Sports Medicine Acupuncture & Pain Relief
There are some common misconceptions when it comes to acupuncture, Chinese medicine, and sports medicine acupuncture. Many people have tried acupuncture in the past, whether for a sports injury or pain related issue, and noticed little (to no) change, and the change that they did notice was not long lasting. I hear this from new patients time and time again, and also hear them saying that the particular style of orthopedic acupuncture that I practice is completely unlike acupuncture they have experienced in the past. Allow me to elaborate.
Using orthopedic acupuncture to treat a sprained ankle.
The acupuncture world has two main, distinct styles (although there are absolutely many more sub-”genres”). One is “meridian-based acupuncture,” and the other Sports Acupuncture or Orthopedic Acupuncture. Meridian-based acupuncture is what most new patients I meet have encountered, and is the style of acupuncture taught in the majority of acupuncture schools. I myself practice both styles of acupuncture. However, when it comes to dealing with sports injuries, orthopedics and all other types of musculoskeletal problems, my clinical experience has shown that meridian-based acupuncture is by far a less-effective method of treatment. So what differentiates the two styles?
Postural differences after 1 treatment with at-home exercises: pictures taken 2 days apart
With meridian-based acupuncture, the practitioner is utilizing Traditional Chinese Medicine principles that have been developed over thousands of years. These techniques work with the various "meridian systems” of the body. The theory is that there are numerous meridians (pathways) in the body in which energy (qi) moves. Imbalance between these meridians leads to pathology. Meridian-based acupuncture is very useful in treating most types of internal medical ailments such as fertility, anxiety and depression, gynecological issues, etc.
Sports Acupuncture, on the other hand, is one of the most effective modalities I have come across when it comes to addressing musculoskeletal issues and injuries. Sports acupuncture is very anatomically based. We target not only muscle tissues, but motor nerve innervations of these muscles. On the other hand, in meridian-based acupuncture the needles are often being inserted in between the muscles, as acupuncture meridians tend to follow grooves and depressions, and is not necessarily focused on affecting anatomical structures.
So how does Sports Acupuncture work? By needling into muscles, motor nerve innervations and trigger points, we are directly interacting with the muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascial connective tissue, and nervous system in the most intimate manner possible. While massage methods do this from an “outside-in” approach by manipulating the surface fibers of muscles and connective tissues, the needles allow us to literally get in between fascial adhesions, muscle spasms, scar tissue, calcifications, etc. that are all causes of pain, dysfunction, and limited range of motion. Furthermore, by stimulating motor-nerve innervations we are communicating with the nervous system. The nervous system is what is holding muscles in either a shortened, rigid position (locked-short), or a lengthened position (locked-long). Stimulating the motor-nerve signals the nervous system to neutralize: relaxing locked-short muscles, and bringing integrity and proprioception to locked-long muscles. This is superb for acute pain, trauma and injury, as well as for correcting the postural imbalances that lead to injury.
Orthopedic acupuncture is also very effective when it comes to healing tissues - muscle strains, ligament sprains, tendonitis, tendinopathy, broken bones, you name it. Tissues in the body are healed, in a very simplistic sense, by blood-flow and circulation. Circulation is how the body brings in nutrients, stem cells, anti-inflammatory agents, etc. which are necessary for rebuilding damaged tissue. This is why tendons and ligaments often take much longer to heal than damaged muscle tissues - there is simply less blood-flow circulating to tendons and ligaments than muscles. Inserting acupuncture needles in and around damaged tissues (muscles, tendons, bones, ligaments) dramatically increases circulation to the area. Inserting a needle also stimulates a low-level, inflammatory response by the body where the needle is inserted. The body responds by sending more anti-inflammatory agents and means of repairing this “damage” (the needle). This effect is amplified by adding electrical-stimulation to the needles. We are catalyzing the body’s own healing response.
As a final aspect of orthopedic acupuncture, I incorporate manual myofascial release techniques, cupping, and postural and corrective exercises. These exercises are not like your generic physical therapy exercises you may have come across in the past. These focus on restoring range of motion and strength in critical joints up and down the kinetic chain, retraining your body to do basic functional movements in the proper way, and finally in strengthening the over-looked postural muscles that need support. Learning how to move correctly throughout your daily life is the key component to building lasting strength and preventing re-injury.
If you or someone you know has pain, injuries, or just feels uncomfortable in their body, give me a call at (805) 242-8297 for a free phone consultation, or send an email to galenwilson123@gmail.com.
