Ankle Sprain Facts

Ankle Sprain Facts

An ankle sprain is one of the most common sports injuries and happens quite frequently in normal daily activities. Although painful, it usually does not cause any long-term problems, if treated properly. However, if untreated, even the simple, minor ankle sprain can produce longer lasting problems such as decreased strength, balance and flexibility and increase your risk of future injuries to the same side (like your knee). Following are a few guidelines to help you care for your sprained ankle, and decrease your risk of future injuries. This is why taking care of your sprained ankle the right way is important.

An ankle sprain means that one or more of the ligaments around your ankle have been stretched, or even torn. This happens when you land on someone’s foot, or land awkwardly, rolling your ankle. This usually occurs with the foot rolling inward, stretching the lateral (or outer) ankle ligaments.

When to see a doctor
If you just sprained you ankle, you don’t usually need to see a doctor, but a few simple tests can tell you if you should.
You should see a doctor:
• If you are unable to stand and put weight on it
• If you have intense pain above the ankle in your lower leg
• If the pain and swelling continue for more than a few days, despite treatment (see below)

What can you do for yourself

For the first 24 – 48 hours, your ankle will probably swell and might even show some bruising. Minimize this by using the R I C E formula:

Rest: This means not pushing the ankle to do too much, although some movement will help to get the swelling down. Try toe wiggling or gently moving the ankle up & down 10 – 15 times each hour. If you can stand on it without too much pain, then go ahead and walk as normally as possible. If not, you can use some crutches for a day or two. If even standing on it is very painful, you should see a doctor.

Ice: Ice the ankle frequently to decrease pain & swelling

Compression: Using a compressive bandage (like an Ace © bandage) can help support the ankle and reduce swelling; it should be wrapped from the middle of the foot to just above the ankle. Do not wrap too tightly!

Elevation: Keeping the ankle above your heart level will also help keep swelling down.

During the next 2 weeks, your ankle is busy healing. As long as it is tolerable, it is OK to stand and walk on it. As long as you don’t twist it again, movement will actually help it heal. In the beginning, movements will seem stiff & may be sore. Use ice to help with the pain and control the swelling. If it does not seem to be getting better within the first week, an evaluation by your doctor may be needed.

When you are inactive for longer periods of time (i.e. sitting at work), make sure to keep moving your foot / ankle periodically to keep it from getting stiff. Simple up and down movements of the foot can help, or you can try drawing letters of the alphabet in the air with your foot.

Ways to increase your activity

When the pain and swelling have subsided and you are walking without favoring your ankle, you can begin some balance exercise:
Try standing in a doorway on 1 leg for 10 seconds If you can’t keep your balance for more than a couple seconds then try standing with 1 foot in front the other (as if you were walking a tightrope!), then try the one leg balance again after a week or so. If you can, try it with your eyes closed (ONLY if you can balance steadily on one leg for at least 10 seconds with your eyes open!) Always reach out to the wall or door jam for support if needed.

Ways to modify your activity

In Sports Some athletes wear ankle braces to help with support during practice & competition. While this may be helpful in high levels of play, for most of us who don’t work on strength & performance every day as our job, brace use can effect us in a negative way by teaching our muscles bad habit & becoming dependant on the braces.

At Home Practice your balance training while doing everyday tasks. Try standing on one leg while you brush your teeth!
Also, make sure to keep moving your ankle when you are sitting for long periods of time by doing ankle pumps (simple up and down movements) or drawing letters of the alphabet with your foot.

Rehabilitation

A rehabilitation specialist will evaluate your foot and ankle to rule out more serious conditions, evaluate your strength, flexibility, and muscle balance. They will likely also perform a gait evaluation and have you do other functional tests to look at how your ankle, knee, hip and spine all work together. Then a complete program can be made for you to help you get back to your desired activities.

Citated from "clinicalrehabspecialists.com"

Chiropractic Treatment of Sciatica

Chiropractic Treatment of Sciatica

Chiropractic Treatment of Sciatica

-Susan Spinasanta

Doctors of Chiropracticmedicine regularly treat sciatica. Sciatica is characterized by pain that originates in the low back or buttock that travels into one or both legs. Sciatic nerve pain varies in intensity and frequency; minimal, moderate, severe and occasional, intermittent, frequent or constant.

Pain is described as dull, achy, sharp, toothache-like, pins and needles or similar to electric shocks. Other symptoms associated with sciatica include burning, numbness and tingling sensations. Sciatica is also called radiating or referred pain, neuropathy, or neuralgia. A misconception is that sciatica is a disorder - however, sciatica is really a symptom of a disorder.

Caused by Nerve Compression
Sciatica is generally caused by sciatic nerve compression. Disorders known to cause sciatic nerve pain include lumbar spine subluxations (misaligned vertebral body/ies), herniated or bulging discs (slipped discs), pregnancy and childbirth, tumors, and non-spinal disorders such as diabetes, constipation, or sitting on one's back pocket wallet.

One common cause of sciatica is Piriformis Syndrome.

Piriformis syndrome is named after the piriformis muscle. The piriformis muscle is located in the lower part of the spine, connects to the thighbone, and assists in hip rotation. The sciatic nerve runs beneath the piriformis muscle. This muscle is susceptible to injury from a slip and fall, hip arthritis, or a difference in leg length. Such situations can cause cramping and spasm to develop in the piriformis muscle, thereby pinching the sciatic nerve and causing inflammation and pain.

Sciatic nerve compression may result in the loss of feeling (sensory loss), paralysis of a single limb or group of muscles (monoplegia), and insomnia.

Proper Diagnosis Since there are many disorders that cause sciatica, the chiropractor's first step is to determine what is causing the patient's sciatica. Forming a diagnosis involves a thoughtful review the patient's medical history, and a physical and neurological examination. Diagnostic testing includes an x-ray, MRI, CT scan and/or electrodiagnostic tests (nerve conduction velocity, electromyography). These examinations and tests help to detect possible contraindications to spinal adjustments and other chiropractic therapies.

Treatment Approach The purpose of chiropractic treatment is to help the body's potential to heal itself. It is based on the scientific principle that restricted spinal movement leads to pain and reduced function and performance. Chiropractic care is non-invasive (non-surgical) and drug-free. The type of chiropractic therapy provided depends on the cause of the patient's sciatica. A sciatica treatment plan may include several different treatments such as ice/cold therapies, ultrasound, TENS, and spinal adjustments - sometimes called manipulation.

1. Ice/Cold therapy reduces inflammation and helps to control sciatic pain.

2. Ultrasound is gentle heat created by sound waves that penetrates deep into tissues. Ultrasound increases circulation and helps to reduce muscle spasms, cramping, swelling, stiffness, and pain.

3. TENS unit (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is a sma

ll box-like, battery-powered, portable muscle stimulating machine. Variable intensities of electrical current control acute pain and reduce muscle spasms. Larger versions of the home-use TENS units are used by chiropractors, physical therapists and other rehab professionals.

4. Adjustments (Spinal Manipulation) At the core of chiropractic care are spinal adjustments. Manipulation frees restricted movement of the spine and helps to restore misaligned vertebral bodies to their proper position in the spinal column. Spinal adjustment helps to reduce nerve irritability responsible for causing inflammation, muscle spasm, pain, and other symptoms related to sciatica. Adjustments should not be painful. Spinal manipulation is proven to be safe and effective.

In college and during their training, students of chiropractic learn many different adjustment techniques enabling them to treat several types of subluxations and disorders. Techniques vary from a swift high velocity thrust to those that combine minimal force and gentle pressure. Mastery of each technique is an art that requires great skill and precision. Spinal manipulation is the treatment that differentiates chiropractic care from other medical disciplines.

To prepare a patient for adjustment, the chiropractor may instruct the patient to sit up or lie down. It is not uncommon for the chiropractor to use a totally different adjustment technique during the patient's subsequent visit. Treatment tables differ too. Some are stationary, flat padded tables and others are elaborate with electrically or manually operated head and foot rests.

Sciatica can be caused by other disorders beyond the scope of chiropractic practice. If the Doctor of Chiropractic determines the patient's disorder requires treatment by another type of doctor, then the patient is referred to another specialty. In some cases, the referring chiropractor may continue to treat the patient and co-manage the patient's care with the specialist.