“You Don’t have to be Injured to Benefit from Physical Therapy”
January 24, 2025Why You Shouldn’t Ignore an Ankle Sprain
Injury from workout concept : The asian man use hands hold on his ankle while running on road in the park. Focus on ankle.
Ah, the classic ankle sprain—a thorn for many athletes, weekend warriors, and anyone who’s ever misjudged a sidewalk curb. It’s easy to shrug it off, slap on some ice, and assume it’ll sort itself out in a few days. But here’s the kicker: ankle sprains aren’t just minor inconveniences that heal on their own with time. They’re sneakier than they seem, messing with your body’s built-in GPS (aka proprioception) and setting you up for a future full of wobbly steps and repeat injuries.
When you roll your ankle, it’s not just the ligaments taking a hit—your nervous system gets thrown off too. This means your balance, reaction time, and movement patterns can all go haywire, making you more likely to sprain it again. And again. And again. (See where we’re going with this?)
That’s why proper rehab is key. Instead of just waiting for the swelling to go down and thinking it’ll just heal itself – focus on retraining your ankle with balance exercises, strength work, and movement drills. It’s the difference between bouncing back strong or dealing with a lifetime of “oops, did it again” moments.
And let’s be real—nobody wants to be that person who always has a brace on, blaming their “bad ankle” for every misstep. Investing a little time in recovery now means you won’t have to live in fear of uneven sidewalks, rogue tree roots, or your own questionable footwear choices. So, do your future self a favor and take that sprain seriously. Your ankles (and your dignity) will thank you.
Not sure where to start? That’s where we come in. At Beacon PT, we specialize in getting you back on your feet—stronger, steadier, and ready for whatever life throws your way. Reach out to us, and let’s get that ankle rehabbed the right way!
Sources:
- Carroll LA. The Foot and Ankle: Evidence-Informed Physical Therapy Patient Management. Academy of Orthopedic Physical Therapy; 2021.
- Kosik KB, Terada M, Drinkard CP, McCann RS, Gribble PA. Potential Corticomotor Plasticity in Those with and without Chronic Ankle Instability. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2017 Jan;49(1):141-149.
