Details.
Treatment for older or less serious ligament sprains and joint capsule injuries using a four-step protocol: unload the surrounding muscles, apply multidirectional friction with moderate pressure for up to 30 seconds, compress and release the joint space to reorganise softened scar tissue, and re-test movement for pain. Fresh sprains should not receive direct massage or manual therapy. Treatment should wait for at least a couple of weeks, with the therapist assessing the injury and avoiding re-injury. For fresh sprains, massage may focus on relaxing the surrounding muscles rather than the injury site.
