Clinical Pearl: Self Ankle Distraction | Modern Manual Therapy Blog - Manual Therapy, Videos, Neurodynamics, Podcasts, Research Reviews

Clinical Pearl: Self Ankle Distraction

Here is a quick Clinical Pearl I came up for one of my runner patients this week!

I had often done this on myself to restore dorsiflexion (other than some self EDGE work to my lower leg!).  A runner came in with 0 dorsiflexion, stating he did not know why his ankle had locked up again, and it felt like it needed "another manipulation."

So I started by showing him the typical distraction, with one hand web space on the superior talus, and the other on the superior calcaneus. When he stated "it does not feel like enough stretch," I suggested he actively flex his hip to provide more force and just hold his hands in place. There was actually a decent cavitation and all his ankle motion was restored! I tried the hip flexion myself, and it is a much more effective self mobilization! Give it a try!




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