Ankle Pain and Chiropractic Care

The ankle is a complex joint necessary for successfully completing everyday activities. It allows for proper weight bearing and mechanics each time you stand or take a step. Thus, any onset of pain or biomechanical imbalance can rapidly throw a wrench in your daily routine. Plus, it can throw off other areas of the body too when it is out of balance, such as the hips, knees, and spine. This makes addressing any type of ankle injury or pain quickly important for preserving your ability to function at the highest possible level.

If you are dealing with ankle pain, seeking care from a chiropractor is a great way to restore balance to both the ankle and the entire body. With their help, you can expect a potentially smoother recovery with fewer complications in both the ankle and surrounding joints it might affect.

Getting to the Bottom of an Imbalance

We all know the “chicken or the egg” analogy, because with many problems we encounter it can be hard to determine what initially caused the issue. The same goes for ankle dysfunction. It can be hard to pinpoint whether an ankle imbalance is causing pain and other problems in the body (such as back pain), or if an imbalance elsewhere in the body is causing ankle pain and issues. Common questions you or an insightful health professional may be asking include: Is there a spine imbalance causing ankle pain? OR is limping from ankle pain causing your low back pain to flare up? And so on…

Understanding the delicate balance between the joints within the body and how they affect your nerve tissue’s health is essential for a sustainable recovery from any type of injury. A chiropractor can recognize these subtle connections and ensure that you are addressing every necessary aspect of your root issues to recovery more effectively.

Looking at the Bigger Picture

The current mainstream medical model likes to focus on one body part or organ at a time when there is a problem. Of course, with initial treatment this can be effective in reducing symptoms. However, looking at the body as an interconnected system is an important step in addressing the true underlying problems that are causing your current health complaints.

For an ankle issue, this means that initially there will be a primary focus on reducing local symptoms like pain, swelling, and instability. As these symptoms improve, then other imbalances within the body need to be systematically addressed as well. This is what will give you the upper hand in helping to possibly prevent future injuries, flare ups, and other unnecessary long term issues down the road. The holistic full body evaluation and treatment you will receive from a chiropractor can do just that.

Potential Causes of Ankle Pain

So what exactly is causing your ankle pain in the first place? Some are more obvious like a fracture from a high impact injury. However, there are a wide range of other reasons that you may be experiencing ankle symptoms. Even if your doctor recommends a period of complete rest for the ankle, you will be surprised what your chiropractor can offer you to boost healing potential and start feeling your best as soon as possible- before you can even step on it. Below is a list of primary causes of ankle pain that a chiropractor can help with.

• Ligamentous sprain
• Fracture of one or more bones in the foot, ankle, or lower leg
• Tendon inflammation
• Faulty foot or ankle biomechanics
• Joint arthritis
• Chronic inflammation secondary to poor health habits, illness, or injury

These are the most obvious causes of ankle pain. However, keep in mind that your chiropractor can help you determine underlying issues stemming from other areas of the body as well. These are most often related to spine misalignment, poor global body mechanics, and more.

Utilizing Chiropractic Care for Ankle Pain

Treatment options you will encounter with chiropractic care will vary slightly depending on your underlying dysfunctions and preferences. Below are a the most common options you will encounter:

• Drug free pain management with modalities such as light therapy, electrical stimulation (TENs), heat, ice, compression, etc.
• Adjustments of the spine and other necessary joints to promote optimal alignment and tissue health, particularly of the nerves
• Soft tissue massage of affected areas
• Biomechanical training to reduce local joint strain (and global strain too)
• Exercise training for optimal health, coordination, and muscle balance
• Education and recommendations for building healthy habits that encourage appropriate healing and overall health

Finding a Trusted Provider

Whether you’re suffering from ankle pain or some other musculoskeletal issue, seeking help from a chiropractor can make a big difference in the recovery process. Now it’s time to find a chiropractor that you trust and will provide excellent patient care for getting you back on your feet. At North Alabama Spine and Rehab we can help you manage, or even potentially get rid of, your ankle pain as quickly as possible. Give our office a call in Decatur or Huntsville, AL to see what we can do for you and learn how we are dedicated to helping you live your best possible life.