The hamstring muscles run along the backs of the upper legs, between the buttocks and the knees. During long periods of sitting or standing with locked knees, the hamstrings become tightened and underdeveloped, leaving them susceptible to strain from exercises such as running, walking or weightlifting. Acupuncture might offer relief to the pain of hamstring injuries. Consult with your primary care provider before seeking further treatments.
Acupuncture Theory
Acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine, a healing system that restores health by removing blockages in the flow of vital energy, or qi, and by balancing qualities such as excessive heat, cold, dampness or wind. While Western medicine interprets a strained hamstring as a condition of muscular tissues, TCM might identify an imbalance in a particular meridian, or energetic channel, as the cause for the tendency to strain. An acupuncturist resolves imbalances by triggering particular points on the human body using slim needles.
Hamstrings Injuries: A Western Take
According to MayoClinic.com, a hamstring strain is caused by the partial or complete tearing of the muscle tissue, usually from explosive bursts of force on the muscle. For example, sports such as soccer, basketball or tennis require sudden starts and stops, putting extreme levels of stress on the hamstring muscles. Western approaches to a strained hamstring can include pain medications, applying ice and, occasionally, surgery. Symptoms include a sensation of tearing, popping or sharp pain in the hamstring, especially during intensive exercise. You might also notice swelling, tenderness, bruising or a weakness. If your injured leg doesn't bear your body weight, you experience any numbness or the pain is intense, contact a doctor immediately.
Hamstring Injuries: A TCM Approach
Based on the TCM system of health, hamstrings are related to the urinary bladder tendinomuscular channel. Therefore, a hamstring injury might indicate a deeper problem of the gallbladder or stomach. Imbalance of the three leg yin channels might also leave the hamstrings more susceptible to injury. An acupuncturist can recommend a combination of treatments, including tui na, a Chinese form of massage, or work with a Western medical doctor or physical therapist, to learn proper stretching techniques. Acupuncture treatment may involve stimulation of points near the hamstring muscles, such as Urinary Bladder 40, Gallbladder 34 and Urinary Bladder 36. In addition, the acupuncturist will usually select related distal points, such as Urinary Bladder 67, Urinary Bladder 65 or Small Intestine 1.
Scientific Trials
A study carried out by the Shangdon Physical Education Institute and published in the institute's journal identifies acupuncture's effects on hamstring injuries using a specific form technique known as three-needle acupuncture. The curative rate was 89 percent and the effective rate was 100 percent. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends acupuncture among complementary and alternative therapies that may improve the pain symptoms of sprains and strains, especially when used in combination with moxibustion.
References
- "Acupuncture Today;" Acupuncture Treatment of the Hamstrings; David Boyd; February 2002
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Acupuncture: An Introduction
- MayoClinic.com: Hamstring Injury
- "Journal of Shangdong Physical Education Institute;" Curative Effect and Analysis of Hamstring Muscle Injury Treated by Special Three Needle Acupuncture; April 1996
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Sprains and Strains
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