acupuncture and sports injuries

1. ACUPUNCTURE and SPORTS INJURIES MORDECHAI LORBERBOYM, M.D. CERTIFIED ACUPUNCTURIST STATE OF NEW YORK

3. HISTORY Stone needles were used > 4000 years ago Introduced to USA in 1971 Acus=needle, punctura=puncture

4. HOW DOES IT WORK? Meridians, channels of energy (Qi), run throughout the body. Blockage in a channel causes disease. Acupuncture removes the blockage and restores flow to the meridians Scientific evidence shows release of chemicals which alleviate pain and affects the body’s internal regulation

5. MECHANISMS Release of pituitary hormones-ACTH Enhancement of immunity-white blood cells Blocking of pain fibers (Gate theory, peripheral and central) Micro-circulation, blood pressure, Ig, peristalsis Excretion of endogenous morphine-like substance, endorphines-released also during stress and exercise

6. THE CHANNELS OF ENERGY 14 main meridians Lung ¨ Bladder Large intestine ¨ Kidney Stomach ¨ Pericardium Spleen ¨Triple warmer Heart ¨Gall bladder Small intestine ¨ Liver Governing vessel ¨Conception vessel

7. Selection of points Meridians close to the problem Specific points for certain conditions Points affecting specific organ systems Points creating harmony in 5 elements

11. AURICULOTHERAPY The shape of the body is projected onto the auricle Similar to the shape of the foetus: The head situated at the bottom of the ear (lobule), whilst the hands and feet are found at the top of the auricle.

14. Western Medicine Mechanistic approach Microscopic vision-smaller and smaller particles No built-in mechanism to promote healing and reparative “good forces” Yatrogenic diseases: drugs, surgery, irradiation, chemo

15. Eastern Medicine Life and the human being are part of nature To preserve good health of body and sole Life is nurtured by Chi: what makes things happen..invisible force that penetrates the human body Disease is created by the inability to adjust to a chalenge-disharmony in chi Disease can be prevented

16. Successful therapy for 2000 years Widely practiced around the world The United Nations supports its use Covered by some health insurance

17. COMMON TREATABLE DISEASES Arthritis Osteoarthritis-wear and tear Inflammatory arthritis Back pain-greatest cause of chronic pain Neck pain-arthritis and trauma-whiplash Hips, Knees- pain-arthritis and trauma Sports injury

18. Medline Search Arthrosis of knee, hip, ankle, cervical spine, fingers Patellar and Achilles Tendonitis Plantar fasciitis Sprains, strains Stress fractures Bursitis Pain, stiffness

19. Clalit Health Insurance Services Alternative Medicine Clinics Acupuncture in Sports Medicine Muscle trauma-direct or forceful contraction Avulsion injuries Spinal trauma Groin strain Foot and Ankle Sprain Plantar fasciitis Achilles tendinitis Knee Osteoarthritis Patellar injury

20. METHODS OF THERAPY Needle insertion Heat over acupuncture points-moxibustion Acupressure Electro- acupuncture Laser acupuncture

21. Electroacupuncture promotes healing after injury Weak currents decrease swelling and inflammation Improved microcirculation of skin and muscle

22. IS IT EFFECTIVE?

23. NUMBER OF TREATMENTS Varies with the individual Acute or chronic condition 1-2 a week for several weeks followed by maintenance

24. The Advantages of Acupuncture Noninvasive Drug free Short term treatment (with reinforcement) Can help patients avoid surgery Cost-effective