What do you think the #1 risk factor for ankle sprains is? Ill give you some time....
What did you guess: poor shoes? over training? tight calves? Actually the #1 reason is previous history of ankle sprains. In fact, up to 80% will sprain their ankles again. This suggests that it is pretty darn important to better care for ourselves during and after the initial injury.
In a new study, researchers treated 74 patients. Half of these patients received a typical exercise program to complete at home without any additional care or supervision The other patients received a combined manual therapy and supervised exercise program from a PT. "The patients who received the manual therapy and supervised exercise program experienced about a 70% reduction in pain at 4 weeks and more than a 92% reduction in pain at 6 months. By contrast, patients who received the home exercise program only had a 39% reduction in pain at 4 weeks". For those receiving PT the ability to perform daily activities improved from 66% at the initial exam to 97% at 6 months (100% is full function). Meanwhile, those doing just the home exercise program only saw improved function to 88% at 6 months. "The researchers concluded that the combination of manual therapy and a supervised exercise program was superior to a home exercise program alone in the treatment of ankle sprains, because the combined program provided better pain relief and improved function."
Have you had an ankle sprain? Are you still recovering from one? Than you may benefit from a PT consultation that would include soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization and other techniques that will assist the healing process. Direct Performance specializes in these manual techniques as well individualized exercise programs. Further at Direct Performance, we assess your movement and find out what barriers and compensations may lead to future sprains and resulting loss of function, work and activity.
