By Franciscan Health
Sports injuries can cause a significant setback for athletes, often requiring extended recovery periods and impacting their overall performance. While conventional treatment methods play a crucial role in rehabilitation, some athletes are turning to acupuncture to supplement their recovery process.
“Acupuncture is a way of trying to encourage the body to promote natural healing and go back to its normal set point,” said Franciscan Physician Network sports medicine doctor and Indianapolis acupuncturist Catherine Reese, MD. “We use small, thin little needles as well as, at times, some electrical stimulation to try to influence the body to get back to that point.”
What Is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine practice that involves the insertion of thin, sterile needles into specific points on the body. These points, known as acupuncture points or acupoints, lie along energy pathways called meridians. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the balance of energy flowing through these meridians is needed to maintain health and well-being. Injury, inflammation or illness can disrupt this flow, but acupuncture is believed to help restore harmony and facilitate healing in the body.
“There’s the thinking – that has some research and scientific evidence behind it – that as we’re inserting these needles, we will be influencing neurotransmitters and chemicals in the body. And, that can be in the brain, it can be in the spinal cord, and it can be in peripheral nerves to help reset some of that body,” said Dr. Reese. “Sometimes it’ll release natural opioids, which are kind of what we get in narcotic medicines, but it is local and within the body that your body is creating those. So that’s a pretty natural way to treat pain. Or it’ll help the nerve stimulation. And we’ve had people with chronic nerve conditions, or peripheral neuropathy even at times, who respond and who start to get that nerve function back with acupuncture.”
The World Health Organization recognizes the use of acupuncture in a wide range of orthopedic and sports medicine problems.
What Sports Injuries Can Acupuncture Help?
In sports medicine, acupuncture can be used to address a range of issues that affect athletes, including pain, injury and performance enhancement.
“As a sports medicine specialist, for me it makes sense to treat people with acupuncture with injuries or pains or neurologic conditions in terms of any problems with muscles and nerves in the body,” said Dr. Reese.
Here are some ways acupuncture is used in sports medicine:
Pain management
Acupuncture can help alleviate pain caused by sports injuries, such as sprains, strains and tendonitis. By targeting specific points on the body, acupuncture can stimulate the release of natural pain-relieving chemicals, such as endorphins and serotonin, providing immediate pain relief and reducing discomfort.
Injury rehabilitation
Acupuncture can be used as part of an overall rehabilitation plan for athletes recovering from injuries. By improving circulation, reducing inflammation, and increasing range of motion, acupuncture can help speed up the healing process.
Performance enhancement
Acupuncture can be used to enhance athletic performance by improving circulation, increasing energy levels and reducing stress and anxiety. By targeting specific points on the body, acupuncture can help promote balance and harmony within the body, which can help athletes perform at their best.
Stress reduction
Acupuncture can help reduce stress and anxiety, which are common issues for athletes. By promoting relaxation and reducing tension in the body, acupuncture can help athletes feel calmer and more focused, which can help them perform better.
What Common Conditions Can Acupuncture Help?
In addition to treating sports injuries, acupuncture can help athletes experiencing other common neurological and orthopedic conditions.
Neurological and muscular disorders that can be treated by acupuncture include headaches, migraines, post-concussion syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy and rib nerve pain.
Orthopedic conditions that may be treated with acupuncture include frozen shoulder, sciatica, tennis elbow, low back pain, neck pain, various forms of tendinitis, osteoarthritis and neck pain.
It’s important to note that acupuncture should be used as a complementary therapy and not as a substitute for conventional medical treatment. If you’re considering acupuncture for an orthopedic or neurological condition, it’s important to talk to your doctor to determine if it’s right for you.
