The Effect of Manual Lymphatic Drainage on Acute and Post-acute Ankle Sprain in Athletes

Manual lymphatic drainage techniques (MLDTs) are special techniques in manual therapy used in rehabilitation for treatment of physical dysfunctions and pathologies. Such practices could be done by medical team or clinicians. Theories on MLDTs address functions like stimulating the lymphatic system by increasing lymph circulation, facilitating the removal of waste products from body tissues, reducing edema, and decreasing the responses of sympathetic nervous system while increasing the parasympathetic nervous tone leading to a relaxed body state.

This study will examine the effect of manual lymphatic drainage on pain intensity, ankle swelling, range of motion, static and dynamic functional stability in acute and post-acute ankle sprain in athletes. Edema treatment includes a variety of techniques; elevation, compression, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and massage are a few of them. Profound clinical check is required to determine the kind of edema management. However, the effect of these techniques on the lymphatic system and the edema itself is questionable. Manual Lymphatic Drainage mechanism, although still under investigation, is also a valid treatment management that does not cause inflammation, reduces the absorption of waste products and excess fluid and still urges the lymphatic system to work better.