Most people have twisted an ankle at some point in their life. But if your ankle gets swollen and painful after you twist it, you have most likely sprained it. This means you have stretched and possibly torn the ligaments in your ankle.

What to do?

Protection. Use a protective brace, such as a brace with a built-in air cushion or other form of ankle support, along with a compression wrap, such as an elastic ACE bandage, for the first 24 to 36 hours.

Rest. You may need to use crutches until walking is not painful without them.

Ice. For the first 48 to 72 hours or until swelling goes down, apply an ice pack for 10 to 20 minutes every 1 to 2 hours during the day. After 48 hours, you can continue with ice or try contrast baths. There is not good scientific evidence that ice or contrast baths help, but they are often used.

Compression. An elastic compression wrap will help decrease swelling and should be worn for the first 24 to 36 hours. A protective brace should also be worn if you try to bear weight on your injured ankle. Don’t apply the wrap too tightly. Loosen the bandage if it gets too tight. Signs that the bandage is too tight include numbness, tingling, increased pain, coolness, or swelling in the area below the bandage. See instructions on how to wrap an ankle with an elastic bandage. Compression wraps do not offer protection, except by reminding you to be careful of your ankle.

Elevation. Raise your ankle above the level of your heart for 2 to 3 hours a day if possible to decrease swelling and bruising.

#AnkleSprain

What is Eczema:

Rather than a specific condition, eczema is a group of  unrelated diseases that have a similar appearance. When it is new eczema, the  affected skin appears red and elevated with small blisters (vesicles) containing a clear  fluid. When the blisters break, the affected skin will weep and  ooze. In older eczema, chronic eczema, the blisters are less prominent and the skin  is thickened, elevated, and scaling. Eczema almost always is very itchy.

There are at least 11 different types of  skin conditions that produce eczema. In order to develop a rational treatment  plan, it is important to distinguish them. This is often not easy.

Almost all patients with eczema complain  of itching. Since the appearance of most types of eczema is similar, the  distribution of the eruption can be of great help in distinguishing one type  from another. For example, stasis dermatitis occurs most often on the lower leg  while atopic dermatitis occurs in the front of the elbow and behind the knee.

Mild eczema may respond to compresses  composed of tepid water followed by room air evaporation. Chronic eczema can be  improved by applying water followed by a stiff emollient like olive oil.

#Eczema

The term water retention (also known as fluid retention) signifies an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the circulatory system or within the tissues or cavities of the body.

Symptoms can include:
Swelling of affected body parts
Feet, ankles and hands are commonly affected
The affected body parts may ache
The joints may feel stiff
Rapid weight gain over a few days or weeks
Unexplained weight fluctuations
When pressed, the skin may hold the indent for a few seconds (pitting oedema)
In other cases, the skin may not indent when pressed (non-pitting oedema).

Depending on the cause, treatment may include:
A low-salt diet
Diuretics (water pills)
Treatment for the underlying medical condition: for example, hormone replacement (thyroxine) in the case of hypothyroidism
Lifestyle changes in response to the underlying medical condition: for example, avoidance of alcohol if liver disease is the cause
Changes to medication or dosage, if drugs are the cause
Dietary adjustments, if malnutrition is the cause
Ongoing medical supervision
Aids such as support stockings

Sports Massage—For the athlete, sports massage techniques are utilized at all stages: pre-event, post-event, during training, and to expedite rehabilitation after injury.

“Monica offers expertly comprehensive therapeutic body massage treatments guaranteed to reduce stress and body pain. A must for any lifestyle and highly recommended. Thanks Monica for 10 years of services!” Brad K. Ford

Did you know that in 1996, massage therapy and bodywork was officially offered for the first time as a core medical service in the Summer Olympics in Atlanta?

From my family to you, have a safe and fun holiday!