When Sprained Ankles Happen Your Chiropractor May Help
Sprained ankles will slow you down in big hurry. Quite a while ago I had the shock of being tossed off the back of a motorcycle into the street. I was the passenger, riding behind an experienced driver, and we had enjoyed many miles on that bike.
But, it only took one careless driver to change everything as he turned directly into our lane in city traffic. You might be surprised how quickly you can move out of the street and onto the curb when you are motivated! We were both lucky, and the story ended well, but a sprained ankle, was an immediate challenge for me. After an ER checkout to diagnose the injury, I headed home on crutches. A friend of mine, who was getting older but was still quite active, also found out how quickly a sprained ankle can change things, when he stepped off the curb at night as he was leaving a concert. Usually nothing slowed him down, but that did.
So if you or someone you know needs help, questions focus on what should be done immediately and long range.
Immediate treatment
A trip to ER may be followed by rest, ice, compresses, and elevation, with a block of time spent on the couch.
Your chiropractor may also be able to help
A visit to the chiropractor’s office may help get everything back to normal sooner and may also help you keep it that way. Along with an exam with adjustments to evaluate the spine and the ankle, the chiropractor will talk about what happened and get a medical history.
Understanding the working of your spine and your immediate injury, may also help you avoid future injuries.
Your spinal column is made up of 24 vertebrae which allow you to move every way you want to from morning to night. That spine also encases and protects the delicate nerve tissue that maintains communication between your brain and your body. A series of visits to the chiropractor, and a discussion on what to do to prevent future injuries, may be the answer. The two of you can discuss things to watch for in the future as the ankle remains vulnerable. The chiropractor may also want to talk about ankle and balance exercises. Ankle injuries, especially for seniors, can become more frequent, and the chiropractor may suggest good exercises to strengthen the ankle and improve overall balance.
They will also have some suggestions on the way seniors use stairs at home and the way all of us navigate everywhere daily. As always, depend on your chiropractor to be looking for the best ways to keep you healthy and active.