AFX – Ankle Foot Maximizer

4 Responses to AFX – Ankle Foot Maximizer

1. Natasha says:

   July 26, 2010 at 3:22 pm

   Looks like a neat product, would it help with shin splints? It looks like it would and I am soooo sick of trying to use rubber bands, but when I visited their site there wasn’t a shin splints program. Help?
2. rdubin says:

   July 28, 2010 at 3:40 pm

   Hi Natasha:

   Thanks for your comments related to the AFX. Sorry that we don’t have a shin splints program on our website yet, but it is coming. In the meantime, I will answer your question here.

   The reason we developed the AFX was to try and ‘solve’ some of the issues people were having using bands. It is very difficult to exercise both the toes and the mid-foot using bands (lots of tying and re-tying) and with the flexible foot bed of the AFX because you are strapped in you usually solve this problem. The AFX also allows you to exercise your foot and ankle through a complete range of motion. We tried to make it easier to use and also eliminate some of the ‘awkward’ postures one can get into using a band.

   To reduce your risk of getting shin splints and also help to rehab the problem you can use the AFX to:
   • Strengthen your toe flexors and toe extensors, foot/ankle invertors, and your ankle dorsiflexors through a full range of motion using the AFX. For maximum benefit, use eccentric loading*;
   • Improve flexibility of your toe flexors and toe extensors, foot/ankle invertors, and your ankle dorsiflexors by stretching with the AFX;
   • Stretch all of the muscles in your lower leg and foot before and after activity using the AFX.
   • Please refer to the AFX Eccentric Loading program/video for more details.
   Other things you might consider:
   • Ensure that your training shoes have adequate support and cushioning;
   • Warm up before running by walking and then gradually increase your speed to a jogging pace;
   • Once you raise your heart rate and lightly perspire, stop and stretch your lower leg muscles;
   • Increase the intensity and duration of exercise gradually. If running, do not increase your distance by more than 10% per week;
   • Whenever you go for a run or walk, do it on dirt, grass, cinder or a rubberized track to minimize impact forces on your shins;
   • Avoid running on uneven ground;
   • Decrease the amount of inclined treadmill or uphill/downhill walking or running that you are doing;
   • If your sport involves high-impact activities, make sure you have alternate days that are low-impact (e.g. cycling or swimming) with no running or jumping;
   • In an aerobics class, make sure the floor is either rubberized or wooden and slightly raised off of the ground so it will “give” as you exercise. This will reduce impact forces;
   I hope that this information helps with your shin splints.

   Best of luck,
   Ruth
3. Natasha says:

   July 30, 2010 at 5:22 pm

   Thanks very much Ruth! Best of luck with the AFX, I’ll be ordering one.
4. Lisa says:

   April 25, 2011 at 9:44 pm

   Hello! I am excited to find your product on line. I am having therapy on my ankle which I did not have any severe trauma too…but over a period of 6 months the outside of my ankle is unstable in my ice skates..I have since ordered new custom skates..but the problem persists…the right ankle falls out. After reading on line all I could about ankle sprains…I discovered the outer ligaments below the ankle bone must be stretched out. OUCH! Even with therapy it is still dropping out…I have to tape it to gain better stability..but it is still falling out on the ice in my skates.

   I have been teaching iceskating for 17 years and have never encountered this type of Chronic pain ankle sprain ever. Plus in the past 20 years I have never sprained that foot or broke it ever.
   When I walk I dont have an problem even though I have supenated forever.
   Is there hope for me with your product? I am desperate and my jobe depends on my ankle working properly