Acupuncture Treatment for Common Runners Injuries

The Phoenix area running season has taken off. Though many runners train year round, training schedules often pick up in the fall.

[tweet_box]No one likes to think about injuries, and by wearing proper running shoes, avoiding overtraining, and practicing good stretching techniques, many runners can avoid injury.[/tweet_box] But if you run often enough and long enough, the occasional injury is unavoidable.

If you are injured, consider acupuncture as a noninvasive, nonpharmaceutical method of treatment. You may be amazed at how quickly you recover and how relaxed you feel after an acupuncture treatment.
The following are common runners injuries that can be treated with Acupuncture:

Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)
A typical runners injury that often comes on slowly but can occur suddenly. The bottom of the foot, usually in the area of the heel becomes painful. The pain is often worse first thing in the morning, in the evening and towards the end of or after a run. This type of pain often arises after a change in a training schedule such as when mileage or speed is increased or with increased running on hills. When heel pain is of sudden or recent onset, acupuncture treatment may resolve the injury in just a few treatments. Chronic heel pain may take longer to completely resolve.

Achilles Tendonitis
Another very common runner’s injury characterized by pain in the heel specifically in the back in the area of the Achilles’ tendon. The back of the heel may become swollen, and the tendon may creak when it is manipulated. Often the back of the heel becomes stiff, especially in the morning, after prolonged sitting and then after prolonged walking or running. This type of injury is also associated with a change in training schedule or a change in running shoe or the running surface. Most patients who suffer from this problem can be helped if not completely cured with acupuncture.

Ankle Sprain
An ankle sprain is an acute injury that occurs when the ankle is “rolled” usually when the runner encounters an uneven surface. The result is stress on the ankle ligaments. Ankle sprains are graded with Grade I the least severe and Grade III the most severe. A Grade I injury involves a stretch of the ligament resulting in pain and swelling, without instability. A Grade II injury involves a partial tear of the ligament and some minor weakness. Both of these injuries can easily be treated with acupuncture. A severe Grade II injury or a Grade III injury that involves a complete tear should be evaluated by an Orthopedic Surgeon though acupuncture treatments will help with the healing process.

Shin Splints (front leg pain)
“Shin splints” is a term used to describe pain in the lower leg, usually along the shin bone Pain may be accompanied by lumps or bumps along the shin bone. This is a repetitive stress injury and the most common runner’s injury of the lower leg. An acupuncturist will determine which of the lower leg muscles and or muscle-tendon junctions is involved and will treat accordingly. If there is severe pain directly on the bone of the lower leg, it may be necessary to rule out the presence of a stress fracture.

IT Band Syndrome
The IT band (Ili o- tibial band) syndrome is often called “runners knee”. This is an injury of the outer part of the leg just above the knee. The injury is often described as sharp pain that is sometimes associated with popping or snapping. The pain may become dull with rest; it may also extend up the leg into the hip or buttock. The pain is usually worse when going up stairs or when walking or running uphill. Acupuncture can bring significant relief to this type of injury.

Hip Pain (bursitis or arthritis of the hip)
Runners may encounter two common sources of hip pain. The first is arthritis that results either from repetitive stress or from normal (age-related) degeneration of the hip joint. Arthritis often causes pain or a dull ache that radiates into the groin area. Bursitis is a repetitive stress injury characterized by inflammation and pain on the outside of the hip, thigh, and perhaps buttock, and in some cases down the outside of the leg to the knee. There may also be popping or snapping over the hip when it is bent. Pain may be very sharp or a dull ache. Hip pain can be successfully treated with acupuncture, and the treatment plan may include Chinese herbal medicine and or dietary supplements.

Low Back Pain
Many people at some time suffer from low back pain. For the runner, this condition can interfere with a training schedule as well as activities of daily living. There are numerous causes of low back pain, some associated with the bones (vertebrae), the disk (intervertebral disk), the nerves and the muscles. The back is very complicated! Most patients who have low back pain are not surgical candidates, leaving few treatment options other than injections at the site of the injury or pain relievers. Acupuncture is often a very effective treatment for both sudden and long-term low back pain and may allow a more rapid return to your regular training schedule.

Knee Pain (patella femoral joint dysfunction or Chondromalacia)
This type of injury is associated with pain in the front of the knee in the area of the knee cap. In some cases, this “injury” is termed arthritis. The pain may either be under the knee cap or just below the knee cap. Pain is typically worse with activity, and better with rest. Pain is often noted when climbing stairs or going up the hill. Acupuncture is an excellent treatment for this type of injury. Physical Therapy is recommended in conjunction with acupuncture to provide more lasting benefit for the patient.

Ann Rea, L.Ac.