While you may think of sprained ankles as something that only occurs during athletics, sprains occur just as often during normal daily activities. Something as simple as enjoying a walk on your favorite trail with your family or even just walking up and down stairs could result in a painful sprain. Fortunately, there are things you can do to avoid the ankle pain and other complications associated with sprains. What can you do to prevent ankle sprains? Keep reading to find out!

Keep Your Balance

prevent ankle sprains
A boo boo flickr photo by congvo shared under a Creative Commons (BY-NC-ND) license

Maintaining good balance is one way to avoid sprained ankles and other injuries. Work on improving your overall balance by doing simple things like standing on one foot while brushing your teeth. If you have a lot of trouble with balance, talk to your doctor about possible inner ear problems.

Build Up Ankle Strength

The stronger your ankles are, the less likely you are to experience sprains. Work on building up your ankle strength by engaging in single leg exercises like dips and lunges. As the strength in your ankles improves, you will be more capable of standing on your feet and controlling changes in your body position.

Strengthen Your Core

Core strength helps protect your entire body, including your ankle. If you are running, for example, and suddenly change direction, a weak core allows your body to keep moving, putting excess strain on your foot or ankle. This can result in a rolled or sprained ankle. Pay close attention to exercises that strengthen your abdomen, hips and back.

Treatment for Sprained Ankle in Denver

If you have sprained your ankle or are suffering from ankle pain from another cause, Denver Physical Medicine can help. We offer a complete range of physical therapy services to help you get back on your feet in no time. To schedule a consultation, please contact us today. Call 303-757-7280.