Strains And Sprains – What They Are And What To Do

First Aid for Sprains and Strains

If an injury occurs, immediately stop activity and rest the affected area. Apply ice. Leave the ice on for twenty minutes. After twenty minutes, remove the ice. Reapply the ice again every twenty minutes. After a few hours, you may reduce the frequency to several times daily as desired.

Arnica ointment or comfrey salves are excellent topical remedies which reduce bruising and relieve swelling. Purchase them from herbalists.

If you have access to an elastic bandage, and the injured area is in or near a joint, apply the elastic bandage. It should be tight, but not so tight as to cut off circulation. You should be able to slip two fingers beneath the bandage to check the fit. If you apply a bandage, check the circulation to toes or fingers frequently to ensure that the circulation is not impaired. Signs of impaired circulation include blue or pale fingers or toes as well as cool skin. If the circulation appears impaired, loosen the bandage. Unless otherwise instructed by a health care professional, do not leave the bandage on for more than a few days. It should be removed and reapplied twice daily while it is on, in most cases.

Elevate the extremity above the level of the heart. A recliner is an excellent seat for a person with an ankle injury. You may want to use a sling if the wrist is injured.

Over-the-counter pain remedies which reduce inflammation are beneficial, as they decrease swelling and pain. Herbal remedies include willow bark and meadowsweet. Follow label instructions.

After one to two days, you may want to apply warm, moist heat to the injury for twenty minutes several times daily. This helps to reduce swelling and improve blood flow, which enhances healing and comfort.

You can prepare an herbal compress by making a strong comfrey or arnica tea. Dip a thick, soft cloth into the tea. Apply the compress as instructed above.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you suspect that the injury is severe, due to degree of discomfort, bruising or swelling or if a deformity is present, seek expert assistance. You should also seek expert help if the injured person is a child, elderly, or has other health conditions.

An evaluation will be made. X-ray or other imaging technologies may be utilized. Sometimes, surgical repair or physical therapy is needed.

Author

This article was written for Insights-on-Health.com in 2014 by Patricia Bratianu RN PhD RH-AHG. Patricia has been a Registered Nurse for almost forty years in a wide variety of settings. As a Registered Nurse, she realized that conventional healthcare was not meeting the needs of all patients. She became an herbalist and obtained a PhD in Natural Health. Patricia is a professional member of the American Herbalist’s Guild, passing the stringent peer reviewed process to become a Registered Herbalist.

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