until you switch to hot compress before massaging. Moreover, the strength and amplitude should not be too heavy or too large, and should be gradual.

5. Taking medicine

After the hot compress, apply some safflower oil or Yunnan Baiyao, and you can take some internal medicines at the same time, such as Shujin Huoxue tablets, Panax notoginseng capsules, etc.

Also pay attention to raising the foot when resting. The early stage of sprain is basically spent in bed. At this time, you should pay attention to the sprained part. When sleeping and resting, you need to use a pillow to raise the sprained foot. This can reduce swelling and help the patient rest. You can also use some external plasters to speed up the recovery of the sprained area. It can promote blood circulation, thereby clearing blood stasis in the affected area, repairing damaged joints and soft tissues, and can promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, and activate tendons and veins when treating ankle sprains. In short, after spraining your ankle, you should actively take preventive measures and avoid possible problems in a timely manner to prevent secondary injuries.