Acupuncture may be appealing to people who want a more holistic method and want to avoid medications and steroids.
- Maria Hogan
Springtime is just about here, and for many, that means it’s time for their favorite outdoor sports again.
That also makes it a good time to address injuries, old and new, that might have you hesitant to get back in the game. A great addition to your preparation and treatment plan is to add acupuncture into the mix. Using acupuncture to treat sports-related injuries began centuries ago for quick healing in the martial arts and now these days, most professional sports teams will have an acupuncturist on staff. This treatment may be appealing to people who want a more holistic method and want to avoid medications and steroids.
Overcoming Sports Injuries
Sports injuries typically occur during sports competitions, training sessions, or fitness activities. There are two types of injuries; first, the Acute Traumatic Injury which involves a single blow from a single application of force, and second, the Chronic type, which occurs with overuse or resurfaces from a long time ago. Sprains and strains of the joint and surrounding tissues are among the most common injuries in sports. A sprain is a stretch or tear in a ligament, the bands of fibrous tissue that connect bones to bones at joints. A strain is also a stretch or tear, but it occurs in the muscle itself or a tendon, the fibrous strands that link muscles to bones. Most signs of these types of injury are very similar. People often describe their pain as a deep, dull, aching. Some may experience a “pins and needles” feeling, tingling, numbness, and some may also have referred pain that travels from the site of injury into other areas of the body.
How Acupuncture Works
Acupuncture is a method of strategically inserting needles into the skin in order to relieve pressure and promote healing of muscles and joints, while quickly reducing inflammation and swelling. The length of time you need to dedicate to acupuncture depends on the severity of your injury. Recent acute injuries need less time than chronic ones. Each treatment plan is designed specifically for each individual and the type of injury they have.
Injury Prevention, Too
In addition to being an effective method for treating injuries, acupuncture is also great at preventing them. It can keep you flexible, which reduces stress on your joints and can dramatically reduce the chances of tears, strains, and sprains.
Whether you are a beginner athlete or have been playing for years, acupuncture can be a great method for reducing pain and improving your overall performance.
Please feel free to book an appointment at the Spa for a free consultation.
About the Author
Maria Hogan
Maria Hogan is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Massage Therapist. She graduated with a Masters Degree in acupuncture from the New York College of Health Professions, where she currently is a Professor and Supervisor to students in the Massage Clinic.
Maria is passionate about sharing the healing benefits of Chinese Medicine. Believing the body should be treated as a whole, she uses many modalities to treat various conditions.