Chronic Ankle Instability (CAI)
Summary
Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is a painful, frustrating condition that limits you. This condition can be caused by repeating of spraining an ankle where the ankle “gives out”. The ankle will give out on the lateral side of the ankle. Or the outer side of your ankle. Ankle injuries can be frustrating because every movement whether walking, trying to do an activity or by just simple standing. It stops you from doing things you want to do. Living in discomfort.
Cause
CAI is characterized by recurrent ankle sprains, pain, and a feeling of “giving way”. Clients often present with deficits in strength, motor control, and proprioception. These deficits can cause “brain smudging” where there is a lack of representation of the ankle in the brain’s body map, which can make a full recovery difficult to achieve. The ligaments most commonly affected by lateral ankle sprains, (LAS) and CAI are the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL). These ligaments are usually injured due to an imbalance between the medial and lateral compartments of the lower leg, and an instability in the foot musculature.
Effects
There are 26 bones in the foot, and 7 bones in the ankle. The foot was made to be stable and the ankle was made to be mobile, simply due to the fact that there are more bones to support the form and arches of the feet, while there are less in the ankle making it have more room to move. When there is a length-tension imbalance in the lower leg musculature, it often causes the foot to become unstable and working in a less than optimal position for proper function and pain free movement. When the arches don’t have the stability they need, the ankle becomes over worked and is usually pulled into inversion. This position puts the lateral ankle ligaments in an already lengthened position, and even the slightest roll or slip can cause damage to the ATFL and CFL.
Treatment
After the initial injury, or before an injury, it is extremely important to get the proper length-tension relationship in the lower leg to provide a good environment for the foot to stabilize as it should, so the ankle can have a strong support to move from. The arches of the foot are created in the hip and stabilized in the foot. Many studies have shown that poor motor control in the hip often causes imbalances and strength deficits in the foot and ankle. This is why at Structura, we look at and treat the body as a whole, using many different techniques and tools to get the best results possible. Some of those tools include a static postural and dynamic movement assessments, kinesiology tape, Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, compression band therapy, as well as integrating postural alignment therapy to the manual therapy to provide the lasting change your body needs to stay healthy and injury free.
Susan from Neveda Testimonial
I was in a car accident and hurt my neck and low back. I came into Structura Body Therapies and they helped me get rid of the pain I was having. I would recommend to anyone that has been in an accident to come in and get some bodywork done from Structura!
Nick from Kaysville, UT Testimonial
I was in a car accident and hurt my neck and low back. I came into Structura Body Therapies and they helped me get rid of the pain I was having. I would recommend to anyone that has been in an accident to come in and get some bodywork done from Structura!
Jeannie from Clearfield, UT Testimonial
I am a 62 year old female. For several years, I have become less flexible and stiff. I was introduced to Structura and finished the 10 weekly sessions of Structural Integration. They are very professional and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend Structura Body Therapies’ therapy.
Kaylee from North Ogden, UT Testimonial
I was experiencing a lot of knee pain after having surgery for a torn ACL. Months of physical therapy and a 2nd knee surgery didn’t help the pain and issues I was having. I was ready to just live with the pain but I decided to give Structura’s therapy a try. It has helped my knee tremendously! My knee pain is gone and my range of motion is back! So happy I found this therapy! If you are experiencing pain that your doctors can’t figure out, I would highly recommend Structura’s therapy!
Jon from Ogden Utah Testimonial
Working with Structura Body Therapies has been a life-changing experience. They are not only extremely skilled in their practice, but are very educational. I noticed a big difference after the first visit
Lisa from Layton, UT Testimonial
I felt so good after each of the 10 sessions of Structural Integration. Parts of my body that bothered me before the session felt so much better after being worked on. My knees that hurt before, didn’t bother me after being worked on.
Debra Testimonial
The people are friendly, and make you feel at ease. They are very professional, and I saw results fast. I am thankful that there is hope to take away my pain, which I have lived with for so long. I would highly recommend Structura to anyone.
Annie from Layton, UT Testimonial
I’ve been able to get my life back thanks to the therapists at Structura. Taylor and Skye were amazing at listening and critically thinking. They were both very professional. I had dealt with 1.5 years of debilitating pain in my lower back and shooting pain down my legs. After physical therapy, multiple steroid shots, and mediations to deal with the pain I heard about Structura. Thanks to these amazing people I can sleep through the night, enjoy activities I love, and play with my kids. I would highly recommend them to anyone needing more than a relaxing massage.
Pamela from Utah Testimonial
I was afraid to try Structura because I heard the therapy might be painful. But it was going into months and months with plantar fasciitis and not being able to walk without limping and waddling. That was painful too. Through the therapy sessions, I found that I was twisted and seized up all over. I’m not sure when the fasciitis actually completely healed, but it did 100%. The therapy was a little painful, but nothing like the pain of months of fasciitis and years of waddling. At 58 years old, I can finally move my legs again so I can walk normally and start exercising.
J. Sanchez from Clearfield, UT Testimonial
I was introduced to Structura Body Therapies by a family member. I have suffered from chronic pain for the past 9 years and the source of the pain was finally diagnosed. I started coming to Structura to see how their therapies could help me before, between, and after the two hip surgeries I would need to correct the source of my pain. I cannot express enough how pleased I am with the results of the therapy thus far! I recently had the first surgery and the therapies from Structura Body Therapies have cut my healing time by 4 weeks! I am looking very forward to completing my next surgery and then starting the Structural Integration program with Structura.
Jessica from Ogden, UT Testimonial
Structura has truly helped me so much! It was a long road to recovery, but I skipped the surgeries and was able to naturally heal over time. I continue to go on a regular basis for maintenance now. This is an amazing way to stay in top performance and learn about mobility and movement.
Tiffany from West Valley, UT Testimonial
I was having some lower back pain and and they’re deep tissue massage helped me feel better. The therapist was really nice and I felt amazing after the 60-minute session. I would highly recommend anyone with back pain to go to them. -Tiffany
Kellie from Hooper, UT Testimonial
I am running again! Less than a year ago, I had a doctor, physical therapist, and a chiropractor all tell me I needed to stop running because of constant back and neck pain, along with ankle and groin injuries. Well, they were wrong! Because of Stuctura Body Therapies, in the last 2 months, I have ran a half marathon, a 5K, and I am continuing to run 3 times a week. The 10-week Structural Integration program, and continued maintenance, have been a true blessing for me. The therapists and staff at Structura are the best, and are professional and caring. So grateful to have found this amazing technique.
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