Acupuncture for Sports Injuries

If you routinely engage in physical activity or participate in intramural sports, you are at risk for injuring yourself by falling, colliding with another athlete, twisting one of your limbs, and overusing your joints.

Sprains and Strains

Sprains and strains are two different things, even though many people incorrectly use the terms interchangeably. A sprain is an injury to the ligament, which is the fibrous tissue that connects one bone to another. Strains, on the other hand, are injuries to the tendons or muscles. These injuries are caused by direct trauma. Common symptoms of sprains and strains include swelling, pain, and inflammation.

Tendinitis

Tendons connect the muscles to the bones. If one of your tendons becomes inflamed, you have a condition known as tendinitis. This condition has several different names depending on the part of the body affected: swimmer’s shoulder, tennis elbow, and jumper’s knee, to name a few. If you do not seek treatment for tendinitis, there is a risk you will tear the tendon.

Bursitis

Your bones care cushioned by fluid-filled sacs called bursae. Bursitis refers to an inflammation of these sacs. The shoulders and hips are two of the most common sites of bursitis, but it can also occur by the big toe, heel, knee, or elbow. Symptoms of bursitis include stiffness, joint pain, and swelling around the affected joint. If the pain does not subside within two weeks, see a doctor to rule out a more serious problem.

Shin Splints

Do you have pain in the front of your lower leg? You might have shin splints, a painful condition caused by overworking with muscles, bone tissue, and tendons. In addition to pain, you might also experience mild swelling. Resting is one of the best things you can do to relieve the pain of shin splints. Applying an ice pack to the affected leg will also relieve swelling and pain.

Acupuncture for Sports Injuries

Did you know professional football players use acupuncture to relieve pain and stiffness caused by their sports injuries? Tiki Barber is just one of many athletes who use this treatment method. One particular research study showed that people with arthritis and tendinitis had less pain after having short acupuncture sessions twice per week for six weeks. Acupuncture has also been proven helpful for relieving muscle fatigue following strenuous activity.

Complementary Medicine for Athletes

Acupuncture is not the only CAM treatment available for easing the pain of sports injuries. Lifestyle changes, herbal medicine, and other treatments may help you recover from your injury and avoid surgery. Come to Acupuncture Balanced Health for a consultation with an experienced acupuncturist. After a thorough evaluation, your acupuncturist will recommend a course of treatment customized to your individual needs.