Rolled Your Ankle in Sarasota? Here’s What You Need to Know

Aug 27

It happens fast - you’re sprinting for a pickleball, sliding for a short shot in tennis, or just jogging down the Legacy Trail when suddenly your ankle rolls outward. Pain shoots up the side, swelling sets in, and your first thought is: “Crap…”

At Well Co Chiropractic, lateral ankle sprains are one of the most common injuries we treat. The good news? With the right treatment (and avoiding some common mistakes), you can recover stronger than before.

Myth vs. Fact: Ankle Injuries

Dr Sandy doing active release on a lateral ankle sprain with the anatomy drawn — **Myth #1: “It’s just a sprain—it’ll heal on its own.”**
**Fact:** Up to 40% of ankle sprains turn into chronic instability if left untreated. Proper rehab is essential to prevent repeated injuries.
**Myth #2: “Rest until it feels better.”**
**Fact:** Research shows *early movement and progressive strengthening* are more effective than immobilization.
**Myth #3: “Once it stops hurting, I’m good to go.”**
**Fact:** Even when pain subsides, balance, stability, and ligament strength may still be compromised—setting you up for re-injury.

The Most Common Ankle Injuries in Sarasota Athletes

Lateral Ankle Sprain → Classic “rolled ankle” with pain and swelling on the outside.
High Ankle Sprain → Pain above the joint, often worse with twisting or pushing off.
Chronic Instability → Repeated sprains, ankle “giving out,” lingering stiffness.
Achilles Involvement → Pain near the back of the ankle where the tendon inserts.

How We Treat Ankle Injuries at Well Co

Unlike cookie-cutter protocols, our approach is hands-on and athlete-specific:

Active Release Technique (ART): Frees up tight muscles and scar tissue that restrict healing.
Rehab Exercises: From balance drills to calf and foot strengthening.
Sport-Specific Retraining: Teaching your ankle to handle the exact stresses of pickleball, tennis, or running.

Ankle injuries and active release in sarasota Florida with dr Sandy Arthur

If You Just Rolled Your Ankle, Do This

Protect, don’t baby it → Use a supportive brace if needed, but don’t immobilize completely.
Move within tolerance → Gentle range-of-motion drills help circulation and healing.
Get it checked → Early treatment with ART and guided rehab prevents long-term problems.

Ready to Get Back on Your Feet?

Whether you’re chasing down a lob at Payne Park or running along Sarasota Bay, ankle injuries don’t have to sideline you. At Well Co Chiropractic, we’ll get you moving again, faster, stronger, and more stable than before.