Acupuncture for Hamstring Injury

Acupuncture for Hamstring Injury Melbourne

At AcuHealth Therapies we take a special interest in sports acupuncture and have been providing tailored acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies to patients for over 15 years. A key focus at our clinic is providing acupuncture therapy for sports people who have acquired a hamstring injury.

What causes a hamstring injury?

A hamstring injury can occur when one of the hamstring muscles that run along the back of the thigh are strained or pulled. The three muscles that are located at the back of the thigh are the:

Biceps femoris
Semitendinosus
Semimembranosus

When one of these muscles is pulled, strained or torn it can create an injury that can vary from a mild strain to a more severe tear. Hamstring injuries often occur when sports people sprint or make powerful lunging movements that can put extra stress on tendons and muscles.

What are the symptoms of a hamstring injury?

If you experience a hamstring injury it is common to feel a ‘popping’ or tearing sensation and feel sudden and sharp pain in the back of the thigh.

Other common symptoms of a hamstring injury can include:

Swelling and bruising
Weakness in the hamstring
Stiffness and tightness that can limit movement

Hamstring injuries are graded according to severity from Grade 1 (mild strain) Grade 2 (partial tear) or Grade 3 (complete tear).

If you suspect you have sustained a hamstring injury you should always consult your GP.

How acupuncture may assist hamstring injury recovery

If you have sustained a hamstring injury, acupuncture therapy may assist you to maximise your recovery time. As part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture is a healthcare philosophy with a central belief that the body must be in balance to be at optimum health.

According to Chinese Medicine, injury can take place if the body is out of balance. In Chinese Medicine, Qi (pronounced Chi) is an energy force that runs along specific meridian channels throughout the body. Any blockages that interrupt Qi flow are considered to be detrimental to overall health, vitality and well-being.

Acupuncture therapy may provide benefits for hamstring injury recovery such as:

Pain Relief – by inserting acupuncture needles into specific areas of the hamstring, acupuncture may stipulate the release of pain relieving endorphins
Boosting circulation and blood flow – acupuncture may increase blood flow and the supply of oxygen to the hamstring which may reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair.
Reducing muscle tension – acupuncture may help to reduce muscle tightness and reduce muscle spasms in the affected area.
Reducing inflammation and swelling – acupuncture may help to reduce swelling and invoke the body’s anti-inflammatory response.
Addressing underlying issues – a key focus of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine is to bring the entire body into balance and address any underlying issues that may contribute to hamstring injury.

Electroacupuncture for hamstring injury.

Electroacupuncture is a modern form of acupuncture that involves applying a small amount of electrical current to acupuncture needles to provide gentle electrical stimulation. Electroacupuncture can be effective when treating hamstring injuries.

Acupuncture for hamstring injury prevention

By focusing on maximising overall health and addressing underlying issues , acupuncture may also be beneficial as a measure to prevent hamstring injury.

Ongoing acupuncture therapy may help to prevent hamstring injury occurrence by:

Maximising Qi flow, removing obstructions from the body and promoting muscle flexibility
Addressing muscular imbalances in the body that may increase the chance of a hamstring injury occurring.

A 2023 study concluded that acupuncture may be a promising approach for enhancing hamstring flexibility.

Acupuncture for hamstring injury - a natural therapy option to consider

If you have recently experienced a hamstring injury or are looking to take preventative measures to reduce your predisposition to them, then acupuncture is a therapy that you may want to consider. Acupuncture is a natural therapy that can be complementary to western medicine and be implemented as part of your overall recovery or treatment program.

To find out more about Acupuncture for hamstring injury call us at the clinic

0403 524 893