sports injury doctor in Rockville, MDHealing Sports Injuries with Acupuncture

Healing Sports Injuries with AcupunctureSports athletes can be especially vulnerable to sustaining a serious injury in their career lifetime, and may need to receive treatment from a sports injury doctor in Rockville, MD at the Pain & Arthritis Relief Center. Athletes must exude strenuous physical exertion, and severe sports injuries can wreak havoc even on the most healthy and trained body. 

What makes acupuncture different?

While conventional approaches to sports-related injuries may include heavy prescription pain and anti-inflammatory medication, studies show that acupuncture can be beneficial in alleviating these symptoms too. In fact, it is possible that acupuncture can help an athlete taper off these medications entirely. 

Unfortunately, conventional approaches may be doing more harm than good by prescribing anti-inflammatory agents to control swelling, as this can impede the body’s natural response to heal itself. By choosing acupuncture instead, athletes can also avoid the potential side effects of medication such as kidney problems, ulcers, and internal bleeding. 

What does acupuncture do?

When people think of acupuncture, they may believe that it only helps decrease pain. This is certainly true, but acupuncture can help in other ways too. For example, it can assist in injury repair and healing of wounds through eliminating blockages in energy pathways (otherwise called meridians). By inserting tiny, thin needles into the skin along these pathways, energy can flow more easily which can expedite healing. Sports athletes may find they are able to get back into the game at a much faster rate with acupuncture, than if they had chosen to only receive oral medications. 

What injuries can be alleviated through acupuncture?

As your MD sports injury doctor in Rockville can explain, sports athletes may suffer from conditions like bursitis, arthritis, tendonitis, muscle strain, and more. Injuries related to the musculoskeletal system can improve when the flow of energy is restored around inflamed areas. Acupuncture is a more natural remedy compared to other approaches to treatment, such as steroid injections, which can have serious side effects.

What about energy levels and healing?

In order for an athlete to be successful in his or her sports craft, it is imperative that energy is maximized to reach peak performance. With an injury, this level of energy is likely to decrease greatly, as the body attempts to heal itself. Acupuncture can help with feelings of fatigue and depression after a serious sports injury. An acupuncturist may suggest that other causes of fatigue are ruled out first, such as low thyroid, overtraining syndrome, anemia, or blood sugar problems, before using acupuncture as energy replacement.

Is acupuncture right for me?

Athletes who aren’t sure whether acupuncture is right for them, can request a consultation with a reputable acupuncturist from our clinic. An acupuncturist is likely to ask about the athlete’s medical history, current injury, symptoms, and other body functions (including bowel movements, urine, tongue color, and sleep patterns). Those with needle phobia may be too stressed during sessions to feel the optimal benefits. Athletes with the following conditions may find acupuncture is right for them:

  • Acute arthritis
  • Acute sprains/sprains
  • Chronic arthritis
  • Bursitis
  • Tendonitis
  • Low energy/fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Insomnia
  • Lower back pain
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Knee injury
  • Extremity pain
  • Other joint problems

To learn more about acupuncture and whether it can be a useful tool in your treatment plan, call a sports injury doctor in Rockville, Maryland from the Pain & Arthritis Relief Center today!