Spraining your ankle is one of the most painful experiences you can have. No matter if you were jumping off the bed or falling from a flight of stairs, a sprained ankle hurts you more than a heartbreak.
The healing process for a sprained ankle depends on the severity of the injury, and you may have a limp for a lifetime because of it. It is always recommended to be careful and avoid injuries.
If you are looking for a quick solution to a sprained ankle, then this blog is for you. We are going to dive into different approaches that can be effective and help you overcome the pain overnight.
Methods For Healing A Sprained Ankle Overnight
When you sprain your ankle, your body takes time to repair the ligaments and tissues around the affected area. This can take a week to heal or more, depending on the injury.
Also Check: Ankle Sprains In Athletes: Recovery Guidelines
🔹 R.I.C.E Approach
This is one of the traditional methods to treat a sprained ankle. If you have no access to a healthcare facility, you can try this at home for the night of the injury and visit the doctor the following day.
- Rest: The human body tends to heal on its own when we rest; similarly, at the time of a sprained ankle, limiting its use or putting pressure on it can help. Avoid walking or standing for a long period of time to heal your ankle.
- Ice: Ice packs help reduce the swelling and pain of sprained ankles. Apply ice packs to the injury for 15-20 minutes in 3–4-hour intervals for fast recovery. Make sure that you have a cloth over the injury to avoid direct contact with the ice pack.
- Compression: Compression socks, elastic bandages, or braces can help you reduce the swelling of the ankles. It also helps to prevent fluid from accumulating on the joint, which can worsen the situation. Make sure you wrap the bandages not too tightly, from your toes to mid-calf.
- Elevated: This approach instructs you to keep your legs elevated above the level of your heart. It will help with the swelling of the ankle and improve blood circulation there. Use pillows under your ankle when lying down on the bed or sofa.
🔹 Medication
When the pain is excruciating, you can take generalized medicine over-the-counter to deal with it. Ibuprofen, NSAIDs, Acetaminophen, Aleve, or Mortin IB are some of the pain relievers that can help you with the pain for a night. If the pain is still there in the morning, then it is advised to see a doctor.
🔹 Motion Exercises
Stretching or exercising can help restore balance and strength in your ankles. Try some light stretching, heel raises, toe taps, or wall push-offs to alleviate swelling and reduce the risk of stiffness around your ankle. Remember to not overdo it, as it can increase the pain and do serious damage.
🔹 Massage Therapy
Massaging the ankle slowly can improve the blood flow and reduce inflammation on the inside. While massaging, be careful not to put too much pressure on the injury, as it will do the opposite of healing. Seek advice from a professional masseuse or a healthcare provider before taking this approach on the sprained ankle.
🔹 Heat
This approach is similar to ice packs, but here you need to use a heating pad. Also, you can only try this approach if there are no signs of swelling, as then there are chances for inflammation. Apply a heating pad to the affected area for 15-20 minutes for better results.
🔹 Protect
This is the primary approach you should have when you have a sprained ankle. Make sure you avoid areas of accidents or weights that may affect your ankle further. Take the day off from work and the gym. This will quicken the healing process and protect against further injury.
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Conclusion
An overnight recovery from a sprained ankle is too much of a real thing. You can try the above approaches, but you must seek professional advice for effective healing. It is critical to reach out to the doctor at the right time to avoid any more mishaps or accidents that can escalate the injury.
