Whether you’re a seasoned runner, a weekend cyclist or someone who simply overdid it at the gym, sports injuries have a way of stopping you in your tracks. Pain, stiffness, inflammation and reduced mobility can be frustrating, especially when you’re keen to get back to the activities you love.
Acupuncture is increasingly recognised as an effective complementary treatment for a wide range of sports injuries, and it’s something I see regularly at my Bath clinics.
How can acupuncture help with sports injuries?
Acupuncture works by stimulating specific points on the body to promote the flow of qi (energy) and blood, reduce inflammation and encourage the body’s natural healing response. From a Western perspective, research suggests that acupuncture can help by increasing local blood circulation, reducing muscle tension and triggering the release of the body’s natural pain-relieving endorphins.
Common sports injuries I treat include:
- Muscle strains and tears
- Tendonitis and tendon injuries
- Knee pain and runner’s knee
- Shoulder and rotator cuff problems
- Lower back pain from sport
- Ankle sprains and Achilles problems
- Hip pain and IT band syndrome
What does treatment involve?
I always begin with a thorough consultation to understand not just the injury itself, but the wider picture – how you train, how you recover, and any patterns of tension or imbalance in the body that may have contributed to the injury in the first place.
Treatment typically involves fine acupuncture needles placed at specific points to reduce pain and inflammation and promote tissue repair. I may also use cupping therapy to release tight muscles and improve circulation to the injured area, or moxibustion to warm and nourish tissues where needed.
Most patients notice a reduction in pain and improved mobility within a few sessions, though the number of treatments needed will depend on the nature and severity of the injury.
Getting back to the sport you love
If you’re dealing with a sports injury in Bath or the surrounding area and would like to explore whether acupuncture could help speed up your recovery, I’d be happy to have a chat.
I practice at two clinics – Camerton Clinic (BA2 0NY) and Calmer Rooms, Combe Down (BA2 5HX) – and offer appointments Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Wednesday.
