I sprained my left ankle pretty bad yesterday evening playing basketball?
2007-12-02 13:12:02 · 7 answers · asked by Dbuga 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Injuries
ice then heat. first it takes away the pain, then it sooths.
2007-12-02 13:14:55 · answer #1 · answered by YEAUH! 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Use ice after an acute injury, such as an ankle sprain, or after activities that irritate a chronic injury, such as shin splints.
Use heat before activities that irritate chronic injuries such as muscle strains. Heat can help loosen tissues and relax injured areas.
For How Long Apply ice treatments for no longer than 20 minutes at a time. Too much ice can do harm, even cause frostbite; more ice application does not mean more relief.
It is not necessary to apply a heat treatment for more than about 20 minutes at a time. Never apply heat while sleeping.
2007-12-02 21:26:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ice first. You want to cause the vessels to the area to constrict; this keeps more fluid from entering the area and prevents some of the swelling. Using heat in the initial phase will have the opposite effect and will WORSEN the swelling.
After the initial phase (first 48 hours), it doesn't matter which one you apply - use the one that feels better!
2007-12-03 06:44:29 · answer #3 · answered by Doxycycline 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ice first 24 hrs get swelling down then rice (rest ice compression elavation.
2007-12-02 21:16:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
ice first to bring down swelling and take away the pain, then heat to soothe it and loosen it up. remember to elevate it as well.
2007-12-02 21:15:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
we old dears are good for the right recipes ....it's cold for sprain and heat for pain ...not both
2007-12-02 21:16:17 · answer #6 · answered by clrdanlob 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Heat, excercise it (range of motion stretches) then ice it.
2007-12-02 21:14:53 · answer #7 · answered by Chris K 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋