How does Acupuncture treat injuries and speed up recovery?

Acupuncture using Traditional Chinese Medicine theory is very effective in assisting recovery of injuries. Acupuncture works by stimulating qi (energy) and blood which promotes circulation and healing. These specific properties are helpful for injury recovery as well as recovery from surgery. In Chinese medicine, most injuries and surgeries are classified as a stagnation of energy or stagnation of blood. The accumulation of fluid can suggest pathology and/or a lack of healthy lymphatic flow. Acupuncture helps to promote repair of tissues and assist the detoxification process that occur around healing.

What is the TCM perspective on injury?

Simply put in Chinese medicine, qi moves blood and blood houses qi. Both need to exist in balance to mutually support healthy motion and metabolism around the body. Qi is the energetic aspect, and blood is the physical aspect. Injuries and surgeries interfere with this healthy flow of qi and blood. TCM Acupuncture restores the flow of qi and blood, allowing the cellular healing components to repair and remove toxins. Followed by stimulating the liver to deliver the spent blood and components out of the body through the digestive system.

What is a meridian?

TCM diagnosis is based on the stagnation present on a specific meridian, or energetic channel in which the pain is manifesting or where the surgery took place. There are 12 acupuncture meridians found through out the body. Meridians extend from the fingers, through the torso and head, and down to the feet (and back again). They are found continuous through out the body.

How are treatments structured?

When addressing a injury your acupuncturist targets area of pain, but also addresses any additional health symptoms. This could include digestion, sleep, allergies, headaches, menstruation, and more. Symptoms outside of the injury may not be related to the injury itself yet plays an important part in the diagnosis and treatment. For example, difficult digestion can affect the energetic flow within the meridians. Which can impact your overall health, including the body’s ability to heal and recovery from an injury.

How many acupuncture treatments are recommended?

Specific treatment plans are customized to the individual needs of the patient. Not every injury is the same, each presenting with their own set of symptoms and varying in severity. Complex injuries can require an in-depth treatment plan whereas a simple acute injury may only require a couple treatments. To get the most benefit its important to increase the frequency of appointments in the first couple of weeks of healing. When considering chronic injuries it can take as long to undo the condition as it took for it to develop in the first place. With this in mind, the sooner you start treatments to help yourself heal, the faster the body has the potential to amend the condition. Why not get started today?