Acupuncture is reported to be a great alternative treatment for several musculoskeletal conditions, such as soft-tissue damage. But is acupuncture good for ligament damage? In this article, we investigate the effects of acupuncture on ligament damage, and how it compares to common Western treatments.
So, is acupuncture good for ligament damage? Acupuncture shows promising evidence for managing the symptoms of ligament damage, such as pain relief and inflammation, but expert opinion differs on its ability to heal the injury. However, there are studies that show that acupuncture improves circulation, which may contribute to faster healing.
Read on to learn more about how acupuncture may benefit ligament damage.
A study into acupuncture for sports injuries suggests that acupuncture may offer either long-term improvements to symptoms of soft-tissue damage or a complete resolution. Damaged ligaments would typically be classed as soft-tissue damage; therefore acupuncture may be able to help heal or manage the condition.
The study on the use of acupuncture on soft tissue disorders reported that out of 201 patients, 6% saw minimal improvement, 33% saw remarkable improvement, and 59% saw clinical resolution.
There have also been positive lab trials on the use of warming acupuncture for ligament damage, concluding that warming acupuncture may facilitate the healing process via increasing cellular activity. A second study in a similar field reported that warming acupuncture may offer pain relief benefits for damaged ligaments. A further study reported an 85% effectiveness of acupuncture when measured against pain threshold and electromyography.
However, most studies into acupuncture for ligament damage conclude that findings are inconsistent or inconclusive. But, from a western perspective, acupuncture may help to heal or manage damaged ligaments by reducing pain, improving circulation, and reducing the risk of repeat injury.
How Acupuncture Compares to Western Medicine for Ligament Damage
It is not thought that acupuncture offers superior treatment to Western medicine for ligament damage, but that it offers an alternative approach. In fact, the NHS considers acupuncture to be CAM therapy – complementary and alternative medicine.
Western medicine largely focuses on the RICE method for mild to moderate soft-tissue damage, but this is more geared towards reducing inflammation and pain, allowing patients to return to normal activity faster. However, it doesn’t help to heal the problem and the injury may reoccur.
Acupuncture, however, stimulates the body’s natural responses to injury to help promote healing. For example, stimulating circulation helps to deliver essential nutrients and oxygen to the injured area, encouraging a quicker recovery time. What’s more, acupuncture is thought to reduce the risk of the injury recurring.
