Fact: An astounding 25,000 Americans suffer from an ankle sprain every single day. That is a ton of injuries that doctors say could have been prevented. They say there are things that can be done every day to strengthen your ankles and avoid any injury.
If you play sports or are constantly moving, here are some ways to keep yourself in the clear and take care of yourself.
Stretching and Exercising
Before performing any physical activity, the best thing to do is stretch. This gets your muscles warmed up, which can help avoid getting hurt. There are a ton of stretches out there specifically for ankles. The best part is, you don’t need any equipment for them! For example, lean forward toward a wall or table with your back leg bent and your front leg straight. If you lean forward with your back heel on the ground, you should feel a stretch in the back of your leg. Do this regularly prior to any physical activity.
Choose the Best Shoes
Making sure that your footwear is the best for whichever activity you are doing will really help to prevent any injury. If you’re wearing sandals to play soccer, your foot needs to work harder to keep that shoe in place. Wearing something sturdy and supportive is key.
If Your Body is Talking to You, Pay Attention
If your ankle is hurting, slow down or stop what you’re doing. In many cases, your muscles may just be sore and need to take a break. However, the pain could be something more serious. By modifying your movement and taking it easy, you’re doing your body a huge favor.
Getting Hurt on the Weekend
If you do find yourself with an urgent injury, but it’s after hours, note that most urgent care centers are open seven days a week, past normal doctor visit hours. They may be able to provide x-rays and lab services to see how serious your injury is. In addition, waiting in an urgent care waiting room typically doesn’t take as long as waiting in the ER.
According to the Urgent Care Association of America, about 3 million people visit an urgent care center each week. By taking the proper steps to take care of your body, you can avoid being one of those 3 million.
