Ankle injuries cause pain and inflammation, limiting your movement and activities. Most people who have had ankle injuries report swelling, bruising, and stiffness. An injury to the muscles around each ankle joint, called personals, can limit normal movement and contribute to muscle spasms, especially at night. To ease pain, rest and ice the injured area regularly. A medical professional can assess your condition and determine effective treatment options depending on whether you want to treat yourself or go straight to ankle physiotherapy.
Ankle Physiotherapy is an assessment and treatment method designed to reduce pain and restore movement in injured ankles and feet. It involves using various techniques to manipulate joints and muscles while evaluating how they work together to help the body heal itself.
How does physiotherapy work for the ankle?
- Injuries to the foot and ankle area occur frequently and can be caused by many factors, including repetitive stresses, overuse, traumatic events, and disease. The therapy helps reduce the symptoms associated with these types of injuries.
- It treats ligaments, tendons, bones, nerves, muscles, and skin injuries. Controlling the inflammation surrounding the injured area can improve blood flow, remove toxins, repair connective tissues, increase muscle flexibility, strengthen weak muscles, and prevent future injuries.
- It is performed on adults and children and takes place in a series of sessions throughout the healing period. Each session lasts about 15-30 minutes and often includes stretching exercises to loosen tight muscles, manual mobilization to relieve pressure and tension around joints, and strengthening exercises to build endurance and increase range of motion.
- It is not just reserved for people who have experienced foot or ankle injuries; it can also be used to rehabilitate athletes after minor trauma, such as sprains and strains. Athletes and recreational players benefit from regular treatments to aid recovery and avoid re-injury risk.
- It can effectively treat chronic conditions like shin splints, tennis elbow, tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis, and fibromyalgia. These types of injuries are painful and can limit day-to-day activities. However, this therapy helps alleviate these effects and return patients to normal activities without discomfort.
- There are several different schools of thought regarding using this therapy for injuries. Some believe it is best to let the body rest, while others advocate using this to speed up the healing process. Most practitioners agree that AP reduces pain and stiffness and promotes quicker rehabilitation.
- While AP may treat specific injuries effectively, it cannot replace traditional medical intervention. Patients should always consult a physician if they experience pain or discomfort following this treatment.
