Following the Science Really Works!

family, Fitness, health related issues, humor, lessons learned 2 Minutes

Yesterday I was out for a walk, and my mind must have started to wander, probably worrying once again about the opening of school. The next thing I know I rolled my ankle and nearly fell to the ground, trying to maintain my balance while hopping on one foot. I finally got things under control, limped for just a few steps, and resumed my walk. In the back of my mind though I was thinking that there was going to be some pain in my future.

It took a few hours, but then it hit me, and I was barely able to walk.

I then texted my nephew who is a physical therapist and asked what I should do. His first response was to tell me to stop being so clumsy. He then told me about RICE – rest, ice, compression, and elevation (I liked the sound of the rest part). Later in the day, my second cousin, who is a doctor, called me when she heard about my injury (she must have heard my whimpering from miles away…) and offered the same advice.

So with the help of my wife, I went upstairs to my bed where I propped my foot on several pillows and put a freeze pack across my ankle for 20 minutes. Later in the day, my wife switched the freeze pack for a bag of frozen peas, which seemed to work much better. I barely moved all day, spending part of my time in bed reading about rolled ankles at sites like WEB MD and the University of Michigan Medicine (they all offered the same advice – RICE). I repeated the ice pack thing a couple more times, and before I knew it, it was time for bed.

When I woke up this morning, it seemed like a miracle.

I had gone from not being able to put any pressure on my bad foot to walking almost normally. I rode my stationary bike with no problem, and just out of caution, I repeated the RIE thing one more time, for about 20 minutes.

My ankle (almost) feels like nothing happened to it.

It was then I realized that following the science works – what the health professionals and trustworthy web sites had recommended, was exactly what I needed to help with the healing process.

So three cheers for science.

And a little bit of TLC doesn’t hurt either…

*image from NY Orthopedics

Published by Jim Borden

A 60-something guy trying to figure out the world, and his place in it. Happily married for 40-plus years, three wonderful sons. Accounting teacher, fitness enthusiast, blogger, reader.

Published

71 thoughts on “Following the Science Really Works!”

  1. Damn, that really hurts to roll an ankle. I’m glad the RICE method worked for you. I’ll try to remember that trick, for the next time that happens to me. Either that or I’ll soak my ankle in a bowl of Rice Krispies.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  7. Ice and cold water works great for burns and bruises so I now run any pain under cold water till the cold hurts, followed by ice for the longer term. We used to keep a bag of frozen peas in the staff room freezer at work for first aid purposes. They’d been defrosted too many times to be edible, but they were handy for bruises and sprains. If nothing else, it’s an immediate anaesthetic.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. I’ve heard that you should not put ice or even cold water on burns, it makes it worse. But the bag of frozen peas was great for my ankle; we now have two bags in our freezer that will never be eaten… 🙂

      Like

      Reply

      1. I’ve never heard that. The first I ever heard of water for burns was the story of the pilot who baled out on fire over the sea during WWII, who was told he would have died if it hadn’t been for the cold water – something to do with shock, If I recall, and stopping some body chemical or other rushing to the site of the damage. Maybe the cleanliness of the water has a bearing (although I wouldn’t have though the sea that sterile – even back then). I’ll google it.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. the pilot probably didn’t have too many options… the cold water may have been good for his heart and respiratory system, but maybe not for his skin. I’ll be curious what you come up with when you search using Google…

        Liked by 1 person

      3. You’re right – cool water only for burns; ice or very cold water can further damage the tissue. And not for broken skin unless sterile. No butter – which was advised by our grans – but we knew that anyway.
        I think – as far as the pilot was concerned – it was warding off the effects of shock that saved him. The shock would probably have been fatal given the extent of his burns. I seem to recall that ice works against bruises in the same way – deflects something-or-other that rushes to the skin as part of the body’s automatic defence.

        Liked by 1 person

  10. I have a bag of frozen peas in the freezer for exactly the same purpose. They seem to retain the cold much longer and certainly shape themselves to the injured area more easily. I am just glad to hear that it was a minor injury and you are well on the mend, my friend! Let’s try to be a little more careful out there next time. And stop fretting over the return of classes. Whatever will be, will be, and I promise your worrying will not have an impact. Great post!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. thanks, Brad! Yes, we now have two bags of frozen peas in our freezer. We will never eat them, but they may still be put to good use. And I saw that Nova made the national news this morning on Good Morning America, showing a video of a large gathering of students, many of whom were not wearing mask…

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Glad it’s feeling much better, but best to lay off any more record attempts for now. Potatoes just don’t work: not enough contact with the damaged body part, due to their size 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Ouch! That’s terrible. The one time I twisted my ankle was because I used a high heel for the first time. I fell down the escalator and that made me unable to walk for several days.

    Anyway, now you’re probably distracted away from your worries after that pain 😄

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  19. Glad you are okay. I would have told you the same thing. Not because I’m a professional, but because I raised 3 kids & it is taught in first aid class in the Marine Corps. Love the science of it. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. I’m happy you listened to the pros. I’ve been having trouble with my knees. Little swelling but nothing alarming. Not noticeable. Tens unit every night on both. I went to the chiropractor last Monday, got my adjustment, deep tissue massage & traction. My everything is better…including my knees. Better than taking meds!!! I was long overdue. I hadn’t been since the lockdown in March. I was hurting everywhere. I was scared to go but when the pain becomes too intense, you just don’t care. 😊

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I forget if we talked about this before, but I am not sure if I could go to a chiropractor. I’ve heard people say great things about them. If all they did was adjust my knees, then maybe, but once my back is involved, I don’t think I could do it…

        Liked by 1 person

      3. In 1993, I was rear-ended. I was stopped at a light and a lady hit me doing 50mph. Messed me up! $500 damage to my car. 10’s of thousands of dollars of damage to me. I was rear-ended again in 2005. At a light, but he was only doing 25mph. Not so bad, but caused more issues. Both times, I had better recovery & long term positive results than taking pain killers and see a regular doctor. I had to learn trust in the worst pain in my life including labor. I’ve only had 3 chiropractors in my lifetime & many years apart. The VA sent me to my current chiropractor & I was skeptical. He is outside the VA & contracted. He just happens to have the best massage therapist in the state of Florida on staff. Works well for me! I’m paying out of pocket right now because the VA can’t get their crap together. I feel better & will be going back in September. I’m not going to be in that kind of pain again. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      4. I’m happy that you found somebody who can help you manage your pain. I know many people who swear by their chiropractor. I guess I’m just too much a wimp – I guess it goes with the alligator thing… 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      5. Well, maybe we can get you adjusted by an alligator. LOL! Sorry, you left the door wide open for me on that one. I can tell you that the first time I went to the chiropractor in 1993, I was freaked out by it. I just figured the pain couldn’t get any worse and if I was paralyzed from an adjustment, at least I wouldn’t feel it anymore. Guess that is pretty dramatic, but it was how I felt. I was only 28 when the car accident happened the first time & my first experience of chiropractic. I do swear by it! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  20. Yay! for a full recovery.
    Here is Warre Democrat Emily Dickinson of the virtue of believing in science:

    “Faith” is a fine invention
    For Gentlemen who see!
    But Microscopes are prudent
    In an Emergency!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment