Acupuncture for Sports Injuries
Whether you are a weekend warrior or a professional athlete, pushing your body to meet your fitness goals may be your modus operandi. Unfortunately, injury can go hand in hand with the continual effort to become healthier, stronger, faster or more agile. In our go harder, faster, stronger world we often don’t pay attention to the signals our body is telling us urging us to slow down, rest and give ourselves time to heal. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications are the quick fixes to dull the aches and pains, reduce inflammation and get back to it. It is a quick, easy and short-term formula that can have serious, long-term consequences. By covering up pain, stiffness, swelling or aches, you are not only masking the problem, you are potentially exacerbating it. Not only can regular use of medication add to further injury, but it can also add a host of unwanted side effects that could ultimately impact performance, endurance and vitality.
In Comes Acupuncture
The use of acupuncture to treat acute injuries from intense or repetitive physical activity began centuries ago. What was once the primary means of healing for the martial arts, in modern times, has become an efficient treatment form for many professional athletes. Acupuncture for athletes not only treats specific injuries dramatically increasing recovery time, but it is also used as a preventative measure, can provide relief for chronic pain and boosts mental acuity.
Recent studies show that acupuncture effectively treats sports injuries such as strains, sprains, neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle pain, swollen muscles and shin splints. The acupuncture approach to the treatment of pain and reduced function is to regard it as an imbalance of energy, blood and tissue instead of viewing it as a problem that needs a quick fix. The difference between treating a sports injury with acupuncture versus pharmaceuticals is that acupuncture’s goal is to restore the body’s natural healthy state by identifying the root cause of the injury using instead of simply masking pain. However, it doesn’t have to be an either/or conversation. Acupuncture will not disrupt any course of medication you are currently taking and can also be an important part of the healing process needed to recover from surgery or acute injury.
Acupuncture has long-lasting results.
When treatments are frequent and consistent, acupuncture can
Reduce swelling, reduce stiffness and tension
Improve range of motion
Shorten recovery time
Address injury-causing symptoms
Treat acute sprains and strains
Improve performance
Address underlying issues that could contribute to a future injury
Acupuncture is a time-tested, safe, natural and immediate drug-free health care system that can provide relief and long-lasting benefits. It can help you return to peak performance by assisting your body’s natural healing ability. A series of consistent treatments that are specifically tailored to your needs will get you back in the gym in no time.
For your convenience, you can book a complimentary 15-minute consultation or schedule your first appointment online. For more information: info@fairwindswellness.com