Get Relief for Your Sports Injury and Get Back in the Game!
Thomas was an avid high school soccer player with dreams of making it to the college level. He trained hard and played even harder, but one misstep during a match changed everything. As he lunged for the ball, he felt a sharp pain in his ankle and crumpled to the ground. The diagnosis was quick but disheartening: an ankle sprain.
Fortunately, at Foundation Therapy, our therapists are skilled at identifying and treating all types of sports injuries. Our therapists will conduct a whole-body assessment to ensure we identify all the factors that may impact recovery and design our programs tailored to the individual.
Give us a call today to learn more about our programs and set up an appointment with one of our physical therapists!
Identifying an Ankle Sprain
At first, Thomas didn’t know the severity of his injury. Like many, he thought he could just ‘walk it off.’ However, the key signs were there:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Difficulty putting weight on the foot
Ankle sprains occur when the ligaments that support the ankle stretch beyond their limits and tear. When Thomas landed awkwardly, he twisted his ankle in the process. Although ankle sprains are common in sports and often ignored, getting proper care is critical to quick recovery and reducing the risk of future injuries.
Unfortunately, too often, athletes don’t want to miss out on competing and “play through” injuries. Ankle sprains, in particular, are susceptible to recurrent sprains, especially when not properly rehabilitated.
Thomas’s journey to recovery began with a visit to Foundation Therapy. He was evaluated by one of our skilled physical therapists and given guidance on how to recover quickly and get back into the game!
Initial Steps
Initially, Thomas’s therapy focused on reducing his pain, eliminating his swelling, and restoring his mobility. This involved:
- M.I.C.E (Move, Ice, Compression, Elevation): This simple method is crucial in the early stages of an ankle sprain. Thomas learned to keep moving his ankle, apply ice to reduce pain, and use compression with elevation to reduce the swelling.
Building Strength and Stability
Once the swelling reduced, Thomas’s therapy shifted gears towards rebuilding strength and stability. This phase included:
- Strengthening Exercises: Thomas worked on exercises to strengthen the muscles around his ankle. These included toe raises and resistance band exercises.
- Balance Training: To regain stability, Thomas practiced balancing exercises. This was crucial to prevent future sprains.
Regaining Functionality
The final phase of Thomas’s therapy centered on getting him back to his pre-injury level and back on the field. This involved:
- Functional Training: Thomas gradually returned to activities that mimicked soccer movements.
- Sport-Specific Drills: As he regained strength, sport-specific exercises were introduced to prepare him for returning to soccer.
Through his recovery, Thomas also learned how to perform sport-specific warm-ups, the importance of sleep, and regular conditioning to prevent injuries.
Embrace The Recovery Blueprint and Get Back in Action!
Thomas’s story is a reminder of the importance of addressing sports injuries with the guidance from our team at Foundation Therapy. Take the first step in healing your ankle sprain and returning to the sport you love by calling today to schedule an appointment!
✨ Staff Spotlight ✨
Celebrating the dedicated professionals who make Foundation Therapy exceptional
Kelli Smith grew up in Paradise, Texas, and discovered her passion for physical therapy while attending a high school Career Day. After learning more about the profession, she knew it was the career she wanted to pursue and never looked back.
She earned her Master’s in Physical Therapy from Angelo State University in 2007 and began her career in a hospital-based outpatient clinic, where she spent 11 years advancing from staff physical therapist to Clinic Coordinator of two satellite facilities. Along the way, she gained valuable experience in outpatient orthopedics, home health, skilled nursing, and acute care.
Kelli joined Foundation Therapy in January 2019 because she was inspired by the clinic’s one-on-one treatment philosophy and commitment to making a positive impact in the local community. Her personal values align closely with Foundation Therapy’s mission of providing individualized care, empowering patients to reach their maximum potential, and creating an environment where both patients and staff can thrive.
She takes great pride in helping every patient regain confidence, restore movement, and return to the activities they love without pain. Her compassionate approach, combined with years of clinical experience and advanced education, allows her to deliver personalized care tailored to each individual’s goals.
Outside the clinic, Kelli enjoys spending time with her husband, Clint—whom she met during Freshman Orientation at Angelo State University—and their two children, Bailey and Braden. Whether it’s football Saturdays, kayaking, watching thunderstorms roll across West Texas, vacationing in the mountains, playing cards, outshooting her husband at the firing range, or simply enjoying a beautiful West Texas sunset, family time is always her favorite way to recharge.
Kelli is proud to serve the Bridgeport community through Foundation Therapy and remains dedicated to helping every patient move better, feel stronger, and live life to the fullest.
The Importance of Rest and Relaxation for Your Physical Health
Did you know that August 15th is National Relaxation Day? At Foundation Therapy, we want to highlight the importance of rest and relaxation for your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Here are some ways to celebrate National Relaxation Day:
- Take a Breath: Deep breathing isn't just calming; it significantly reduces stress and enhances mental clarity. It's a powerful tool for mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
- Get Some Sleep: Adequate sleep is more than rest. It's a critical period for muscle recovery and overall health maintenance.
- Digital Detox: Unplugging from electronic devices is proven to reduce mental fatigue and boost overall mood.
This National Relaxation Day, remember that taking time to relax is not just a luxury but a key element in maintaining a balanced, healthy lifestyle!
School Supply Drive:
What an incredible community we have!
A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who donated school supplies during our School Supply Drive. Because of your generosity, local students will head back to school with backpacks, notebooks, pencils, glue, scissors, and so much more. Every donation helps set a child up for success, and we're honored to be part of a community that always shows up for one another.
We're grateful to everyone who helped make this drive such a success. Together, we're making a difference—one backpack at a time. Thank you for helping us support Bridgeport families and invest in the future of our community!
Follow Us on Social Media!
Share Your Success Story
Love your experience with Foundation Therapy? Click the button to leave us a Google review—your feedback helps others find the care they need!
Enjoy This Featured Recipe!
Apple, Goat Cheese, and Pecan Pizza
Treat yourself to the perfect blend of sweet and savory with this Apple, Goat Cheese, and Pecan Pizza. Crisp apples, creamy goat cheese, crunchy pecans, and a hint of sweetness come together for a fresh, flavorful meal that's sure to impress!
- 1lb six-grain pizza crust
- Cooking spray
- 3 cups thinly sliced Fuji apple
- 1 cup crumbled goat cheese
- 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 tsp honey
- 2 cups baby arugula
- 3 tbsp chopped pecans, toasted
Directions:
Preheat oven to 450°. Place pizza crust on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Arrange apple slices evenly over pizza crust; top with cheese. Sprinkle thyme evenly over cheese. Bake at 450° for 8 minutes or until cheese melts and begins to brown. Combine oil and next 3 ingredients (through honey) in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add arugula; toss gently to coat. Sprinkle pecans evenly over pizza; top with arugula mixture. Cut pizza into 6 wedges.
Refer a Friend
Our purpose at Foundation Therapy is to leave a greater impact on the community around us. In order to achieve our goal we want to change as many lives as possible as we become a beacon of positivity in our community.
Thank you for subscribing to Foundation Therapy
Meet Our Team
Chris Hicks
Owner / PT
Kelli Smith
Supervising Clinician/PT
Ali Martinez
Office Manager
Sandra McDonald
Insurance Verification and Authorization Specialist
