Have you ever experienced a popping sensation in your ankle? While our joints tend to pop and crack more often as we grow older, some people may experience ankle popping that is accompanied by uncomfortable foot and ankle pain. This is likely a symptom of something other than normal wear and tear of the joints.
The feet and ankles are made up of complicated systems of joints, muscles and tendons, and they carry the weight of our bodies every day. As a result, they can often be prone to developing conditions that cause pain and discomfort. You may also experience foot pain after recovering from orthopedic surgery.
If you’ve begun to experience ankle popping and foot pain, it may be time to turn to a licensed physical therapist for help. Physical therapists can determine what may be causing your ankle popping and foot pain and find the best way to treat it.
What could be causing my ankle popping and foot pain?
There are a number of reasons your ankles might be popping. Some of the most common include:
- Tendon dislocation.
- Ankle sprains.
How can physical therapy address ankle popping and foot pain?
Licensed physical therapists are trained to be able to diagnose the root of your pain. Once they have determined the cause, there are a number of methods they can use to help reduce your foot pain, strengthen your foot and ankle, and improve your overall mobility. Here are three steps your physical therapist can take to help get you on the road to recovery:
- Manual therapy — This hands-on treatment method not only increases the blood flow to your ankles and feet to relieve stiffness, but also helps to break up scar tissue underneath the skin. This increases your flexibility and helps to loosen tight muscles that might be spasming and impairing your movement.
- Joint mobilization — Your physical therapist can use their hands to gently mobilize your joints. This can release any gasses or liquids that might be trapped inside your joints, helping them to regain their full range of movement.
- Balance training — Your foot and ankle pain may be the result of a poor gait. Poor walking posture or incorrect footwear can contribute to extra stress on your feet and ankles and result in ankle popping and foot pain. Your physical therapist can assist you in improving your gait and balance.
Can Peak Performance help treat my ankle popping and foot pain?
The answer is a resounding yes! At Peak Performance Sports and Physical Therapy, a free screening is all you need to get started. Our team of licensed physical therapy specialists can examine the source of your pain and determine the underlying cause. From there, we can craft a physical therapy plan that is tailored specifically to your needs.
Contact us today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment at one of our physical therapy clinics.
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