Recovering from an Ankle Sprain: Can Cold Laser Therapy Help?

Ankle sprains are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries, affecting people of all ages—from athletes to everyday walkers. Whether caused by a sudden twist, misstep, or uneven surface, ankle sprains can be painful and limit daily activities or sports performance if not properly managed.

What Is Sprain?

An ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments that support the ankle are stretched or torn, typically due to the foot rolling inward. This injury most often affects the lateral ligaments on the outside of the ankle.

Common Signs and Symptoms of an Ankle Sprain:

• Pain at the outside of the ankle
• Swelling and bruising
• Difficulty walking or bearing weight
• Instability or a "wobbly" feeling in the ankle
• Tenderness to touch

Sprains are graded based on severity:

• Grade I: Mild stretching of ligaments
• Grade II: Partial ligament tear
• Grade III: Complete ligament rupture

Early intervention is key to promoting proper healing and preventing future injury.

Cold Laser Therapy and Ankle Sprains

Cold laser therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), is a non-invasive treatment that uses light energy to stimulate healing at the cellular level. At Cold Laser Perth (offered within Lakeside Chiropractic), we use the MR5 ACTIV PRO LaserStim®—an advanced cold laser system combining super pulsed laser and electrotherapy for deeper tissue penetration and more targeted results.

How Cold Laser Therapy May Help with Ankle Sprains

🔬 Stimulates Cellular Repair

LLLT works by stimulating mitochondria in cells, enhancing ATP production—the energy needed for tissue repair. Research shows that cold laser therapy increases mitochondrial function and ATP synthesis in muscle cells, which may accelerate healing in soft tissues.

🔥 Reduces Inflammation and Swelling

Cold laser therapy can help lower inflammation by changing how the body responds to it, including reducing certain chemicals that cause swelling. It also boosts blood flow, which helps carry away waste and bring in nutrients that support recovery. Studies have shown it can help heal soft tissues like ligaments more effectively.

🤕 Provides Pain Relief

LLLT may reduce pain by affecting nerve conduction and encouraging the release of endorphins. One clinical trial found that patients with soft tissue injuries who received cold laser therapy experienced significant pain relief and functional improvement compared to those in a placebo group.

💪 Enhances Functional Recovery

By supporting faster tissue healing and reducing discomfort, cold laser therapy may help patients regain movement and return to normal activity sooner, especially when used alongside rehabilitation.

How Chiropractic Care May Help with Ankle Sprains

Chiropractors can assist in the recovery from ankle sprains by addressing joint alignment, soft tissue tension, and movement dysfunction. At Cold Laser Perth, our chiropractors provide a range of supportive treatments alongside cold laser therapy, which may include:

• Gentle mobilisation of the ankle and surrounding joints to restore normal movement
• Soft tissue therapy to reduce muscle tension and swelling
• Kinesio taping to support healing, provide stability, and reduce strain on injured tissues
• Balance and proprioceptive exercises to improve stability
• Gait and posture assessments to identify and address underlying factors

While chiropractic care does not directly heal torn ligaments, it may support a smoother and more complete recovery by improving mobility, reducing compensatory strain, and encouraging optimal biomechanics.

A Combined Approach for Better Recovery

At Cold Laser Perth, we take a comprehensive and evidence-informed approach to care. For ankle sprains, combining chiropractic care and cold laser therapy can offer:

• Reduced pain and inflammation
• Improved mobility and range of motion
• Better tissue healing
• Support for long-term joint stability

Treatment plans are tailored to individual needs and injury severity. If you've recently rolled your ankle or are struggling with pain and swelling, don’t wait for it to heal on its own. Reach out to Cold Laser Perth at 9300 0095 or visit our website at www.coldlaserperth.com.au for more information.

📍 Serving the Joondalup & Northern Suburbs of Perth Lakeside Chiropractic is central to the northern suburbs of Perth, located in the City of Joondalup.

If you are in the surrounding suburbs such as Yanchep - 6035, Tapping - 6065, Carramar - 6031, Currambine - 6028, Wanneroo - 6065, Heathridge - 6027, Edgewater - 6027, Gnangara - 6077, Mullaloo - 6027, Padbury - 6025, Kingsley - 6026, Woodvale - 6026, Banksia Grove - 6031, or Duncraig - 6023, our team is here to assist you.

References:

1. Ferraresi et al. (2015)
   Ferraresi, C., Kaippert, B., Avci, P., Huang, Y. Y., de Sousa, M. V., Bagnato, V. S., Parizotto, N. A., & Hamblin, M. R. (2015). Low-level laser (light) therapy increases mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP synthesis in C2C12 myotubes with a peak response at 3–6 hours. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 91(2), 411–416. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4355185/
2. Barbour et al. (2012)
   Barbour, R. L., Heinrich, S. D., & Black, S. J. (2012). Limb blood flow after class 4 laser therapy. Journal of Athletic Training, 47(2), 178–183. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3418129/
3. Mulcahy et al. (1995)
   Mulcahy, D., McCormack, D., McElwain, J., Wagstaff, S., & Conroy, C. (1995). Low level laser therapy: A prospective double-blind trial of its use in an orthopaedic population. Injury, 26(5), 315–317. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7649646/

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual results may vary.