At Huatuo Clinic, we offer acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine as a non-invasive approach to treating sports injuries. Our practitioners use acupuncture techniques to reduce inflammation and pain, promote proper tissue healing, prevent and resolve scar tissue, and restore joint function.

Sports injuries can range from minor to major and can be caused by trauma resulting from sudden impact or awkward movement, or can develop over time due to continual use of the same joints or muscle groups. Contributing factors can include not warming up properly, using inadequate equipment, or training too hard for one’s current level of fitness. Common sports injuries include ankle sprains, achilles tendinopathy, knee ligament injuries, patellofemoral pain syndrome, shoulder dislocations, acromioclavicular joint injuries, rotator cuff injuries, frozen shoulder, tennis and golfer’s elbow, wrist strains, sprains, and breaks, shin splints, stress fractures, hamstring injuries, plantar fasciitis, groin strain, and acute lumbar sprain.

Conventional approaches to treating sports injuries include RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics, immobilization, corticosteroid injections, physiotherapy, and surgery. However, these approaches may not always be effective in treating the root cause of the injury or preventing further injury.

Acupuncture therapy aims to relieve pain, control inflammation, hasten the resolution of a hematoma, and accelerate repair. Research shows that acupuncture is also effective in restoring function and recovering muscle power. Acupuncture can stimulate the nervous system and cause the release of neurochemical messenger molecules. It may help sports injuries by stimulating nerves located in muscles and other tissues, leading to the release of endorphins and other neurohumoral factors such as neuropeptide Y and serotonin. This changes the processing of pain in the brain and spinal cord, and delivers analgesia via alpha-adrenoceptor mechanisms. Acupuncture can also increase the release of adenosine, which has antinociceptive properties.

Acupuncture has a modulating effect on the limbic-paralimbic-neocortical network. It can reduce inflammation by promoting the release of vascular and immunomodulatory factors. Research also suggests that acupuncture can improve blood flow to the injured area, which helps to reduce swelling and promote healing.

At Huatuo Clinic, our practitioners use specific acupuncture points for different types of sports injuries. For example, ankle sprains may be treated with acupuncture points on the leg and foot, while tennis elbow may be treated with points on the elbow and arm. Our practitioners also use a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine to optimize healing and promote recovery.

When seeking an acupuncturist for sports injuries, it is important to find a qualified practitioner with experience in treating sports injuries. Look for an acupuncturist who is licensed and certified, and who has a background in sports medicine or orthopedics. It is also important to discuss your treatment goals with your practitioner, and to ask questions about the treatment process, expected outcomes, and any potential risks or side effects.

At Huatuo Clinic, we strive to provide personalized care to our patients, focusing on their unique needs and goals for recovery. If you have suffered a sports injury, consider acupuncture as an alternative to conventional treatments, and consult with our qualified acupuncturist to learn more about your options for treatment.