How Acupuncture Works

The insertion of needles is thought to trigger endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.

This method of pain management has been used for thousands of years in Eastern medicine and has been researched heavily as it has made its way into modern western medical practice. In fact, recent studies reveal acupuncture to be highly effective for treating strains, sprains, joint pain, trigger points, muscle swelling, and shin splints.

Pre-Injury Recovery Process

Minor side effects, such as soreness, stiffening and recurrent pains, may occur following the treatment depending on the severity of the injury and the patient’s current level of physical fitness. Most of these occur approximately one hour after treatment and subside within a day or two. Overall, chiropractic treatment is a safe alternative approach when employed skillfully and properly.

Trigger Point Acupuncture

Trigger points, more commonly known as “knots” in the muscle and tissue, are tender, painful nodules located in the dense bands of the muscle. Trigger points cause pain not just to the area of the muscle in which they lie but also as referred pain to other nearby areas of the body. They can be identified with deep, direct pressure, which often causes muscles to twitch involuntarily. Pain from trigger points does not usually originate from a specific trauma but from misuse or overuse over time.

Using acupuncture as a treatment for trigger point pain is a common practice. An acupuncturist can apply needles directly to the trigger points and satellite areas to release the knotted muscles. By using gentle manipulation of the needle such as spinning or tapping, the tight muscle twitches and finally releases.