Jin Shin Jyutsu hold for a sprained ankle
A sprained ankle can be incredibly painful, inconvenient, and slow to heal. Whether it happens during a walk, a workout, or simply missing a step, the discomfort can stop you in your tracks. I know this only too well from experience! The good news is that there is a simple Jin Shin Jyutsu hold to help relieve a sprained ankle. The best thing is: you don’t even have to touch the ankle!
What? How does that work I hear you ask…Well, that’s because all our energy is connected by a system of energy sites which we call Safety Energy Locks in Jin Shin Jyutsu. These are not points but spheres of energy which are specifically located on the body. There are 26 on the left side and 26 mirror images on the right side.
Watch the video: Jin Shin Jyutsu for a sprained ankle
Try this easy hold
For ankle issues, one particular energy site is especially helpful: Safety Energy Lock 17, located on the outside of the wrist.
What’s important to remember is that this hold works best on the opposite side of the body from the injured ankle.
If you sprain your right ankle, hold the left wrist. If you sprain your left ankle, hold the right wrist
To find Safety Energy Lock 17, slide down the outside of your wrist on the little finger side. You’ll feel a small indentation between two bones. This is the area to want to make sure you cover.
Then you can simply wrap your opposite hand gently around the wrist, covering the area fully.
This hold is especially useful when it’s too painful or impractical to reach your foot or ankle, such as when you’re out and about or right after a fall. Not only that, it also helps soothe the nerves.
Add extra support with SEL 18
For an added benefit, you can include Safety Energy Lock 18 at the same time. While holding the wrist, gently fold the fingers of that same hand onto the base of the thumb (don’t make a fist – the finger nails should be visible). This SEL helps clear the head and works well when combined with Safety Energy Lock 17, supporting the body’s overall harmony and recovery process.
When and how long to hold
You can use this hold:
- Immediately after a sprain
- During recovery days or weeks later
- Even for old ankle injuries that still linger
- For any other ankle pain and discomfort
There’s no strict time limit. Hold the wrist for a few minutes or as long as feels comfortable. Consistency is key. You can practice while watching television, sitting, standing, lying down, or even walking (once you are able to walk again).
Other tips for immediately after a sprain or injury
Alongside this Jin Shin Jyutsu hold, it’s helpful to:
- Rest the ankle and avoid unnecessary movement. Do NOT walk on it as I did, thinking ‘it’s not that bad’. That just prolonged my recovery. I can tell you that from personal experience!
- Elevate the leg if possible
- Apply cold if appropriate (a frozen bag of peas is always useful to keep in the freezer)
- Stay aware of pain levels and seek medical advice if needed
This wrist hold is one of the most comfortable and accessible ways to support healing when movement is difficult. You can also explore other Jin Shin Jyutsu sequences which I have on my FlowsForLife website and YouTube Channel. A really good one to practice when your comfort improves would be Dynamic Energy Flow to Boost Circulation in the Legs.
Want to practice Jin Shin Jyutsu regularly?
If you’d like to deepen your Jin Shin Jyutsu practice, I offer weekly group sessions where people from around the world come together to explore harmonising exercises in a supportive space. Each week brings a new focus and a shared sense of calm. Learn more here: Jin Shin Jyutsu Group Practice.