American College of Acupuncture on Treating Shin Splints

The American College of Acupuncture agrees that while traditional Chinese medicine methods like acupuncture are becoming popular because of their benefits in relaxation, as well as stress and pain management. However, there are also specific benefits to these methods. For example, aside from pain management tool, acupuncture can be used as an alternative treatment to injuries like shin splints.

Shin splits, or tibial stress syndrome, occur when the tibia is put into too much stress, more than it can handle. According to the American College of Acupuncture, shin splits can be categorized as either medial, where the stress is found at the tendons of the posterior muscles, or anterior, where too much stress is handled by the tibialis anterior muscles.

How does acupuncture treat shin splints? Supposedly, this is where pressure points in the TCM approach play a vital role. There are specific pressure points in the calf to trigger stress release and gradually manage the pain associated with shin splints. Surprisingly though, some expert acupuncturists are treating tibial stress syndrome in pressure points located far from the calf. 

Supposedly, trigger points for treatment also exists in the area between the elbow and wrist, and there are also pressure points in the right arm, especially when treating shin splits in the left leg.

In conventional medicine, doctors treat shin splits with ice and advise rest, as well as using painkillers. As complementary medicine, acupuncture can also be used as pain management tool alongside modern medicine.

Shin splints are caused by stress on the leg accumulated through strenuous activities. This syndrome is common for runners who push themselves above the limit, flat-footed people, or those who have their bodies subjected to physical stress but with cores and physical constitution.

There are still other disorders and illnesses that can be treated with acupuncture. Make sure to follow the American College of Acupuncture for more developments, news, and updates today!