Overview
We say you have a sprained ankle when the muscle at your ankle is torn or overstretched. Ideally, a sprained ankle occurs when a joint at your ankle gets twisted, causing injury to the ligaments, which connect the bones in the joint.
Causes of an ankle sprain are numerous, and some of them include walking or running on uneven ground, lifting heavy weights, being overweight and wearing high-heel shoes. Accidents can also cause ankle sprains. Symptoms of a sprained ankle may include restricted range of motion, bruising, swelling and pain.
Although severe sprains require medical attention, mild ones can be treated at home. Follow these four simple remedies for treating a sprained ankle at home.
Treating an Ankle Sprain at Home
Compression
Compressing or bandaging a sprained ankle soon after injury prevents 
the ankle from swelling. Aside from preventing further injury, compression helps control pain. Ways of applying compression include the use of tape, elastic, special boots or bandages. Compression involves the following steps:
1. Buy an elastic bandage or crepe from a nearby pharmacy
2. While applying an even pressure, wrap the bandage or crepe from toes to your mid-calf. Remember, you should not wrap the bandage too tightly, as this can impede blood flow
3. Keep the bandage or crepe throughout the day until the swelling starts to reduce
4. Remove the bandage before going to bed
Note: Get rid of the bandage immediately if the affected area begins to feel numb or turns blue.
Ice
Applying ice to an ankle sprain can greatly reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain. Ice not only keeps the ligaments from becoming inflamed but also stops any bleeding from a torn ligament. For outstanding results, remember to apply the ice over the sprained ankle for the first 48 to 72 hours after the injury. Wrap one cup of ice cubes in a towel then apply the compress to the sprained ankle for about 15 to 20 minutes. Ensure you repeat this process every 2 to 3 hours. You can also use a frozen package of vegetables in case ice is not on hand.
Epsom Salt
One major component of Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate. Magnesium sulfate crystals are highly effective when it comes to calming nearby nerves and soothing sore muscles. Pour a cup of Epsom salt into warm bath water, and stir it using your hand to make the salt dissolve in water. Soak the affected area in this water for a minimum of 30 minutes. Be sure to do this for at least twice each day for 3 to 4 days. Epsom salt is available at most drugstores. You can also get it at discount stores.
Garlic
Because garlic can be used to relieve different symptoms of a sprained ankle, it is one of the ideal home remedies for treating an ankle sprain. It has anti-inflammatory properties; thus, highly important when it comes to eliminating pain and reducing inflammation. Moreover, its numerous healing properties and its ability to increase the body’s energy and strength often speed up the healing process. Mix two tablespoons of warm coconut oil and one tablespoon of garlic juice and gently rub this solution on the sprained ankle. Leave this solution on for around one and half hours before washing your ankle with lukewarm water. For effective results, use this simple home remedy 3 or 4 times daily until your ankle heals completely.
Summary
Along with these home remedies, remember to rest your sprained ankle for a few days. Apart from delaying the healing process, putting stress on a sprained ankle may lead to further complications. Ideally, treating a sprained ankle at home with the above remedies is easy and fast. Note that severely sprained ankles need medical care and should only be treated at home after comprehensive consultation with your doctor.…