Ankle Sprain & Chiropractic Care: Here’s Everything You Should Know
That sudden roll of your ankle during a morning jog or weekend basketball game can not only be a shock to the system! That next step is often a tell-tale sign that you’ve experienced an ankle sprain.
Ankle sprains rank among the most common injuries, affecting both athletes and everyday individuals. With this type of injury, walking, climbing stairs, or even standing becomes challenging. While many people assume these injuries will heal on their own, improper healing can lead to chronic instability and repeated injuries. So, is there a better way?
Chiropractic care might be it! Keep reading to learn more.
Common Causes of Ankle Sprains
An ankle sprain occurs when ligaments stretch beyond their normal range or tear. Common causes of an ankle sprain frequently include:
- Stepping on uneven surfaces while walking or running
- Landing awkwardly after jumping in basketball or volleyball
- Missing a step on stairs or curbs
- Sudden direction changes in tennis or soccer
- Walking in unstable footwear like high heels
- Slipping on icy or wet surfaces
- Rolling the ankle during hiking on rough terrain
- Tripping over obstacles during recreational activities
- Quick pivoting movements in dance or aerobics
- Stepping into hidden holes or depressions in grass
How to Know If You Have an Ankle Sprain
Recognizing ankle sprain symptoms helps determine appropriate treatment timing. Initial pain often feels intense and sharp. Swelling typically develops within hours of the injury. The ankle area may appear bruised and feel warm to the touch.
Walking often becomes difficult or impossible immediately after the injury. Many people hear or feel a “pop” when the sprain occurs. Pain increases with movement or when putting weight on the affected foot.
The severity of symptoms varies based on the sprain grade. Grade 1 sprains cause mild pain with minimal swelling. Grade 2 sprains result in moderate pain and difficulty walking. Meanwhile, Grade 3 sprains involve complete ligament tears and severe pain.
Initial Treatment for Ankle Sprains
For immediate treatment, the RICE protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) offers a go-to for helping reduce initial swelling and pain. For severe pain or inability to bear weight, at trip to the emergency room can help rule out any fractures through X-rays.
Additionally, physical therapy will frequently play a role in recovery, especially for athletes. However, many people don’t realize that underlying misalignments can contribute to ankle injuries and slow healing, which is where chiropractic care can help.
Chiropractic Care for Ankle Sprains
Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive approach to ankle sprain recovery through proper joint alignment and function restoration. The process begins with a detailed evaluation of your ankle’s joint mobility, alignment, and how the injury affects your walking pattern and overall body mechanics.
Your local Noblesville chiropractor examines the entire lower body to understand how the ankle injury influences knee and hip function. This reveals compensation patterns that could lead to additional problems. Range of motion testing determines joint restrictions, while stability assessments evaluate ligament integrity and healing progress.
Treatment plans typically span six to eight weeks, depending on injury severity and healing response. Specific adjustments target restricted joint movements in the ankle complex, helping restore normal biomechanics. Regular monitoring ensures optimal progress and allows for treatment modifications when needed.
Chiropractic treatment proves particularly effective for preventing chronic instability. Misalignments in ankle joints often persist long after initial healing, increasing the risk of repeated injuries. Professional care helps break this cycle by restoring proper joint position and movement patterns.
Most patients begin noticing improvements within the first few weeks of treatment. However, completing the full treatment plan remains crucial for optimal results. Your chiropractor continuously assesses healing progress and adjusts techniques to match your recovery stage.
Treatment success depends heavily on early intervention. Waiting too long after injury can lead to compensatory movement patterns and increased risk of chronic problems. Professional care helps ensure proper healing from the start.
Don’t let an ankle sprain compromise your mobility and activity level. Our experienced chiropractic team specializes in treating ankle injuries. Early treatment provides the best foundation for complete recovery.
