Overdo It This Summer?

Aaahhh... There’s nothing like late summer’s cooler breezes to get us out of the house to enjoy the day. Unfortunately, sometimes we become overly enthusiastic, underestimate our fitness abilities, and wind up spraining or straining an ankle! Here’s how to keep one step ahead of muscle or tendon pain:

• Pump out the fluid—reduce swelling by gently moving your ankle through its full range of motion. Simply sit in a chair and gently raise and lower your foot, then rotate it as much as the pain allows.
• Wrap it up—a natural way to help your injured ankle back to health is with a comfrey wrap. Buy three or four whole leaves of this traditional trauma-treating herb from health food store. Blanch the leaves by dipping them briefly in boiling water. Let them cool a bit, then drape them over the injured area and cover with an elastic bandage. Replace the leaves daily until the sprain heals.
• RICE is right—E.R. docs see a lot of sprained ankles. Their advice is almost always to take the following four steps: 1) Rest it; 2) Ice it; 3) Compress it. 4) Elevate it. Continue these steps, for at least two days after the injury.

If arthritis, damaged cartilage, or painful swelling and stiffness are making your outdoor activities miserable, then Baker’s Best Maximum Strength Joint Formula is just the relief you’ve been looking for. Its terrific trio of ingredients—glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM—packs a triple-punch to revitalize your joints and put a youthful bounce back in your step.