✦ First aid
Sprains and Twisted Ankles — First Aid and Traditional After-care
Rest and cold for the first 48 hours; traditional oil massage only after swelling settles (after 72 hours).
Not yet reviewed by a physician
🚑 Emergency? Call 1990 (Suwa Seriya ambulance) or go to the nearest hospital.
Traditional remedies never replace emergency care.
Go to hospital / call 1990 if
- Cannot take 4 steps putting weight on it
- Visible deformity or sharp pain over a bone
- Numbness, coldness or blue colour
- No improvement in 5–7 days
Traditionally used for
- Pain and swelling after twisting a joint
- Bruising
Ingredients
| Ice wrapped in a cloth | |
| Elastic bandage | |
| Pinda or Maha Narayana oil (optional)Only after 72 hours |
What to do
- Rest: keep weight off the joint.
- Cold: wrapped ice for 15–20 minutes every 2–3 hours during the first 48 hours. (20 min)
- Compression: wrap firmly but not tight (toes/fingers must not go blue or numb).
- Elevation: keep the joint raised above heart level.
- After 72 hours, if swelling and warmth have settled, a very gentle massage with slightly warm medicated oil may be done.
Home treatment
- How it is used
- External use only
- Adults
- As above; oil once daily only after 72 hours
- Children
- Not advised for children without a physician.
Do NOT
- Do not pull or twist the joint to 'set' it if a fracture is possible.
Precautions
- No heat, hard massage or alcohol in the first 48 hours — they increase swelling.
Important note:
The information here is shared only to pass on traditional knowledge. It is not a specific medical treatment or a guarantee of recovery. Always consult a qualified doctor about any health condition.