Your ankle is what allows your foot to function effectively. In fact, the ankle is one of the most important joints in the whole body. It is what enables up-and-down movement of the foot. Your ankles and feet also support your body weight, provide your body with balance and act as shock absorbers when moving. That’s why when your ankle is causing you pain, it can make everyday living a challenge. Physical therapy for ankle pain in Grand Rapids, Michigan, can help you get back to living your life.
What causes ankle pain?
It doesn’t take much to cause pain in your ankle. All it takes is a simple twist the wrong way to cause a strain. An ankle sprain is the tearing of ligaments that surround the ankle joint. In most cases, a sprained ankle will heal within a few weeks or months. In some cases, a misstep may cause a more serious condition such as a broken bone or a ruptured tendon or ligament. Ankle pain can also be caused by overuse, inciting conditions such as:
- Bone spurs.
- Bursitis.
- Achilles tendinitis.
- Avulsion fracture.
Sometimes, ankle pain is caused by flat feet. This means that there is a lack of arch height within the foot, causing increased strain on the ligaments of the ankle and pain. This condition may be caused by a torn or strained ligament, or it may be congenital.
Ankle and foot pain can, quite literally, knock you off your feet. That’s where physical therapy can help you.
Physical therapy for ankle pain
When the pain in your ankle flares up, it can make moving difficult. Physical therapy for ankle pain can be a useful and effective treatment option. An Advent physical therapist can help you reduce your pain by guiding you through a series of exercises and stretches to help you get back on your feet. These exercises and stretches will help increase your mobility while building strength.
At Advent Physical Therapy’s several Grand Rapids clinics, our physical therapists are ready to help you create a treatment plan customized to your needs. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.