1. Complement R.I.C.E.
R.I.C.E.–Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation--should usually be the primary treatment for recent musculoskeletal injuries. However, acupuncture can be used as a complementary therapy to further decrease pain and swelling of an acute injury like a muscle strain, sprain or fracture. This ancient holistic medicine works to restore vital energy called “qi” and blood flow in the body. In acupuncture, acute injuries are considered “excess conditions” because the body is responding excessively with pain and/or inflammation. The goal of treatment is to re-direct qi away from the injured area to restore balance. This is achieved by inserting tiny needles into your skin at various points that correspond to the location and the nature of your injury. Having the needles inserted is more or less painless. The acupuncturist will sometimes gently wiggle the needle around, which stings a little more but lasts for only an instant. The procedure usually takes around 45 minutes and is actually quite relaxing. Many people even fall asleep during treatment.
2. Relieve Chronic Injuries
Both recreational and professional athletes often use acupuncture to treat recurring, nagging problems of the muscles and joints. The few existing research studies show that acupuncture may be helpful in relieving symptoms of tennis elbow, frozen shoulder and plantar fasciitis. In acupuncture, chronic injuries are considered “deficient conditions,” whereby qi is lacking and treatment focuses on directing blood flow and qi to strengthen and energize the affected area. The acupuncturist may also burn a Chinese herb called moxa over the acupuncture points to conduct heat to body tissues. This is called moxibustion and is a common adjunct to acupuncture to further reduce pain and inflammation. When treating a chronic condition, you’ll typically start with weekly sessions for the first few weeks. If the acupuncture works for you, you should experience some improvement after these initial sessions and the acupuncturist can then give you a better idea of how many sessions you’ll need overall.
3. Work Out Tight Spots
Acupuncture can also be useful to get rid of painful or uncomfortable trigger points. Trigger points are tight, hard spots in the muscle that result from muscle spasm. These aggravating knots can be due to a recent or an old injury and don’t usually resolve with just a regular massage. Trigger point acupuncture inserts needles directly into trigger points, causing the muscle to twitch repeatedly. You may think that stimulating the muscle would make the spasm worse, but it actually fatigues and relaxes it, reducing the tightness and getting rid of that ache. Another acupuncture treatment for pain and muscle spasm is electro-acupuncture. With this technique, a small electrical current passes though the needles for 15 to 30 minutes. This is said to enhance the effects of regular acupuncture, providing more pain relief, faster healing and relaxation of spasms.
Member Comments