Ankle Pain

Recover PhysioKnowledge HubAreasAnkle Pain
By Sophia Smith Areas

Ankle Pain

Is Ankle Pain slowing you down? Why painkillers and visits to your GP are not the answer!

Most people who have experienced ankle pain tend to wake up one morning in more discomfort than when they went to sleep and therefore, understandably, think that the problem will go away just as quickly. That one morning they will wake up and get out of bed free of pain, able to be fully active again.

The problem though is that ankle pain can often be a result of multiple factors. It can have built up over weeks, months or even years, resulting from work stresses, sport stresses, etc. And the morning you wake up with increased pain can just be the cumulation of these.

Does this sound like you?

Perhaps you have been to your doctor, who prescribed painkillers and an ankle support and told you to rest. To make another appointment if it gets worse. And then, several weeks later, you revisited your GP because nothing had changed, only to be given even stronger painkillers which still did nothing to help.

Maybe you are confused? You can’t work out what caused the pain? Different people are offering you conflicting advice, but you just want to get back to a normal active and pain-free life.

The ankle is a complicated joint. It can be difficult to work out exactly why you are getting your pain, often leading to confusing and contradictory advice.

Because of this, people understandably begin to accept their pain as just a part of life and resign themselves to the fact that they have no choice but to just live with it.

There is no reason to put up with Ankle Pain

If you are currently living with ankle pain, these are the 5 most common things we hear from patients just like you in our clinics:

  1. I thought the pain would simply go away on its own after a period of rest, but it didn’t.
  2. I went to the doctors, thinking they would help, but was prescribed painkillers which did nothing to relieve the pain.
  3. Friends told me that everyone gets pains as they get older, it’s just normal and you have to live with it.
  4. I’ve been to healthcare professionals in the past, but they weren’t able to help.
  5. I’ve tried resting and applying ice, but the pain simply won’t go away.

We are here to help

If any of these experiences sound familiar, then we would love to help you.

We understand that you have options when it comes to who you see for your healthcare so we want to make certain that you feel completely comfortable with us and confident about how we will help you recover.

We always listen to feedback from our patients and they told us that they really liked being able to speak to a Physiotherapist, for free, before their first appointment. It gave them the chance to ask questions about their problem and see if and how physiotherapy could benefit them. We always take the time to talk through your issues with you and to answer any questions you have.

At Recover Physio, our physiotherapists will work with you to fix your ankle pain and to keep it away permanently.

How Recover Physiotherapy Can Help

If you would like to know how the team at Recover Physio can help you live your life without ankle pain, why not speak to one of our friendly physios first? Just click below to request a callback from a member of our team!

At Recover Physiotherapy, we are committed to helping you overcome ankle pain to improve your quality of life. Our experienced team combines advanced physiotherapy techniques with a personalised approach to provide effective and lasting solutions. 

Our physiotherapists have been trained by world leading experts and developed a systematic approach. This gives us confidence in finding the root cause for your injury and in order to plan a custom roadmap for recovery.

Find your nearest Recover Physio branch

If you’d like to book a consultation, you can book online at our Princes Street clinic in Norwich, Norfolk, or our clinic at The Nest, Holt Road, Norwich.

Princes Street, Norwich City Centre

Our Princes Street clinic is the flagship clinic of Recover Physio, situated in the heart of Norwich city centre in Tombland.

The Nest, Holt Road

Our clinic at The Nest serves customers in Norwich and surrounding areas of North Norwich and Norfolk.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you treat ankle pain?

The right treatment depends entirely on the cause, which is why our first step is always an accurate diagnosis. At Recover Physio, we typically use a combination of hands-on manual therapy to improve joint movement and reduce stiffness, alongside a personalised exercise programme. This plan will focus on strengthening the ankle, improving your balance (proprioception), and restoring your full, pain-free range of motion.

When should I see a doctor for ankle pain?

You should seek urgent medical attention (at A&E or a minor injuries unit) if you cannot put any weight on your ankle after an injury, or if there is rapid, severe swelling or a change in the shape of the joint. It is also important to see your GP if you have pain at night, or symptoms like fever and redness, as this could suggest an infection. For most other ankle pain, a physiotherapist is the ideal professional to see for diagnosis and treatment.

Should I go to physio for ankle pain?

Yes, seeing a physiotherapist is an excellent step for most types of ankle pain, especially for sprains, persistent aches, or instability. We are highly trained to diagnose the specific structure causing your pain, whether it’s a ligament, tendon, or joint issue. We don’t just manage the pain; we create a specific rehabilitation plan to fix the underlying problem and reduce the risk of it returning.

How often should I do ankle rehab exercises?

This depends on your specific injury and what stage of recovery you are in. Initially, you might perform very gentle mobility exercises several times a day to restore movement. As you progress to strengthening and balance exercises, the schedule might change to once daily or a few times per week. Your physiotherapist will provide a clear, personalised plan that details exactly what to do and when.