HEALTHY AGING: MAINTAINING YOUR MOBILITY
Maintain your mobility as you age with these stretches & exercises
Over the years, you can develop habitual ways of using your muscles to move and position yourself. Poor posture and a lack of flexibility may be the result of limited stretching and improper body alignment. With age, your muscles naturally tighten which can lead to poor posture1 and back pain. So, if you’re an older adult, it has never been more important to incorporate stretching and exercise into your daily routine in an effort to aid in good back health. You may already be doing stretches, but as you age it’s important to modify your stretch to minimize your chance of falling while performing them.
Here are three safe techniques older adults can utilize to keep limber:
Upper Body Stretch
Stand slightly further than arm’s length from a wall, facing towards it with your feet shoulder-width apart. Lean forward placing the palms of your hands against the wall, facing upwards. Slowly walk your hands up the wall until they are above your head, focusing on keeping your back straight.
Repetition: Hold the position for 10 to 30 seconds. Slowly walk your hands back down the wall. Repeat at least 3 to 5 more times2.
Lower Back Stretch
First, lie on your back with your legs together, knees bent, and feet flat on the floor. Try to keep both arms and shoulders flat on the floor throughout the stretch. Keeping knees bent and together, slowly lower both legs to one side as far as you comfortably can.
Repetition: Hold position for 10 to 30 seconds. Bring legs back up slowly and repeat toward other side. Continue alternating sides for at least 3 to 5 times on each side3.
Ankle Stretch
Sit securely towards the edge of an armless chair with your legs stretched out in front of you. With your hands holding the sides of the seat of the chair for support, keep your heels on the floor while bending your ankles to point your toes to the sky.
Repetition: Hold the position for 10 to 30 seconds then release. Repeat 3 to 5 times4.
Provided by Dr. Luciano Di Loreto, HBSc., D.C. & Associates
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BUILDING A BETTER YOU
When you’ve got a lot on the go, personal goals can get lost in the shuffle. Between work, kids, commuting, cooking and housework, sometimes it’s hard to find the time for your personal health and fitness.
Chiropractors can be part of the solution to building a better you. You may be surprised at the number of ways a chiropractor can help!
Standing Tall
Research has shown that good posture not only prevents pain and injuries but also gives you more energy and improves your appearance and your mood. That’s why having an expert look at how posture affects your muscles, bones and joints can have a big impact on your quality of life. Your chiropractor can show you how to develop and use good posture when typing, driving, running, playing sports and carrying children.
Moving Well
When your body is stiff and not very flexible, it is easier to become injured and more difficult to recover. By teaching you simple exercises and stretches designed for your needs, a chiropractor can help you regain your full range of motion.
Getting the Right Fuel
Consistently eating well is a challenge whether you’re an athlete, a stay-at-home mom or an office worker. One of the best ways to sort through your options is to get customized advice from a health practitioner who understands you and your daily needs. Chiropractors are trained in nutrition and holistic health and can help you find a diet that is right for you.
Staying Active
While sitting may not seem harmful, too much sitting takes quite a toll on our lower back and neck. Exercise can help to undo this damage while also benefitting your muscles and your heart. If you’re struggling to find the time for fitness, Canada’s chiropractors are here for you. Straighten Up Canada! is a 3-minute-a-day program for adults and kids that includes posture exercises and stretches to keep you flexible and strong.
A Good Night’s Sleep
Sleep is important to your health, both for your body and your mind. No matter whether you sleep on your back, your side or your stomach, the right pillow and mattress will help you support your spine so you can be truly relaxed and refreshed while you sleep. If you’re having trouble sleeping, your chiropractor can be part of the solution.
Provided by: Dr. Luciano Di Loreto, HBSc., D.C. & Associates
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By Luciano Di Loreto
18 Oct, 2012
Chiropractic, Foot & Ankle
ankle sprain, compartment syndrome, health, Impacted Ankle, Locked Ankle, medicine, Restricted Ankle, Sprained Ankle, Swollen Ankle
Case: 60 Year Old Female with Ankle Stiffness
A patient recently came to see me four days following her ten day beach vacation. She explained that she did 5 kilometres of walking along the beach daily. On the ninth day of her trip, she found it very difficult to walk, due to a restriction/locking in her ankles. She wore flip flops, sandals and sometimes went barefoot on her walks. As much as she tried, she could not bend her ankle/foot up or down. She explained that she was worried that she broke something in her ankle and thus the cause of her limited motion. During the airplane ride back, she noticed some swelling in both the ankles and immediately became concerned. When she returned home, she went to see her family doctor right away about the health concern. Her family doctor did some blood work and requested x-rays of the ankle and foot. Everything came back normal. The doctor suggested she go to a Chiropractor or Massage Therapist.
When she showed me her ankle, it appeared to be slightly swollen and was fairly tight/restricted. Her ankle range of motion was limited 50%. Although she could walk, she found it difficult to do so not due to pain, but to limitation in ankle movement. She had no problems bearing weight on her ankles. After a history and physical examination, we had ruled out infection, fracture, tumor, compartment syndrome and other serious health conditions/concerns.
Locked Ankle
After doing some research, this seemed like a sprain of a ligament in both her ankles. However, what type of ankle sprain grade did this fall under AND what could cause such a sprain?
According to the Medscape Ankle Sprain Grading:
Grade 1 injuries involve a stretch of the ligament with microscopic tearing but not macroscopic tearing. Generally, little swelling is present, with little or no functional loss and no joint instability. The patient is able to fully or partially bear weight.
Grade 2 injuries stretch the ligament with partial tearing, moderate-to-severe swelling, ecchymosis (bruising), moderate functional loss, and mild-to-moderate joint instability. Patients usually have difficulty bearing weight.
Grade 3 injuries involve complete rupture of the ligament, with immediate and severe swelling, ecchymosis, an inability to bear weight, and moderate-to-severe instability of the joint. Typically, patients cannot bear weight without experiencing severe pain.
-Source for Ankle Sprain Grading – Medscape
After careful consideration of each sprain grade, none fit her profile and condition well. If any, the grade 2 ankle sprain came the closest. The patient did not sustain an injury, did not have any bruising and was able to bear weight on her ankles. She did have moderate functional loss of the ankle joint (ankle mortise – see picture above) and slight swelling.
Is this a classical ankle sprain or is this something different?
The patient explained that this condition happened to some of her relatives back in Europe. She went on to describe that sometimes when her relatives walked along the beach for a long time (with or without shoes), they experienced three to four days of restriction and what she called “impacted ankles”. I never heard of this term used in this fashion before. After further review of the literature, the only information I came across in regards to impacted ankles was associated with ankle fractures, which we ruled out.
When I felt the ankle joint, I noticed that it was not moving well. The ankle mortise joint (joint between the tibia and talus), felt locked on both sides. Furthermore, the other bones below the ankle (tarsal bones and metatarsal bones) before felt locked, tight, and restricted.
I proceeded with some electrotherapy, therapeutic ultrasound, soft tissue therapy and an ankle adjustment. As soon as I finished, she felt relief and felt that both her ankles were much looser. I retested her ankle range of motion and noticed a 25% improvement. The patient came back the next day and received the same treatment. After the third treatment session, the patient explained that she was 100% better and had retained full function in her ankles.
It appears that this health condition experienced by my patient is different from the classical graded ankle sprain. It seems that the patient did in fact “impact” or lock her ankles somehow. Perhaps, this was due to a increase in walking or from walking on the harder sand near the shoreline. Perhaps, it was due to improper or no footwear at all. The direct cause, in her scenario, remains unknown.
I look forward to any comments in regards to this health concern.
Dr. Luciano Di Loreto, HBSc., D.C.
Chiropractor and Acupuncture Provider
Fit for Life Wellness & Rehabilitation Centre
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Dr. Luciano Di Loreto graduated from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (2010) as a Doctor of Chiropractic and obtained a certificate in Medical Acupuncture at McMaster University (2010). At his practice located in Vaughan, Ontario, Canada, Dr. Luciano Di Loreto combines evidence-based chiropractic care with a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach to health care. He is an approachable, passionate, and diligent practitioner with a focus on delivering exceptional acute, preventative, rehabilitative and supportive care for a variety conditions relating to the muscle, nerve, and bone. During his spare time, Dr. Luciano Di Loreto takes pleasure in spending time with his family and friends. He enjoys fishing and playing sports.
Fit for Life Wellness & Rehabilitation Centre is a health clinic located in Vaughan, Ontario, just north of Major Mackenzie on Weston Road (Located in the Vellore Medical Centre & Walk In Clinic). If you have questions for Dr. Luciano Di Loreto, please comment and we will get right back to you promptly with information on your conditions/concerns.
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What do you mean by glass ankle?
From time to time, I have patients who replace a common medical diagnosis with a slang term or name. The first time I heard that my patient had “glass ankles, I remained uncertain as to what he meant. I asked him to explain further. He explained that a simple misstep, stumble or twist would lead to his ankles giving out. When this occurred, he explains that it is difficult for him to walk. Furthermore, his ankles become weak, swollen and movements are painful.
Why compare the ankle to glass, you ask?
As with glass, you need to be very careful not to tilt, drop or misplace it…if you do it will break into many pieces. With those with “glass ankles“, they must make sure to be delicate on their feet and avoid compromising positions. In Medical terms, the glass ankle refers to someone with ankle instability. Usually, this is caused by multiple ankle sprains.
Within this blog, I will go into the anatomy of the ankle, who is predisposed to ankle injuries, signs and symptoms of a twisted ankle/sprain, and treatment methods used to assist with the healing of a twisted ankle or sprained ankle.
What is a twisted ankle?
A twisted ankle, ankle twist, rolled ankle, ankle sprain/strain, or someone with a glass ankle is one of the most frequent types of injury seen by health practitioners. The ankle joint, which connects the foot with the lower leg, is injured often when an unnatural twisting motion occurs to the foot when it is planted awkwardly. This usually occurs when the ground is uneven or when an unusual amount of force is applied to the joint. Such injuries happen during athletic events, while running or walking or even doing something as simple as getting out of bed. There are various ligaments in the ankle which can be twisted or sprained, however the most common is the one located on the outside of the ankle. This ligament is known as the ATFL (Anterior Talofibular Ligament).
What makes up the ankle joint?
The ankle joint is composed of three bones, which include the tibia, fibula, and talus. The tibia is a large leg bone (on the inside of the leg) that bears most of the body’s weight. The fibula is the smaller leg bone (on the outside of the leg). Both the tibia and fibula attach to the talus (the top bone of the foot). The three bones together create the ankle joint. Tendons and ligaments cover these three bones. On the outside of the ankle you find the anterior talofibular liagament (ATFL). On the inside of the ankle is the deltoid ligament. Most ankle sprains involve the outside ligament, the ATFL.
What are the signs and symptoms of a twisted ankle?
Ankle sprain symptoms may vary from being very mild to severe.
Usually a sudden trauma, twisting or turning over of the ankle will happen. The patient will experience pain on the outside of the ankle. Swelling or bruising may be present but not always. Ankle sprains are graded 1, 2, or 3 depending on severity. Furthermore, the patient may pain, redness, warmth, trouble walking & stiffness in the ankle.
Grade 1 sprain:
- Some stretching or perhaps minor tearing of the lateral ankle ligaments.
- Little or no joint instability.
- Mild pain.
- There may be mild swelling around the bone on the outside of the ankle.
- Some joint stiffness or difficulty walking or running.
Grade 2 sprain:
- Moderate tearing of the ligament fibres.
- Some instability of the joint.
- Moderate to severe pain and difficulty walking.
- Swelling and stiffness in the ankle joint.
- Minor bruising may be evident.
Grade 3 sprain:
- Total rupture of a ligament.
- Gross instability of the joint.
- Severe pain initially followed later by no pain.
- Severe swelling.
- Usually extensive bruising.
What treatments are available for a twisted ankle?
Despite common medical practice, treatment of ankle sprains should not be limited to rest and ice. Modalities such as ultrasound, interferential current, TENS, Graston Therapy, Laser Therapy and soft tissue therapy can and should be used to assist in the healing of the sprained ligaments in the ankle. Furthermore, acute ankle injuries need to be addressed immediately, both passively (with modalities and soft tissue work) and actively (exercises and rehabilitation). If treatment does not commence immediately, you will probably experience stiffness, tightness and instability in the ankle joint at some point in the future. Moreover, ankle instability will most likely lead to more ankle sprains. Ultimately, more ankle sprains may dub you – the person with the glass ankles.
I hope you found this blog informative. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment.
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