Sprained or twisted ankle

Twisted and sprained ankles are common, but essential to treat. An untreated sprained ankle can cause a ripple effect through your body, creating other structural problems. 

Sprains and twists occur when you bend your ankle awkwardly, stretching the ligaments and tendons which stabilise your ankle beyond their limits, and in some instances causing them to tear. A sprained ankle is the same as a twisted ankle, but more extreme . 

Left untreated, twists and sprains can cause you to put more weight and pressure on your ‘stronger’ ankle. This causes around 10-30% of people who sprain their ankle to develop chronic (long-term) instabilities like a misaligned hip, which can lead to back pain. Recurrences are common, as 80% of people who have previously sprained an ankle will re-injure their ankle.

Our team of bodyworkers can rehabilitate your ankle, returning your full range of motion and building your strength.   

Swelling, pain, stiffness, bruising and difficulty putting weight on the affected ankle are common.

Restricted mobility, loss of strength in the ankle and toes, arch collapse are also typical.

If you hear a crack when you sprained your ankle, or if your ankle is twisted at an odd angle, you need to go to A&E in order to rule out a fracture or break.

Sprained and twisted ankles are incredibly common, and usually caused by exercise which causes you to bend or flex your ankle, like running, hiking, football, basketball and netball.

Twisted ankles are also more likely to occur when exercising on uneven and hilly surfaces, like those found in Hong Kong.

Weakness in your ankles or previous ankle injuries will mean you’re more likely to sprain your ankle again.

Poorly fitting shoes which allow the ankle to slide, or unsupportive shoes like high heels reduce the stability of your foot and ankle too, increasing your risk of sprain.

We recommend initially using the rice method: rest, ice, compression and elevation.

After resting your ankle for at least 48 hours, our bodyworkers can begin to gently rehabilitate your ankle.

They’ll use massage and mobilisation techniques to ease pain while improving mobility and flexibility.

They will carefully examine the muscles and joints in your back, hips, legs and ankles to relieve tension and improve flexibility, relieving restrictions to return your full range of motion.

During treatment, we will address weaknesses that have contributed to your sprain. This will ensure full recovery, and reduce your chance of re-injury.

Acupuncture is another great therapy for pain relief.

Our naturopaths can support your recovery with dietary and supplement recommendations.

What’s next?

If you have a sprained or twisted ankle, we can help.

Bring your body back into balance with our osteopaths and chiropractors. Connect with us below, and we'll be in touch shortly.

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