How Acupuncture Aids Recovery After Injury
Injury rehabilitation can be challenging, but it’s easier when a healthcare team guides you through the process. In fact, the right treatments can help you manage pain and facilitate your recovery. One effective option is acupuncture for recovery after injury, a time-tested therapy that blends well with modern rehabilitation methods.
At Bloor Jane Physiotherapy & Active Rehabilitation, we frequently incorporate acupuncture into our comprehensive injury rehabilitation programs. Today, we want to share the story of a recent patient, a runner in her late twenties, whom we’ll call Emily. She suffered a hamstring strain while competing in a marathon–and acupuncture helped her get back in the race.
Emily’s Story: How Acupuncture Helped Her Heal
Emily had been training for her first marathon for months. Unfortunately, she was a little over halfway to the finish line when she felt a sharp, sudden pain down the back of her thigh. Finishing the race was out of the question, and when she visited a doctor, he confirmed she had strained her hamstring muscle.
The injury left Emily unable to keep up with her training, and she knew it was important to rehabilitate her hamstring to achieve her goal of completing a marathon. That’s when she visited Bloor Jane Physiotherapy & Active Rehabilitation, where we conducted a comprehensive evaluation and crafted a custom treatment plan.
A key part of that plan was acupuncture.
How Does Acupuncture Help with Injury Recovery?
Acupuncture is a therapeutic technique that involves inserting fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body. It offers several benefits for injury recovery, including the following:
Promotes Tissue Repair
- Acupuncture improves blood flow to the injured area, which delivers essential nutrients and oxygen to damaged tissues.
Relieves Pain
- The therapy stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.
Prevents Scar Tissue Buildup
- Regular treatments can improve mobility and help prevent the formation of scar tissue that can lead to long-term issues.
Emily’s Comprehensive Treatment Program
Emily’s treatment plan combined acupuncture for recovery after injury with other physiotherapy techniques.
We started with a comprehensive assessment in which one of our physiotherapists reviewed her injury, pain levels, and recovery goals. We then used this information to create a customized treatment plan:
1. Acupuncture for Injury Recovery
Emily’s biggest concern was returning to her running training as quickly and safely as possible, which is one reason we kicked off her rehabilitation program with a series of acupuncture sessions before adding more traditional treatments.
We carefully inserted needles around her hamstring and at points along her legs to stimulate healing. Emily was surprised by how little pain she experienced during her acupuncture sessions and remarked that she found the process relaxing.
Within a few sessions, Emily noticed reduced stiffness and pain. Over the following weeks, her range of motion and strength improved significantly.
2. Manual Therapy
We also incorporated hands-on manual therapy techniques to address muscle tension and improve tissue mobility. These techniques also helped reduce discomfort in Emily’s hamstring and surrounding muscles.
3. Targeted Exercises
As Emily’s pain and stiffness improved (in large part due to her acupuncture sessions), we introduced progressive resistance exercises to improve her lower body strength and prevent future injuries.
4. Injury Prevention
After a few months, Emily was ready to gradually return to regular running. In addition to providing her with a return-to-sport schedule, we provided Emily with the knowledge and tools to avoid reinjury, such as proper warm-up techniques and adjustments to her training routine.
Take the Next Step Toward Recovery
Emily’s story highlights the benefits of integrating acupuncture for recovery after injury into a comprehensive treatment plan. Whether you’re dealing with a sports injury like Emily’s or some other type of orthopedic injury, acupuncture can facilitate your rehabilitation and get back to the activities you love.
Schedule an appointment at Bloor Jane Physiotherapy & Active Rehabilitation today to get started!