Physiotherapy For Ankle Sprains and Strains
If you’re experiencing persistent ankle pain, there’s a good possibility you’ve sustained a strain or sprain. Although these two names are sometimes used interchangeably, there is a significant difference between them. The good news is that help is offered to you through physical therapy – in particular, physiotherapy, athletic therapy, and chiropractic care. To learn more about the natural and effective treatment of pain and prevention of sprains and strains through physical therapy, please call our office today.
One of our certified physiotherapists, our athletic therapist, or our chiropractor, will be pleased to see you and assess your condition.
Why did I sustain a sprain or strain?
Symptoms for strains and sprains are very similar, which is another reason people seem to mix the two up!
A strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is irritated – by way of micro-tearing, overusing, or overstretching. Tendons connect the bones to the muscles and vice versa. Strains in the rotator cuff or hamstrings are the most common.
A sprain occurs when a ligament is irritated – by way of micro-tearing, overusing, or overstretching. Ligaments are tissue rows that connect the bones in a joint. Sprains are most prevalent in the knee or ankle joint, but they can happen in any joint.
You might experience some swelling and inflammation, decreased mobility – joint range of motion or muscle flexibility – and pain.
Some ways that you can receive a strain or sprain are as follows:
- Prolonged repetitive motion
- Slipping and falling
- Athletic activities
- Overexerting yourself
- Heavy lifting
But really, it all comes down to the demands of the task over exceeding the capacity of the tissue
How common are ankle injuries?
Ankle injuries can happen to anyone at any age. However, men between 15 and 24 years old have higher rates of ankle sprain than women. Conversely, women older than 30 years old have higher rates than men.
Half of all ankle sprains occur during athletic activity.
In Canada, over 100,000 people seek treatment for a sprain in their ankle, but it’s estimated that more than quadruple that number are unreported cases that get better on their own, or turn chronic.
**Aside – Upon injury, you want to make sure you are dealing with a sprain and not a fracture. Here’s a quick little video to help you make a call on whether or not you should visit the emergency room for X-Rays.
What to expect from physical therapy
You might be recommended by your doctor to visit a physical therapist – like a chiropractor, physiotherapist, or athletic therapist – no matter the cause or severity of the injury. Physical therapy could play a vital role in your rehabilitation, since these practitioners know a multitude of ways to effectively relieve your pain, such as the ones caused by an ankle sprain or strain. Furthermore, they will help you work on your strength and balance so that you can meet the demands of tasks that are required of you to meet.
Here is a nice little mnemonic that helps guide the approach to your injury:
If you have ankle pain from a strain or sprain, or you aren’t sure what your injury is, don’t let it get worse by putting off treatment any longer. Our office is here to help you out!
Get moving again today!
Our qualified and licensed physical therapists – physiotherapist, athletic therapist, or chiropractor – will carry out a thorough evaluation to determine your condition and develop an individualized treatment program for you. We can’t wait to see you at your visit. Contact Leaps and Bounds Performance Rehabilitation today to schedule.