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Over the counter pain medications are often successful in treating the pain from a sprained ankle. A course of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as Advil, Aleve or Motrin is usually enough. Tylenol may also be helpful. They help improve function, both reducing swelling and controlling pain. They are better options for mild sprains. Therapy, whether physical or occupational, is only needed depending on the severity of the sprain. If your ankle remained fully stable and was effectively treated by a rice, you may not need either of them at all. However, if you sustained a second or third degree injury, you may very well be prescribed a course of therapy to help regain stability in the ankle and teach you to walk properly on it again. You may also benefit from a specific type of temporary splint that forms a stirrup around your ankle and wraps tight with Velcro. This can be used inside a shoe.
