Home Remedies for SPRAIN

SPRAIN

 

A sprain is an injury in which the tissues around the injured joint have been torn. This produces pain and swelling, and often some discoloration under the skin. A sprain is not a fracture, but it can be very painful.

 

A sprained back is the result of a bending or overexertion of a joint beyond its normal range of motion. Any unexpected twisting of the body, such as in a car accident, may cause a badly sprained back. But merely bending over to pick up one’s shoes may also produce a sudden sprain in the back. During the next hour or two the pain becomes worse and the adjacent muscles go into spasm.

 

Sprains are different from strains. Sprains affect ligaments (or joints). Strains occur when a muscle is stretched or partially torn. If a person ahs a strain, he can tell about it, because it won't get swollen or black and blue like a sprain. Healing of the strain is faster if the area around the injured muscle is heated slightly

 

Some of the common causes of the sprains are running or walking on uneven ground, wearing high-heeled shoes, overstretching of a ligament, during a fall, lifting heavy weights and accidents.

 

The ankle is the most common site of strains, but other joints can be strained as well such as shoulders, elbows, wrists, or knees. The symptoms are pain and swelling. Severe strains may cause discoloration, redness or bruising. A sprain involves the ligaments that attach bone to bone. The ligament may be stretched or torn, and torn ligaments can be very painful.

 

HOME REMEDIES FOR SPRAIN TREATMENT

• Pineapple is very helpful in reducing the pain of the sprain or bruising due to sprain. Therefore to reduce the pain and bruising eat lots of pineapple.
• Apply cold cloths or ice to the injured joint. Continue these cold applications until the swelling decreases.
• One or two day’s later hot packs may be applied for sprain treatment.
• Wrap the sprained area with an elastic bandage that helps to keep the joint in position and prevents further injury.
• If you repeatedly sprain your ankles, here's a way to avoid it in the future: Wear the shoes specifically designed for your activity. They provide the support, traction and cushioning needed, which can greatly reduce your risk of reinjury.
• Take some chopped onion; wrap it in a towel and place on the affected area.
• Massage almond oil and garlic oil into the affected area.
• Take cayenne with lobelia or valerian root to promote relaxation and fasten the healing process.
• Arnica plant contains chemical compounds that help heal sprains and relieve muscle pain. Arnica tincture, cream or ointment can be found in health food stores. Apply directly to the injured area.
• Make a paste of lime leaves and butter. Apply on the affected area. This is very effective home remedy for sprain treatment.
• Prepare a mixture by adding 1 tsp raw lime powder and 1 tsp of honey. Apply on the sprain. This is also very effective home remedy for sprain treatment.
• Warm the outer leaves of a cabbage in hot water and bandage them around the sprain.
• Stop and rest when you feel pain. Don't continue doing whatever caused the injury; you will only make the injury worse.
• If the injury is to a hand or a finger, remove any rings immediately. This will avoid having to cut jewelry off later in case there is swelling to the area as a ring on a swollen finger can restrict blood flow to the fingertip.
• Sit on the floor. Stretch your leg out straight. Loop a band around the foot. Slowly point the toes and ankle away from you. Hold for 2 seconds. Return to starting position. Repeat 10 times.
• Bend the knee, leaving your heel on the floor. Loop a band around the foot. Slowly point the toes and ankle away from you. Hold for 2 seconds. Return to starting position. Repeat 10 times.
• Stand on the floor while holding on to the back of a chair for support.
• Keep your knees straight and your toes forward. Rock back on your heels, pull your toes upward, and then slowly lower your toes back to the floor. Repeat 10 times.
• The best treatment for a majority of sport related injuries are to apply ice. Ice should be applied for 15 - 20 minutes every two for a new injury, along with a gentle compression wrap and elevation. Do not sleep with wrap on at night.
• Cover all wounds properly for practice to prevent infection and bleeding. All wounds should be cleaned in the athletic training facility after showering. Do not leave the same bandage on for days.
• Take half teaspoon of turmeric powder with warm water twice a day. It is also beneficial in sprains treatment.
• Take 1 teaspoon of turmeric juice in hot milk. It relieves of all pains in the body.

 

Treat Strains with Heat, Not Cold

There's a difference between sprains and strains. Sprains affect ligaments (or joints). Strains occur when a muscle is stretched or partially torn. If you have a strain, you can tell, because it won't get swollen or black and blue like a sprain. And the treatment is different. You'll heal faster from a strain if the area around the injured muscle is heated slightly, says John Rabkin, M.D., assistant professor of surgery at the Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland.

 

Heat works better for strains because it increases blood flow and the influx of oxygen to muscles, which speeds production of collagen, a crucial step in the healing process. Just put a hot water bottle or heating pad on the affected area for 15 to 30 minutes four to six times a day. But don't rub on Ben-Gay or another ointment before applying heat; the skin can absorb so much of the cream that it can cause deep blistering.