Acupuncture & Sprains

Joint sprains involve stretching ligaments beyond their capacity, leading to potential tears. The ankle is the most common site for a sprain. Symptoms include pain, swelling, joint immobility and bruising. Talk to your doctor about your sprain, and discuss additional treatments such as acupuncture to potentially manage your pain. Acupuncture sessions may help reduce swelling and pain, possibly speeding your recovery.

Sprains in Western Medicine

Tough, fibrous bands of tissue hold your bones together at a joint, preventing bones from moving out of place. Stretching or tearing of a ligament is considered a sprain. Traumatic injuries, like a football tackle, can sprain a ligament in your knee or shoulder. Sudden twists or over-extensions can also stretch or tear ligament fibers, leading to a sprain. Repeated movements and impacts can also wear down ligament fibers, eventually causing a sprain. Typical treatment involves rest, ice or cold compresses to reduce swelling and elevation. Your doctor may also recommend compression by wrapping the affected area in a bandage or using a brace.

Chinese Medicine and Sprains

Though trauma and injury can cause a sprain, according to traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, certain imbalances in your body may increase your risk for ligament damage. Chronic ligament weakness, developed through repetitive activity, is mainly correlated with the body's internal disharmony. The body's energy, or qi, and blood production or circulation may be impaired. Without proper energy and blood, the ligaments and supporting muscles around the joint become weak. In terms of origination of blood and qi, TCM often targets the liver and kidney energy channels for imbalances. Additionally, the spleen is in charge of fluid regulation, so joint swelling may be affected by the strength of the spleen's qi.

Local Acupuncture Points

Local acupuncture points are often chosen to heal sprains. They can directly influence the injury when placed near the affected area. For instance, gallbladder point 39, located above the outside ankle bone, is indicated for ankle sprains and ligament damage. Spleen points 5 and 6 are found near the inner ankle bone and may be selected to alleviate an inside ankle sprain. Additionally, these points can help resolve swelling and heat in the joint. Swelling and pain in the knee may be alleviated with local points such as gallbladder 34 and stomach 36. Located on the outer aspect of the leg below the knee, these points can move qi and blood while alleviating pain and swelling.

Additional Points

In addition to local points, your practitioner can choose points that strengthen ligaments, disperse fluids and increase blood and energy flow. These may be located adjacent to or away from the affected area. Liver point 8 nourishes blood and clears dampness and heat from the lower body. Liver 14, located near the ribcage, is indicated for strengthening spleen qi, spreading qi and harmonizing liver and spleen energies. Kidney point 3 is important for restoring kidney qi, while kidney 6 strengthens kidney energy while dispelling heat in the lower leg.