Acupuncture for Sport Injuries
In the eastern world acupuncture is a very common technique and is part of the traditional Chinese medicine. Gradually, it has been introduced in the west, and in recent years it is successfully applied in alternative medicine consultations, especially in sports, which can help to improve performance. Acupuncture for sport injuries has excellent results in different competitions, used to help damaged tissues heal, alleviating its effects, but also can be used as a preventive treatment to avoid them, and for high level competition this treatment can also reduce acute problems due to overload resulting from overexertion.
In Vancouver, more often we see people around us practicing sports: running around the city, cycling in the nearby mountains or skating on tracks that are increasingly more integrated into our urban landscape. On the other hand, we find also a growth in sports injuries caused by accidents, repetitive movements, poor technique, weaknesses, inexperienced or overtraining. These lesions cause an increment in emergency visits or trauma cases by sprains, bruises, contractures, fibril breaks, tendonitis and epicondylitis.
The initial treatment of many of these injuries is often based on anti-inflammatory medication, local cold and sporting rest; although, in other cases immobilizations, infiltrations and even surgeries are needed. Acupuncture, is an ideal complementary technique to address these sports injury treatment, shortening recovery time, minimizing and preventing complications, and in some cases preventing their appearance.
This ancient technique is used by many athletes for its ability to recover tissues and make the body get back to its equilibrium state. It can be used in acute injuries, with surprisingly rapid effects, helping to promote the absorption of liquids, reducing bruising and helping to regenerate damaged tissues. It is very useful also in chronic overuse injuries, as is the case of tendonitis that is very difficult to cure in many cases with conventional medicine.
In the acupuncture treatment by implanting thin and painless needles, we are able to bring to the area more blood and energy that will help facilitate the recovery in these lesions. If the area has muscle spasm, the simple fact of the insertion of the needle immediately produces muscle relaxation, recovering injuries in many cases dramatically. If muscles are in good condition prior to practicing sports, we minimize risks, leaving only the inevitable accidents. It is common to have patients as “amateur” athletes with multiple injuries.
These are some reasons to include acupuncture in your training:
• Increases oxygen uptake and speed up the anaerobic threshold, that is the point where the maximum intensity of effort occurs and where starts the increment of lactic acid in the blood.
• It helps burn extra fat because it increases metabolism and calorie consumption.
• Increases muscle strength and speed. Acupuncture significantly improves the time of maximum force, the acceleration of energy in the moment of force and the average force; in overall, improves the speed of the athlete.
• Improves physical and mental wellbeing of athletes. It improves state of mind, relieving pressure and anxiety.
• Decreases muscle pain and inflammation caused by exercise. Acupuncture delays the onset of muscle fatigue, reduces the perception of fatigue and improves wakefulness.
• During breaks, relieves fatigue caused by intense training, reduces recovery time needed to recover from the hard workouts and improves the quality of sleep and mental state at the time of awakening.
• Increases performance during training. Acupuncture sessions increase the desire to train, besides of the quality and attention, as it improves exercise tolerance and causes a decrease in the perception of fatigue.
• An acupuncture session, is capable of producing changes in heart rate and oxygen consumption, equivalent to those that occur during normal physical training.
It is important to have a good physical preparation and an adequate energy balance to practice a sport safely, even if is not in a competitive way. It is also important to note efficiency in small everyday accidents such as sprained ankles. It is very different the evolution of lesions if we practice acupuncture soon. By being acupuncture an energy medicine, allows to carry out a full diagnosis of the individual, giving an insight to their overall weaknesses to initiate a preventive treatment to reduce the appearance of lesions.
In conclusion, practicing sports is a fun and healthy way to enjoy our free time. In the unfortunate event that an injury occurs, the assessment of the injury by a qualified physician is necessary and is highly recommended designing a treatment plan that incorporates acupuncture for fast and effective recovery. Acupuncture treatments are often covered by extended health plan in Vancouver. If you are interested in acupuncture for sport injuries or any other acupuncture treatment, you can contact Prestige, an alternative health clinic conveniently located in Kitsilano.