Integrating acupuncture with orthopedics, sports medicine, and pain management.
Acupuncture is used in the treatment of sport injuries and musculoskeletal and constitutional imbalances, and is often effective for relieving muscle pain and spasm and improving circulation to tense or injured tissues.
I commonly find acupuncture especially effective for tendon and ligament sprain/strains and chronic injuries which have been poorly responsive to other types of treatment.
According to basic Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) theory, health is viewed as a balance between opposing forces (e.g. yin and yang) in the body. Yin aspect is used by TCM practitioners to support the body during training to build muscles and prepare the body for bursts of energy needed during performance. The Yang aspect is to stimulate output at the time of the performance.
Sports Injury encompasses a large area of medical concerns, usually related to musculoskeletal conditions. Basically, it covers all acute injuries and chronic ailments due to specific physical activities. It includes problems that result from physical training, martial arts, competitive sports, “weekend warriors”, outdoor activities and competitions. People that participate in these activities commonly stress or damage muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints – the areas that are used the most.
Acupuncture & Sports Injury.
Acupuncture has a very successful record with sports injuries. Many professional sports teams have licenced acupuncturists on staff to decrease healing times and resolve stubborn ailments. But the use of acupuncture to treat acute injuries from intense or repetitive physical activity began centuries ago. It was and still is one of the primary means of quick healing for the martial arts. Specific acupuncture styles and techniques were developed to stop pain and dramatically increase recovery time. This tradition continues today and its use has expanded into competitive athletics that result in similar injuries.
How Does Acupuncture Help?
Acupuncture is an effective treatment for Sports Injuries because it reduces pain, increases range of motion, increases recovery and healing time, and strengthens weakened parts of the body. These effects are accomplished during treatment because acupuncture: decreases inflammation, reduces swelling, relaxes muscles and relieves spasms, decreases bruising,lowers the body’s pain response, improves local blood circulation to increase delivery of nutrients and removal of noxious elements.
When to get Acupuncture?
Sports injuries are divided into two main categories, which determine how treatment typically proceeds. Acute injuries (that happened recently) and chronic injuries (unresolved for 3 or more months).
Acupuncture for Acute Injuries.
Acute injuries need to be properly assessed before any type of treatment can begin. Most people are all too familiar with the feeling of a strain or sprain. If someone is unsure, however, it is best to get examined and properly diagnosed (possibly with the help of an X-ray or MRI) to rule out a more serious injury. Acupuncture should then begin as soon after an injury as possible for the best results.Acupuncturists classify acute injuries as Excess conditions. An Excess condition is just what it sounds like: there is an excess physical response (too much pain) or an excess biochemical reaction (too much inflammation or swelling). Acupuncture treatment given soon after an injury occurs encourages the body to deal with and process this excess in a rapid fashion. An improvement is usually noticed within one or two treatments. If an injury is not very severe, 3-4 treatments typically resolves the condition. More serious injuries require 4 treatments before an accurate prognosis and treatment plan can be given.Right after an acute sports injury happens it is helpful to remember the acronym RICE. Each letter stands for one of the four steps to follow immediately after an injury: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. This will help quicken recovery and provide short term relief.
Acupuncture for Chronic Injuries.
Chronic injuries also need to be properly assessed before any type of treatment begins. It is important to determine if there is an underlying structural cause for a lingering injury such as a loss of cartilage, formation of scar tissue or degenerative damage of any kind.
Once the complete underlying framework of the injury is understood, an acupuncture treatment plan can be devised to address both the main symptoms and their causes. This may include acupuncture treatments, gua cha, cupping, stretches and exercises, diet modifications and the use of liniments or balms.
Acupuncturists classify chronic sports injuries as Deficient conditions. Deficiency refers to a weakness or lack. Over time, unresolved sports injuries lead to areas losing strength, flexibility and stability. Instead of focusing on removing excesses, acupuncture for chronic conditions focuses on invigorating and strengthening specific parts of the body. This is done while also decreasing the pain that commonly accompanies most chronic sports injuries.It is more difficult to generalize the length of treatment for chronic conditions because medications, prolonged inactivity, low morale & surgeries complicate treatment. Even so, a person should notice a positive change in his/her specific condition within 8 to 10 treatments, although many chronic injuries respond quickly to acupuncture. After which, an accurate prognosis for complete resolution of the problem can be given.
I've studied a number of methods to help both weekend warriors and more competitive athletes improve their performance and prevent injuries.
Conditions, commonly treated with acupuncture:
Ankles
Achilles Tendonitis
Arthritis
Carpal Tunnel
Endurance
Fatigue
Focus
Foot Pain
Golfer's Elbow
Headache
Hip Pain
Iliotibial Band
Knee Pain
Longevity
Low Back Pain
Migraines
Neck Pain
Plantar Fasciitis
Pitcher's Shoulder
Post Operative Pain
Rotator Cuff
Sciatica
Shin splints
Shoulder Pain
Sleep Disturbance
Spinal Pain
Stress
Tendonitis
Tennis Elbow
Trigger Finger
Wrist Pain
Acupuncture and Oriental medicine is an art and a science that takes years to master.