How Chiropractic Care Helps Rehabilitate Ankle Injuries
An ankle can be injured as glamorously as turning over while inside a tall $400 platform stiletto heel, stepping off a Parisian curb, or as mundanely as falling over a toy truck or tripping over a rock on your way to the mailbox. No matter the cause, ankle injuries are painful, problematic, and can cause recurring issues if left untreated.
The poor ankle has it rough. It supports a person's entire body weight all the time, twists and turns many times a day, and maintains proper balance. This heavy responsibility on one joint takes its toll.
Ankles are technically, "the joint where the foot joins the leg." There are more moving parts involved than that simplified definition allows in reality. Multiple bones and two separate joints actually converge in the ankle area, which increases the chance of an ankle injury because the more moving parts you have the higher the likelihood that one of those parts can be injured or move wrong.
It's no wonder then that more than one injury commonly affects the ankle. Here's a list of a few of the most common types of ankle injuries:
Sprains
When you roll your ankle outward, the movement damages the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. This is a common sports injury and, unfortunately, once you have sprained your ankle it's more likely to recur. Up to half of people who suffer from a sprained ankle will sprain it again.
Strains
There are two tendons in the ankle that are commonly strained, usually from overstretching due to overuse or trauma.
Fractures
This injury happens when one or more of the three bones in the ankle is injured. While less common than a sprain or strain, a fractured ankle may also involve damaged ligaments and require surgery.
Many instances of ankle injuries are avoidable. Be sure to wear proper shoes when exercising or participating in sports, avoid uneven walking surfaces, and keep stairways and floors in your home clear of clutter.
And, ladies, avoid the really high heels...We know, we know, they're just SO cute!
Even with ankle-protecting precautions, you still may end up on your rump in the grass, nursing a swollen ankle. What should you do if you injure an ankle?
Rest and ice: For mild injuries, stay off your ankle and use ice packs to reduce the swelling. Rest allows the injured area to heal faster.
Visit a doctor: If you experience severe pain, swelling, and are unable to put weight on your ankle, see a doctor, as some ankle injuries grow worse without treatment. Injuries may require a brace, cast, or even surgery.
*See a chiropractor: Patients frequently see strongly positive results in ankle injuries from a series of chiropractic treatments. Chiropractors understand the way the ankle is built, and use chiropractic adjustments to reduce pain and inflammation and promote faster healing. There are many therapies such as cold laser therapy, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation therapy; all of which can promote a reduction in pain, improve circulation, and increase healing times for the ankle joint when treatment is applied correctly by a licensed chiropractor.
*Exercise rehab: Once the ankle heals, it's vital to build up the ankle's strength and flexibility to avoid re-injury. Your chiropractor can lay out an exercise routine that you can employ into your regular workouts that will improve your balance, build strength gradually, and increase overall mobility of the ankle joint.
Ankle injuries are common and even if you maintain an active lifestyle, you may end up suffering from one. By visiting a chiropractor to maintain your body's overall health and wellness (i.e. joint health, spinal health, and muscle & bone vitality), you can better plan a course of treatment that will heal your ankle quickly, reduce the pain effectively, and minimize the chance of a recurrence.
If you do not already have a good chiropractor, give Millar Chiropractic a call—they have 6 clinic locations in the greater Huntsville area and a team of very skilled, veteran doctors that can get you back on your feet quickly with less pain. Call their Appointment Center today to schedule a free consultation and examination at (256) 830-0000.
Millar Chiropractic Clinics—Where Your Health is Our Mission