Have you recently sustained a ligament sprain? These are very common injuries, but still very painful to deal with. In many cases, ligament sprains can be healed at home using the RICE method (Rest, ICE Compression, Elevation), but this is not always the case! Sometimes, depending on the severity of the sprain, the touch of a physical therapist is necessary in order for you to make a full recovery and avoid further complications.
If you’re experiencing pain and you believe it may be caused by a ligament sprain, contact Ohana Physical Therapy in Durango, Colorado today to learn about our treatment options and how they can help to ease your discomfort. We’ll have you up and running in no time.
What is a sprain?
A sprain is the overstretching or tearing of a ligament. Ligaments are the rows of tissue connecting bones in a joint. Sprains normally occur in your ankle joint, and can happen during sport activities, in a work-related accident, or in other ways such as:
- Lifting heavy objects
- Overexerting yourself
- Slipping and falling
- Prolonged repetitive motion
With sprains, you might experience muscle spasms, swelling and inflammation, decreased range of motion, limited flexibility, and pain around the affected joint. Sprains also tend to cause bruising on the skin around the affected area.
How do you prevent ligament sprains?
Although sprains are painful, the good news is there are ways to prevent them from occurring. It’s important to warm up before physical activity to avoid receiving a sprain. Make sure when you’re working out that you are alert and aware of your surroundings, and using the proper equipment as well so you don’t have an accident resulting in a sprain!
There are also environmental factors that can put you at risk as well, such as slippery or icy surfaces, or exercising on rocky ground that could cause you to trip and fall, so make sure you’re aware of your surroundings at all times.
If you do sustain a ligament sprain, a physical therapist at Ohana Physical Therapy in Durango, Colorado can help you to recover from your injury and get back to doing the things you love without pain.
How can a physical therapist treat a ligament sprain?
Physical therapists are trained movement specialists who are skilled at healing many different kinds of injuries, including the common sprain. A physical therapy program at Ohana Physical Therapy can play a major role in your recovery, as physical therapists know a multitude of different ways to successfully treat and reduce your pain and discomfort. They can also improve your coordination and strength as well!
Physical therapy has also been shown to be an effective treatment for ligament sprains, such as an ACL tear. ACL tears are a very common injury to the knee, and depending on the severity of the tear, may require more extensive routes of treatment.
Your physical therapist will do an in-depth assessment of your condition, and pinpoint exactly where the pain is coming from. From there, they will create a customized plan of treatment for you so that you can be on the way to recovery as quickly as possible.
It’s important to be honest with your Ohana Physical Therapy, physical therapist about how you obtained the sprain, as well as what hurts, so they can teach you better ways to move in order to avoid sustaining the same injury in the future!
Ready to get the pain relief you deserve?
If you’re suffering from a ligament sprain, there’s no need for you to continue suffering. Ohana Physical Therapy in Durango, Colorado is here to help! Give us a call today to learn how we can get you on the road to recovery.
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