Miss a step, land awkwardly during sports – your ankle twists sharply, and instant, intense pain makes you break out in a cold sweat. Ankle sprains are one of the most common acute injuries in daily life. Improper handling can lead to long-term problems like recurring pain and joint instability.
Dr. Khoo Poh Joon from Singapore Kong Fong Tong TCM's Orthopedic-Traumatology Department, with extensive experience, warns: "For an acute sprain, the priority is 'controlling the chaos'. Blindly rubbing to 'promote blood flow' actually worsens swelling."
What NOT to Do After a Sprain!
Vigorously rub or massage it immediately: Easily worsens capillary rupture, causing severe swelling.
Apply heat or soak in hot water right away: Heat expands blood vessels, increasing internal bleeding and swelling.
Push through the pain and keep moving: Aggravates damage to ligaments and soft tissues, delaying healing.
Apply unknown medicated oils recklessly: Irritating oils can cause allergic reactions or skin irritation.
Kong Fong Tong TCM Treatment: Phased Approach, Step-by-Step Recovery
Phase 1: Acute Stage (24-72 Hours): Ice + Immobilization + Herbal Compress - Emergency "Fire Control"
R.I.C.E. Principle is Essential: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.
TCM Herbal Compress: Kong Fong Tong's special herbal powders or plasters (e.g., Jin Huang San), designed to invigorate blood, dispel stasis, cool blood, and relieve pain, are applied cool or at room temperature to the swollen, painful area. They quickly constrict blood vessels, reduce inflammatory fluid leakage, and significantly ease swelling and pain. Dr. Khoo emphasizes: "The core goals in the acute phase are 'stopping bleeding, preventing swelling, relieving pain'. TCM external application targets the injury site directly – safe and effective."
Phase 2: Swelling Reduction Stage (3-7 Days Later): Dispelling Stasis, Unblocking Channels, Restoring Movement
Combine Internal Herbs & External Applications:
Internal Herbs: Based on pattern diagnosis (mainly Qi stagnation and blood stasis), modified formulas like Tao Hong Si Wu Tang (Peach Kernel & Carthamus Four Substances Decoction) or Huo Xue Zhi Tong Tang (Blood-Activating Pain-Relieving Decoction) are used to promote absorption and dissipation of stagnant blood.
External Applications: Switch to warming, channel-unblocking, stasis-dispersing, swelling-reducing ointments or medicated oils, like Kong Fong Tong's Die Da Qu Yu Gao (Trauma Bruise-Removing Ointment), applied with gentle massage to enhance penetration.
Gentle Tendon-Smoothing Manual Therapy: Once swelling significantly subsides, a qualified TCM practitioner performs gentle tendon-smoothing and aligning techniques to realign disordered fascia and ligaments, preventing adhesions. Dr. Khoo notes: "Techniques must be precise and gentle. Too early or too forceful is counterproductive."
Progressive Functional Exercises: Under guidance, begin toe movements and ankle pumps (pulling toes up, pointing toes down) to gradually restore joint range of motion and prevent stiffness.
Phase 3: Rehabilitation Stage (1-2+ Weeks Later): Strengthen Tissues, Prevent Recurrence
Consolidate with Herbs + Tendon Strengthening: Internal herbs focus on tonifying the Liver and Kidneys, strengthening tendons and bones, such as modified Zhuang Jin Yang Xue Tang (Tendon-Strengthening Blood-Nourishing Decoction). This promotes ligament repair and enhances joint stability.
Acupuncture + Moxibustion: Points like Jiexi (ST41), Kunlun (BL60), Qiuxu (GB40), and Ashi points (local tender points) are selected. Acupuncture unblocks channels, while moxibustion warms the local area, improving circulation and speeding tissue repair.
Upgraded Rehab Exercises: Introduce resistance band exercises and single-leg balance training to progressively rebuild ankle strength and proprioception. Dr. Khoo reminds: "Insufficient strength is the main cause of re-spraining. Rehabilitation training must be thorough."
Home First Aid After a Sprain:
STOP activity immediately. Sit or lie down.
Apply ICE (ice pack or bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel) to the swollen/painful area. 15-20 minutes per session, every 1-2 hours.
Apply gentle COMPRESSION with an elastic bandage using a 'figure-8' method (Not too tight!).
ELEVATE the injured foot above heart level whenever possible.
SEEK professional TCM orthopedic-traumatology treatment ASAP!
Kong Fong Tong Advises:
Severe sprains (excruciating pain, inability to bear weight, obvious deformity) require ruling out a fracture first!
Chronic ankle instability or repeated sprains respond well to comprehensive TCM therapy (Herbs + Acupuncture/Moxa + Manual Therapy + Exercise).
During recovery, avoid spicy, "trigger" foods, and raw/cold foods. Keep the injured area warm and dry.
