Sprain

Wear and tear of the ligaments is a common phenomenon, especially when a person indulges in regular physical activity. A sprain can be described as an injury in which the tissues around the injured joint get torn. These tissues, better known as ligaments, are extremely soft in nature. They connect two or more bones together to form a joint. During a sprain, one or more ligaments get worn out and tear apart. Wrists, ankles and knees are the areas most susceptible to sprains. Some of the common causes of sprain are sudden fall, a forceful blow to the body, twisting, stepping on an uneven surface, lifting heavy objects and over-stretching of the ligaments. Though it is not a fracture, sprain can be just as painful.

• Severe joint pain
• Bruising
• Swelling
• Stiffness in the joints
• Trouble in moving
• Stretching or tearing of the ligament

• Sudden fall
• A forceful blow to the body
• Twisting
• Stepping on an uneven surface
• Lifting heavy objects
• High intensity exercises
• Sports
• Wearing high heels
• Over stretching of the ligaments

• The most effective way to treat sprain would be to apply cold compress on the area and cover it with a bandage.
• For a foot sprain, the best bet would be to put a tbsp of black coffee in the bandage and wrap the hurt foot with it.
• A simple way to get relief from pain and cure sprain would be to soak the outer leaves of a cabbage in water. Now, wrap the sprained area with these leaves and let them remain there for about 10 to 15 minutes.
• In a bowl of warm water, put a few drops of lavender oil. Soak the sprained area in this water.
• A popular home remedy for sprain is to massage the area with a mixture of almond oil and garlic oil.
• Chop onions and wrap them in a muslin cloth. Place the cloth on the affected area for sometime.
• In a cup of sunflower oil, mix 1 tsp of camphor oil. Massage the affected area with this oil mixture. It would provide immense relief from the pain.
• Another effective oil combination would comprise of a mixture of 2 tbsp sunflower oil and 1 tbsp turpentine oil. Store this mixture in a glass jar and massage the sprained area with it, on a daily basis.
• An effective way to cure the pain experienced during sprain would be to have lots of pineapple.
• A simple way to cure sprain would be to give the affected area a hot Epsom salt bath.
• In case of immense pain, take a glass of warm milk and add some turmeric powder to it. Have this milk two times a day. It would provide instant relief.
• In a tsp of honey, add 1 tsp of lime juice. Massage this mixture on the affected area to treat sprains.
• Prepare a paste by blending together lime leaves and butter. Apply this paste over the sprained area and leave it there for sometime. This would help heal the sprain.
• To get relief from the pain experienced during sprain, add five drops of thyme oil to your bathing water and have a hot tub bath.