Tag Archive for: overuse injury

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Heal Your Shin Splints With Acupuncture (Anoka Pain and Women’s Health)

Get Back on Track (or Trail) With Acupuncture in Anoka!

What are Shin Splints?

Shin Splints are small muscle tears at the shin bone attachment, causing pain in front of the lower legs.

Signs and Symptoms of Shin Splints:

  • Shin Pain
  • Usually affects Both Legs
  • Better with Rest, Ice and Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Pain on one or both sides of the shin bone. Pain is usually bilateral (in both legs). Pain gets better with resting, icing and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. If these do not temporarily help, it may be time to call a doctor.

Other runners injuries include Runner’s Knee and ITB  Syndrome.

Causes of Shin Splints:

  • Overuse/ Repetitive Stress Injury
  • Running Too Much 
  • Running before Shin Muscles Heal

Shin Splints is usually caused by increasing one’s running distance too quickly. It is considered an Overuse Injury or Repetitive Stress Injury for this reason. Often times  gung-ho, newby runners get caught up in the excitement and euphoria of all of those endorphins flooding the system and think they can run as much as they want! I admit, this was me when I went from NO running to 8 miles and I paid dearly in pain and suffering for it as a teenager on the track team. I also developed Runner’s Knee and had to find the proper shoes for my individual running gait. Perhaps a future post is needed on this?

How to Help Runner’s Knee?

Unfortunately then I did not know about how acupuncture could quicken my recovery time. The athletic PT at the time recommended over-the-counter anti-inflammatory/ pain reducers every four hours for a twenty-four hour period along with icing my shins prior to a big race. Of course, once I got on the track and started running, the endorphins kicked in and would override any pain signals my body was trying to send.

This caused further damage and prolonged the healing time considerably. How do you think I felt once the pain meds wore off? OUCH! Not to mention, any runner can atest to the pain of not being able to run! This can be down-right depressing to a runner. Like no oxygen.

 

Tips:

  • Stretch!
  • Pain Means Stop Running
  • Wear Proper Running Shoes
  • Increase Running <10% Each Week
  • Take a Day off From Running Each Week
  • Add Cross Training to Balance Strength in all Muscle Groups

Avoid overuse running injury by never increasing your running mileage by more than 10% each week. Including Cross Training every week can help avoid over-stressing and thereby weakening the same muscles (and eventually tendons) over and over and focusing on other muscle groups than what your body is used to allows some groups a recovery time to rest. Remember, if staying on the trail is your goal, balancing your body is key. Nobody wants to be stuck icing and resting on the perfect day!

 

Thanks for Reading!

Written by Aleesha D Ackerman, LAc

Aleesha Ackerman is a certified and state licensed acupuncturist with a Master’s degree in acupuncture. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree from Hamline University. Aleesha owns and operates Aleesha D Acupuncture clinic for Pain and Women’s Health in Anoka, MN.

She became interested in acupuncture and holistic medicine when acupuncture cured her of debilitating migraine pain after an auto collision with a semi-truck. Aleesha specializes in treating Pain such as Migraine headaches and Back Pain and Women’s Health. Women come to her everyday with issues such as hot flashes, mood imbalance, low energy and low libido.

 Read more about Aleesha and what she specializes in Here.

 

Aleesha treats Chronic Pain and Women’s Health successfully by treating the root cause and by treating the whole individual.

Why wait? Start Your Relief Today- contact Aleesha D Acupuncture in Anoka today to schedule your acupuncture appointment!

Feel Better, Move Forward

Anoka Acupuncture with Aleesha D Ackerman

Aleesha D Acupuncture is located in historic downtown Anoka at 207 East Main Street close to Andover, MN.

DISCLAIMER

This article is not intended to replace any health care. No information on this site should be relied on to determine medical diagnosis or treatment for a medical condition. As with any health concerns, always be sure to consult your health care provider with any health concerns.

Licensed Acupuncturist in Anoka Serving Andover, Anoka, Big Lake, Champlin, Circle Pines, Columbus, Coon Rapids, Dayton, East Bethel, Elk River, Forest Lake, Fridley, Ham Lake, Isanti, Lino Lakes, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, Now Then, Oak Grove, Osseo, Ostego, Ramsey, Saint Francis, Saint Paul, Shoreview, Spring Lake Park, Vadnais Heights and White Bear Lake.

Zip codes we treat: 55304, 55303, 55309, 55014, 55316, 55433, 55448, 55327, 55330, 55432, 55040, 55401, 55402, 55403, 55404, 55406, 55407, 55408, 55409, 55410, 55411, 55412, 55413, 55416, 55418, 55419, 55421, 55422, 55011, 55311, 55369, 55102, 55103, 55104, 55105, 55106, 55107, 55108, 55101, 55109, 55110, 55111, 55113, 55114, 55116, 55117, 55120, 55124, 55125, 55115, 55118, 55119, 55121, 55122, 55123, 55126, 55129, 55130, 55146, 55127, 55128, 55133, 55144, 55145, 55155, 55164, 55165, 55166, 55166, 55168, 55170, 55175, 55187, 55188, 55171, 55172, 55014, 55025, 55371, 55398, 55308, 55960

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Acupuncture Releases Trigger Finger (Anoka Pain and Women’s Health)

Get Acupuncture for Trigger Finger!

Trigger Finger-Patient Testimonial

Acupuncture treatment for Trigger Finger may allow you to avoid surgery if treatment is done early enough and often enough, usually using electric stimulation (Tens machine) with needles.

Signs/ Symptoms:

  • Stiffness, worse upon waking up
  • Difficulty straightening finger
  • First, Second or Third finger
  • Hard nodule on palm of affected finger
  • “Popping” or “clicking” noise with moving affected finger

Usually pointer, middle or ring finger is affected, though Trigger finger may include thumb.

 

What is Trigger Finger?

Trigger Finger involves Tendon and Tendon Sheath. The sheath goes around the tendon to protect it as a sword sheath does. However, tendon becomes thick and stiff and the sheath becomes inflamed with overuse. Inflammation around the tendon impairs the smooth movement of tendon within sheath. This is where the pain and stiffness come from.

 

How is Trigger Finger Diagnosed?

Stiffness with finger being stuck in position with “pop” or “click” noise is usually sufficient for diagnosis of Trigger Finger.

 

When to Call a Doctor

Anytime pain, swelling or sign/ symptom is sudden and severe you should call a doctor, especially after trauma or history of inflammatory disease.

 

Who Gets Trigger Finger?

  • Keyboard/ Mouse clickers
  • Frequent Texting
  • Grasping/ Pulling Overuse Movements
  • Over-gripping/ Squeezing Power Tools
  • Diabetics
  • Women aged 50 and older

Acupuncture activates the nervous system to release pain-relieving endorphins.

Acupuncture helps lower inflammation.

 

How to Avoid Trigger Finger/ Flare-ups:

  • Avoid Overuse of Finger
  • Avoid Overuse Movement which caused Trigger Finger
  • Try cross-friction hand massage over hard nodule of Trigger Finger
  • Try anti-inflammatory herb/spice like turmeric (check with doctor first)

HOW Acupuncture Helps Joint Pain

Thanks for Reading!

Written by Aleesha Ackerman, LAc

Aleesha Ackerman is a certified and state licensed acupuncturist with a Master’s degree in acupuncture. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree from Hamline University. Aleesha owns and operates Aleesha D Acupuncture clinic for Pain and Women’s Health in Anoka, MN.

She became interested in acupuncture and holistic medicine when acupuncture cured her of debilitating migraine pain after an auto collision with a semi-truck. Aleesha specializes in treating acute and chronic pain and Women’s Health. Women come to her everyday with issues such as hot flashes, mood imbalance and low energy. Read more about Aleesha and what she specializes in Here.

Patients at Aleesha D Acupuncture report feeling cared for, listened to and are happy to get the much-needed pain and stress relief from their treatments!

 

Aleesha treats joint issues successfully by treating the root cause and by treating the whole individual.

Why wait? Start Your Relief Today- contact Aleesha D Acupuncture in Anoka today to schedule your acupuncture appointment!

Feel Better, Move Forward

Aleesha D Acupuncture is located in historic downtown Anoka at 207 East Main Street close to Andover, MN with free parking.

DISCLAIMER

This article is not intended to replace any health care. No information on this site should be relied on to determine medical diagnosis or treatment for a medical condition. As with any health concerns, always be sure to consult your health care provider with any health concerns.

Licensed Acupuncturist in Anoka Serving Andover, Anoka, Big Lake, Champlin, Circle Pines, Columbus, Coon Rapids, Dayton, East Bethel, Elk River, Forest Lake, Fridley, Ham Lake, Isanti, Lino Lakes, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, Now Then, Oak Grove, Osseo, Ostego, Ramsey, Saint Francis, Saint Paul, Shoreview, Spring Lake Park, Vadnais Heights and White Bear Lake.

Zip codes we treat: 55304, 55303, 55309, 55014, 55316, 55433, 55448, 55327, 55330, 55432, 55040, 55401, 55402, 55403, 55404, 55406, 55407, 55408, 55409, 55410, 55411, 55412, 55413, 55416, 55418, 55419, 55421, 55422, 55011, 55311, 55369, 55102, 55103, 55104, 55105, 55106, 55107, 55108, 55101, 55109, 55110, 55111, 55113, 55114, 55116, 55117, 55120, 55124, 55125, 55115, 55118, 55119, 55121, 55122, 55123, 55126, 55129, 55130, 55146, 55127, 55128, 55133, 55144, 55145, 55155, 55164, 55165, 55166, 55166, 55168, 55170, 55175, 55187, 55188, 55171, 55172, 55014, 55025, 55371, 55398, 55308, 55960

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Acupuncture For Tennis Elbow (at Pain and Women’s Health in Anoka)

Acupuncture For Tennis Elbow

What is Tennis Elbow?

“Tennis Elbow” is a repetitive stress injury which causes adhesion and eventually tiny tears in the tendon. Acute (early onset) may be diagnosed as “Tendonitis” whereas “Tendonosis” diagnosis refers to chronic (long-term) trauma of repetitive, overuse activity. Tendons attach muscle to bone. When adhesions (sounds like “adhesive” because it is sticky like glue) form, they impede the gliding movement of tendon over the bone. Now there is pain!  Pain is felt on the outside of the elbow and is easily treated with acupuncture.

Signs & Symptoms

  • Grip weakness
  • Outer elbow pain
  • Pain travels down forearm
  • Dull pain which comes and goes
  • Worse with twisting wrist motions, i.e. twisting open a jar lid or door knob

 

Could my Pain be “Golfer’s Elbow?”

 

Who is At Risk for Tennis Elbow?

  • Anyone with tight forearm muscles from Overuse
  • Tennis/ Racquetball/ Squash players
  • Keyboarding/ Mouse use
  • Construction workers
  • Weight lifters

How to Avoid Tennis Elbow

  • Choose a flexible racquet with a large sweet spot (mid-size or over-sized).  This type of racquet is gentle on the forearm because of how it absorbs and spreads out the impact.
  • Use proper posture and body mechanics when weight lifting, playing racquet sports and other activities.
  • Choose the correct grip on tennis racquet and other sports equipment or tools
  • Avoid gripping too tightly while using tools
  • Choose newer tennis balls (more pressurized)
  • Eat a low-inflammation Diet
  • Regular Cross Training & Yoga for Whole Body Strength

Acupuncture for Tennis Elbow

Acupuncture is good at treating almost all types of pain, including Tennis Elbow. Aleesha D Acupuncture treats tennis elbow effectively. Sometimes “dry needling” technique is used whereby needling is administered to the damaged areas of the tendon of the elbow.

At Home Care

  • Apply heat as needed
  • Rest and Elevate the affected arm
  • Modify exercise/ activity to avoid pain
  • Avoid movements which aggravate the pain
  • Improve Flexibility and Strength with Daily Forearm/ Wrist Stretches
  • Compression sleeve/ brace can reduce gripping pressure (relying on too heavily can lead to further adhesion and pain)

StrengtheningExercise

Grip Strengthening Exercise (Squeeze stress ball)

Exercises to Prevent Tennis Elbow

  • Wrist Flexion/ Extension
  • Wrist Supination/ Pronation
  • Tricep Extensions

Be sure to use proper body mechanics to avoid stressing the wrist and elbow.

Resources

  • International Tennis Federation

Conclusion

To avoid Tennis Elbow, eat a low-inflammation diet and use proper body mechanics, avoiding overuse movements. To recover from Tennis Elbow, change your activity to avoid aggravating the affected elbow. Try acupuncture for Tennis Elbow pain and follow through with recommended amount of treatments. See a Physical Therapist if elbow pain or weakness persists after a few months of the before-mentioned and follow-through with the routine recommended.

Written by Aleesha Ackerman, LAc

Aleesha Ackerman is a certified and state licensed acupuncturist with a Master’s degree in acupuncture. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree from Hamline University. Aleesha owns and operates Aleesha D Acupuncture clinic for Pain and Women’s Health in Anoka, MN.

Aleesha became interested in acupuncture and holistic medicine when acupuncture cured her of her debilitating migraine pain after an auto collision with a semi-truck. Aleesha specializes in treating acute and chronic pain and Women’s Health. Women come to her everyday with issues such as hot flashes, mood imbalance and low energy.

Patients at Aleesha D Acupuncture report feeling cared for, listened to and are happy to get the much-needed pain and stress relief from their treatments!

Read the patient Testimonials for yourself.

Why wait? Start Your Relief Today- contact Aleesha D Acupuncture in Anoka today to schedule your acupuncture appointment!

Aleesha D Acupuncture is located near Highway 10 in historic downtown Anoka at 207 E Main Street next to Peterson’s Shoes with free parking.

 

DISCLAIMER

This article is not intended to replace any health care. No information on this site should be relied on to determine medical diagnosis or treatment for a medical condition. As with any health concerns, always be sure to consult your health care provider with any health concerns.

Licensed Acupuncturist in Anoka Serving Andover, Anoka, Big Lake, Champlin, Circle Pines, Columbus, Coon Rapids, Dayton, East Bethel, Elk River, Forest Lake, Fridley, Ham Lake, Isanti, Lino Lakes, Maple Grove, Minneapolis, Now Then, Oak Grove, Osseo, Ostego, Ramsey, Saint Francis, Saint Paul, Shoreview, Spring Lake Park, Vadnais Heights and White Bear Lake.

Zip codes we treat: 55304, 55303, 55309, 55014, 55316, 55433, 55448, 55327, 55330, 55432, 55040, 55401, 55402, 55403, 55404, 55406, 55407, 55408, 55409, 55410, 55411, 55412, 55413, 55416, 55418, 55419, 55421, 55422, 55011, 55311, 55369, 55102, 55103, 55104, 55105, 55106, 55107, 55108, 55101, 55109, 55110, 55111, 55113, 55114, 55116, 55117, 55120, 55124, 55125, 55115, 55118, 55119, 55121, 55122, 55123, 55126, 55129, 55130, 55146, 55127, 55128, 55133, 55144, 55145, 55155, 55164, 55165, 55166, 55166, 55168, 55170, 55175, 55187, 55188, 55171, 55172, 55014, 55025, 55371, 55398, 55308, 55960

 

 

 

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