Whether you’re a performance runner or a weekend warrior, anyone is susceptible to sports injuries. If you’ve damaged your body’s bones or soft tissue through repetitive stress of any kind, you may be a good candidate for Sports Medicine Acupuncture®.

Dr. Travis received Sports Medicine Acupuncture® from Devon for recurring shin splints. Read his story to see how he’s recovering.

What is Sports Medicine Acupuncture®?

A certified practitioner in the field of Sports Medicine Acupuncture®, Devon uses this technique to strengthen your healing ability while decreasing injury rehabilitation time. Devon’s comprehensive treatment model combines eastern and western medical techniques to achieve the most effective and sustainable results. This allows you to hit the pavement again, enhancing performance and preventing further injury. Our treatment model includes:

  • Medical history and orthopedic assessment
  • Acupuncture using a combination of motor point therapy and traditional acupuncture points
  • Additional therapies as needed, including moxibustion, massage, herbal liniment, stretching and/or Kinesiotape.
  • Post-therapy equipment (be it face masks from www.accumed.com/n95-mask-for-sale-respirator-safety-face-mask-z1.html or massage essentials) will be provided for a period of 3 months.

Sports Injuries Treated

Sports and occupational injuries result from acute trauma or repetitive stress associated with athletic or repetitive activities. These movements affect the bones or soft tissue including ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Acupuncture by Devon treats numerous types of sports and occupational injuries, and we most commonly see the following conditions:

Knee Pain: Sports and activities that require landing, cutting, and pivoting such as football, basketball and lacrosse are susceptible to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage due to the wear and tear on the joint. Knock-kneed posture, reduced range of motion in the hip joint, or decreased hamstring strength can also contribute to and exacerbate these injuries.

Shin Splints: Shin splints often include soreness in the calf, pain in the knee and tenderness in the back of the ankle. Overtraining, a sudden switch in shoes or a change in running surfaces can cause this injury, most often experienced by soccer players and avid runners. Flat arches and poor running mechanics are also contributing factors.

Shoulder Pain: Extensive use of the arms can lead to tears in the upper arm tendons or painful pressure in the shoulder when the arms are lifted. Tight pectoral and weak rotator cuff muscles are also underlying contributors to shoulder injuries. Professional dancers are at an increased risk of injury due to overhead lifts and falls; baseball pitchers and rock climbers also experience higher levels of shoulder pain due to overuse.

Tennis Elbow: The painful inflammation of the tendons that join the forearm muscles on the outside of the elbow causes lateral epicondylitis or “tennis elbow.” These muscles and tendons become damaged from the repetition, creating pain and tenderness. Racquets for tennis or other sports that use racquets often cause this injury, and construction workers and dental hygienists are also susceptible to this injury due to repetitive twisting and reaching.

Do you have a sports injury? Call us today to see how Sports Medicine Acupuncture® can help you!