Are you feeling pain in your ankle after running? Is your pain holding you back from meeting your fitness goals? People who answered yes to both of these questions should consider seeking help from a physical therapist.
It is very common for regular runners to injure themselves. One study reports that up to 79% of runners develop some type of injury in their lifetime. The same study reveals that ankle injuries make up as many as 16.6% of all running injuries. There are multiple reasons why meeting with a physical therapist is a good idea if you’re experiencing ankle pain after running.
Three reasons to get help from physical therapist for ankle pain after running
Physical therapists are highly trained in the human musculoskeletal system. This system includes the joints, and this is the category into which the ankle falls. Their knowledge of this body system is one reason to meet with a physical therapist for ankle pain after running.
Some other reasons that you should meet with physical therapists for your ankle pain include their ability to:
- Diagnose your injury — Your physical therapist will perform a comprehensive evaluation of your painful ankle. This may involve doing some movement tests to see what movements are difficult or painful. Also, therapists may ask you questions about your daily routine and pain. They may even ask you to walk or run on a treadmill so they can evaluate your gait.
The goal of your evaluation is to diagnose the specific cause of your ankle pain. A few of the conditions that your evaluation could uncover include:
- Treat the injured ankle —Physical therapists offer many treatment techniques that can help reduce your pain. Manual therapy and therapeutic exercises are two examples of commonly used therapy methods. One study found that the combo of these two techniques helped ankle sprain patients reduce their pain by about 70% in just four weeks.
- Prevent future ankle injuries — Your physical therapist can also take steps to help you prevent future ankle issues. They can show you how to properly warm up before running. Your therapist can also demonstrate effective post-run stretches for runners. Additionally, your therapist can help you address underlying gait issues that could lead to future ankle problems.
Peak Performance offers top-notch physical therapy for ankle pain after running
Not sure where to turn for physiotherapy that can treat your ankle pain after running? Our physical therapists at Peak Performance are primed to help you treat your pain. We offer free screenings intended to pinpoint the specific issue that’s causing your pain. In addition, our specialists are adept at creating individualized therapy plans designed to help you in all the ways discussed above. Our team can even help you get therapy from home with our virtual therapy service.
Contact us today for more information about our ankle pain treatment options or to schedule an initial appointment.