Have you recently sprained your ankle and are questioning why your doctor is recommending physical therapy? Physical therapists are licensed health care professionals who provide natural treatments for injuries like sprained ankles. They are experts in musculoskeletal injuries and have extensive knowledge of how to help your body heal and regain strength after an injury. Physical therapy is a crucial step in the recovery process for sprained ankles. A physical therapist will first assess your injury and create an individualized treatment plan based on your specific needs. This may include exercises to improve range of motion, strength, and balance, as well as manual techniques to reduce pain and swelling.
However, you may be wondering if you can get by without physical therapy. If your sprain is very minor, you might be fine after a little rest and some light exercise, but most people with a sprained ankle will need some form of physical therapy to reach their recovery potential.
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What happens if you don’t seek therapy for ankle sprains
- You will deal with a lot of pain — Physical therapists specialize in treatments that improve the strength and flexibility of the muscles around your ankle to help reduce pain. This works by improving your mobility to resist stiffness and by helping to reduce pressure off the recovering parts of the ankle. Without physical therapy, you might deal with pain in the ankle for a long time.
- You will have long-lasting stiffness — Scar tissue can develop in a sprained ankle, especially if surgery is required to treat it. Scar tissue is tough and thick. It can affect your range of motion if allowed to build up in the ankle. Physical therapy can help prevent the buildup of scar tissue and break down existing formations of scar tissue.
- Your ankle might heal incorrectly — While recovering from a sprain, your ankle may compensate for the injury by transferring responsibilities for movement and support to other muscles, ligaments and tendons surrounding it. This can lead to an imbalance in the ankle that affects your posture and your ability to walk and run.
- You might develop chronic inflammation — Without physical therapy, strain, increased pressure, stiffness and scar tissue can cause irritation that leads to inflammation. This inflammation can lead to further problems down the road, such as arthritis.
Visit Excel Sports & Physical Therapy for sprained ankle treatment
At Excel Sports & Physical Therapy, we prioritize empowering our patients rather than instilling fear to encourage treatment. It’s crucial to recognize that neglecting physical rehabilitation post an ankle sprain can exacerbate the situation. Our dedicated team is committed to safeguarding against such outcomes.
Request an appointment or call us today at Affton, North O’Fallon, St. Louis, Creve Coeur, Ellisville, Saint Peters, O’Fallon, Saint Charles, Warrenton & Wentzville, MO centers.
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