Living with chronic lateral ankle pain? These 3 PT techniques can help

Of all the musculoskeletal injuries that patients visit physical therapy clinics to treat, ankle sprains and other injuries are one of the most common. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, over 25,000 workers sprain an ankle every day. While these injuries may not seem serious at first, they can often result in recurring ankle pain if left untreated. Pain in the outer part of your ankle, known as lateral ankle pain, can often be a result of an ankle injury.

If you have been feeling dull, constant pain in the outer part of your ankle, it can be difficult for you to walk, run or participate in sports. Walking on uneven ground and wearing high-heeled shoes can make your pain worse. This can make getting through the workday much more difficult than usual.

However, it’s not too late to address the cause of your chronic lateral ankle pain. Visiting a physical therapist can help you say goodbye to living with chronic pain in your ankles. 

How can physical therapy help my chronic lateral ankle pain?

A physical therapist can diagnose the underlying condition or injury that is causing your chronic lateral ankle pain. Once the source of your pain is determined, they can use one of these three methods to safely and effectively address your pain symptoms. 

1. Soft tissue mobilization — This is a form of manual therapy where your therapist uses their hands or special instruments to manipulate the soft tissue of the ankle. Ankle pain is often caused by muscle, tendons or ligaments in the ankle that have been strained or sprained.

2. Therapeutic exercise — Your physical therapist can guide you through exercises that are designed to strengthen your ankles. This helps to stabilize your joints and build muscle around your ankles. Therapeutic exercise is an effective method for treating many of the common causes of ankle pain.

3. Balance training — Sometimes, ankle injuries that contribute to chronic foot pain are caused by a problem with the way we walk. A physical therapist can use balance training techniques to evaluate your gait and help to correct any problems that may be contributing to your chronic ankle pain.

What is the best choice in physical therapy near me?

If you are tired of living with your chronic lateral ankle pain, then visit the experienced experts at Advent Physical Therapy. We can help you find pain relief from a wide array of musculoskeletal injuries, as well as help you to avoid injuries from happening in the future. 

We offer physical therapy services with a patient-focused approach. No two patients are the same, and we believe that neither should your physical therapy plan be. A free screening can help us to determine the treatments that are right for you and your needs. 

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.