Ankle Mobility: The Small Joint That Says a Lot About Your Overall Health
I’m spending extra time in each massage on ankles lately, here’s why:
Over the past few months, I’ve been spending extra time on a part of the body that often gets overlooked during massage sessions — the ankles. That might sound odd, especially when so many people come in complaining of tight shoulders, low back pain, or hip stiffness. But after more than 20 years as a fitness-focused massage therapist — and as someone who teaches LimberJacks, a stretching and mobility class in the tradition of Per Henrik Ling’s Swedish Free Gymnastics — I can tell you this: ankle mobility is one of the most important and underrated indicators of your overall health and fitness.
Why the Ankles Matter So Much
Your ankles form the base of your kinetic chain. Every step you take, every time you stand from a chair or balance on one leg — your ankles are quietly doing their job. But when mobility is limited in this area (and for many people, it is), your body finds ways to compensate. This often shows up as:
Poor squat mechanics
Knee or hip pain
Reduced balance and stability
Strain through the lower back
I’ve seen it time and time again. A client will come in with back or hip tension, and after assessing their movement, it becomes clear: their ankles just aren’t moving the way they should.
In the style of Swedish Gymnastics
My LimberJacks class aligns with Ling’s philosophy of integrated, full-body movement — one that values breath, control, and joint freedom equally. The ankles were never neglected in this tradition, and I bring that same intentionality into every massage session. Lately, I’ve been incorporating more mobilization work around the talocrural and subtalar joints, gently releasing soft tissue restrictions in the calves, Achilles, and foot to allow for better dorsiflexion and a more grounded gait.
These aren’t just nice add-ons. They’re foundational. Because if your ankles don’t move well, it becomes harder for the rest of your body to move well.
What You Can Do
If you’re coming in for massage, you may notice me spending a little more time down at your feet — doing some passive joint mobilizations, tractioning the ankle, or using targeted myofascial techniques through the lower leg. Outside of the treatment room, I often recommend simple movement drills like:
Ankle circles
Heel lifts and toe raises
Calf stretches with bent and straight knees
Wall dorsiflexion mobility drills
Five minutes a day is enough to start seeing (and feeling) improvement.
Final Thoughts
In the movement world — and in life — it’s often the smallest things that make the biggest difference. Paying attention to your ankle mobility can improve how you walk, how you stand, how you move, and even how you age.
If you’ve been feeling off balance, stiff in your gait, or like your feet don’t connect as well to the ground anymore, let’s talk ankles at your next session. I’ve been focusing extra attention there for a reason.
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