Best Ways to Treat a Sprained Ankle

They may be one of the more common sports injuries, but that doesn’t mean that ankle sprains aren’t serious. Even minor ankle sprains need to be treated properly, otherwise athletes may find themselves with repeat injuries.

An ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments on the outside of your ankle are stretched or torn. They can occur during a strenuous workout or simple, every day activities. Regardless of their severity, it’s helpful to know the most effective ways to treat a sprained ankle:

Use the R.I.C.E Method

R.I.C.E. stands for Rest, Ice, Compress, and Elevate. When you sprain your ankle, your first order of business is to reduce the swelling. To do this, you should immediately stop putting weight on it and elevate your injury so that it is above the level of your heart. Next, you should put a bag of ice wrapped in thin cloth on the area that is swelling to reduce inflammation. Compressing the injury can also help reduce the swelling.