remedy [rem-i-dee]

something that cures or relieves a disease or bodily disorder; a healing medicine, application, or treatment; to restore to the natural or proper condition; put right

Synonyms include: antidote, counteractant, medicine

So my ankle is swollen...AGAIN! Including the first time that I recall injuring it (fall 2006 when I almost ate it because of some uneven pavement), this has happened twice. Each time I felt the pain, I did the same thing: go to the doctor, get some therapy, take some drugs and tried to stay off my feet as much as I could. Traumatic arthritis was my doctor's diagnosis after a sprain that never completely healed. Every time I think it's ok and I decide to be healthy and start exercising, even low-impact exercises approved by my personal specialist, Larnie Boquiren (such as walking on the treadmill because there is to be no running of course, stationery bike because you're sitting and using mostly your legs to push on the pedals, etc), the pain comes back.

I haven't gotten any therapy done this time yet and until the holidays are over and I can make an appointment with a foot and ankle specialist, I'm taking my Naproxen, my foot is elevated every chance I can get and I've tried to stay off my feet. It takes a few days so I've been patient with it. Still, pain is pain and the quicker I can alleviate it, the better. So my parents came home from my aunt and uncle's last night and my mom comes up to me with a home remedy from Uncle Joe: ginger. Ummm, ok. Dammit I'll try anything.

So my mom slices up some ginger root, places it on the swollen section of my ankle, wraps my foot in saran wrap (are you laughing as much as I am? hahaha!), I put on my ankle brace and now I'm just waiting. I googled it and ginger is proven to help reduce swelling and is actually used frequently by people who have all different cases of arthritis. Hilarious...