Physical Therapy for Ankle Sprains

Published on December 13, 2012 by: Renee Kirbs

Ankle Sprain and Physical Therapy

The ankle is the most common site of sprain in the human body. An ankle sprain can happen to you at a time when you least expect it. Normally, it occurs after a sudden unnatural twisting of the foot which can tear the ligaments of your ankle. An ankle injury affects every aspect of your daily life particularly your ability to walk.

The symptoms of an ankle sprain vary depending on the severity. There might be tenderness, bruising, swelling and stiffness. Walking can be painful if the ankle sprain is serious.

Just about everyone has the painful experience of spraining an ankle. The experience is more painful than what you expect and often the recovery time is much longer than you expects. Unfortunately, once an ankle has been sprained, it is at a much higher risk of re-injury. Athletes especially find they experience repetitive ankle sprains as the ligaments stretch further and further. Soccer and basketball players, tennis stars, marathon runners, and anyone else who use their legs for exercise can get caught up in the cycle of injury and recurring sprains. But this cycle can be prevented.

Strength and balance exercises, which can be designed for you, can be effective at reducing the risk of ankle sprains and pain associated with the injury. Strength training utilizing the muscles that turn your foot in (these muscles are called the invertor muscles) and turn your foot out (these muscles are called the evertor muscles) may lower the incidence of ankle sprains.

Depending on your needs, your physical therapist may recommend balance training using a ‘balance board’, which is an excellent way to stabilize and strengthen the muscles in the foot. This can be useful in preventing ankle sprain.

Balance intervention training involves an assortment of strength training exercises. There are physical therapists in Ann Arbor, Michigan which can teach you how to safely conduct these exercises so you eventually can perform them at home.

Combined, all the things your physical therapist can teach you can result in a significant reduction in the risk of injury to the ankle. This is especially valuable for athletes, individuals in jobs that require standing all day and women who spend a lot of time in heels.

Your physical therapist can determine an individualized, effective balance and strength training exercise routine and provide you with an exercise program to continue at home. One of the most important elements in starting a new routine is correct technique. Your therapist will show you how to correctly do the necessary exercises so that your body protects itself without the risk of further injury.

If you want to strengthen your ankle and minimize the possibility of suffering from an ankle sprain, all you need is a simple balance training program from your physical therapist.