Understanding More About The Usage Of An Ankle Bandage
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.
Among the variety of types of bandages for different types of injuries, ankle bandages, which are also often referred to as "roller bandages", are among the most popular as, as mentioned, our feet are among the parts of our body that are often exposed to injuries when we participate in strenuous work activities. They are used to improve the blood flow and give support to the injured area of the ankle by providing a firm but gentle pressure on it. These bandages, which come in rolls, are elastic wraps measuring 2 inches wide and 4 feet long. To hold their place when wrapped in the ankle, these bandages feature Velcro or metal clips as fasteners.
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.
After wrapping the foot twice, the bandage should then be wrapped around the heel up the ankle in a spiral way with the wrap resembling a figure 8. To finish the wrapping, the bandage should pass through the calf then fastened to the end to rest with a tape, metal clip, or Velcro. As these bandages often cause discomfort, it is a must to have them removed at least twice a day to allow the foot to breathe. This is also recommended when one experiences a feeling of numbness. It is also recommended to purchase them in pairs so as to have another one to use when the other pair gets dirty.
Protecting our ankle and treating it properly is one way of taking care of our body. One of the best ways to do this is to choose and use an ankle bandage properly.
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.
Among the variety of types of bandages for different types of injuries, ankle bandages, which are also often referred to as "roller bandages", are among the most popular as, as mentioned, our feet are among the parts of our body that are often exposed to injuries when we participate in strenuous work activities. They are used to improve the blood flow and give support to the injured area of the ankle by providing a firm but gentle pressure on it. These bandages, which come in rolls, are elastic wraps measuring 2 inches wide and 4 feet long. To hold their place when wrapped in the ankle, these bandages feature Velcro or metal clips as fasteners.
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.
After wrapping the foot twice, the bandage should then be wrapped around the heel up the ankle in a spiral way with the wrap resembling a figure 8. To finish the wrapping, the bandage should pass through the calf then fastened to the end to rest with a tape, metal clip, or Velcro. As these bandages often cause discomfort, it is a must to have them removed at least twice a day to allow the foot to breathe. This is also recommended when one experiences a feeling of numbness. It is also recommended to purchase them in pairs so as to have another one to use when the other pair gets dirty.
Protecting our ankle and treating it properly is one way of taking care of our body. One of the best ways to do this is to choose and use an ankle bandage properly.
About the Author:
Kristen Cowell is a runner from Germany. An ankle bandage, or "Fussgelenkschutz" as they call it in German, is a must-have for Kristen whenever she participates in any running or marathon event.