Acupuncture for Kids

World Wide Attention on AcupuncturernLast year’s Summer Olympics held in Beijing, China brought a lot of attention to how effective acupuncture can be as a remedy for sports injuries. In the “birthplace” of acupuncture, athletes and officials were offered free acupuncture treatments at the Olympic Village. Many Olympic athletes used acupuncture to enhance performance and recover quickly from injuries so they could stay competitive in the games.rnAcupuncture and Common Sports InjuriesrnSprains and strains of joints are among the most common types of acute sports injuries. The Western sports medicine recommendation of R.I.C.E (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) is great for acute treatment for treating sprains and strains, but acupuncture can speed healing and relieve discomfort for more effective long-term recovery. Acupuncture:rnReduces inflammationrnReleases pressurernImproves blood circulationrnRelieves painrnBoosts the immune system to promote healingrnIncreases endorphin levels creating calm and focusrnIncreases energy levelsrnAcupuncture is also a great treatment option for growth plate injuries and other types of musculoskeletal disorders kids may experience while playing sports. TCM can address more chronic repetitive injuries such as rotator cuff issues, joint inflammation, cramping, fatigue, and general muscle tension. As an added bonus, TCM and acupuncture may also help improve sports performance by helping to calm and center the mind, and prevent recurring injuries by treating underlying imbalances.rnChinese Medicine Approach to Sports InjuriesrnChinese medicine can be a great compliment to Western medicine, as it takes a different approach to diagnosis. Western medicine focuses mainly on the symptoms of an injury: What isn’t working, and how can we fix it? Chinese medicine addresses the symptoms but also focuses on origins or the root cause of the problem so that the injury is less likely to persist or reoccur.rnA Chinese medicine practitioner looks in depth at the athlete’s health condition. A diagnosis is based on past injuries, but also other health issues including stress over school or performance, sleep patterns, nutrition, and the condition of all body systems. Acupuncture is then used bring the patient’s mind, body, and spirit into balance, thereby promoting healing from injury as well as the optimizing overall health of the athlete.