Five benefits of treating a sprained ankle with physical therapy

A sprained ankle is a common injury that causes pain and limited mobility in the ankle joint. There are different treatments that can help you recover from a sprained ankle, but one treatment that many people depend upon is physical therapy.

Five benefits of physical therapy for a sprained ankle

Doctors frequently recommend physical therapy as part of your treatment for a sprained ankle because it helps:

1. Reduce pain — Reducing pain is one of the primary goals of most physical therapy treatments. Physical therapy exercises, manual therapy and other treatments help reduce pain caused by your sprained ankle.
2. Improve strength — The muscles around your ankle may grow weaker while your ankle sprain is recovering. This can increase pressure on the injured area, causing further pain and limiting your range of motion. Physical therapy exercises help to keep the muscles strong during recovery.
3. Improve range of motion — Physical therapists use stretches and manual therapy treatments to help your soft tissue and joints remain flexible while you recover. Some of the techniques used for improving range of motion can also help break down scar tissue that contributes to pain and stiffness in the ankle.
4. Reduce dependency on pain medication — Many people turn to medication to help them deal with pain. The drawback to this is that medication often comes with unwanted side effects. Physical therapy can treat pain using natural methods to help reduce your dependency on pain medication.
5. Reduce the need for surgery — Physical therapy can help you recover from a sprained ankle without having to rely on surgery. Surgery can be painful and risky and requires a lot of time for recovery. Even so, sometimes surgery is necessary for severe ankle sprains. In these cases, physical therapists can still help you prepare for your operation and recover afterward.

Visit Peak Performance Sports and Physical Therapy for sprained ankle treatment

Have you recently sprained your ankle in a fall or sporting incident? Our physical therapists at Peak Performance Sports and Physical Therapy can help you on your recovery journey. Contact our team today for more information about sprained ankle treatment or to schedule an initial appointment.