Sports & Acupuncture Article #1 By Uptown Acupuncture San Diego

November 12, 2009 :: Posted by - kirk :: Category - Sports & Acupuncture

At Uptown Acupuncture San Diego we’re ready to take your pain away through a time proven ancient system of medicine, treating the problem itself and not just the symptoms.

What’s wrong? Has that nagging elbow injury been bothering you? You know the one that you got playing Tennis with your best friend Bill 2 years ago. It’s the one that makes you have to wrap your elbow each time you still play tennis with him due to chronic pain and makes you wince when you have to reach down in that bottom desk drawer at work.

Ever heard of acupuncture or holistic medicine for sports?

I’m talking about acupuncture to treat your injury. No? Well maybe that’s the reason you still have pain.When most get injured in sports or otherwise, they often think the pain will go away by itself or with the help of an anti-inflammatory like aspirin or Motrin. I admit these certainly will help ease the pain and will take away the discomfort. However, they don’t treat the root of the problem. Acupuncture is the holistic source that will help take your pain away from that nagging old sports injury and make you function again.

How is this possible?

Well it’s a simple concept that goes back through thousands of years of Oriental medicine. Your body has energy lines. “Huh? What’s that you say?” Yes that’s right, lines of energy that affect your every movement. Acupuncture focuses on these points. When you injure yourself playing sports, your energy is disrupted and needs to flow naturally again. Otherwise the simple laws of physics come into effect, for every action has an equal and opposite reaction, or in laymen’s terms, action= you injured, reaction = OUCH!

“But they’re needles! That sounds like it’ll hurt!”

Well, actually, when the needles are applied, they’re applied to points on your body where you won’t feel a thing except for a prick an a dull achy sensation, often very minute compared to most sports injuries. “Yeah right, some needles stuck in me are gonna fix my tennis elbow that I received playing tennis with Bill by magic…Riiight.” No, not magic, energy lines. They go all the way from your head to your feet. “Ohh ok, that’s what I hear. Whenever an athlete gets injured they go to the magical acupuncturist and get healed by magical needles.”

Well, almost…they get healed, but it’s a thousands of years old system of holistic healing. The needles allow the body’s energy to be able to flow again and your body naturally heals. That’s what we do at Uptown Acupuncture. We take your pain away help you to heal.

What athletes use acupuncture you say?

Muggsy Bogues of the Charlotte Hornets used acupuncture to treat his knee pain. The pain was so bad that it nearly threatened his career in basketball. After being treated by a acupuncturist, he was back on the court in no time and pain free. Acupuncture ultimately saved his career. “Ok, but that’s just one athlete. He must have been a rare case.” No, actually he’s one of nearly hundreds of professional athletes and semi-professional athletes as well as college athletes that acupuncture has saved their career.

Other athletes such as Steffi Graf,

a Wimbledon champion used sports therapy acupuncture to get rid of pain in her left knee.An Olympic bobsledder, Brian Shimer, used sports therapy acupuncture to get rid of aches and pains he had in his back and legs. He was ready to bobsled again with literally “the best of them” after his treatment. If NBA players, Wimbledon champions and world ranked Olympic champions have found out the benefits of acupuncture, don’t you think you should give it a try?

Does this sound like you?

“But I’m no professional athlete. Gees, I’m just a guy that likes to play tennis on the weekend with Bill.” Yes, maybe, but do you want to continue to stay in pain and only allow your injury to get worse over time or do you want to heal and be pain free?

Visits to us might cost you as little as $10.

We offer free insurance screening and in this troubled economy, you should should have access to quality treatments at an affordable price.

Acupuncture works!!

That’s what I want you to understand. Time and time again holistic acupuncture has healed athletes of their injuries and allowed them to continue their profession pain free. Even if you’re not a professional athlete or a world class Olympian, why not get healed as well as one? The longer that you take to decide to fix that injury, the worse it will become. Come to San Diego Acupuncture and let us help you. We’ll apply treatment to you so that overtime, your injury and pain will be a distant memory and you’ll be yourself once again.

Acupuncture and Knee Pain

October 15, 2009 :: Posted by - kirk :: Category - Sports & Acupuncture, Work & Auto injuries

What is knee pain?

Knee pain is a fairly common complaint among both children and adults. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, more than 11 million visits are made to physicians’ offices each year because of a knee or knee-related problem. It is the most often treated anatomical site by orthopedists, and one of the most oft-examined sites among general practitioners.

The knee is the largest joint in the body.

It is made up of the lower end of the thighbone (or femur), which rotates on the upper end of the shinbone (tibia), and the kneecap, which slides in a grove on the end of the femur. The knee joint also contains several muscles, which straighten the leg and bend the leg at the knee; tendons, which attach the muscles to the bones; ligaments, which help control motion by connecting bones; and cartilage, which serves to cushion the knee or help it absorb shock during motion.

Because of its size, and because it is such a complex structure, it is also one of the most frequently injured joints.

Knee injuries can be caused by several factors. Most complaints of knee pain result from some form of trauma, such as a torn or ruptured ligament; a broken or fractured kneecap; torn cartilage; or an accident that causes damage to the area or strains the knee beyond its normal range of motion. Other conditions that can lead to knee pain are infections; arthritis; hemarthrosis (blood in the knee joint); cysts; and bone tumors. Being overweight can also contribute to knee problems by causing excess strain on ligaments and cartilage.

Who suffers from knee pain?

Many athletes experience knee injuries, particularly to the knee ligaments. Nearly everyone has become familiar with the acronym ACL, which stands for anterior cruciate ligament. ACL tears can be caused by rapidly twisting or changing directions; slowing down when running; or landing from a jump. Injuries to the medial collateral ligament (MCL) are usually caused by contact on the outside of the knee.

Knee pain isn’t restricted to professional athletes, however.

As people get older, the amount of cartilage in the knee decreases, and many ligaments begin to lose some of their elasticity, making them more susceptible to pain and/or injury.

What can acupuncture do?

Studies have shown acupuncture to be effective in relieving certain types of knee pain, especially arthritic conditions of the knee and knee joint. A 1999 study comparing electroacupuncture to ice massage and transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS) for subjects with osteoarthritis found that acupuncture decreased pain and stiffness levels and increased muscle strength and flexion in the knee. Another study published that same year suggested that patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome might benefit from weekly acupuncture treatments. Smaller studies have confirmed that acupuncture is beneficial in reducing knee pain, stiffness and physical disability in patients with knee and knee-related problems. It can ease the discomfort some subjects feel while waiting for knee surgery, and in some cases, it may even be considered an alternative to surgery.

As with any other form of care, however, remember that not all patients will respond to acupuncture. Make sure to discuss the situation thoroughly with your acupuncturist before undergoing treatment for knee/leg pain (or any other condition).

References

  • Ernst E, Lee MH. Sympathetic effects of manual and electrical acupuncture of the tsusanli knee point: comparison with the hoku hand point sympathetic effects. Exp Neurol Oct 1986;94(1):1-10.
  • Fang Z. Arthralgia treated by acupuncture within “chifu” area. J Tradit Chin Med Sep 1999;19(3):207-9.
  • Jensen R, Gothesen O, Liseth K, Baerheim A. Acupuncture treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome. J Altern Complement Med Dec 1999;5(6):521-7.
  • Myhal D, Lebel E, Leung CY, Camerlain M. Radioisotope study of the effect of acupuncture on the articular vascularization of the knee. Union Med Can Dec 1981;110(12):1046-8. French.
  • Shafshak TS. Electroacupuncture and exercise in body weight reduction and their application in rehabilitating patients with knee osteoarthritis. Am J Chin Med 1995;23(1):15-25.
  • Wu ZM, Chen CG. Treatment of hydrarthrosis of the knee with manual manipulation and herbs. J Tradit Chin Med Dec 1998;8(4):251-3.
  • Yurtkuran M, Kocagil T. TENS, electroacupuncture and ice massage: comparison of treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee. Am J Acupunct 1999;27(3-4):133-40.
  • Zhang WB, Aukland K, Lund T, Wiig H. Distribution of interstitial fluid pressure and fluid volumes in hind-limb skin of rats: relation to meridians? Clin Physiol May 2000;20(3):242-9.

Sports & Acupuncture Article #3 by Uptown Acupuncture San Diego

July 12, 2009 :: Posted by - kirk :: Category - Sports & Acupuncture

In the medical community, there’s a new trend happening.

Many doctors are beginning to refer their patients to acupuncturists to treat their injuries. Acupuncture is a thousands of years old tradition based on healing the body along the hidden lines of energy that run along the body. When these points are stimulated, it allows the body to heal from injuries. Although the lines are not visible to the eye, through thousands of years of practice and research, acupuncturists have located all of the body’s hidden lines and meridians of energy and through effective application and stimulation of the points, a person’s body is made capable of allowing itself to heal of an infirmity or injury.

Acupuncture is also based on the premise that the body is resilient and will heal itself.

However, if the energy lines that run through the body of an individual are blocked, healing and freedom from pain are not allowed by one’s own body, making a person incapable of effectively getting better from their own infirmity. If the lines of energy running through one’s body are allowed to successfully run correctly without blockage, the body can and will heal itself. Though western medicine has for several centuries been skeptical of the efficiency and legitimacy of acupuncture, western medicine is finally coming around to realize the benefits of treating the problem and not merely the symptom when applied to medical problems of the human body. Hence, many Doctors of Western medicine have been referring their patients to an acupuncturist, enabling the individual to effectively become healed through holistic means.

Western medicine is finally coming around to realize the benefits of treating the problem and not merely the symptoms

Though acupuncture is gaining popularity amongst practitioners of Western Medicine, many referred patients find themselves arriving at an acupuncturist and are surprised by the seeming simplicity of the techniques used to heal them. Largely, that’s because traditionally, individuals in the West have become accustomed to only being treated for their symptoms and not for the source of the problems which causes their symptoms. The idea of an ancient system of medicine that provides for overall bodily healing amazes most newly familiarized individuals to acupuncture. They tend to be surprised due to the fact for all the years that they’ve sought expensive medical advice from Western Medicine, a much less expensive alternative to physical therapy through holistic healing has been available to them.

a much less expensive alternative to physical therapy through holistic healing

The acupuncturist himself is becoming a commodity which is a prized asset and a necessity in several communities. In the sports community, the acupuncturist has become someone that Western doctors will refer professional athletes to in order to treat sports injuries, chronic pain caused by sports trauma, and acute pain in such locations as wrists and ankles. Many acupuncturists have been the saving grace which have allowed an athlete to continue playing competitively without the worry of reoccurring pain. In the “blue collar” work community, doctors have began referring workers to acupuncturists in order to treat pains in such places as the neck and shoulder due to excessive lifting or excessive pain in the back due to improper bending. After being treated, the workers are capable of working again, making sure that they can provide for their loved ones. As well, individuals from the dance community have been referred to acupuncturists by Western doctors in order to facilitate healing in such places as their knees.

Acupuncture provides orthopedic treatment for knee pain

and can put a dancer back on the dance stage quickly. The dancers are then able to perform without the worry of falling on stage due to a painful injury during their performance. Several types of communities, as well as the common individual, that are in need of pain relief have started to be referred to acupuncturists by Western Doctors. The basic goal of all acupuncture is to heal, no matter the type of community an individual comes from. Here at Uptown Acupuncture San Diego, we welcome you, from whatever community you come from; be it the work community, the athletic community, the dance community, or just someone looking to heal. We’d like to help you to be free of your pain by our time proven method of acupuncture. Our office is here in beautiful San Diego, and

We believe you shouldn’t have to suffer from any pain, be it chronic or acute.

Through the ancient methodology of our practice in acupuncture , Uptown Acupuncture offers you an alternative to painful physical therapy to treat your injuries. Our prices are as low as $10 per visit and we have free insurance screening. We are capable of treating pain anywhere that you have it on your body and we look forward to treating you so that you can live pain free and healthy. It is our purpose to provide you with the best treatment to effectively heal your pain.

Sports & Acupuncture Article #2 by Uptown Acupuncture San Diego

July 09, 2009 :: Posted by - kirk :: Category - Sports & Acupuncture

Have you considered the benefits of acupuncture?

Specifically the benefits of sports acupuncture therapy? Keep in mind that acupuncture is a medical science that’s an alternative to physical therapy that’s been around for thousands of years. That’s what we specialize in here at Uptown Acupuncture San Diego. The tradition of acupuncture therapy for treating chronic and acute pain is a true method of healing based on certain points in the body that when stimulated, allow the body to function better based on the body’s flow of energy. The overall benefit of acupuncture in comparison to traditional western medicine is that it treats the problem itself instead of the symptom.

“it treats the problem itself instead of the symptom”

Specifically, in modern times it’s gained popularity with professional athletes that have sought pain relief for their injuries. For many athletes, it’s made a lot more sense to get treated holistically with acupuncture rather than to have to suffer through a surgery that may or may not fix a problem that will leave the athlete scarred, and not fully capable of continuing in their career.

What are the benefits of receiving acupuncture to treat an injury besides traditional methods of physical therapy?

The first benefit would be that it works. You’ve heard the saying, “there’s nothing new under the sun”? Well that may or may not be true. In acupuncture the tradition of healing is so old that acupuncture methods have been time tested and proven to work based on various conditions and injuries throughout the ages. All of this time and knowledge has led to a considerable wealth of knowledge that we use to heal you at our office here at Uptown Acupuncture San Diego.
In fact, in the modern era of sports, acupuncture has not become a mere choice to certain professional sports teams and athletes but a definite necessity. As I mentioned before, many athletes receive acupuncture to avoid painful surgeries that take a long time to rehabilitate from. However, many athletes will use acupuncture before the point that they have to have surgery, in order to guarantee the longevity of their career. For example, Jaromir Jagr of the Pittsburgh Penguins made the choice to use acupuncture to treat a painful groin injury. After his treatment was completed, he responded saying, “It’s too bad I didn’t do it last season, or earlier this season…I just took it once and it helped me. I’ve got no problem. No pain. And at least I know that if I have the problem again, I have a cure.” Jagr further responded about his treatment,

“…it was like a miracle to me and I’m glad I did it. At least I can play again.” ~Jaromir Jagr, Pro Hockey Player

When an athlete receives a painful injury, he or she has traditionally been confronted by a few thoughts. “Will I get over this? Can I still play? Will my injury affect the rest of the team? Will this affect my career?” Now however, for many athletes, the first thought is, “Will my acupuncturist be able to fix this before the next game?” In fact, athletes have helped to popularize the holistic practice of acupuncture due to the large success rate that it’s provided for them, allowing them to continue their professional sports careers. Not only professional athletes use acupuncture, but also semi-professional and college athletes have used acupuncture as well. In fact,

most professional sports teams now have a team acupuncturist.

Traditionally, injuries are the true thing that have made or broken athletes. The most common injury which has ruined many athlete’s career are knee injuries. With the constant pressure and on an athlete’s knees from running and jumping and bending and squatting, the knees over time if not treated can be a painful end to an athlete’s career. Orthopedic acupuncture is the answer to this potentially career ending problem. In a study of 570 osteoarthritis patients, or patients who have arthritis of the knees, that was conducted at the University of Maryland in 2004, some of the patients were tested with acupuncture treatments and others with traditional western treatments. The patients that experienced the most pain relief after their treatments were completed were those that received the acupuncture treatments. With information like this, who can say what really would have truly occurred in the all star career of the former New York Giants football player, Joe Namath. Had he received sufficient acupuncture therapy for his knees after they were injured from osteoarthritis, perhaps he wouldn’t have had to end his career early due to his knee injuries. During the time he played football in the 60’s and 70’s, however, acupuncture wasn’t a very popular form of sports therapy among professional US athletes. Here at Uptown Acupuncture San Diego, we don’t want your sports career to end early.

There’s free insurance screening and it’s as low as $10 per visit.

We look forward to making sure your sports career lasts as long and as pain free as possible.