I am being treated for an ankle sprain. My physical therapist has me stand and work my ankle on a big round disk. How does this type of training help?

Disk training is an effective treatment for ankle sprains. The disk is a circular platform with a small sphere under it. People place their feet on it and work the ankle by tilting the disk in various positions.

Disk training can improve balance, ease ankle pain, and protect people from having repeated ankle sprains. A unique study also showed how this type of training quickens the response of muscles around the ankle. The main shin muscle, the anterior tibialis muscle, showed the greatest improvement. By getting the ankle muscles to respond faster in the event the ankle turns inward, the disk helps protect your ankle from being sprained again.