Yoga for Ankle Sprain

I have sprained both ankles several times each throughout my life. I've used the ice/heat treatment, and rested them intially, but finally got back what feels like full functionality.

Walking helps. I rent a car when necessary, but most of my adult life I haven't owned a car. I take public transporation and walk everywhere else. Where I currently live is a half-mile to the subway station, going downhill to get there, and uphill to get back home. I do frequent stair-climbing as well, avoiding escalators wherever possible, up and down, and 'climbing' the escalator if I must take one. I also do regular foot and ankle exercises, several being yoga-based.

Sprained ankles can take a long time to heal. The last time I sprained my ankle, about five years ago, it took almost a full year before it felt completely back to 'normal'. I haven't had any problems with it since then though.

Yoga. The balance work one gets, or ought get, in a dedicated yoga practice is one (of the many) reason I continue in my 16th year of yoga practice.

I find that the balancing poses in yoga have helped tremendously to strengthen my ankles, both of which I've sprained on multiple occasions (I no longer play tennis).

Yoga has strengthened and uncurled my body, so I no longer fall. If I step on uneven ground, I am able to catch myself before my foot rolls over into an ankle sprain. One-legged yoga poses certainly help with balance, but real improvement has come with two-legged poses that strengthen outer-calf and hip muscles.

My family has a problem with hyperlaxity of our joints. I sprained my ankle the first time when I was about 5 and suffered from a fairly serious ankle sprain nearly every year after that age. I began practicing yoga at the age of 22 for some lower back issues and I haven't had a single ankle sprain in the past 15 years. All those one legged standing poses have strengthened my muscles and the supporting tissue. I will occassionally feel my ankles starting to slip out of place but then all the supporting tissue firm up and prevent a nasty dislocation. Hurrah for yoga.

I just had an Ah-ha! moment. I have multiple sclerosis. One of my major exhibiting symptoms is bad balance. I have broken both of my ankles and twisted/ sprained them countless times. My ankles can start hurting at awkward times: while I am driving, walking long distances, etc.

I have noticed that since I started practicing yoga over a year ago (to help with my MS)- I have not had ankle problems. Yoga challenges me every time in the area of balance and I have experienced an increase in balance over the past year, as well.
If better balance = better ankles it is just another way yoga has transformed my life.