Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones...

It’s skiing and snowboarding season, finally! I’m sure a lot of you are anxious to get out on the slopes. As with any vigorous outdoor activity, there’s always a chance for traumatic injury. There’s a lot we can do with acupuncture and herbal medicine to speed the healing and reduce the pain associated with injuries to the musculo-skeletal system.  

The Magic of Needles

Other than getting your injury seen to by an MD, what can you do? First, acupuncture is very effective for pain and inflammation. As most of you know, we don’t need to needle into the area that’s hurting to have a beneficial effect. As one of my mentors described it, whether your turn the light on at the lamp or using the light switch at the wall, the effect is the same. Acupuncture can help speed your healing time whether you have a sprain, a pulled muscle or a broken bone.

The Wonders of Chinese Herbs

Second, we can give you herbs to take internally for sprains, fractures and contusions. These herbs help move the stagnant qi and blood away from the area to promote healing, reduce swelling, and reduce pain. Certain Chinese herbs affect different areas of the body, so we can target them to the injured area. There are two ways we usually give herbs. The first is a powder that can be dissolved in hot water. The second is the actual themselves: roots, stems, leaves that you can cook into your own tea. The very best thing about Chinese herbs is that we can customize them specifically to you, your constitution, and your injury! The downside is we can’t give Chinese herbs to everyone. Some folks have a finicky digestive system. Others may be taking prescription drugs that prevent us from prescribing herbs. We must consider your safety above all other concerns when we treat you.

Slather it On

For those of you who want to get better ASAP we can give you poultices to apply to the affected area, (unless it’s in a cast). It’s usually a little stinky and messy, but worth it in the long haul.

What can you do to avoid injury?

1. Stay hydrated. Wind and cold air dehydrate you. Dehydration is linked to muscle and tendon fatigue. So, drink up!
2. If you need lessons, spend the money and time to get them. You will enjoy your sport much more, improve your skills, and reduce your chance of injury. 
3. Ski within your abilities.
4. Wear a helmet, but realize a helmet does not make you invincible!
5. Warm up your muscles, then stretch. Stretch those calves, hamstrings, quads.
6. Avoid pushing yourself. So many people get a severe injury by trying to do that last run of the day when they had worn themselves out.
7. Have your equipment checked at least twice a season by a trained technician. Have your equipment fitted to you, don’t borrow from a friend. 
8. Leave the booze and smokes at home! Winter sports enthusiast who used cigarettes or drank alcohol were shown to be two to four times as likely to sustain a fall.
9. For those of you who don’t ski or snowboard, keep walks shoveled and stairs de-iced. 
10. Avoid carrying too many burdens over slick terrain.

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Left Hand Community Acupuncture is located in the heart of Old Town Lafayette 
at the corner of Simpson St. and Michigan Ave. LHCA offers an affordable sliding 
scale of $25-$55. We do not ask for proof of income. You decide what you feel is 
fair to you and fair to us. We treat patients in a relaxed, group setting that promotes 
an atmosphere of healing. Caroline Adams is a Licensed 
Acupuncturist and nationally board certified. Acupuncture can help with a wide range 
of health issues including pain, stress, insomnia, arthritis, allergies, depression, 
headaches, fatigue, cold and flu, digestive issues, PMS, and many other health concerns.

http://lefthandacu.com 

720-248-8626