Tuesday, 3 January 2012

The Correct Method To Make Use Of An Ankle Bandage To Maximize Its Effectiveness

By Kristen Cowell


Our day to day routine can be significantly affected by discomforts felt by the entire body. Often, these discomforts are caused by various sports activities and strenuous work we engage in. Among the parts of our body that are often exposed to these discomforts are our feet. As such, it is a must that we protect them when participating in said activities-and one of the most effective ways of accomplishing such is through the use of ankle bandages.

An ankle bandage is defined as any type of figure eight bandage that is usually looped under the sole of the foot around the ankle. It may cover the heel entirely or have a few parts exposed for a much more comfortable feeling. It generally has a sock-shaped main body enclosing the ankle and instep region of a user. This is used in wrapping a bruised or swollen ankle, usually caused by a missed step or other strenuous activities. Various sizes and designs of these bandages are also offered in the market and are available in retail drug and medical supply stores.

As mentioned, our feet are among the parts of our body that are often exposed to injuries when we participate in strenuous activities. As such, they are considered among the most popular types of bandages. They are used to alleviate swelling on injured parts of the ankle by offering a firm but gentle pressure. They are also employed to hold dressings in place in case of a wound and are also used to promote blood flow and give support to the injured area. Ankle bandages often come with Velcro or metal clips as fastenings and can be purchased in rolls.

How is an ankle bandage used? The first thing that needs to be done when using this bandage is to hold it in such a way that the roll is facing up. This is important especially with those having Velcro fastenings to ensure that they face the right way and stick to the bandage once wrapping is finished. Wrapping should start from the loose end of the bandage which will be found on top of the foot. The loose end of should be held in place using one hand while the other hand should be used to wrap the bandage in a circle twice around the foot. Outside to inside is the direction used when wrapping. This means starting with little toe at the side of the foot to the big toe on the other side.

Then, in a spiral way like making a "figure 8", start wrapping the heel up to the ankle. Before fastening the end to rest with a tape, metal clip, or Velcro, it is a must to ensure that the bandage passed through the calf. For a more comfortable feeling, it is recommended that the wrap be not too tight. Also, one should allow the foot to breathe especially when experiencing a feeling of numbness by taking off the bandage. It is recommended that it be removed at least twice a day. It is suggested to purchase ankle bandages in pairs. This will allow one to use the other pair when the other one gets dirty and needs to be washed.

Every part of our body has its own function to perform. As such, if any part of it is injured, our day to day routine is often disrupted. As our ankles and feet are among the parts often exposed to injuries, it is a must to always pack our first-aid kits with ankle bandages that can be used in treating injuries that these parts of our body may incur.




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