Acupuncture is a medical procedure that entails inserting needles into the skin to improve wellness and treat diseases and pain. Acupuncture helps sports injuries for a faster and safer recovery and is reported to work on several injuries. Acupuncture has the following benefits for athletes;
- Pain relief
- Trigger point release
- Inflammation reduction
Sports injuries bring about various medical concerns caused by physical training or other outdoor activities. Remember, athletes damage or stress muscles and joints, which are the most used during physical activity.
Below we discuss how acupuncture can help with your sports injuries.
Acupuncture and Injury
Acupuncture has had massive success with sport-related injuries, and most teams have acupuncture staff to solve complex ailments and decrease healing times. However, the use of this procedure to treat injuries from repetitive or intense pain started centuries ago.
Acupuncture was developed in particular techniques and styles to increase healing time and stop repetitive pain; this explains why it is still the main healing mode used in martial arts today. This tradition is still available today and has been adopted by competitive sports that cause similar injuries.
How is Acupuncture Effective?
Acupuncture is an ideal treatment for sports pain, as it reduces pain and increases motion range, and recovery time, among others. These results are achieved because of this process;
- Reduces inflammation
- Reduces swelling
- Decreases the pain response
- Relieves spasms and relaxes muscles
- Improves blood circulation.
When should you Get Acupuncture?
Acupuncture classifies sports injuries into the following categories;
1. Acute Injuries
Acute injuries must be assessed properly before treatment commences. Most patients experience a sprain or strain, but you should get a proper diagnosis to rule out thoughts of a significant injury. Acupuncture then commences immediately after diagnosis for a positive impact.
Acute injuries are classified as an Excess condition, meaning there is too much biochemical reaction or pain. Acupuncture treatment starts immediately after an injury, encouraging the body to manage the condition best.
This procedure is effective, and improvement is noticed after the first three treatments. However, serious ailments require up to four treatments to heal completely.
2. Chronic Injuries
Chronic injuries should also be assessed properly before treatment commences. Dialysis is important as it informs you whether there is an underlying cause of pain, like loss of cartilage or scar formation. The treatment mode is devised after the injury is understood fully to address the primary issues and the causes.
Treatment might include acupuncture exercises, stretches, and other herbal formulas. Chronic injuries are classified as Deficient conditions, meaning a lack or deficiency. Unsolved sports issues cause losing stability, flexibility, or strength with time and should be treated after the first signs.
Acupuncture for this condition focuses on strengthening certain body parts instead of eliminating excesses. This procedure happens while decreasing pain that occurs after most sports injuries. It is uncertain how long treatment of chronic diseases takes, but patients witness positive results after a short while.
Final Thoughts
Acupuncture has been integrated into most sports teams today, and it is hard not to see why. The above article has discussed everything you need to know about this procedure, and you can reach out for more information.