Chiropractic Help for Turf Toe
By Sara Butler
Turf toe isn’t just the bane of a professional athlete’s existence; it can impact anyone, anywhere at any time – even you! If you spend a lot of time walking, or you’re a runner or avid exerciser, then you’re at risk for turf toe. So, what is turf toe anyway and how can your chiropractor help? Read on to find out.
What is Turf Toe?
If you like to watch football, then you’ve probably heard about one of your favorite athletes suffering from this affliction. To break it down to brass tacks, this is a condition where your big toe is basically sprained. The main joint of the big toe becomes hyperextended as it is it flexed too far. It can result from a trauma such as a tackle in football or from an accident such as falling.
The Symptoms of Turf Toe
How do you know if you’re suffering from turf toe? Well, if you experience any of the following then you might just have this condition
- Swelling of the big toe
- Pain in the big toe
- Tenderness in the big toe
- Pain with stretching or bending
The amount of pain or tenderness you feel is going to depend on how severe your injury is.
What You Can Do
When you begin to suspect you are developing turf toe it’s really important to begin treatment at home. This can be a condition that takes quite a while to heal simply based on the location of the injury and the fact the joint of the big toe is used often. When you’re at home you should make sure to rest it as much as possible and apply ice therapy to it several times a day for 15 minutes at a time, between visits to your chiropractor for treatment.
How Your Chiropractor Can Help
Your chiropractor’s main objective is going to be to help control your pain and inflammation. They may look at the shoes you are wearing and prescribe some exercises you can do at home to help your injury heal. One of the biggest things they will look for is misalignments in your body that may be causing your gait to be altered, making the turf toe even worse. Once they are sure your body is in alignment and working at its best, your condition can begin to improve.
If you suspect you have turf toe, don’t delay in discussing it with your chiropractor at The Joint. They can help you to get back on your feet again!