The Best Treatment For A Sprain

On October 26, 2007, Jared Jeffries sprained his right knee in the Knicks' preseason finale. He was worried, because without a spectacular recovery he would not be able to play in the next Friday's season opener in Cleveland. Naturally, from this evidence, sprains can be a serious injury. If you have ever sprained your wrist, you know that it can be something that slows you down.

Even if you are doing sports like Bocce or Lethwei or Drifting just for fun, you can get a painful sprain.

What Happens When You Get A Sprain

Your joints are located where bones are joined. The joints are supported by a fibrous capsule. The capsule is further strengthened by ligaments which are thicker fibers. The muscles and tendons that cover the joint give even more strength to the joint.

When a joint is twisted out of its normal position, some of those fibers, joints and muscles are damaged. Some of the fibers are traumatically torn.

First Aid For A Sprain

When you sprain your elbow, you also tear some of the capillaries in the joint, so there will be bruising. Other tissue damage causes swelling.

There are two truly useful treatments that will decrease bruising and swelling.

Ice is tremendously helpful in decreasing swelling and bruising in a sprained joint. Ice will decrease the amount of blood flow to a sprain. Ice causes the blood vessels in the area to constrict.

Another very helpful treatment is the pressure bandage. Applying a little pressure to the sprain will help minimize the blood and fluid from leaking out of blood vessels and tissues.

Your Sprain Recovery

Over the counter (OTC) anti-inflamatories will help get rid of swelling, bruising and soreness quicker. Ibuprofen and Naproxen are good examples.

After two days, start using heat. Heat will dilate the blood vessels and help with healing. Often, alternating heat and cold will stimulate healing even more.

Make It Work For You

Even if you are not some big name athlete, and even if you don't participate in Ssireum or Lawn bowls or Inline hockey or Tennis Polo or Zourkhaneh, you can get wrist sprains. Use these quick therapies to help you get better quickly.