Injuries come in all sizes and shapes, and even though there’s no one-size-fits-all treatment option for every injury, some active treatments yield better results than others for particular injuries. Because October is National Physical Therapy Month, in today’s post, Dr. Eric Ricefield, Dr. Mark Yagodich, and Dr. Aliza V. Eisen of greater Philadelphia’s Your Next Step Foot and Ankle Care Center are sharing information regarding how physical therapy can help if you suffer an ankle or foot injury.

It’s in your best interest to see a podiatrist to get a proper diagnosis for any lower body pain you’re feeling, but for many mild and minor injuries, physical therapy can work wonders. Below, we share several reasons why physical therapy may be just what you need while healing from an ankle or foot injury.

How Physical Therapy Can Help

Here are 6 reasons why physical therapy is often the best thing you can do for an ankle or foot injury.

1. Range of Motion: Physical therapy expands our range of motion. If you want to enjoy maximum recovery and get back to levels of flexibility you had prior to the injury, you need to participate in physical therapy.
2. Strengthening: A lot of injuries are caused by overuse of a particular area of the body. Getting physical therapy helps strengthen these areas so they can handle the stress they’ll be receiving.
3. Stabilization: Individuals who have chronic ankle sprains and are dealing with instability in the ankle ligament, physical therapy not only helps the ligaments heal but strengthens and stabilizes them to help avoid a recurrence.
4. Relevant Movements: Another benefit of physical therapy is that you can do focused exercises that will help when you need it most based on the activities you normally perform. Whether you work in construction or are a soccer player, physical therapy can aim at the movements and areas you make most often to make sure you have the best chance of staying injury-free when you’re being active.
5. Blood Flow: Physical therapy can also help speed up your recovery after an injury by helping improve circulation in those areas that need it most.
6. Provides an Active Lifestyle: The advantages of physical therapy extend beyond just your injury. The exercises, like swimming or walking, benefit the whole body. They can help you lose weight, which will help to put less stress on your feet.

For more information about the benefits of physical therapy for ankle and foot injuries, reach out to the experienced team at Greater Philadelphia’s Your Next Step Foot and Ankle Care Center.  Click here to locate contact information for the office nearest you.