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Conditions We Treat  /  Ankle Sprain & Achilles Pain

Foot & Ankle

Ankle Sprain and Achilles Pain Treatment in Bakersfield

A rolled ankle that keeps giving way, or an Achilles that aches every morning and after every run. The right rehab heals it properly and helps stop it coming back.

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Yes, physical therapy helps ankle sprains and Achilles pain. After a sprain, early guided movement and balance training help you recover and lower the chance of spraining it again. For Achilles tendon pain, a progressive strengthening program is the first-line treatment in clinical guidelines. At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist.

Does this sound like you?

✓You rolled your ankle and it is still swollen, stiff or weak
✓Your ankle feels loose or gives way on uneven ground
✓You have sprained the same ankle more than once
✓Pain or stiffness at the back of the heel, worst with your first steps in the morning
✓Achilles pain that warms up during a walk or run, then is worse afterward
✓A thickened, tender spot on the Achilles tendon

Ankle sprains

Most sprains happen when the foot rolls inward and stretches the ligaments on the outside of the ankle. Swelling and pain settle over days to weeks, but strength and balance often don't come back on their own. That is one reason many people who sprain an ankle sprain it again, and some go on to have an ankle that keeps giving way. Balance and strength training after a sprain lowers the risk of re-injury.

Achilles tendon pain

Achilles pain usually builds up gradually when the tendon is asked to do more than it is ready for: a new running plan, more walking or standing, a change in shoes, or tight, weak calves. Rest alone rarely fixes it for long. Progressive loading exercises that build calf and tendon strength are the most effective treatment, adjusted so the tendon improves without flaring up.

What treatment at ARI looks like

1
A one-on-one evaluation

Your first visit takes about 45 to 60 minutes. We check your ankle, foot and calf, your strength, balance and walking or running, and ask what you need to get back to.

2
Heal and strengthen

Hands-on care and exercises to restore motion, calf and ankle strengthening, balance training, and for the Achilles, a loading program progressed week by week.

3
Back to activity

A step-by-step return to walking, running, work or sport, advice on shoes, bracing or taping if helpful, and a home program to prevent it coming back.

No referral needed to start. In California, you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage; call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.

When to see a doctor first

See a doctor promptly if you have:

  • You can't take four steps on the injured foot, or there is tenderness right on the ankle or foot bones, which may need an X-ray
  • A sudden pop or feeling of being kicked in the back of the heel, with trouble pushing off, which can be an Achilles rupture
  • Pain, swelling or warmth in the calf, which needs urgent attention to rule out a blood clot
  • A foot that is numb, cold or pale, or swelling with fever or redness

Why patients choose ARI

Care at ARI is always one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist at our Bakersfield clinic: 8200 Stockdale Hwy, Suite B2, in the Town & Country Village center next to Trader Joe's. Our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.

Ankle sprain and Achilles FAQs

Usually not for long. After the first few days, gentle movement and walking as pain allows help a sprain heal. A physical therapist can guide you on when to add balance and strengthening work.
After a sprain, the ankle's strength and balance reactions often don't fully recover on their own, which makes another sprain more likely. Balance and strength training can reduce that risk.
Not always. Many people can keep some running or walking while the tendon gets stronger, as long as pain stays mild and settles by the next day. Your therapist will help you adjust your training.
Tendons improve slowly. Many people notice progress within several weeks of consistent loading exercise, with full recovery taking a few months. Sticking with the program is what makes the difference.
No. In California you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage, so call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.

Common questions

Ready to feel better?

Talk to a licensed physical therapist at ARI, one-on-one. Request an evaluation and we'll get back to you, usually within one business day.

Request an EvaluationCall (661) 282-8584

Sources

  1. Ankle Stability and Movement Coordination Impairments: Lateral Ankle Ligament Sprains Revision 2021. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (APTA clinical practice guideline), 2021.
  2. Achilles Pain, Stiffness, and Muscle Power Deficits: Midportion Achilles Tendinopathy Revision 2018. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (APTA clinical practice guideline), 2018.
  3. Sprained Ankle. OrthoInfo, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have symptoms, a licensed clinician should evaluate you.

Clinically reviewed by Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist · Reviewed September 2026