Ankle Pain
One of the most common non-spinal injuries I see at Charge into Health Family Chiropractic involves the Ankle. Whether it is from a sports injury, a slip, fall or stumble, Ankle pain can be a burden to our daily activities. This is especially true when our activities involve standing, walking, or weight bearing motions. If left untreated, ankle injuries can create long term issues. These long term issues can, in turn, create problems in other regions of the body, which can create sprains or tears of the Ankle ligaments. Over time, this creates instability in the Ankle joint.
Conditions of the Ankle and Foot:
- Ankle Sprains (Grades 1-3, with 3 being the worst)
- Ankle Fractures (Outside the Chiropractic Scope)
- Plantar Fasciitis (Heel pain due to repetitive use, improper footwear)
- Bunions (Structural changes in the big toe)
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (Compression of the Nerves of the Ankle)
Common Causes:
- Sport Injuries
- Poor knee and hip alignment
- Poor posture and/or spinal alignment
- Incorrect footwear (high heels, stiff work boots)
- Poor exercise/running technique
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Major traumas
- Fractures (before and after Fracture occurs)
- Underlying disease or pathology (rare)
What is the most common cause of Ankle Pain?
Outside of fracture, which is ruled out via X-ray and proper diagnosis, the most common cause of Ankle Pain is usually due to repetitive stress. This might be due to incorrect alignment of the Ankle and Spine, muscular imbalances or improper movements.
Spinal alignment and posture has a very significant impact on Ankle Pain and dysfunction, as weight distribution of your body might favor one side which causes joints of the hips, knees and ankles to bear more weight on one side than it can handle. Additionally, if your posture is forward or unbalanced, pain and instability can arise over time.
How Chiropractic helps people with Ankle Pain:
At Charge into Health Family Chiropractic, we not only look at the symptoms associated with pain, but the cause of it. Ankle Pain is usually not limited to one area, and can affect other areas of your entire body. There are a variety of factors which might contribute to your Ankle Pain, so it is important to provide an accurate diagnosis.
During this examination process, we will perform a variety of exams which include, but are not limited to: orthopedic, neurological, and muscle tests to find the cause of the problem. Once I have all of this information, you will be adjusted the same day. If we cannot adjust you, then you will be referred for X-Rays or MRIs to see what is going on with the joints of your Ankle.
From here, we will create a personalized plan to aid in your natural recovery without the need for drugs or surgery. The treatment will include spinal adjustments, muscle work, at home exercises, Kinesio taping, footwear, and lifestyle recommendations.
We will also be looking at any other factors which might have led to the injury and will help you make the modifications necessary to quicken your recovery and prevent further injury!