We inevitably encounter sprains in the process of work, exercise, etc. What are the best methods to treat sprains?
[Best Methods to Treat Sprains]
1. Gardenia is a great herb for treating sprains
This is gardenia. Gardenia is the fruit of the madder family plant Gardenia jasminoides. It is also known as zhizi. It has a bitter taste and cold properties. It enters the heart, liver, lung, and stomach meridians. It has the effects of clearing heat, purging fire, and cooling blood. It is used to treat fever with restlessness and insomnia, jaundice, urinary tract infections, diabetes, red eyes, sore throat, vomiting blood, nosebleeds, bloody stools, blood in urine, heat toxins, and swollen and painful sprains. Internally, it can be decocted as a soup with a dosage of 12 grams or taken in the form of pills or powder. Externally, it can be ground into powder and applied. Gardenia is not suitable for those with weak spleen and loose stools.
Take 30-50 grams of gardenia (fresh) and grind it into powder. Mix it with 1 egg white, flour, and white wine to make a paste. Apply the paste to the sprained area and cover it with paper or cotton pad and soft cloth. Secure it with a bandage. Remove the paste the next morning after applying it on the day of the sprain. The swelling and pain will be relieved, and you can walk on it. Repeat this process a few times until it is completely cured, just like an ordinary person. This simple formula is worth a try.
2. Cold compress during the acute phase of a sprain is the most effective method of treatment
During the acute phase, cold compress can be applied for 10-20 minutes every 6 hours. Acute injuries can be relieved by pressing the acupoint Yanglingquan. If the ankle joint injury involves ligaments, there are usually no good medications or methods in hospitals. It is best to use folk traditional Chinese medicine bone-setting plaster for external use, as it can promote the absorption of local tissue fluid, quickly relieve pain, and eliminate swelling. After the swelling subsides, use adhesive tape or bandage to immobilize the ankle for a week.
3. Bone-setting plaster is the most effective method to prevent sequelae from sprains
It prevents ligament relaxation and promotes complete recovery of the sprain, effectively preventing the occurrence of sequelae. For patients with chronic injuries, the goal of treatment is to improve pain and instability symptoms, and bone-setting plaster can be used for treatment. In general, mild injuries can be cured with 2-3 doses of medicine within 3 months. Severe or chronic injuries may require 3-6 doses of medicine. The external application of bone-setting plaster is the most effective treatment for ankle sprains.
[Precautions for Sprains]
1. Check if the sprain is open
If it is open, it is strictly forbidden to use pain relief medications such as red flower oil, as it will increase blood flow and worsen swelling. During the acute phase of the sprain (within 24-48 hours), it is recommended to use a towel wrapped with ice cubes for local cold compress. Hot compress and immediate use of blood-activating and stasis-removing medications are strictly prohibited, as they will exacerbate swelling.
2. Identify the most painful point
The most swollen and congested area is often not the most severely injured area. The most painful point is usually the most severe. For example, in an ankle sprain, the dorsum or arch of the foot may appear to be more injured with significant swelling and congestion. However, the most painful area is generally the ankle joint. Therefore, when applying analgesic ointment, try to follow the pain sensation and apply the ointment mainly to the most painful areas such as the ankle joint. In addition, the application of ointment should not be too large or thick. Just apply a thin layer around the painful area.
3. Rest more and minimize stimulation
Stop any form of movement and twisting of the sprained area immediately. When resting, it is recommended to elevate the sprained area as much as possible to promote blood circulation and reduce local swelling. The recovery time varies according to the severity of the injury. In mild cases, it takes about 4-5 days to recover, while in more severe cases, it may take more than a week. Only when there is no discomfort in the affected area can it be considered completely recovered.
4. Check for allergies
If redness, swelling, itching, burning, stinging, or rashes and blisters occur after applying the medication, stop using it immediately, seek medical attention, and switch to other medications under the guidance of a doctor.
[How to Prevent Sprains]
1. Master the correct posture during work, such as keeping the chest and waist straight when carrying or lifting heavy objects, flexing the hips and knees, using the lower limbs as the main force when standing up, and taking stable steps after standing still. When moving or lifting heavy objects, squat down to make the object as close to the body as possible.
2. Strengthen labor protection. When engaging in heavy physical labor such as carrying, lifting, moving, and lifting, use a waist belt to assist in stabilizing the waist and spine, increase abdominal pressure, and enhance muscle efficiency. After working in a cold and humid environment, take a hot bath to eliminate cold and dampness and relieve fatigue. Try to avoid prolonged working in a bent position.
3. It is worth mentioning that sometimes after a lumbar sprain, pain and numbness may occur in the calf or foot, which may be symptoms of acute lumbar disc herniation. If this happens or is accompanied by other severe symptoms, timely medical examination is necessary to avoid self-treatment errors. When moving the patient, handle with care and try to keep the patient lying flat to prevent further injury.
