Unlock Pro-Level Recovery: The Untold Secret to Taping a Sprained Ankle Like a Champion!

Ever had that clumsy moment when your foot twists the wrong way and suddenly, you’re hobbling like you just lost a wrestling match with a garden gnome? Yeah, me too — and believe me, knowing how to handle a sprained ankle isn’t just handy, it’s downright essential if you want to keep moving without turning something minor into a full-blown catastrophe. Now, sprained ankles, those pesky beasts, come in a couple of flavors — you can roll your ankle outwards or inwards, with the latter being the classic villain in most injury stories. But here’s a kicker to chew on: when exactly should you jump back into walking or running after the injury? Should you wait it out till every twinge of pain vanishes, or is there some savvy trick to kick-start healing faster without risking another bang-up? In this guide, I’m breaking down the straight talk on managing those nasty sprains — from the instant ice and elevation protocol to the surprising magic of taping your ankle right so you can stride ahead without fear. And trust me, swapping bulky braces for the right taping technique might just be the game changer you didn’t know you needed. Ready to step up your game and keep those ankles in check? Let’s dive in. LEARN MORE

An important part of manhood has always been about having the competence to be effective in the world — having the breadth of skills, the savoir-faire, to handle any situation you find yourself in. With that in mind, each Sunday we’ll be republishing one of the illustrated guides from our archives, so you can hone your manly know-how week by week.

If you’re physically active, you’ve likely rolled an ankle now and again. Ankle sprains come in two types: an eversion, in which the ankle rolls outwards, and an inversion (by far the most common type), where your ankle rolls inwards. Either kind of sprain results in the painful stretching or tearing of ligaments. When you sprain an ankle, you should immediately ice it, compress it, and elevate it to reduce swelling and inflammation.

But when can you start walking or even running again after you’ve sprained an ankle? The answer varies depending on who you ask. Many physical therapists and sports doctors recommend that you don’t resume physical activity until your ankle no longer hurts when you take a step. Depending on the severity of the sprain, that could take weeks.

Other physical therapists and sports doctors suggest that movement may in fact speed the healing process, and that walking and even running can resume less than 24 hours after a sprain so long as the ankle is given support through proper taping. Taping limits the range of motion of your ankle, which reduces the chances of it spraining again, which allows you to continue to engage in physical activity while it heals. Taping also compresses the injured area, which helps reduce swelling and inflammation.

Sprains are rated as mild, moderate, or severe. With a mild sprain, the ligament has just been stretched. Your ankle feels stable when you put weight on it and just feels a little sore and stiff. With a moderate sprain, the ligament has torn a bit. Your ankle doesn’t feel entirely stable when you put weight on it, you can’t move it very much, and it’s swollen. With a severe sprain, the ligament has been completely torn. You can’t put any weight on it, can’t move it, and it hurts a ton. Taping an ankle to resume physical activity immediately after a sprain should only be reserved for mild to moderate sprains. For severe sprains, you need to stay off your ankle for a few weeks so that the torn ligament can heal.