I’m in the USA for 2 conferences and I just spent 3 super days visiting my brother and his family in Las Vegas. We had a super hike in Red Rocks National Park.
We went early to avoid the heat and it was fabulous until I slipped on some sand when going down a steep section in the way out.
I twisted my ankle and at the time I thought this is bad! This is very bad!
It was a big relief that I was able to walk out. I walked very slowly and used my sister-in-law’s shoulder in the steep sections, always keeping my foot flat.
However when we got home I found I could not put any weight on it at all. The pain was really bad if I tried! How was I going to be able to navigate airports, hotels, conferences, speaking on stages and standing at my booth over the next 10 days?
At Mindshare I’m thrilled to have been selected to present on The Future of Health, a 5 min TEDx type talk. My topic is: Why Social Anxiety, Introversion and Loneliness can be Lethal and a Simple Nutritional Solution. It will be videotaped and I’ll be sure to share with you.
I’ve also be nominated for a Rising Tide award at Mindshare.
And I’m presenting “GABA for Anxiety, ADHD, Autism, Insomnia, and Addictions: Research and Practical Applications.”
I had to get it healed as quickly as possible!
I pampered my foot for the next 12 hours, keeping it elevated and alternating between ice and using a compression bandage.
The RICE – rest, ice, compression, elevate – technique really does work.
I was taken care of my my darling nieces and little Rascal, the taco-terrier came to check on me from time to time.
I could not stand on my foot at all that first day. When I did need to get up, I used the crutches. I was keeping well- hydrated so there were frequent bathroom breaks.
I also used arnica cream topically and arnica orally 3 times a day.
It was pretty painful that first day so I also used DPA which is great for physical pain. I decided to use GABA too and I suspect it helped with the muscle stiffness and the pain.
By the next day I was able to walk – carefully and 2 days later I was almost walking with no limp. I did continue with all of the above too.
This is how my foot looks 4 days later. There is slight bruising and very little swelling. I can walk without a limp and can now wriggle my toes with no pain.
What tips do you have for a sprained ankle? And have you used a similar approach? Have you found GABA or DPA to help?