Chiropractic Care and Ankle Pain

The ankle plays a crucial role in full body function. Since it works as a complex system with the foot to accept weight with each step you take, pain or an imbalance can quickly throw other areas of the body out of balance as well. Ankle pain is most often caused by an injury, such as an ankle sprain. If it is not properly addressed, it can lead to chronic instability and long term health issues throughout the musculoskeletal system. If you are dealing with ankle pain, chiropractic care is one of the best ways to ensure that your ankle pain recovers sustainably.

Which Imbalances Causes Which?

The entire body is a largely complicated and interconnected system, with each part influencing the next as we go about our normal routines and move. So a common question arises when dealing with any type of body pain: what is the original cause? For example, did an imbalance in your spine lead to ankle pain or injury? OR did an ankle injury and consequent limping lead to lower leg and spine imbalances? It can be tricky to differentiate and it all comes down to the age old “the chicken or the egg” debate.

Addressing All the Imbalances

Ultimately, understanding where the current imbalances within the body are and systematically addressing them is the best course of action. If an ankle injury is present, of course local symptoms and dysfunction such as instability need to be addressed. However, it’s important to assess other areas of the body to make sure any other dysfunctions are adequately addressed. This is what prevents unnecessary re-injury, aggravation, and other problems down the road. This is exactly what makes chiropractic care a great option for addressing ankle pain. They are trained to look systematically and holistically at the body to determine the best possible care.

Causes of Ankle Pain

Below is a list of the most common causes of ankle pain. Outside of a fracture that usually needs proper time to heal (initially), these are all indicators for seeking chiropractic care.

• Ankle sprains
• Fracture
• Tendonitis
• Muscle strain
• Poor foot or ankle mechanics (or even imbalances in the knee or hip)
• Arthritis
• Chronic inflammation (from illness or injury)

While these are the most obvious causes, once again keep in mind that there are secondary causes that can lead to ankle issues as well. This is particularly true with any imbalances related to the foot, knee, hip, or spine.

Chiropractic Treatment for Ankle Pain

When dealing with ankle pain, you can expect to undergo one or more of the following chiropractic treatment options below for proper recovery.

• Pain management with holistic modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, ice, compression, etc.
• Massage of injured and sore tissues
• Exercise training and recommendations for activity modification
• Biomechanical training to prevent unnecessary aggravation and promote stability
• Joint adjustments as needed of the lower body and spine to support nerve health and flow
• Lifestyle education to promote optimal health and tissue healing

There is a lot a chiropractor can offer you during your recovery process to feel your best. If possible, find a chiropractor in your local area that is certified in Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP). They are the best of the best for determining any bodily imbalances that need to be addressed with high quality research based care. A chiropractor can potentially help you get back to normal life without ankle pain as soon as possible.