Sports Medicine Acupuncture
The Key to Faster Injury Recovery
Athletes and active individuals understand the importance of staying injury-free. However, even with proper training and precautions, injuries can still occur. Injuries can range from minor sprains to major fractures and can greatly impact an individual’s athletic performance and daily activities.
I.
The TCM Approach
Sports medicine acupuncture is a natural and effective approach to injury recovery that can benefit athletes of all levels. This type of acupuncture focuses on treating musculoskeletal injuries — including sprains, strains, and chronic pain. Sports medicine acupuncture combines Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture to address the potential underlying imbalances in the body that may have led to the injury.
II.
How It Works
Sports medicine acupuncture works by stimulating specific points in the body that promote healing and reduce inflammation. The stimulated points promote the release of endogenous hormones to create an analgesic effect. This type of acupuncture can also improve circulation — helping to deliver more oxygen and nutrients to injured tissues, speeding up the healing process.
III.
Benefits
One of the benefits of sports medicine acupuncture is that it can help reduce pain without the use of medication. This is especially important for athletes who may be competing while recovering from an injury, as some pain medications can affect their performance with significant side effects.
Another benefit is that it can help prevent future injuries by addressing underlying imbalances in the body. By correcting these imbalances, athletes can improve their overall performance and reduce the risk of future injuries. Though the current data is limited, studies hint at sports medicine acupuncture improving physical and athletic performance.
IV.
An Integrative Approach
Sports medicine acupuncture is often used in conjunction with other treatments — such as physical therapy, massage therapy, and chiropractic care. As an adjunct, this integrative approach can provide a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses all aspects of the injury and recovery process.
If you are dealing with an injury or looking to improve your athletic performance, consider incorporating sports medicine acupuncture into your recovery plan.
Sources
- Bell, A. E., & Falconi, A. (2016). Acupuncture for the Treatment of Sports Injuries in an Austere Environment. Current Sports Medicine Reports, 15(2), 111–115.
- Malone, M. (2017). The Utility of Acupuncture in Sports Medicine: A Review of the Recent Literature. Journal of Sports Medicine and Therapy, 2, 020–027.
- Wadsworth, L. T. (2006). Acupuncture in Sports Medicine. Current Sports Medicine Reports, 5, 1–3.
Begin Your Recovery
If you are recovering from a sports injury or looking to enhance your athletic performance, Dr. Wanda Duong welcomes new patients at the SW Beltline location.