Faster Recovery: How Acupuncture Helps Sports Injuries

Whether you’re a dedicated athlete pushing for peak performance or someone simply trying to live an active lifestyle, injury is an unfortunate risk. Each year, millions of Americans are sidelined by sports injuries. 

From pulled muscles to nagging joint pain, these setbacks can keep you from your favorite activities and disrupt your training routine. Acupuncture offers a natural and effective way to speed the healing process and get back to doing what you love. 

At Twin Acupuncture, Sports Medicine Acupuncture® specialist Kerri Kuhlsen, Lac, cSMA helps active New Yorkers address a wide range of sports injuries, including ankle sprains, rotator cuff tears, and tennis elbow. Here’s how acupuncture can help you recover faster.

Common sports injuries

Sports injuries are a common occurrence for athletes of all levels, from casual players to seasoned professionals. These injuries can range from minor strains and sprains to more serious conditions, such as ligament tears and fractures. Here are a few examples:

Muscle strains

Sudden movements, overuse, or improper lifting techniques can cause your muscle fibers to overextend and tear, leading to a muscle strain or pulled muscle. While most muscle strains are mild and resolve with time and rest, more severe tears may require treatment.

Sprains

Sprains involve damage to the ligaments, which are tough bands of tissue that connect bones together. These injuries occur due to sudden twisting or turning movements, such as rolling an ankle or twisting your knee.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the tendons, fibrous cords that attach muscles to bones. Repetitive motions — such as throwing a baseball or swinging a tennis racket — can put excessive strain on the tendons, leading to swelling and pain.

Rotator cuff injuries

The rotator cuff is a collection of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. Overuse, falls, or sudden movements can lead to tears or inflammation in these structures, causing pain, weakness, and a limited range of motion in the shoulder.

These are just some of the many types of sports injuries that affect athletes and even nonathletes. Regardless of the severity, these injuries can disrupt your routine, impact your mobility, and, without proper care, even lead to long term complications.

Acupuncture for sports injury recovery

Beyond pain medication and physical therapy, acupuncture offers a unique approach to healing sports injuries. This traditional Chinese medicine practice involves the careful placement of thin, sterile needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the nervous system, balance energy, and promote natural healing.

Acupuncture helps speed your recovery by:

Relieving pain

By stimulating the release of endorphins, the body’s own pain relievers, acupuncture can significantly reduce discomfort associated with sports injuries, allowing you to move more comfortably during the healing process.

Reducing inflammation

Inflammation is a natural response to injury, but excessive inflammation can hinder your recovery. Acupuncture reduces inflammation by working to increase circulation and promote the removal of metabolic waste products from the injured area. This can lead to more efficient tissue repair so you can get back on your feet faster.

Improving range of motion

Sports injuries often result in restricted range of motion. Acupuncture helps relax tight muscles and improves flexibility, allowing for a greater range of movement and a smoother return to activity.

Enhancing your mental well-being

The process of receiving acupuncture can be deeply relaxing, inducing a state of calm and reducing stress levels. By promoting relaxation and mental well-being, acupuncture can create a more conducive environment for the body to heal and recover from sports injuries.

Kerri works closely with you to assess your individual needs and develop a personalized treatment plan that best suits your specific injury or condition. To further support your recovery, she may recommend incorporating other techniques, such as electroacupuncture, dry needling, and cupping therapy.

If you want to learn more about how acupuncture can help you overcome your injury and get back in the game faster, schedule a consultation online or by phone today at Twin Acupuncture in the New Springville neighborhood of Staten Island, New York.