Podiatry Office in Dallas, TX, Explains RICE Treatment

You just experienced a twisted ankle – what is the best way to help reduce your pain and swelling? Keep reading to learn more about the RICE treatment method from the experts at our Dallas podiatry office.

What Does RICE Stand For?

According to our foot specialist in Dallas, an effective way to immediately treat any injured part of the body is to employ RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

Promote Healing with RICE

Rest – Protect the sore area from additional stress by stopping or at least curtailing the level of your activity. Your healing will be faster if you don’t continue to use the affected area. If you want to remain active as your injury heals, you might want to consider changing to a different type of exercise, such as swimming, advises our foot care doctor at Dallas Podiatry Works.

Ice – Patients often wonder if it is better to use ice or heat on an ankle sprain or other injuries. The RICE treatment method focuses on cold or ice to initially treat pain or swelling. While you should avoid applying the ice directly to your skin, we recommend using a cold pack for about 15 minutes, 3 or more times a day for the first 72 hours.

Compression – Wrapping the sore area with the firm pressure of a soft elastic material, such as an Ace bandage, will help more quickly decrease the swelling. However, it is important not to wrap your foot or ankle too tightly, says our foot specialist, which can result in numbness, tingling, and increased pain.

Elevation – Keeping the area elevated above the level of your heart will help diminish your swelling because it serves to reduce the amount of blood flow to the injured area. When you are lying in bed or on the couch, using a few pillows to cushion and elevate your leg will advance your healing.

Still Have Pain? Dallas Podiatry Works Can Help!

If you aren’t getting any relief from pain or swelling after a few days, your injury may require additional treatment. Give our Dallas office a call to make a same-day appointment with our experienced podiatry team.

The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to podiatry, feel free to contact Dallas Podiatry Works, with a convenient podiatry office in Dallas, TX, by calling 972.564.8556 or by clicking here.

The doctor has great “bedside manners” when talking to patients. Great staff and comfortable atmosphere.

Derrick W.

The staff at Dallas Podiatry Works could not have been more courteous, helpful, and professional in doing their job. They made me feel comfortable when I was there, which is certainly appreciated. They answered all the questions that I had and just made each visit the most pleasurable that it could be. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing this type of foot care.

Joseph B.

I would highly recommend Dr. Brook to anyone with foot problems–especially problems that stump other podiatrists. He really is very caring and very knowledgeable.

Jeannette H.

Dr. Joel Brook and the staff were nice and helpful. Though I was a new patient, I got right in as soon as they were open in my preferred location. They diagnosed the problem and provided medicines along with a perfect gel bandage so I could keep exercising while my toes healed. My toes already hurt less and look a little better each day. If I have future issues, I will be a repeat customer. Here’s hoping I don’t, but at least I know my feet are in good hands.

Meryl E.

I visited this office for an ingrown toe nail a few years ago. After seeing another doctor, who made it worse, he referred me to Dallas Podiatry Works. The doctor there was able to fix my problem. I’m not great with reviews, all I can tell you is that this doctor and staff will have you up and running or doing whatever it is you do in no time. You will be in great hands. You’d be a fool not to use this doctor. Now its time to visit him again for the other toe.

Google User

Been having bad ankle pains for 6 months was referred here and it was a great visit ladies in the front desk medical assistants and the Doctor were all very friendly and make you feel very comfortable.