Massage Techniques for Ankle Sprains and Injuries
Sports massage, along with injury rehabilitation techniques, is used by educated and skilled massage therapists to help facilitate a rapid and more thorough healing process of ankle sprains and foot injuries.
Phil Gore, Master Bodyworker and sports massage therapist since 1999, is the owner of Advanced Corrective Bodywork. He helps many clients located in Mound, MN, but also in the neighboring cities of Minnetrista, Spring Park, Orono, Shorewood, Tonka Bay, and Navarre.
Anyone who has ever sprained their ankle knows how disruptive it can be to your life and family when you are not able to walk or walk properly. Because muscles tend to heal much faster than tendons and ligaments, injured joints can take months or even years to heal properly. The ankle is moved by the muscles in the lower leg. The many tendons and ligaments on the ankle also affect its movement and produce pain when injured.
The lower leg is more complicated than most people realize, with 3 muscles in the front, 2-4 on the outside, and 6 in the back. Any of these can be injured, and all are affected by an ankle sprain or injury. Over/underuse of the ankle tends to shorten and weaken these muscles over time, producing a weak and unstable foundation for our bodies. Over time, this often leads to dysfunction in the whole body, not just the ankles and feet.
Severity of Ankle Sprains or Injuries
Depending on the extent of your ankle sprain or injury, there are a number of massage techniques that can be effective in treating the injury. For instance, light massage around the calf, shin, and ankle can help to decrease swelling. As healing occurs and pain lessens, other types of massage techniques can be integrated to relax the shin and calf muscles leading to an increased range of motion. If you are encountering constant pain in your previously injured ankle, it could be the result of a build-up of scar tissue in your tendons and ligaments. A cross-fiber friction massage method to the ligaments and tendons is beneficial in preventing scar tissue from forming. Ideally, this should be employed after the injury has had about a week to heal. Continuing to walk unnaturally due to pain will inevitably lead to pain in other parts of the body.
How Effective is Massage for Ankle Sprains and Injuries?
In many medical research studies, massage has been shown to benefit the body, muscles, tendons, and ligaments by facilitating better blood circulation and decreasing inflammation. Research is still determining the effectiveness for foot and ankle care, but the signs are encouraging that certain massage techniques will enhance the mending process of sprains and foot injuries.
Massage therapy is one method to relieve lower back pain, upper back pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, and neck pain.
I credit Phil with restoring my quality of life, and I believe I would be in a very different place (both physically and psychologically) were it not for his skill.
