Ahhh…glorious weather. Jogs in the park. Strolls through the neighborhood. Gardening in the yard. Summer means outdoor activities. It also means the strained muscles, stiff necks and sore backs that accompany all that moving around. While many people will take two painkillers and call their doctor in the morning if pain persists, studies show that acupuncture can be just as, if not more, effective at easing the pain.
The University of Maryland Medical Center cites a recent study that found that acupuncture is an alternative treatment that helped improve feelings of soreness. Additionally, herbs like Turmeric, White Willow and Horse Chestnut have been shown to help lessen the pain of common strains and sprains.
Another study showed that electroacupuncture had an analgesic effect in rats with ankle sprains. Livestrong.com offers up some advice for easing the pain of pulled muscles in the legs, including acupuncture treatments.
The important thing is to understand the cause of the strain and the pain and to protect yourself by stretching and not straining your muscles. By working closely with patients, a Chinese Medicine expert can help customize herbal treatments and acupuncture regimens to ensure that they are strong and well-conditioned, lessening the chances of strains and sprains.
So, go, conquer the outdoors and enjoy the glorious weather…just stretch first!
