A study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported that more than 628,000 ankle sprains occurred annually between 2002 and 2006. If you’ve recently sprained your ankle, this means you are definitely not alone. A physical therapist can help you treat an ankle sprain, but you may have questions about your recovery. Keep reading to learn the answers to two of the most frequently asked questions dealing with recovering from an ankle sprain. 

1.   Is bracing or taping helpful to ankle sprain recovery?

There are several issues that ankle sprains can cause. For instance, your ankle may swell or become unstable after being sprained. Bracing and taping are both methods that can be used to help with these issues, and there are several types of bracing or taping that may be recommended to you. 

For example, many physical therapists prefer a technique called Kinesio Taping. This treatment option uses specially designed tape that can be worn for hours or even days at a time. The use of this type of tape can be helpful to your recovery in many ways. Therapists can apply the tape in ways that promote the flow of blood to the injured ankle. This helps carry oxygen and nutrients to the injured tissues. 

The tape is also intended to provide a more flexible form of support than most ankle braces. Taping and bracing should typically be used until you’re no longer experiencing ankle swelling or instability. However, you’ll also want to make sure that you’re strengthening the muscles that support your ankle. This way you won’t have to continue to rely on taping or bracing for ankle stability. 

2.   Which muscles should I work on strengthening during my ankle sprain recovery? 

The ankle is a complex joint that’s made up of many muscles and ligaments, such as the peroneal muscles found on the outside of your ankle and foot. These muscles help the ankle bend outward and downward. When you invert, or roll, your ankle, the peroneal muscles and their associated ligaments are often damaged. 

Using specifically designed exercises, a physical therapist can help you strengthen the peroneal muscles. These exercises can also be used to improve the strength of other ankle muscles too. There are many benefits that increasing the strength of ankle muscles may provide. It can help increase ankle stability, and this may decrease the time you spend using a brace or taping your ankle. Such exercises are also intended to help improve ankle range of motion, and they can help decrease the pain and swelling in your ankle. 

Find help recovering from an ankle sprain at Rehab Access

At Rehab Access, our team is experienced with treating ankle sprains. We’ve helped many patients in the Gretna and Belle Chasse, Louisiana, areas recover from this type of injury. To create your treatment plan, our team will begin with a one-on-one evaluation of your ankle. We will then build you a personalized treatment plan that may include techniques like: 

• Kinesio Taping
• Aquatic therapy
• Manual therapy
• Therapeutic exercises
• Electrical stimulation

Take the next step to get relief from your ankle pain. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an appointment.