15 Nov Have you been told to do heel raises to treat your ankle pain

Have you been told that strengthening your calf muscles is the only solution to overcoming your ankle pain

Did you know that current research is now saying that isometric exercises like heel raise isn’t actually the best option for overcoming ankle pain
In the past, research studies into Archilles Tendinopathy have trended towards isometric exercises like heel raises as the best way to strengthen and treat the Archillees Heel pain. However recently, research studies are now telling a different side of the story. 

A recent study published in 2018, (O’Neil et al. 2018) found that there was varying results for ankle pain with isometric exercises for Achilles tendinopathy. The study required the test subjects to carry out 5 repetitions of 45 seconds of isometric exercises for their ankle at 75% of maximal voluntary contraction every day. The results showed that there was no significant reduction in ankle pain  in the group who performed isometric exercises compared to the control group who did not do the isometric exercises. This result suggested that isometric exercises for ankle pain is not as effective as definitive as previously thought. 

Current research evidence is now trending towards high load exercises  in contrast to low load isometric exercises. It is now thought that high load exercises tend to stimulate tissue regeneration and repair in the Achilles tendon. 

Keeping up to date with the latest evidence is crucial  in optimal recovery of injury so that you can get back to active living. Here at My Favourite Physio, our Expert Physiotherapists are always keeping up with the latest developments in clinical research to improve how we diagnose and treat our clients, so that we are always providing our clients the best strategies to overcome their ankle pain and get back to active living! 

If you are struggling with ankle pain that just seems to come and go, and you want to be able to overcome it to get back to active living, ring My Favourite Physio on (02) 9790 4233 to book an appointment with one of our Expert Physiotherapists today.