sprained ankle

[MikeGolf]

I sparained my ankle yesterday and I'm wondering if anyone knows if the fact that I can't really put any weight on it should be a reason for much concerned at this point. It is not very swollen, since immediatly I worked on the calf muscles and foot and gently massaged arnica oil into the ankle. It is not bruised either. It just has a "thick" swelling on the lateral side of the ankle and another where the tibialis ant crosses towards the medial side. It is not very painful if I don't try to walk, although I took about 3 motrin since 5 pm last night. I'm doing the rice thing and I'm also wondering if it is unrealistic to think that I will be able to work by thursday.

 

[ilovemybestfriends]

I'm sorry to hear that! Sprained ankles are so darn inconvenient, on top of the pain!

I think if it really is just a sprain, and if you continue to take proper care of it, you should be able to work Thursday. Unless, of course, you work in a very busy spa with no real breaks in your schedule. Then I'd go ahead and call off so that there is time to call in a sub and/or reschedule some clients. You don't want to overdo too soon, and set yourself back farther than you started!

Epsom salt soaks are also helpful. Make that a whole bath, so your ankle doesn't have to be dangled for it. That whole elevation thing, you know. Keep using the arnica, too.

Tomorrow you will have a better idea of how you are healing, and you will be able to make a better decision about Thursday.

Good luck.

 

[Underground lightning]

I severely sprained my ankle (leaving a client's home) several years ago. I remember not being able to hardly walk on it at all for almost 24 hours. The client was a MD and said she didn't think it was broken... but sometimes sprains are more painful than a break and take longer to heal.
As I recall I was taking 3-4 ibuprofen every 6 hrs or so... for about a week. Then would scale back to only when needed.
I took the next day off because I didn't think I could walk up the flight of stairs to where my treatment room was located at that point. I was able to work a couple days later, when I was needed but managed to sit down as much as possible. And I don't think there was more than 2 that day.
So when you start back to work, go slow!
Your ankle may swell the more you're on it. In addition I re-injured it a couple more times during the following 3 months or so. It has become a chronic issue for me, and bothers me to this day, every once in awhile.
So my advice is, RICE, and endeavor to stay on flat even surfaces. (Oh and get rid of the high heels if you wear them!)
You may at some point want to look into having it worked on (I recommend MFR) and look into ways to strengthen that joint.
*hands you ice pack and goes off humming "Ice Ice baby..."*

 

[LAgirl]

thank you both for the replies.

I actually feel better already. I am able to put a little weight on it and don't feel so much pain. If you glance at my ankle you can hardly tell except for some specific spots.
I have been on the couch all day, icing it and keeping it elevated. Just get up to go to the bathroom.
I do cross-fiber work and have been working on my calf muscles gently, besides doing Jin Shin Jyutsu (acupressure). It is amazing how the whole body is sore from the fall (I went down tumbling about 9 steps, trying to keep my arms from landing first).
I decide to cancel all massages for this week and do only the acupressure because I can sit down. I don't want this to become a chronic problem!

It is so funny because I have been working with rehabilitation bodywork, but had never needed it myself.

 

[berberosaharan.com]

It is so funny because I have been working with rehabilitation bodywork, but had never needed it myself.

I think anytime we heal from our own injuries, our clients benefit as well. It increases our empathy, as well as our skills. It's a particularly challenging form of continuing education! Obviously, it's not something we seek out, but it's a nice "silver lining" to a painful experience.

Sending healing wishes your way! t049

 

[legenddael]

It is amazing how the whole body is sore from the fall (I went down tumbling about 9 steps, trying to keep my arms from landing first).

i can just visualize you doing this! isn't it funny how we have the ability to do whatever we have to not fall on our arms/hands?

i'm so sorry for your accident. it's smart to take the time needed to start feeling better. taking a few extra days at the start is so much better than doing more damage by trying to push it. keep doing what you're doing and hopefully you'll make a full recovery quickly!