Physical Activity You Can Still Do While Your Ankle Heals

You are suffering from an ankle sprain, but going crazy not being able to be active. Have no fear! There are plenty of exercises you can still do while your ankle heals.

First things first, ALWAYS check with your local foot doctor in Scottsdale, AZ to make sure that you are cleared to do the following activities as every ankle injury is different. Also, make sure you are listening to your body and never overdoing it. 

Just Keep Swimming

Swimming happens to be one of the best forms of physical therapy, especially for a sprained ankle.

Start by taking things slowly at first. To help relieve tension and pain in your ankle, start with foot circles in the water. If you can increase your activity without hurting your ankle, aim to do light laps for about 20 minutes each day. 

Row, Row, Row Away

You might not think rowing is an intense workout, but it really ends up being a terrific way to get your cardio in. Rowing will not put any pressure on your ankle, so it is one of the safest workouts for your healing ankle. 

If you are used to running, this exercise is going to feel a little different at first, but it is always good to work other areas of your body that you normally wouldn’t!

Cycle Your Heart Out

Cycling is a great form of cardio, but it is also gentle on a healing ankle. Just like with swimming, start out light, only about 10 minutes each day. Once you get the hang of cycling, then you can increase it to 20 minutes each day. 

While cycling, you can still protect your ankle, but also get your heart rate up! 

After you hit the bike or perform any other exercise safely on your ankle, make sure to rest your ankle, apply ice, and elevate it. This will help with the healing process so that you can get back on your feet!