(Massage Therapy)
GENERAL EXPLANATION:
Ankle sprain is an acute injury of the soft tissues of the ankle joint. It is caused by sudden inward or outward excessive torsion of the ankle and strong tension of the lateral or medial ligament of the ankle due to acute torsion, fall, and walking on unsmooth ground. Sprain due to intorsion is most common. In severe cases, the ligament is completely broken or accompanied by avulsion fracture of the ankle tip. The main clinical manifestations are obvious swelling and pain in the ankle, subcutaneous ecchyrnoma, and pain aggravated by intorsion of extorsion. Massage therapy can activate the blood, expel stagnation, remove swelling, stop pain, and relieve muscular spasm.
NOTES:
1. In the early stage of the sprain (within 24 to 48 hours), it is prohibited to apply heavy techniques and wet and hot compresses. It is advisable to apply light, gentle, and skillful techniques without the extension and flexion method in order to avoid aggravating hemorrhage and injury.
2. In the restoration stage, it is advisable to apply the techniques slightly heavier and especially necessary to apply the heavier to relieve adhesion for cases with adhesion of hematoma organization and motor impairment of the joint, but using proper strength.
3. It is advisable to give massage treatment after X-ray examination to exclude fracture and dislocation.
TREATMENT:
1. Knead and rub the leg downwards to the ankle periphery for 3 to 5 minutes. Lift and grasp the lower portion of the gastrocnemius and heel tendon 5 to 10 times.
2. Press Kunlun(BL-60), Qiuxu(GB-40), Jiexi(ST-41), Shenmai(BL-62), Shangqiu and Zhaohai(K-6) for 30 seconds each and push and knead the swelling and pain peripherally for 3 minutes.
3. The extension and flexion method of the ankle joint: Hold the patient’s heel with one hand and hold the metatarsal portion with other hand. Then, forcefully pull both hands to each other. First, correct the state of the intorsion or extorsion of the patient’s foot for 2 minutes. Flex the foot and apply manual extension of the ankle, making a sudden flexion. Apply the rub and chafe methods lightly on the local area until a warm sensation is felt. Usually after treatment, pain can be relieved.
