So, your ankles hurt.

You might have:

• Twisted it during a soccer game
• Landed on the wrong foot while wearing high heels
• Fallen down somewhere, somehow
• Walked or exercised on an uneven surface
• Had a freak accident like this:

Whatever the cause of your ankle sprain is, one thing’s for sure: it puts a stopper on your daily activities and exercise routine because, well, it hurts. We bet you just can’t wait to get back up 100% on your feet again. 

That’s why you’re here; you want to find out exactly how long does a sprained ankle take to heal so that you can do the things you want to do without pain or limitations. 

But before we get into that… 

How do you know if you sprained your ankle?

Signs and symptoms include:

• Pain, especially when you bear weight on the affected foot
• Tenderness when you touch the ankle
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Restricted range of motion

What does a sprained ankle look and feel like?

The site of the ankle sprain will be painful, and at times, swollen and bruised. Often, the affected area will also be tender to touch and may feel unstable. 

A sprained ankle typically looks like this: 

Do pay close attention to whether you’re experiencing any instability or “wobbly” sensations in the ankle as that might indicate a ligament tear or a dislocation of the ankle joint.

Also, if there is a popping sensation or a sound at the time of injury, that could mean severe tearing. Though the symptoms of a severe tear and severe sprain may be similar, it’s advisable to schedule an appointment with your doctor ASAP.

How long does a sprained ankle take to heal?

Here’s a breakdown for you, courtesy of Harvard University:

How to treat a sprained ankle 

Hopefully, by now you’ve realized that your sprain is indeed a sprain and not a tear, dislocation, or fracture — which is amazing!

This means that you can now move on to the next part — the healing process. 

We sought the professional opinion of physiotherapists Resshaya Roobini and Jared Beckstrand regarding sprained ankle treatments at home:

• The PRICE is right

As with all injuries, the best and smartest thing to do is to practice the PRICE (or RICE) method. This entails:

Protection: protect the affected area by using support.

Rest: avoid exercise until your doctor’s appointment, and reduce physical activity.

Ice: if you notice inflammation in the affected area, apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours.

(Physiotherapist Roobini advises, “If you don’t have a cold pack, it’s always good to have a bag of frozen peas to use as a substitute. Ensure that you place the ice pack over a towel or cloth and not directly on the skin as it may result in ice burns.”)

Compression: if needed, limit swelling by using compression bandages.

Elevation: keep the affected area elevated (above the heart) whenever possible.  

• Ankle exercises

Do note that you shouldn’t jump into this method right away, especially after you’ve just sustained a sprain. 

It’s safe to wait until at least three days from the day of injury before you attempt any ankle exercises to support rehabilitation.

Here are some home exercises you can do at home to expedite your recovery:

• Anti-inflammatory medication

If the pain gets a little too much to bear, over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin IB) or naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) may be able to help. 

Do consult a medical practitioner before you do, though, as studies have shown that although medications may be used to reduce pain and swelling, usage is not without complications and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may suppress the natural healing process.

Is there a better and faster way to treat a sprained ankle at home?

According to Roobini, self-massaging the area would be a therapeutic pain relief measure. Even ankle exercises that treat sprains often incorporate massages in them. But is there a method that takes both the trouble and pain away? 

The answer is yes, and it’s in the form of a massage gun like the Hydragun. It’s an effective tool to not only relieve pain but also improve blood circulation in the targeted areas which will speed up the healing process.

In the case of using a massage gun on an ankle sprain, the objective is to mobilize the joint and increase range of motion. 

How to use the Hydragun on your ankle:

1. Slot the ball head into the Hydragun massage gun, and turn the device on.
2. Using the lowest speed setting, start by gliding the Hydragun all over your soles for 30 seconds.
3. Then, massage the area above your ankles for another 30 seconds, but remember to avoid the bony areas.
4. Next, gently float the Hydragun around the affected area for 30 seconds, paying extra care not to agitate or aggravate the pain.
5. Repeat as many times as preferred or when needed.
6. End the massage with a gentle ankle stretch.

Precautions:

• Do not use on severely inflamed ankles. See a doctor if the pain is unbearable or if you’re experiencing a total loss of function in your ankle and especially if the ankle pain persists for more than 3 months.
• The Hydragun can also be used as part of a warm-up and cooldown routine, which is effective in the treatment of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and preventing injury as well as promoting faster recovery. 

Sprained ankles aside, the Hydragun can also help with pain management and other injuries. Watch a testimonial from Jonathon, who successfully recovered from Plantar Fasciitis with the help of Hydragun:

Try Hydragun today!