Acupuncture is beneficial for so many reasons, and its benefits can be enjoyed by anyone, not just serious athletes. This non-invasive alternative treatment method is ideal for enhancing the body’s immune system and promoting relaxation. It’s also excellent for treating all sorts of musculoskeletal injuries thanks to its ability to enhance the healing process. If you’re struggling with pain and reduced mobility due to a quad strain, you may be wondering if you can get acupuncture for a quad strain, and if it can actually help.
Using acupuncture for a quad strain is a safe, effective treatment option that provides fast relief from pain and inflammation. By increasing circulation, acupuncture can drastically speed up your recovery time.
Is acupuncture an effective treatment for a quad strain?
A quad strain, or quadriceps strain, is a type of muscle injury that affects one or more of the four quadriceps muscles located in a group on the front of the thigh. A quad strain can cause serious pain, and the resulting inflammation can have an instant effect on your strength and range of motion. Without proper treatment, a quad strain can knock you off your feet for weeks, which can seriously stall your progress at the gym.
Athletes and active individuals are at an increased risk of developing a quad strain. This type of injury is usually seen in people who play basketball, soccer, and football. It is typically the result of explosive motion, such as what one might engage in if they were jumping a hurdle or starting a race. Neglecting to stretch prior to a workout and repetitive use of the quad muscles can also enhance your risk of sustaining this type of injury.
If you’ve recently suffered a quad strain, you know firsthand just how painful it can be. Fortunately, acupuncture can be used as an alternative form of treatment for a quad strain. Acupuncture alleviates inflammation by promoting good circulation. Increased blood flow to the injury site provides the damaged tissues with oxygen and nutrients that enable the cells to repair themselves. Acupuncture also stimulates the release of endorphins, which help boost your body’s pain threshold naturally, so you can feel better without having to rely on pain medications.
When should you get acupuncture for a quad strain?
Acupuncture can be tremendously helpful in treating a quad strain. However, you should not receive acupuncture for your injury during the acute phase, which can last for up to 72 hours after the onset of the injury. Shortly after your sustain a quad strain, the area will become tender, and it’s best to let this inflammation subside on its own before attending an acupuncture session.
In the hours following your quad strain, the best thing you can do is rest the affected muscles, ice them, and elevate your leg to reduce the swelling. Only when it no longer hurts to touch the skin and to apply light pressure to the area should you consider booking an acupuncture appointment for a quad strain. If you’re unsure whether or not you’re ready to try acupuncture for your quad strain, contact our office. We will be happy to help you determine the best path forward.
Whether you’re struggling with a mild quad strain or a severe one, acupuncture sessions can help you as you make your way through your recovery. In some instances, acupuncture alone can restore your use of the muscles. But, in many cases, corrective exercise programming is recommended after the injury has healed to teach your body how to move correctly, so the muscles don’t become strained again in the future.
What to expect during an acupuncture session for a quad strain
Before your acupuncture session, your acupuncturist will perform a physical examination to determine the severity of your injury. Understanding your current pain level, strength, and range of motion paints a broader picture of your musculoskeletal health. Your acupuncturist may identify an underlying imbalance that could be contributing to your pain — or that may have caused you to sustain a quad injury in the first place.
During your acupuncture session, your acupuncturist will insert sterile needles into various acupuncture points across your body. These needles may be left in place for 20 to 40 minutes while you relax. These needles are not painful when inserted. Patients often report a sense of pressure followed by relief as the needle encourages the hyper-flexed muscles to relax.
Your acupuncturist will create a personalized treatment strategy to help you overcome your pain and regain normal use of your quad muscles. Depending on the severity of your injury, your acupuncturist may recommend other alternative therapies, like electrostimulation, which has been shown to enhance the effects of acupuncture in quadriceps injuries. Additionally, your acupuncturist may recommend that you refrain from exercising after your session to give your muscles a chance to recover.
Can acupuncture be used to prevent a quad strain?
Acupuncture is an incredible all-natural treatment strategy for a variety of sports injuries. But did you know that it can also be used as a preventative measure? Regular acupuncture sessions can help you identify musculoskeletal imbalances before they become an issue. Correcting these imbalances allows you to use all of your muscle groups more effectively, so none of your muscle groups end up placing a strain on any of the others.
By keeping your muscles, joints, and ligaments moving fluidly and comfortably, acupuncture enables you to move correctly. And the more you move your body correctly, the quicker these motions will become second nature to you. When you can use your body as a dynamic whole, you effectively reduce your risk of developing a quad strain — or any other type of injury, for that matter!
Learn more about acupuncture for quad strain today
Like sprained ankles and muscle knots, quad strains are a fairly common occurrence, and they can be pretty painful. But, fortunately, they are treatable. If you’ve suffered a quad injury and you’re looking for a better way to cope with the pain, especially one that can help you reduce your dependence on prescription medications, contact Lycoming Orthopedic & Sports Acupuncture today. From your very first visit, we will help you determine the best path to recovery. Book an appointment today and witness the life-changing healing powers of acupuncture for yourself.
