An ankle sprain can be a significant hindrance to your day-to-day activities like exercising and running errands. If you're an athlete, an injury of this nature can keep you on the sidelines for longer than you’d like.

Fortunately, the Foot & Ankle Specialists in Blue Ash, OH, offer expert tips on how to prevent an ankle sprain:

• Improve Your Balance: Having poor balance increases the likelihood of twisting your ankle. One of the easiest and best ways to improve your balance is to stand on one foot for a few minutes every day. Tai chi, yoga, and squat repetitions can also enhance your body’s stability.
• Exercise: To minimize the possibility of hurting your ankle and feet, train the muscles around the foot area. Wrap a towel around your foot, then flex and move your foot up, down, and sideways. Consulting a physical therapist can also help you devise a personalized exercise routine that can improve your ankle muscles.
• Use Ankle Support: Most athletes find taping and bracing an effective approach to preventing sprains and ligament injuries. This injury-prevention strategy is a good idea for anyone with an active lifestyle. Braces and ankle supports can be readily found at most neighborhood pharmacies and sporting goods stores.
• Be Prepared: Before you participate in a sporting activity, be sure that you’ve had sufficient practice. Playing without enough preparation means you’ll have less body control when carrying out a specific movement. Sometimes, simply moving your foot in the wrong way at the wrong time is enough to put your ankle out of commission. Also, don't forget to warm up. A 10- to 15-minute warmup will raise your heart rate, get your blood flowing and loosen joints and muscles, further reducing your chances of an injury.

If you need immediate ankle sprain relief, head over to the Foot & Ankle Specialists. Their expert podiatrists offer comprehensive state-of-the-art care for foot and ankle disorders. To schedule an appointment, call them at (513) 769-4408. Check out their website to learn more about their podiatric services.