If you've done intense athletic training, you've probably experienced shin splints at some point, the tell-tale shooting pains right behind your tibia, or shin bone. Also known as tibial stress syndrome, the condition is caused by putting too much strain on the connective tissues that join the shin bones to muscle. Acupuncture has demonstrated some effectiveness in treating the painful condition. Before seeking treatment, consult with your primary care provider.
Acupuncture Background
Acupuncture addresses disease and illness very differently than western medicine. Instead of treating problems at the level of cells or tissues, acupuncture instead restores health by balancing the flow of vital energy, or "qi," along pathways known as meridians. An acupuncturist can manipulate the flow and balance of energy by stimulating specific points on the body with very thin needles. These points relate to the meridians that are imbalanced or blocked and, upon resolving the issue, the manifestation of disease or pain subsides.
Acupuncture and Injuries
While acupuncture is well known as a means of treating disease and illness, it also has applications for injuries. According to the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, acupuncture is advisable for a range of common sports injuries, including strains, sprains, swelling and shin splints. Even in cases where acupuncture is not used to treat the underlying injury, it may relieve pain or shorten recovery time.
Acupuncture and Shin Splints
In a 2002 study published in the "Journal of Chinese Medicine," athletes with shin splints who underwent acupuncture reported significantly lower pain levels than athletes who received traditional sports medicine treatments, such as anti-inflammatory medication. Subjects who received acupuncture also found that pain was less of an interference to playing their sport. In a case study published in 2001 in "Medical Acupuncture Journal," stimulation of the Stomach 45, Small Intestine 18 and Gall Bladder 44 points resulted in a complete recovery from shin splints within two days.
Combination Treatments
The principal treatments for shin splints offered by western medicine revolve around rest, icing to reduce swelling, elevation and pain relief medication. Preventative tips include wearing proper footwear with plenty of arch support and warming up before engaging in intensive exercise. For a speedy recovery, ask your physician about combining western approaches with acupuncture and other modalities. For example, the 2001 case study combined acupuncture with homeopathic treatment. Whenever using multiple treatments, check that all of your health care providers know about your other medications and therapies. While side effects are uncommon with acupuncture, many other alternative therapies, such as herbalism, may cause negative interactions with certain drugs.
References
- "MayoClinic.com"; Shin Splints: Treatments and Drugs; December 2010
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Acupuncture: An Introduction
- Pacific College of Oriental Medicine: Acupuncture Treatment for Sports Injuries
- "Medical Acupuncture;" Tibial Shin Splint Treated With A Single Acupuncture Session; Robert A. Schulman; 2001
- "Journal of Chinese Medicine;" Acupuncture & Tibial Stress Syndrome; Matt Callison; 2002
