Ankle Sprain

Ankle sprains are injuries in which the ligaments surrounding the ankle joint (primarily the anterior talofibular and posterior talofibular ligaments) receive forces exceeding their physiological range, resulting in damage ranging from micro-tears to complete ruptures. Simultaneously with the injury, capillaries rupture and inflammatory exudate seeps between tissues, causing swelling, bruising, and a sensation of heat. The severity of the injury is classified into Grade 1 (ligament stretching), Grade 2 (partial rupture), and Grade 3 (complete rupture); joint instability may persist in Grade 2 or higher cases. In Korean traditional medicine, pain, swelling, and a sensation of heat are viewed as occurring when the muscles and ligaments (tendons) around the ankle are damaged by external forces, causing the flow of Qi and blood to become blocked and constricted in that area. Since Korean traditional medicine views the liver as governing tendons and the kidneys as governing bones, repeated or chronic injuries lead to a decline in the function of these organs, which in turn results in reduced ligament recovery capacity. If the pathways of Qi and blood passing around the ankle become blocked and stagnant, pain may spread to the surrounding areas. At Dongjedang, we unblock the Qi and blood in the early stages using acupuncture and cupping, and subsequently create an environment for recovery by using fine needles to separate adhered tissues in the damaged ligament area.