Twisting an ankle or spraining an ankle is a pretty common injury, particularly if you play a sport like soccer. Ankle injuries are commonplace in this sport and can occur for all kinds of reasons. If you are being tackled, there could be a direct collision with your ankle that results in injury, or even just stepping incorrectly when you are making a pass or running for the ball can result in an injury. Fortunately, most ankle injuries do correct themselves with time, but if you play in a team regularly, you will want your ankle to heal as quickly as possible. Here's some advice to speed along that healing process.

Invest in a resistance band.

Resistance bands are now all the rage as an exercise trend, and it's with good reason. The additional resistance provides a more intense workout than bodyweight alone, and yet you can use it in the comfort of your own living room. There are quite a few different ankle strengthening exercises you can do with a resistance band, and because you are in total control of the movement, you only need to push yourself as far as you feel comfortable. It can be a good idea to visit a sports podiatrist to make sure you have the correct form and are doing the correct number of repetitions with one of these bands.

Invest in high-quality football boots.

Many people sustain an ankle injury while playing soccer because they just aren't wearing the right shoes for the job. If you are wearing the same kind of trainers you would wear in the gym while playing soccer, you are making a big mistake. Football boots are designed to have studs coming out of the bottom so that the foot can grip onto turf more easily. Because of this, less slippage and fewer ankle injuries occur.

Calf raises and ankle curls.

These are two of the best exercises you can do to strengthen your ankle, and neither one requires any specialist equipment or a gym membership. A calf raise is simply coming on to the tips of your toes in a slow and controlled way, and this helps every muscle and ligament around the ankle joint. A toe curl is a simple exercise you can do seated on a chair, with a towel beneath your feet. Curl your toes so that the towel scrunches up beneath them and is moved close towards you. Do a few sets of this each day and your flexor muscles will greatly improve.