How are sprains treated?

Someone with a sprain in Elmwood Park wants a clear order of operations. This page restates what Cleveland Clinic publishes as steps you can check yourself against.

Rest and ice come after a diagnosis

Cleveland Clinic says that after you see a provider for a diagnosis, you should be able to treat sprain symptoms at home with the R.I.C.E. method. Its first two steps are rest and ice.

What rest and ice should look like

For rest, Cleveland Clinic says to avoid the activity that caused your injury and try not to use the injured part of your body while it heals. For ice, it says to apply a cold compress for 15 minutes at a time, a few times a day. It also says to wrap ice packs in a towel or thin cloth so they are not directly touching your skin.

Cleveland Clinic's overview of sprains, their types, symptoms and treatment is the full reference for the method.

Why the diagnosis comes first

The order in the guidance matters. The diagnosis comes before the home treatment, and a sound plan does not start from a guess. If your injury is in the calf instead, Cleveland Clinic has a separate page on a torn calf muscle.

What to try before you resume

Before you return to running, work or lifting, ask your provider what you should be able to do first. Cleveland Clinic also publishes a guide to what physical therapy is and what it offers, which is a useful read before that conversation.

Following the method as written

Done right, rest and ice are followed as written. They are not trimmed to fit a busy week.