Regaining Mobility: Ankle and Foot Injury Recovery and Prevention for All
Injuries to the ankle and foot can strike anyone, regardless of age or activity level. Whether you’re an avid athlete or simply navigating the daily challenges of life, understanding the path to recovery and injury prevention is vital.
Ankle and foot injuries are common, affecting millions of Americans each year. These injuries can result from various causes, including sports activities, accidents, or overuse. Our physical therapists recognize that ankle and foot health are essential for everyone, and we are well-equipped to assist you in your recovery journey.
At Preferred Therapy Services, our physical therapists specialize in treating ankle and foot issues, offering personalized care for individuals of all backgrounds.
Whether you’re a young athlete or an older adult, we are committed to helping you achieve the best possible outcomes!
Unlocking Foot and Ankle Health: Common Injuries and Conditions Treated by Physical Therapists
The foot and ankle are the foundation for our mobility and bear the weight of our daily activities. Unfortunately, they are also susceptible to injuries and painful conditions that can significantly impact our lives. The good news is that our physical therapists are well-equipped to address and treat these issues effectively.
Here are the three most common foot and ankle injuries and painful conditions that physical therapists regularly treat:
- Ankle Sprains: Ankle sprains occur when the ligaments that support the ankle stretch or tear due to sudden twisting or rolling of the foot. This leads to pain, swelling, and instability.
- Plantar Fasciitis: Plantar fasciitis is a painful condition characterized by degenerative breakdown, and in some cases inflammation of the thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. It causes heel pain, especially in the morning or after prolonged standing.
- Achilles Tendinitis: Achilles tendinitis involves inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. It can result from overuse, trauma, or improper footwear.
Don’t let foot and ankle pain hinder your mobility and quality of life. Our physical therapists will help you overcome these common conditions and regain comfort and functionality!
Effective Treatments for Foot and Ankle Injuries
At Preferred Therapy Services, we’ll start with a comprehensive assessment that considers your medical history, including your previous activity level and the specific injury to your ankle or foot. This evaluation forms the basis of your personalized treatment plan.
We recognize that each patient is unique, and we develop personalized treatment plans tailored to your individual needs, including the following:
- Manual Therapy and Exercise: Physical therapists often begin treatment with manual therapy techniques that include joint mobilizations and soft tissue mobilizations. These hands-on methods improve joint mobility, reduce pain, and enhance tissue flexibility. We also use tailored exercises to help restore normal function, strengthen muscles, and improve the range of motion in the foot and ankle.
- Balance and Proprioception Training: Balance and proprioception training are essential for foot and ankle rehabilitation. These exercises target the improvement of proprioceptive awareness and stability, crucial for preventing re-injury. Research indicates that balance training programs effectively reduce the risk of ankle sprains, particularly in athletes and those with a history of previous sprains.
- Modalities: In some cases, our physical therapists may use ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and laser therapy to alleviate pain and accelerate tissue healing. These treatments can be particularly beneficial in the early stages of injury recovery.
- Education and Self-Care: Patient education is a cornerstone of foot and ankle rehabilitation. Physical therapists guide self-care, including home exercises and strategies to prevent further injury. Studies show that patient education significantly improves outcomes and reduces the risk of recurring issues.
Whether recovering from a sprain, managing a chronic condition, or aiming to prevent future problems, our programs offer effective solutions to restore mobility, alleviate pain, and enhance overall foot and ankle health.
Exercise of the Month
Towel Curls
(Feet, Toes, Arches)
Sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor and a small towel placed under your toes. Using only your toes, scrunch the towel toward you, curling and gripping it with your feet. Relax and repeat. This strengthens the foot muscles and supports arch control.
3 Sets, 10 Reps
(Materials needed: chair, small towel)
Preferred Therapy Services
Home of the Inland Empire Center for Mobility Excellence
Restoring Movement. Rebuilding Confidence. Renewing Independence.
When Walking Becomes Difficult, Hope Begins Here
For many people, losing the ability to walk is life changing.
Whether it’s because of a stroke, surgery, neurological disease, a traumatic injury, a fall, or prolonged hospitalization, the loss of mobility affects every part of life.
At Preferred Therapy Services, we believe that every person deserves the opportunity to regain as much independence as possible.
That’s why we’ve created the Inland Empire Center for Mobility Excellence—a specialized rehabilitation program focused on helping people walk farther, move better, and live more independently.
We Don’t Just Treat Injuries… We Restore Lives
Our therapists have a passion for helping people accomplish what once seemed impossible. Every treatment program is designed around one simple question: “What does this patient need to do to get back to living?”
For one patient, it may be walking to the mailbox. For another, climbing stairs. For someone else, returning to work or simply getting out of bed without assistance. Whatever your goal, we’re committed to helping you achieve it.
Specialized Programs Include
- Walking Recovery
- Neurological Rehabilitation
- Stroke Rehabilitation
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Balance & Fall Prevention
- Post-Surgical Recovery
- Joint Replacement Rehabilitation
- Functional Mobility Training
- Strength & Endurance Training
- Amputee Rehabilitation
- Vestibular & Balance Disorders
- Blood Flow Restriction Training
- SoftWave Tissue Regeneration Technology
Why Physicians Refer to Preferred Therapy Services
We specialize in helping patients with complex mobility limitations using evidence-based rehabilitation, advanced equipment, and individualized treatment plans. We partner with physicians to help patients achieve the highest level of function possible.
A Message to Physicians
If your patient has stopped walking, is afraid of falling, is losing independence, needs specialized gait training, or has plateaued elsewhere, send them to the Inland Empire Center for Mobility Excellence.
Give your patients another opportunity.
Give them another chance.
Give them hope.
Every Step Matters.
At Preferred Therapy Services, movement is more than therapy.
Movement is freedom.
Movement is confidence.
Movement is independence.
Movement is life.
Have You Met Your Deductible? Claim Your PT Benefits!
Time is running out to use your 2026 health insurance benefits. Avoid the end-of-year rush and book your physical therapy sessions now before your coverage resets on December 31st. Let’s get you back to doing what you love!
Unlocking the Power of Proprioception: A Key to Foot and Ankle Recovery
Imagine taking a step in the dark. Somehow, your feet landed safely on the ground, one in front of the other. This remarkable ability is known as proprioception.
Proprioception is our body’s internal GPS, enabling us to navigate the world around us. It relies on specialized sensors in our muscles, tendons, and joints, constantly sending signals to the brain about the position and movement of our limbs. This is what allows us to maintain balance, adjust our gait, and perform precise movements without conscious thought.
When a foot or ankle injury occurs, such as a sprain, the proprioceptive system can be disrupted. Swelling, pain, and changes in joint mobility all send confusing signals to the brain. As a result, our sense of balance and coordinated movements are affected. Walking may feel unsteady, and the risk of re-injury increases. Fortunately, our physical therapists at Preferred Therapy Services can help!
Retraining Proprioception
Our highly skilled physical therapists will help you retrain proprioception after foot and ankle injuries. Here are three examples of how they do it:
- Balance Exercises: We’ll teach you balance exercises that challenge patients to maintain stability on one foot, perform controlled movements, or use balance boards
- Neuromuscular Reeducation: Your physical therapist will incorporate specific exercises that involve controlled movements, such as toe tapping or heel walking, to reestablish communication between muscles and the brain.
- Functional Activities: Our highly trained therapists will incorporate functional tasks like walking on uneven surfaces, navigating obstacles, or mimicking real-life activities. These tasks re-educate the proprioceptive system to adapt to different environments and movements.
Don’t let an ankle or foot injury limit you. By regaining proprioceptive awareness, you can reclaim your mobility and reduce the risk of re-injury. Call today to schedule your visit.
5 Star Google Review!
“Great place. Super clean and friendly staff. Very professional. Jeremy is an outstanding individual as well as a good physical therapist. He helped me heal from an accident and get my life back on track. Thank you guys so much!” –M.S.
Help us help others like you! Leave us a 5 Star Google Review and tell us how Preferred Therapy Services helped you get back to doing what you loved!
Lemon Basil Chicken with Sweet Corn and Zucchini Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to even thickness)
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 ears fresh sweet corn, kernels sliced off the cob
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced (chiffonade)
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- Juice of 1 large lemon
Directions
- Season the chicken: Rub the chicken breasts with olive oil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Grill the chicken: Heat a grill or large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from heat and let it rest while you make the salad.
- Sauté the vegetables: In a separate skillet, heat the remaining olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the corn kernels and diced zucchini. Sauté for 3-4 minutes just until tender and slightly charred. Remove from heat.
- Mix the salad: In a serving bowl, combine the warm corn and zucchini with the halved cherry tomatoes and fresh basil. Squeeze the lemon juice over the top, season with salt and pepper, and toss well. Fold in cheese if using.
Take the Next Step Toward a Pain-Free Life
Schedule a consultation with our experienced physical therapists today to take the first step towards better foot and ankle health!
Sources
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3103112/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3103112/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3132870/
