Treatment of a Grade Two Sprain of the Anterior Talofibular Ligament with Acupuncture and Moxibustion

This case report presents the treatment of a grade two sprain of the anterior talofibular ligament of a 24-year-old basketball player with acupuncture and moxibustion. Shallow needle technique and needle head moxibustion were applied at various intervals during treatment. However, the primary traditional Chinese medicine intervention was heat perception moxibustion. This method of moxibustion forms the foundation of the author’s approach to acute injury management and involves the application of heat to injuries exhibiting significant signs of inflammation. No exacerbation of symptoms was noted when moxibustion was used in this case report. There were no reported incidences of re-injury during recovery and rehabilitation and return to participation were quick. Information pertaining to the incidence, nature and recovery periods associated with grade two ligament sprains, along with details of the different point selection methods used for acupuncture and moxibustion treatment, provide background for the case report. An example of the author’s treatment of acute injury with moxibustion is presented in the case history. The discussion identifies a lack of information about moxibustion in the English literature and concludes that more effort is required in the areas of historical, clinical and scientific research if a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of action of moxibustion and the role they play in acute injury management is to emerge in an English-speaking context. K E y W o R d S acute injury, grade two sprain, heat perception, moxibustion, research.