I do not believe that R.I.C.E. is a viable treatment for an ankle sprain. There are so many different kinds of damage from ankle injury. And rest and ice alone cannot heal any of them. In my experience, it does very little tor educe swelling and absolutely nothing to improve range of motion and strength in the ankle joint as well as break up scar tissue.

I am not saying that rest is not important after an ankle injury. I am simply saying that rest alone is not good. And ice is really only effective for about 2 days. You really have to do some proactive rehab as well or else it will never regain it's natural flexibility and strength. This can keep you in pain and susceptible to more injuries in the ankle down the line.

I have sprained my ankle numerous times playing basketball and I always used RICE before. It would take me about a month to recover. Eventually, I looked for a better way to rehab as my knowledge of the body grew. I found a very simple at home rehab treatment for sprained ankles called H.E.M.

I have yet to find anything else that is simple to do and works so effectively. I noticed a substantial reduction in swelling in 2 days and was walking normally again in 4. I went for a run on day 6 and had no pain. H.E.M. contains a complete rehab and prehab treatment program with a wide variety of healing techniques, stretches and exercises. I recommend it very highly. Give it a shot and let me know what you think.

Best,
Mark