Ankle Pain

Ankle injuries are among the most common reasons people visit the emergency room. Dr. Shangyou Zhong at Sunyo Acupuncture Center in San Juan Capistrano and Santa Monica, California, treats acute ankle injuries and lingering instability that makes you vulnerable to repeated sprains and ongoing discomfort. This holistic approach combines acupuncture, cupping, and massage to restore ankle stability and strength. Call the office or request an appointment online today if you have persistent ankle pain.

What is ankle pain?

Ankle pain happens when the ligaments, tendons, or bones in your ankle joint get injured or inflamed. Your ankle supports your entire body weight while allowing your foot to move in multiple directions, making it vulnerable to sudden injuries and gradual wear.

Most ankle problems begin with a sprain, which occurs when you roll your ankle and stretch or tear the ligaments that hold the joint together. Even after the initial pain goes away, many people develop chronic instability because those ligaments don’t heal back to their original strength. This leaves your ankle prone to repeated injuries and ongoing discomfort.

What causes ankle pain?

Several different problems can cause ankle pain, such as:

• Ligament sprains from rolling or twisting your ankle
• Achilles tendon problems from overuse or tight calf muscles
• Arthritis develops in the ankle joint over time
• Chronic instability from previous sprains 
• Tendonitis from repetitive activities or poor foot mechanics
• Nerve compression causes pain and numbness
• Fractures or stress fractures from impact or overuse

Many ankle problems start with one bad sprain that weakens the joint permanently. Without proper rehabilitation, your ankle remains unstable and vulnerable to future injuries.

What are the symptoms of ankle pain?

Ankle pain shows up differently depending on what’s causing it:

• Sharp pain when you step wrong or on uneven surfaces
• Chronic aching that gets worse after walking or standing
• Swelling that comes and goes with activity
• Stiffness, especially in the morning or after sitting
• Feeling like your ankle might give out when walking
• Weakness when pushing off with your toes
• Pain that shoots up into your calf or down into your foot

Many people notice that their symptoms worsen in cold weather or after periods of inactivity.

How does ankle pain treatment work?

Sunyo Acupuncture Center focuses on relieving pain and restoring ankle stability to prevent future problems:

Traditional acupuncture 

Acupuncture helps heal stretched ligaments and reduces the chronic inflammation that causes your ankle to be weak and painful.

Motion acupuncture 

During this treatment, you move your ankle through different positions to target the specific movements that cause pain or feel unstable.

Cupping therapy 

Cupping uses suction cups that your practitioner places on your skin to draw blood flow to the treated area. For ankle injuries, they place cups on your calf muscles and around the ankle to help with circulation and muscle tension.

Massage therapy 

Massage improves the coordination between your foot and calf muscles that’s essential for ankle stability during walking and running.

If you have lingering ankle pain, call Sunyo Acupuncture Center or request an appointment online today.