Ideas about recuperating from a sprain

[Chris Nagel]

About 4 weeks ago I sprained my ankle during a sparring session. So far I've been using the RICE protocol. I still immerse my ankle in a small tub of water and use a heating pad.

I've also bought an Arnica/witch-hazel gel last week to promote healing. I gently stretch it when I can. I figure that it'll take time, caution and doing what I've been doing to become fully healed.

I'm also curious about what you've done to get over similar injuries, and perhaps there could be something more that I could do.

[Trainer Monkey]

Get used to shaving to the top of your shins and tape it

[Chris Nagel]

Get used to shaving to the top of your shins and tape it

My ankle has become good enough to walk on although I still feel a dull pain. It still isn't good enough to pivot on, or even stand on with my heel raised. It'll be a while before I'll be able bounce on my feet.

I haven't been sparring the last few weeks, but I do plan on sparring tomorrow, albeit a little flatfooted. By the way, I've recently bought a ankle brace, it's an insert that sort of resembles a laced up boot with the toes cut off.

[Trainer Monkey]

Get used to shaving to the top of your shins and tape it

My ankle has become good enough to walk on although I still feel a dull pain. It still isn't good enough to pivot on, or even stand on with my heel raised. It'll be a while before I'll be able bounce on my feet.

I haven't been sparring the last few weeks, but I do plan on sparring tomorrow, albeit a little flatfooted. By the way, I've recently bought a ankle brace, it's an insert that sort of resembles a laced up boot with the toes cut off.

I have one of those too,Id still go with having it taped.Ive got a bum ankle,and every time I tried to avoid having it taped up,Id only hurt it worse.

[Trainer Monkey]

Or to put it another way,a very wise man that I respect alot once told me,"I am a prime example of how not to play this game" when he started getting up there and getting hurt,because he wouldnt let injuries heal when he was younger.
I ignored him because I was young and stupid,so I ended it up clutching my ankle on the ground in more then one martial situation. And it only got worse every time I hurt it.Im a wee bit pigheaded,after I broke my right wrist,by having a stave of rattan smack in to it I fought left handed for a year rather then quit
I pass his words on to you,with an admonition to just have it taped first

[Chris Nagel]

I'll see about that, I'm just not sure on how to tape it up.