An ankle sprain is a common musculoskeletal injury that can occur in our daily lives. Most ankle sprains will heal on their own with some minor care. However, in a more serious ankle injury without proper treatment, the ankle may not heal well, and ankle instability can be a problem down the road.  

• A lateral sprain is the most common type of ankle injury. This occurs when the foot rolls inward and damages the ligaments of the outer part of the ankle, which affect the anterior talofibular ligament and the calcaneofibular ligament.  

• A medial or syndesmotic sprain is a less common injury. The medial collateral ligaments (also referred to as the deltoid ligament), are stronger than the lateral ligaments and less likely to get injured. If an injury does occur to this area, the damage will be more severe and may likely lead to chronic ankle instability and subsequent sprains. This type of injury often occurs in more physical sports like football, soccer, and gymnastics.  

 

Symptoms of ankle sprains:  

• Pain  

• Tenderness to the touch  

• Swelling  

• Bruising  

• Restricted range of motion  

• Difficulty walking  

 

Acupuncture treatment:   

• Reduce swelling/inflammation and pain.  

•  Supports the healing process and reduces the healing time.