Sports Injuries

 

 

 

Acupuncture & Sports Injury

 

 

 

Acupuncture has a very successful record with sports injuries and many professional sports teams have acupuncturists on staff.

 

The use of Acupuncture to treat acute injuries from intense or repetitive physical activity began centuries ago. It was and still is one of the primary means of quick healing for the martial arts.

 

Specific Acupuncture styles and techniques were developed to stop pain and dramatically shorten recovery time. This tradition continues today and its use has expanded into competitive athletics.

 

 

 

 

How does Acupuncture help?

 

 

 

Effects of Acupuncture on Sports Injuries are as follows.

 

 

 

 

·         Reduces Inflammation

 

 

·        Reduces Swelling

 

 

·        Relaxes Muscles

 

 

·        Relieves Spasms

 

 

·        Decreases Bruising

 

 

·        Improves Blood Circulation – cleansing muscles of lactic acid

 

 

·        Reduces Pain

 

 

·        Shortens Healing Time

 

 

 

 

 

When to get Acupuncture for Sports Injuries

 

 

 

 

 

Acupuncture divides Sports injuries into two categories.

 

 

Acute Injuries           -        Injury that has occurred recently (generally sprains/ strains)

 

 

 

Chronic Injuries      -        An Injury that has been unresolved for 3 months or more

 

 

 

 

Acute Injuries -        If Acupuncture treatment is applied to Acute Injuries shortly after the injury occurs an improvement is usually noticed after two – three treatments. The more serious the injury the longer the treatment.

 

 

 

 

Chronic Injuries      -        Due to the age of the injury Acupuncture treatment of Chronic Injuries takes a bit longer.

 

 

 

 

 

Sports Injuries

 

 

 

 

Sports injuries encompass all injury and ailments caused by specific physical activities and overuse.

 

 

 

Below is a short list of activities enjoyed by clients that present with stressed/ strained or damaged muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints.

 

 

 

 

·        Football Training

 

 

·        Hurling Training

 

 

·        Competitive Running/ Athletics

 

 

·        Casual Running/ Jogging/ Walking

 

 

·        Martial Arts

 

 

·        Gym Training

 

 

·        Tennis

 

 

·        Golf

 

 

 

 

 

A few of the most common Sport Injuries treated by Acupuncture are

 

 

 

·        Tennis Elbow

 

 

·        Golfer’s Elbow

 

 

·        Low Back Strain

 

 

·        Ankle Strain

 

 

·        Shin Splints

 

 

·        Tendonitis

 

 

·        Runners Knee

 

 

 

 

 

Pro Athletes who use Acupuncture for recovery include

 

 

 

 

 

·       Kevin Overland    -        Canadian Speed skater 1998 Winter Olympics

 

 

The Winter Olympics were a month away and Overland was nursing an injured hip and listening to a physical therapist tell him it wouldn’t heal in time for the Olympics.

 

Overland turned to Acupuncture and won the bronze medal in the 500 metre sprint that year.

 

 

 

 

·       Top G.A.A. Players

 

·       Top Soccer Players

 

 

·       Maria Sharapova         -        Tennis Player

 

·       Pete Sampras                  -        Tennis Player

 

·       Fred Couples          -        Golfer

 

·       Steve Young                     -        NFL

 

·       Shaquille O’Neal            -        NBA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Private Health Insurance

Acupuncture is covered under the following private health insurance companies. Please check your policy to ensure adequate coverage. A percentage of your fees can be claimed back through your insurance scheme.

 

 

Quinn Healthcare        VHI Healthcare  VIVAS Health     HSF