Acupuncture & Sports Injuries

Acupuncture & Sports Injuries 

My son injured his lower back and right neck the other night at a football game. The trainer and the walk-in clinic diagnosed a spinal stinger. X-rays were taken and nothing is broken. The orthopedist said it was "just a strain" and wants to take him out of sports for four weeks. That's almost half the season. Nobody has offered any type of treatment other than rest and pain pills which do not help. Can chiropractic or acupuncture offer any quick relief? I would like to no what kind of treatments he can do at home to speed up the healing process. He wants to get back on the field.

First of all, that is what every athlete wants is to get back on the field Chiropractors have special training in sports injuries, and some, like myself, even have post-graduate training in orthopedics and sports medicine that can ultimately lead to diplomat status. This an additional 300 hours of sports orthopedic training that can be achieved after chiropractic school.

Lets address a stinger. This usually happens after an intense blow to the top or either side of the head. It is very common in football and should be taken very seriously.

After the injury, the player may experience numbness, tingling, burning and spasms of the neck, upper back and affected extremity. This is basically a pinched nerve in the neck. It usually in the lower neck, but it can be in the upper neck also. Chiropractors specialize in pinched nerves.

Once the medical personal have ruled out any serious damage to the spinal cord, it is time to get evaluated immediately by a chiropractor.

A thorough exam should be performed and a treatment plan will be implemented.

At my office, there will be an intense series of spinal manipulation, therapeutic massage sessions, physical therapy treatments and acupuncture performed.

Home treatments will include ice massage, TENS therapy, orthopedic bracing if needed and special instructions on stretching.

Remember, sprain or strains of the joints and surrounding tissues are the most common injuries related to any kind of sports injuries. Pain, swelling, redness, purple skin discoloration, reduced range of motion and a dull ache are the most common symptoms.

Along with the conventional R.I.C.E. formula (rest, ice, compression, elevation), acupuncture has been found to be very effective in quickly suppressing inflammation and swelling and typically speeds up the healing process.

I know what you are thinking, my kid is afraid of needles and is not going to do acupuncture. Maybe or maybe not, but you would be surprised at how many kids are willing to try acupuncture to get better faster and get back on the field.

My son was 9 when he first tried acupuncture for chronic stomach problems. He had miraculous results and is now receiving acupuncture for his low back pain.

By Layne Towery
Sept. 13, 2016 at midnight