Overview
Ankle joint sprain is sprain of fascia, muscles, ligaments and blood vessels around the ankle joint without bone fracture, dislocation or breakage of skin and muscle. The main clinical manifestations are distension and pain in injured region around the ankle joint and dysfunction of the joint. It is mainly caused by injury of tendons, meridians and joints of the ankle due to carrying heavy things or over exercises, tumbling, over tension or wrench which leads to disorder in movement of meridian qi and local qi and blood stagnation. The principle of acupuncture therapy is activating qi flow and blood circulation, eliminating swollen and alleviating pain.

Treatment
1. Ashi Point
For new injury with obvious local hematoma or old injury with prolonged lingering of blood stasis, tap the local hematoma site heavily with the cutaneous needle to induce mild bloodletting and then apply cupping method with retention of jars for 10-15 minutes. The method of using one needle to penetrate towards multiple directions or several needles to penetrate in local hematoma site, or using leopard-spot needling with a three-edged needle with cupping afterwards could also be used. For new injury, the treatment is applied 1-2 times every day till full recovery. For old injury, the treatment is applied once every day, 7 times for one course.

2. Qiuxu (GB 40)
After insertion and arrival of qi, reducing method by twirling the needle is applied. Meanwhile ask the patient to move the affected ankle joint with a margin from small to big. The needle is retained for 15-20 minutes; manipulations are done 3-4 times during the needle retention. The treatment is applied 1-2 times every day till full recovery.

3. Corresponding Point
The corresponding point on the wrist of the ipsilateral side is selected. After routine sterilization, insert the needle obliquely. Until getting arrival of qi, scrape the handle of the needle repeatedly and ask the patient to move the injured ankle joint. Each treatment takes 10-15 minutes.

Note
On the early stage of sprain, apply cold compress for 10-15 minutes on local region and acupuncture treatment afterwards. According to clinical symptoms, therapies such as cold or warm compress, herbal external compress or massage are combined to improve the curative effect.