Acupuncture for Sports Injuries

If you participate in sport and exercise as part of your daily lifestyle – whether professionally or as a hobby - chances are you will have experienced a sports injury at some point in your life.

Sports injuries can be very painful and frustrating in equal measures. Whether you are suffering from a strain, a sprain, a swollen muscle, shin splints or neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee or ankle pain, it’s guaranteed that you want to find a treatment that will help to ease the pain and aid recovery.

Acupuncture is successfully used in the treatment of many sports injuries and often comes as a more effective and faster pain relief option in comparison to other treatments.

What can Acupuncture help with?

Acupuncture can help to manage sports injury recovery in a number of ways:

Pain

Acupuncture needles can be placed in the area of direct pain where the injury has occurred. This could be in the muscle or tissue, and also in the surrounding areas around it.

The needles create a minor trauma to the skin, which stimulates the production of pain-relieving chemicals both at the local trauma site and also at a brain and spinal cord level too. These chemicals, including endorphins and opioids, are released and pain feedback channels from the pain source to the brain are blocked. This means that the level of pain sensed by the brain is reduced.

Inflammation

The microtrauma of an acupuncture needle can also stimulate a natural anti-inflammatory response.

The release of chemicals causes a dilation of the blood vessels allowing them to flow more freely and helps to remove some of the inflammatory mediators from the injury site. Swelling is reduced, and unwanted immune responses and allergic reactions are avoided too.

Tightness

In addition to promoting anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving benefits, acupuncture can also be used to aid areas of tightened muscle, often called trigger points.

Trigger points (another name for muscle knots) occur by an over-contraction of a small number of muscle fibres in one specific area of the body.

Acupuncture needling into these areas of tightness causes a disturbance of the contracted muscle fibres, encouraging them to relax. This also stimulates blood flow and the delivery of oxygen and nutrients directly into the muscles themselves, further promoting relaxation and recovery.

What are the benefits of acupuncture for athletes?

Unlike many prescribed medications, herbal supplements, and other forms of pain relief, acupuncture has very few side effects. This is especially useful for athletes where any drug-induced side effects can affect their training and performance. No drugs, no side effects, and no lasting adverse events all combine to make acupuncture an appealing option in rehabilitation.

As with all injury-management strategies, an integrated approach can often provide the most rapid recovery. Therefore, acupuncture can be used alongside physiotherapy and chiropractic treatment for a combined therapy schedule.

How many treatments are needed?

Every sports injury is different, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. During your initial consultation, we’ll assess your injury, discuss your goals, and create a personalised treatment plan. Often, a few sessions close together help tackle the initial trauma, followed by longer intervals as your body recovers and strengthens.

Listening to your body and adjusting as needed is key - acupuncture works best when it’s tailored to you.

Safety and Benefits

Acupuncture is a safe and natural treatment when performed by a qualified practitioner. Side effects are minimal, and it can be used alongside other therapies like physiotherapy, chiropractic care, or massage. Beyond pain relief, acupuncture can help reduce inflammation, release tension, improve circulation, and support overall wellbeing - helping you recover inside and out.

Final Thoughts:

Sports injuries can be frustrating, whether they come from pushing yourself in training, an unexpected fall, or even just overdoing something you love. The good news is that acupuncture offers a safe, natural, and effective way to support recovery - easing pain, reducing inflammation, and helping your body heal more efficiently.

I see sports injuries in my clinic every week - from strains and sprains to post-surgery recovery. And as someone who is (slowly) learning to play padel myself, I know just how easy it is to knock a shoulder, knee, or ankle! Acupuncture can be a powerful part of your recovery, helping you get back to your sport or exercise routine faster and with greater ease.

If you’re dealing with a sports injury, or just want to explore how acupuncture could support your training and recovery, I’d love to help. Drop me a message or book a consultation, and together we’ll create a plan that works for your body, your goals, and your pace.